CRU's COVID-19 stories

CRU’s COVID-19 stories

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." - Kellie Thomson, CRU Schools Ministry Worker

"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

"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

"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

CRU FOOD 2 U by CRU Lake Mac

We give thanks for the initiatives of CRU Lake Mac staff in seeking to practically serve and show love to the local community. The team developed the idea of CRU FOOD 2 U, a meals delivery service, supplying meals to families, singles, and the elderly.

With the assistance of a $10,000 donation from the Bible Society, CRU Food 2 U has been able to bless the community and those in need with over 1,500 free meal portions, Bibles and trauma healing cards. CRU has received many thanks from recipients, including one mum who is not a Christian. She wrote:

"Just want to say a big thank you to all of you kind people for the wonderful meals and the books. Thank you so very much! This week has been so hard, it’s just me and I’ve felt so overwhelmed and it was a really lovely surprise so thank you so much, I am so grateful to you all. God bless all of you."

1 Peter digital resource

Unable to visit schools in Term 2, the Schools Ministry Team created an 8-week digital CRU Group resource on 1 Peter that teachers and chaplains could use during their online group sessions with their students. These resources helped keep students and teachers connected and engaging with their faith even when they were not necessarily meeting face-to-face. It was used not only on the east coast but also in Perth by CRU West.

"The resources on 1 Peter have been really helpful for our senior school group… It's been excellent. In fact, we had 150 students log in last term for one single online session – we normally get 80 students in a face-to-face session here onsite. Please be encouraged and know that your work is not for nothing but has a long reach for the gospel and in growing God’s Kingdom." - Mark Schroder, Chaplain at Broughton Anglican College

Thank you

Our heartfelt thanks to all those in the CRU community who upheld us in prayer and provided exceptional financial support to our June Crisis Appeal. Without the extraordinary outpouring of generosity from friends like you it’s unlikely that we’d have been able to run camps in the winter school holidays – including the first camp at the new Lake Mac campsite where 17-year-old Grace decided to commit her life to Jesus! She shares:

"Camp has opened my eyes so much! The leaders were all open to talk and discuss Jesus and God and were extremely helpful in answering my many questions about Christianity."

At time of writing, it seems likely that restrictions will mean both the number of camps and number of campers will be limited for the foreseeable future. This means we are unfortunately anticipating continued financial shortfalls for some time. Your prayers for wisdom and the provision of funds over future months would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.