CRUview Autumn 2021: The Zoomed In Edition

CRUVIEW May 2021

n i d e m o o Z O THE

EDITION

2-5

CRU Groups go online in COVID

6-9

A Summit deep dive

10-13

An example of serving others

14-15

CRU Ministry & Property Updates

Contents 1 2 6 The Big Picture

CRU Groups go online in COVID A Summit deep dive

10 14 16 17

An example of serving others CRU® Ministry & Property Updates Thank You CRU Community

Upcoming Events Zoom Prayer Meeting

CRU VOLT Winter

Date: Monday 31 May 2021 Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm

Date: Saturday 5 June 2021 Time: 9:30am – 12:00pm

An online prayer meeting for the ministry of CRU. Register by emailing info@cru.edu.au by Monday 24 May.

A free pre-season CRU Holiday Camps training morning for camp leaders to be equipped, empowered, and inspired. For more info, email cruleaders@cru.edu.au

CrossTrain Date: Monday 5 – Friday 9 July 2021 Location: CRU Galston Gorge CrossTrain is a camp for students in high school. Held in the winter school holidays, it will help students learn how to prioritise living for Jesus and serving Him at school. Our aim is to help students grow in their faith and develop skills in sharing the love and knowledge of Christ in their schools. For more info, visit www.crucamps.com.au/crosstrain

Lake Mac Open Day & Thanksgiving Service Date: Saturday 7 August 2021 Location: CRU Lake Mac Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm (transport can be provided) Come and experience the newly redeveloped Lake Mac campsite! Enjoy a tour of the new campsite facilities, try out the new activities and join in a special Thanksgiving Service. Lunch, afternoon tea and a kids’ program will be provided. We hope you can join us for this joyous occasion. To RSVP, please visit: www.crulakemac.com.au/openday

Schools Ministry Week of Prayer Date: Monday 6 – Friday 10 September 2021 The Schools Ministry team love to pray with teachers and chaplains for their ministries and schools. For more information about this week, how you can contribute and receive prayer points and also about attending our Night of Prayer on Monday, 6th September, email kellie.thomson@cru.edu.au

These events are correct at the time of writing. CRU is committed to following all government health advice which may require events to be postponed, cancelled or changed. Prior to each event, please contact us at info@cru.edu.au to confirm the most current details.

The Big

Picture Gary Hill, Executive Director

The Zoomed In Edition One thing is clear: COVID triggered some major changes. We’ve witnessed increased usage of QR codes, different work and travel patterns, growth in online shopping, the substitution of fist and elbow bumps for handshakes and hugs, and various other shifts. Remote connection via Zoom and other platforms became the norm during lockdown.

In the middle of change, and in the hustle of lots of activity, it is absolutely critical that we do not lose focus. If you like, we can describe it as “zooming in on what is most important”. When speaking to people who were concerned about financial security, their future prospects and even the basics to sustain life, Jesus taught them to be confident in the loving provision of their heavenly Father. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)

And now you are reading CRUview's “Zoomed In” edition.

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God’s kingdom and His righteousness is to be our priority. This means it is to shape our words and how we speak. It is to guide how we use our time and our resources. It should be evident in the focus of our prayers.

We are zooming in to provide a closer insight into some of In the middle of change, and in the the ministries of CRU so that hustle of lots of activity, it is absolutely you might get a sense of the critical that we do not lose focus. day-to-day connections with students. We are zooming in to highlight some of the new developments which we’ve introduced to better reach young Australians. And The world’s view is contrary to this and will pressure we’re zooming in on the lives of some of the individuals us to adopt other priorities. How much are we involved in CRU so that you would pray for them, and being shaped by this worldly perspective instead of for others who they represent.

God’s Word?

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It’s clear that camping activity for CRU has taken off since the easing of lockdown restrictions. Our biggest ever Term 4 of school camps was followed by a record summer season and also a record autumn holiday camp season. Bookings of school camps are through the roof for 2021. We are expecting three times as many campers in Term 2 as we have ever had before!

School visits are recommencing, and school groups are showing wonderful growth.

