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.

“As we were wrapping up on a Year 5 camp, a teacher asked some students to share what their favourite part of camp was. One of my discussion group members, Henry*, stood up and said, “I didn’t know that learning about Jesus could be such fun!” Tadgh Richards, leader on a CRU Educational Camp

“Edward*, a camper in Year 3, shared how he learnt that Jesus has the power to save us from sin. He said that he’d never read the Bible before for himself and was very excited when I said he could get his own to take home. He even followed up the next day asking “when can I have my Bible?” Praise God for the power of His Word.” Nathan Brackenrig, leader on a CRU Educational Camp

SCHOOLS MINISTRY

• Give thanks for the many opportunities that the Schools Ministry Associates have to connect with and support senior school students on camps and in schools.

• Praise God for the new FIT program ‘God is Holy’ run by the Schools Ministry team. It aims to teach students in Years 5-6 how Jesus can make them holy as well as helping them explore how to live a holy life at home and at school.

• Give thanks to God for the Inter-CRU events where many students from different high schools gathered to encourage each other to live for Jesus in their schools and enjoy an afternoon of fellowship.

HOLIDAY CAMPS

• Thank God for the autumn season of camps just past. We ran 11 residential camps and one day camp. Pray that God will keep working in the hearts and minds of the campers who attended.

• Pray for the upcoming season of winter camps. Winter is our most dense season with 21 residential camps and four day camps happening in NSW, and a further two residential camps happening in WA. All in the space of four weeks! Pray for directors as they finalise the recruitment of their teams that God will provide faithful leaders to share Jesus with campers.

• Thank God for the Holiday Camps team. Pray that they will be efficient in communicating with leaders, campers and parents in the lead up to winter season and that they will work well together for God’s glory.

DAY CAMPS

• Thank God for CRU Pulse, our recent camp partnering with Rouse Hill Anglican College. Pray that the campers who heard the good news about Jesus will be able to connect with CRU Groups at school and kid’s groups at church.

• Pray for our upcoming winter season of camps. Due to COVID, it’s been nearly three years since some of our winter Day Camps have run. Pray that we’ll communicate well with partners in re-establishing these camps.

• Pray for our high school leaders that God will help them to be salt and light in their communities and that the Day Camps they attend will be an opportunity for them to be encouraged and strengthened in their faith.

EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

• 22 new Summit Program trainees joined the CRU Educational Camps team in January, along with two short-term camp staff from overseas. We praise God for bringing them to CRU, for sustaining them through a very busy initial training period, equipped them for ministry, and how He has already been using them to grow His kingdom through a full camps season in Term 1.

• Despite a COVID interrupted start of Term 1, at time of writing we are hopeful to be able to run 34 school camps for nearly 3,000 campers during the term. We praise God for the opportunity kids have to come on camp after such limited opportunities in the past two years, and more importantly, to hear the gospel proclaimed.

• We’re thankful that it was possible to postpone, rather than cancel, most of the camps that were interrupted by the Omicron outbreak; we’re thrilled that those camps are able to happen later this year and those students don’t have to miss out entirely, and thankful for schools for seeking to make these camps happen despite the changes to plans.

GALSTON GORGE

• We are excited that the BMX track design process and COLA development plans have been completed and we are looking forward to starting work on these important initiatives as the winter 2022 fundraising appeal allows. Thousands of kids will benefit from the new track and briefing area and we are hopeful to begin works later in 2022. The COLA will allow for groups to meet comfortably outside and run a variety of activities in all weathers.

• We give thanks for the strong number of booking enquiries that flow in on a daily basis. Praise God that our booking calendar is looking busy for the rest of 2022 and beyond. We also thank God for His wonderful provision of staff members to build and strengthen our catering team, enabling us to effectively and safely run camps throughout the year.

• It has been wonderful to hear the laughter of kids on CRU Educational Camps enjoying the facilities after such a long absence. Praise God for our staff witnessing to young people and campers hearing the good news of Jesus every week. Our new free time area has seen lots of use over these last few months. Table tennis, handball, discussion groups, friendly chats, and bottle filling have all been occurring on the site.

LAKE MAC

• Praise God that CRU Lake Mac has been back in full swing since schools have been allowed to return. It has been amazing to see kids at site and they have never been more excited to be on camp. The place is buzzing with the sounds of young people challenging themselves on and off the water.

• Our site team is slowly growing and getting better at running a full program with multiple groups on site. However, now that restrictions are lifted, we need to add to our team to continue to ensure we run a smooth and professional operation. Please pray that God will provide suitable people to join the team.

• Give thanks for a new activity – the Cave Maze! This is a unique activity that the property team have been working on. We are excited to see kids enjoying a new experience that is like no other!

CRU WEST

• Praise God for the first Educational Camps run in WA in March. We thank God for the daytime program and the partnership with Trinity Theological College, whose students served on camp as leaders as part of their Missions Week. Pray that the students from ACC Southlands who joined us on camp were encouraged to live for Jesus each day.

• Thank God for many opportunities to engage with students at school through chapels, assemblies and CRU Groups this year, despite COVID restrictions coming into effect.

• Praise God for the provision of three new team members in the CRU West team this year. Pray for Jess, Matt and Tash as they seek to engage with students, teachers and chaplains to proclaim Jesus at WA schools.