CRU Ministry & Property Updates

We are thankful for the great work God is doing through CRU. Stay up to date with everything that is happening in our various ministries and properties.

“I was able to make the decision to become a Christian through being able to discuss things personally and quietly with really thoughtful and caring group leaders.” - Annabelle went to church when she was younger but wasn't sure about where she stood with Jesus. While she had been on other CRU Camps before, it was on this camp where it really clicked for her and she decided to follow Jesus after some one-on-one discussions with leaders and a Christian friend.” - Story from Winter Study 3, CRU Holiday Camps

“I was surprised to find out that the most eager member of the group wasn't a Christian. Despite this, she was always involved in discussions and it was clear that she thought deeply about what was shared in discussion groups. By the last day of camp, her understanding of who Jesus had grown tremendously and she decided to become a Christian. She shared, ‘I didn't know how much Jesus loved me!’ She went home with her first Bible and a devotional book, and is now a friend of Jesus.” - Belle, leader on a Year 7 CRU Educational Camp

HOLIDAY CAMPS

- Give thanks that 11 camps were able to run in winter, hosting over 550 students and 160 leaders. Praise God that Anthony, a camper on a CRU Study Camp, became a Christian. He shares, “It’s kind of hard to explain. There was such compelling evidence and it just needed that leap of faith.”

- Give thanks that we successfully hosted our first camps at the newly redeveloped Lake Mac campsite during the winter CRU Camp season - a study camp and an activity camp. Both campers and leaders enjoyed the brand-new accommodation!

- We’re really looking forward to more study and activity camps at the new CRU Lake Mac as the campsite grows in reputation and momentum. We anticipate that the new accommodation and activities at the site will attract many more campers to attend a Holiday Camp.

EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

- Thank God for the opportunity to run some staff training since restrictions began to lift in July. The Summit trainees have been training in theology, apologetics, leadership and outdoor recreation. It is exciting to see this training grow the Summit team, further equip them to run camps, and help them correctly handle the Word of truth.

- We’re thankful that, whilst residential camps have not been able to proceed, a number of schools have still wanted to provide their students with a camp-like experience this year. As restrictions have allowed, we’ve been able to run day programs in schools and field trips to our sites with a handful of schools. It’s wonderful that this ministry can still go ahead, and that a number of kids have taken home Bibles in order to continue to get to know Jesus.

- Through the difficult season of COVID-19, we are thankful for God’s provision of JobKeeper in order to help financially. We are also overwhelmingly thankful that many staff were willing and able to engage with work in the aged care sector during a time when camps were not running. These two things prevented the stand down of staff, and the engagement in aged care provided some unique ministry opportunities for staff.

GALSTON GORGE

- Praise God for the willingness of the Galston team to be redeployed in other areas of work and contribute to seeing CRU work its way through this challenging time. Thank God for His provision in supplying work opportunities during restrictions on running camps. Those who were redeployed returned with encouraging stories and enthusiasm for the ministry they were doing.

- Thank God for the 3 Study Camps that were held at CRU Galston Gorge in winter. Give thanks that God protected the camps from illness and allowed the camps to run smoothly.

- Praise God for the glowing feedback that the Department of Health gave as they inspected CRU Galston Gorge and its COVID-safe practices. They praised the process in place and assessed that operations were ‘basically perfect’.

- Please pray for the Galston team as they come back together, transition back into their roles, and prepare for upcoming camps.

LAKE MAC

- We are thankful for the time that we have had to be able to complete a number of projects around the current site to refresh the existing cabins and attend to some landscaping projects.

- Praise God that the CRU Lake Mac redevelopment project has been able to continue to successful completion through this time of COVID-19. We are extremely thankful for God’s provision to enable us to complete stage 1 of this project.

- We are looking forward to camps coming back into the site and can’t wait to see the new site being used for gospel ministry. Please also pray for wisdom and creativity as we explore ways to engage with young people in the local community.

SCHOOLS MINISTRY

- Thank God for the creative ways that the Schools Ministry staff have been able to support CRU Groups to keep running, even when students were learning from home. It has been wonderful to see the team continue to support and maintain relationships with the schools during a difficult season.

- Give thanks that the Schools Ministry team could bless many teachers and students with a free digital CRU Group resource on 1 Peter. Many recipients expressed their gratitude for having this resource available while they met with their students online during Term 2.

- Praise God for the opportunities that are opening up for the Schools Ministry staff to head back into schools and teach the Bible to students in CRU Groups and chapels. While the team have embraced their time serving in other ministries, they can’t wait to get back into schools!

DAY CAMPS

- We’re thankful for the support shown by our Day Camp partner schools and churches during this challenging time for CRU. It’s been encouraging to speak with them about the ministry they’ve been doing and we’ve been heartened by their prayers for us.

- The CRU Blast Day Camp at Richard Johnson Anglican School was able to run in the winter holidays. Praise God! This is our longest-running Day Camp and we had the 7th year of camp this year. It was exciting to see one Year 6 camper return who has been on camp every year since Kindergarten! We thank God for the partnerships we share with Richard Johnson Anglican School and Oakhurst Anglican Church in sharing the gospel with kids on camp every year. It was also encouraging to see another large group of high school leaders on camp and we’re thankful for the impact camp has in developing their ministry skills.

- We look forward to being able to run as many Day Camps as possible throughout the rest of the year. There’s still uncertainty around which camps will be confirmed but we thank God for his steadfast provision in sustaining the ministry of CRU through this time.