God’s righteousness is revealed in Jesus, His perfect Son. I’m so encouraged when I hear of students and leaders growing in godliness confirming the Holy Spirit’s work in them. Please join me in praising God for this, and in praying that each of us would be singleminded in this regard.

Page One

goO online CRU Groups

in COVID

I

n the first few months of 2020, Australians were grappling with the concept of a global pandemic and teachers anxiously watched the news, wondering when and if schools might close.

Karen Falconer, a Junior School teacher at Roseville College, found herself in this exact situation. When the Premier announced that students would need to learn from home, she and her team quickly had to pivot into online learning.

The weeks of lockdown that followed brought challenges for everyone. Teachers like Karen worked long hours to facilitate learning in new ways. Students found themselves at home with their families, unable to engage in person with their friends and normal groups.

On top of her concerns about transforming classroom learning, Karen had something else to think about.

COVID meant that the Roseville Junior School CRU Group could no longer meet as it usually did, in person, during lunch. As the facilitator of the group, she wanted to find a way to help students continue gathering and learning about God, but the task seemed difficult.

In second term, Karen received an email from the CRU Schools Ministry team, advising her that CRU was distributing some new online resources for CRU Groups and leaders.

‘Friends with God’ from 1 John, both wonderfully supportive units,” Karen said.

When students eventually returned to classes in person, the continuing COVID safety measures meant that the primary CRU Group, with students from Years 3-6, was unable to meet in one big gathering.

Karen worked with the Roseville chaplain to keep the CRU students meeting in year groups. Once again, the CRU resources were helpful, no matter which group was meeting. Rather than prepare and present several different programs for each group, she could literally press ‘play’ and run the CRU program from a screen at the front.

“The beauty of the resources was that the message was consistent,” she said. “Whichever year group we took we had the same resource, and that consistency of message was followed through on.”

Roseville College’s vision is underpinned by the qualities of Christian faith, character, leadership and community. CRU gives students opportunities to engage in each of those areas, particularly the Junior School CRU leaders who come from Years 5 and 6.

“Honestly, they were invaluable,” she said. “They allowed us to meet online in a virtual sense. The girls could tune in and we could engage with them.”

While other co-curricular programs had to be shut down, CRU Groups were able to continue. “The wonderful programs were all done for us,” Karen explained. “The CRU team put together some fantastic resources.”

With a five-minute talk that engaged the students, the online CRU programs also included a memory verse, links to songs, games, and activities that encouraged the students to interact with their families at home.

The concept of ‘wellbeing’ was something that the school was paying particular attention to during the COVID lockdown period and the CRU programs were “perfectly selected” for the shut down and isolation.

“The two themes were ‘Stand Firm’ from 1 Peter, and

Pictured: Canoeing at Lake Mac

“We give them opportunities to show agency and take responsibility for some of the teaching,” Karen said.

Having CRU as a training ground has led to some school leaders coming from the CRU Group.

Roseville College students in Years 3 to 6 also have the opportunity every year to be part of CRU Educational Camps.

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When students come back from camp, many of them are excited to join CRU at school.

COVID restrictions in 2020 meant that Roseville College missed its usual CRU Educational Camp in Term 1 but a quick reschedule meant that they were able to experience the new Lake Mac site later in the year.

The Roseville girls “had a wonderful experience” using the abseiling tower and enjoying the water activities as well as the additional activities and new accommodation. And the teachers enjoyed themselves too.

“Honestly, I wish I could go back and be a kid all over again,” Karen said. “The facilities were amazing.”

CRU Educational Camps develop leadership skills and give girls a chance to ask questions about the Christian faith. When students come back from camp, many of them are excited about coming to CRU at school.

Pictured: Sailing at Lake Mac

“It’s amazing to see students who have no Christian background at all, engaging with the Christian faith, asking those burning questions and then sometimes committing their lives to Christ.”

Zoom in: CRU School Visits •

CRU Schools Ministry Worker, Anna Owen, visits and seeks to support 28 different schools each term. Her aim is to support the schools’ CRU Groups and where possible, the chapel programs, as well as the staff and teachers who run them.

