CRU’s COVID-19
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Social distancing restrictions during COVID meant that many of CRU’s usual camping and school ministry programs could not run as normal. As a result, many CRU staff have embraced different work arrangements and have adopted new and creative ways to continue their ministries. We thank God for these opportunities.
Working in aged care We’re very thankful for the partnership CRU has with BaptistCare and HammondCare during this season. A number of CRU employees were provided with the opportunity to work in their aged care centres and were encouraged by the time spent with the residents.
It has been such a joy to serve in aged care over these last three months. A particular highlight has been reminiscing with a resident who remembers camping in the huts at Lake Mac and singing camp songs around the fire, and then hearing this same lady pray for her fellow residents to come to know Christ. It was a wonderful reminder that we can never be too old to be on mission for God. I’m grateful to God for His provision in sending us into aged care and for the many new friendships that I have made.
During my time in aged care, I’ve been working as a full-time Chaplain. Through running chapels, Bible studies, prayer groups and many pastoral visits, I have really enjoyed getting to know the residents and encouraging them in their faith. In the prayer group, it’s great to see these elderly prayer warriors bringing big prayer requests to God each week. I’ve also been surprised by how much the residents love my magic shows - I’ve done 5 shows and they still want more! - Nigel Vaux, CRU Schools Ministry Worker
- Kellie Thomson, CRU Schools Ministry Worker
I was asked to help a resident reorganise her bookshelf. It was an afternoon of reminiscing on photographs, music, Christian resources written by her late husband, and books written by other family members. She showed me a song book from when she attended the Billy Graham crusades, and I was gifted a list of trivia questions she’d used on a camp when she was young so they could have a second go. I am so encouraged by this lady’s enduring faith in our Great Father, her joy in knowing the Lord and her keenness to keep sharing this with others. - Steph Semler, CRU Camps Volunteers’ Coordinator
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Working in aged care has been so different to working with kids (on camps), but just as encouraging! I’ve enjoyed working alongside fellow CRU staff who were pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones, and making the most of our situation. It was a great blessing to see how God was still working through us to bring joy to the residents by having conversations with them about faith and spending time to pray with them. - Campbell Steven, Summit trainee