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nna always looks forward to her visits to the ⁃A Roseville Junior School CRU Group and even though she wasn’t able to go in person during 2020 due to COVID, she was so glad to hear that CRU’s online resources provided great support during a very challenging year.

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A typical visit to the CRU Group involves Anna preparing the talk and the games for the meeting in partnership with the teacher, Karen Falconer, and the student leaders. The student leaders get involved in helping with setting up the room, welcoming the girls, giving the Bible reading and prayers, and helping Anna hand out information

about the upcoming CRU Holiday Camps which many Roseville College students regularly attend.

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The CRU Schools Ministry Team’s aim is to support teachers and help students grow and share the good news of the gospel in schools, especially through CRU Groups.

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A

Summit O deep dive

Mei-Lin Denne-Toh has achieved a rare triple in CRU involvement – she’s been on over 30 CRU Holiday Camps, attended and led lunchtime school CRU Groups, and is currently an energetic firstyear trainee in the Summit Program, CRU’s training and camping ministry program. Being involved with CRU in so many ways, it’s safe to say that she’s passionate about its gospel work through its different ministries. Let’s find out why.

Q. Hi Mei, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: My name is Mei-Lin, and most people call me Mei. I’m 17 and I’ve grown up living in the Sydney area. I graduated from high school last year, in 2020. I was really blessed to be born into a Christian family – both my mum and dad are Christian.

Q. You attended a Christian lunchtime CRU Group at school. Why did you attend each week?

A: Most of my friends in my school group weren’t Christian, so going to CRU Group was an opportunity for me to connect with Christians my age and be encouraged in my faith. Especially in Year 12 when things got harder, having that support network of people who could point me to what the Bible says about those challenging things was so helpful.

What got you hooked on CRU Holiday Camps?

A: My first CRU Camp was Getaway, when I was in Year 4. I loved it so much and I just couldn’t stop going each school holiday!

The activities on CRU Camps were obviously a lot of fun – I loved doing things like skiing. But combined with all that fun stuff were the talks and the discussion groups. They were such a safe place for me to come and ask questions, grow more in my faith, and wrestle with all these doubts and struggles that I had, with leaders who were really encouraging and genuinely caring.

Q. What made you decide to apply to the Summit Program?

A: I always thought that I’d go straight to uni and had this very rigid idea of where I was going to be in the next five years. And then God challenged that.

COVID-19 happened, things were really uncertain,

and I didn’t really know what I was going to do. Then I remembered hearing about the Summit Program at January Leadership Camp in 2019.

After chatting to a church friend who had done the program and hearing how amazing it was, I thought, “You know what, I'm going to give it a go.” I prayed and applied, and all through the application process I became more and more sure. I kept hearing so many great things from other people and God convinced me that the work Summit does is so important.

Q. Has it been what you expected?

A: Both yes and no. I didn’t expect the workload. As a camper, you don't realise how much goes on behind the scenes!

But I love the supportive Summit family. It’s so nice to have people who come from all different walks of life together, serving God in such an encouraging team.

Seeing their passion for God every day encourages me to learn more about Him and grow in my journey with Him, and just share His love with these kids. I know firsthand from being a camper, the impact that it has on so many people. Being an instrument for God in this way is really incredible.

Q. What does an average day of Summit training look like?

A: Yesterday we started off at 8:30am with one of our ministry training blocks, ‘Topical Devotional Training’.

Our trainers, Seb and Brooke, showed us how to use the skill of systematic theology to explore different topics in the Bible. It will help us to write our own Biblebased devotionals that will be used on camp during the leaders’ meetings. After lunch, we also did activity training in ‘Bush Survival’ and ‘Introduction to Biking’.

It was really fun. I had a great time getting outdoors and growing in knowledge as well. I was equipped to not only do the activities on camps, but also be able to have more godly chats with kids.

Q. Leading on CRU Educational Camps is a large component of the Summit Program. What does an average day on camp look like?

A: We begin the day with team prayer, focusing on God and why we’re actually there. We then wake up the Page Seven

Q. What’s the most challenging thing about Summit?

A: I would say engaging with campers who just want nothing to do with talking to us leaders. It can be really challenging to still have passion and be convicted in what you’re saying when you can’t see immediate fruit.

The challenge is to trust that God is always working, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Q. What’s the best thing about Summit?

A: The best thing about Summit is getting to go on camps and seeing firsthand the impact that camp has on kids. Seeing other leaders having godly chats with kids who have never even thought about the possibility of there being a God is so exciting.

Secondly, the support network in Summit is so encouraging. My intake is really close, and I’ve loved getting to know these people from all different walks of

life. Also, having mentors who care so much about us and long to see us grow, is amazing.

Q. Why do you think camps often have such an impact on campers?

A: Rather than just teaching them or chucking knowledge at them, there’s an emphasis placed upon making a personal connection with the campers, getting to know them, and caring about what they care about. Not every chat is about God, a lot of the conversation is just, “How are you going? How are you enjoying camp? What are you looking forward to?” But I think that actually goes a long way in developing a connection that later on allows them to talk more freely about their faith and what they believe.

“

I've seen myself grow exponentially in both my faith and as a person, and I can see the way that God is working in my life and those around me.

“

campers, have breakfast, and normally we jump into interactive Christian Discovery and discussion groups where the kids can ask any questions. We then have activities, like sailing or rock climbing, abseiling, then lunch and more activities. After dinner, we finish off with night games and a theme night or murder mystery, before the kids get to go to bed. The leaders then debrief at a leaders meeting to chat over the really great moments of the day, and get all organised and re-energised for the next day!

But the campers aren’t the only ones that have been impacted on camp. At Summit, I’ve seen myself grow exponentially in both my faith and as a person, and I can see the way that God is working in my life and those around me. It really has been an amazing experience.

Know someone who wants a job where they train for ministry and share Jesus on camp?

Tell them about the Summit Program!

Applications are now open:

www.summitprogram.com.au

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Zoom in: Summit Program

Zoom in: CRU Educational Camps

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The Summit Program (formerly known as the Summit Fellowship Program) is a full-time mission and ministry traineeship run over one or two years.

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Trainees receive Bible, leadership, youth and kids ministry training; complete a Certificate II & III in Outdoor Recreation; and a Cert IV in Christian Ministry and Theology.

CRU Educational Camps (formerly known as Summit Educational Camps) are school camps for students in K-12. The programs are designed to develop students physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

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Camps are fully customisable and programs are developed to fulfil a school’s individual aims and outcomes. Camp experiences include outdoor activity camps, leadership camps, study skills camps, life skills camps, bivouac camping experiences and more.

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CRU Educational Camp leaders run camp from daybreak to bedtime and make intentional efforts to get to know each student. The team of approachable, fun and qualified leaders is the main reason why schools keep returning year after year.

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Engaging Christian Discovery sessions during camp are tailored for each group’s age and faith background. These non-confronting sessions focus on the central message of the Bible, and seek to encourage every student to explore faith, God and Christianity for themselves.

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Campers are also encouraged to attend CRU Holiday Camps and their school CRU Group.

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Summit trainees have the amazing opportunity to share Jesus with over 2,000 young people on approximately 35 camps per year (mostly threeday camps).

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As part of an amazing work family, trainees will grow in their relationship with God as they pray together, receive Bible training and one-to-one mentoring, and experience full-time ministry firsthand.

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serving O An example of

others

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A

fter six years of volunteering on various CRU Holiday Camps, James Newton stepped up last summer and agreed to be a camp director on Triple S. He’s currently completing his final year of a Bachelor of Education and Arts at the University of Sydney and doing part-time teacher’s aide work at St Paul’s Grammar School.

end of the week, and you see the growth in campers – whether it’s ‘I’m not really interested’ to ‘I’m a little bit interested,’ or even just a greater respect towards Christians in general, or you have people putting their faith in Jesus – all those responses are encouraging.

And often, you just get to have a lot of fun on camp – I guess I wouldn’t go if it weren’t fun!”

Like many other CRU connections, James first heard about CRU Camps through his parents, Geoff and Kelly Newton. They directed various CRU Camps, and rather than attending CRU Camps as a registered Year 4 camper, he would join his parents as they led on camps.

“My parents actually used to direct a sailing camp in the early 2000s, and they also directed some ski camps,” he recalls. “Those camps are probably my first memories of going on CRU Camps.”

Attending camps with his parents meant that James’ experience on CRU Camps was slightly different from the average camper. Although he still had the opportunity to enjoy the fun activities and make new friends, the impact on his faith was quite unique.

James remembers the effect of seeing the example of his parents as they served.

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There have been times where I’ll be on a camp, and all the challenges in life would pale in comparison to how God is working on camp. It’s definitely a great way to build your faith.

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“Being a kid who was on camps but not there as a camper, and seeing my parents serve, just showed me how we should be serving others.” He continues, “The way my parents were there to direct the camp gave me an example of what to do and how to serve as you get older.”

And that is exactly what he did. James decided to serve as a volunteer leader on a Study Camp as soon as he completed high school. He remembers his first time leading, “The opportunity to share the gospel with kids was great. It’s really good when you come to the

Pictured: James directing on Triple S, CRU Holiday Camp

“Leading on CRU Camps is a really good opportunity to serve and help grow God’s kingdom,” he says. “I also like the friendships you make with other leaders and the camaraderie on camp, as well as the opportunities to be fun and silly and make some good friends.”

CRU Holiday Camps are held every school holiday and can’t happen without the help of over a thousand volunteer leaders and directors that sacrifice their time and energy to plan and run the camps. On every camp, leaders wake up campers, get to know and eat meals with the campers, run Christian Discovery sessions and discussion groups, and enjoy various activities with the campers like sailing, skiing, abseiling, canoeing, horse riding and tubing.

On Triple S, James had the opportunity to experience the joys and challenges that came with leading the team as the camp director. “It was a good opportunity to lead other leaders and try to share whatever advice or experience I’ve learnt on camp,” he explains. “A lot of the leaders were first-time leaders, so it was a joy to be able to help them serve the campers as best they can.”

About the challenges, he shares, “You have general challenges of ensuring kids are feeling safe and enjoying their time on camp – that gives a good

Page Eleven

Serving on a CRU Camp always gives you a bit of increased motivation to be growing in your relationship with God.

foundation for being able to connect with them.

Then you have challenges around how best to share your faith with the campers and ask meaningful questions that help them consider what the gospel means for them personally.”

In addition to serving and seeing campers grow in their faith, James shares that leading on CRU Camps has also helped him in his spiritual walk. “Serving on a CRU Camp always gives you a bit of increased motivation to

be growing in your relationship with God. A whole week invested in the Bible grows you and helps you see what you do know and how the Holy Spirit can help you in answering questions,” he reflects.

“There have been times where I’ll be on a camp, and all the challenges in life would pale in comparison to how God is working on camp. It’s definitely a great way to build your faith.”

Keen to share the gospel with kids on a CRU Holiday Camp?

Email cruleaders@cru.edu.au to find out more about becoming a volunteer leader and serving on a camp.

Zoom in: CRU Holiday Camps •

CRU runs activity camps, day programs and Study Camps in the school holidays for more than 4,000 campers on over 80 camps each year.

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Campers enjoy a range of variety of exciting activities including sailing, rock climbing, dirt biking, horse riding, skiing, surfing, laser tag and more.

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All camps have Christian Discovery sessions that are appropriate for their age group. Campers hear the gospel and have opportunities to ask questions and explore faith.

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Study Camps for Year 12 students provide a supportive study environment. They are focused on encouraging maximum independent study complemented by assistance from experienced tutors, teachers and leaders.

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Camps can’t happen without the help of over 1,000 wonderful Christian volunteer leaders. Each year, CRU trains approximately 350 leaders in leadership, first aid, camping ministry, evangelism and child protection.

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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.

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“Scott* was not from a church background and has come to know Jesus through attending his CRU Group, school chapel and Spring Leadership Camp in WA. Initially, Scott was not allowed to go to church, but the change in him is so evident that his parents are now allowing him to go to church with a friend.”

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Story from CRU West

HOLIDAY CAMPS

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DAY CAMPS

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SCHOOLS MINISTRY

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Praise God that a record number of campers (over 650!) enjoyed our autumn season of CRU Camps and heard the life-changing message of the gospel. Give thanks that four new camps were able to run after the disappointment of not being able to run last year due to COVID. Give thanks for the CRU Camps staff team. Jessica Shanks and Iain Aitchison finished up their time with us recently, and Stephanie Semler moved to Perth where she will continue to work for CRU West part time. Join us in thanking God for bringing Cristyn Sloan into the role of Volunteers’ Coordinator.

It’s exciting to see Study Camps now running at CRU Lake Mac in autumn, winter, and spring seasons. Feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive as the site’s reputation and impact grows.

Thank God for Emily Jones and Emily Donald who have joined the Day Camps team as Camp Coordinators. Both Emilys bring a wealth of ministry experience and we’re excited to see how God will use them to continue to grow His kingdom through Day Camps.

Pray for camps in the upcoming winter season. Most of our Day programs were cancelled last year due to COVID. Please pray that leaders and campers will return to camps after a year off.

Praise God for our continued school partnership with Rouse Hill Anglican College.

We were really excited to run the CRU Pulse Day Camp at the school in the autumn holidays after camp was cancelled last year due to COVID. Thank God for Robyn Gray and Wayne Conoulty, the chaplains at Rouse Hill.

Give thanks to God for the Schools Ministry Associates: Naomi Andrews (2nd year), Laura Harvey (2nd year), and Nathan Smith (1st year), and the connections that they are making with senior school students in CRU Groups and on camps.

Give thanks for the release of two new CRU lunchtime resources, A Big God Story – four studies on Jonah (infants and primary resource) and Big Questions (senior resource). Pray that these new studies will be useful in bringing students to Christ and growing students in their faith.

The Schools Ministry team are looking forward to hosting the CRU Teachers' Conference in May. We are praying that it will be an inspiring day of training, encouragement and networking for teachers and chaplains.

GALSTON GORGE

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LAKE MAC

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EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

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CRU WEST

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CRU has introduced an online bookings portal for groups using our sites and services. We are excited to see the system in place and pray that it will aid our groups in the organisation of their camp.

Praise God that despite some nervousness demonstrated from a number of our clients, many groups continue to book and to run camps despite the challenges COVID has brought to our ministry. The first two terms of 2021 have been very busy with operations running smoothly under the new norms.

This year, CRU Galston Gorge, along with CRU Educational Camps, engaged two new Property Ministry Assistants. Give thanks that they have helped ensure our operations and ministries run smoothly with their involvement in CRU Educational Camps, activity guiding, maintenance and COVID cleaning.

Give thanks for a number of new staff members who have joined the team recently.

We now have a full-time Properties Assistant and an additional Housekeeper.

This has been a huge blessing as the bookings at the campsite have been increasing greatly.

Praise God that many more kids have been coming to camp and we have hit record numbers including our largest lunch for over 450 people in the one sitting. Please pray that the kitchen team will continue to cope with the larger camps, and that we find ways to increase efficiency without reducing the high standard of food we serve fresh each day.

The 100-acre site across from the main campsite has allowed campers to experience ‘bivouac’ tent camping for the first time. We thank God that the campsite has been running smoothly and for the opportunity to implement new outdoor activities including bush cooking, campfires, orienteering and messy games.

Nineteen new Summit Program trainees joined the CRU Educational Camps Team in January. We praise God for bringing them to CRU, for sustaining them through an intense initial training period, and equipping them for ministry and how He has already been using them to grow His kingdom through a busy camps season.

During Term 1 of 2021, CRU Educational Camps had the opportunity to run 39 school camps. With this number of camps praise God that over 3,500 campers came on camp and heard the gospel. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity. As part of the CRU rebrand, we have stopped calling these ‘Summit camps’, and are instead using CRU Educational Camps to further connect our schools and students back to who we are as CRU. Praise God for the new Accredited Ministry Course that the Summit Program is offering our trainees – a Cert IV in Christian Ministry and Theology. Thank God for this awesome opportunity and pray that our trainees will be able to grow in their wisdom and understanding of our great God. As noted above, whilst we’ve stopped calling our camps ‘Summit camps’, we have retained ‘Summit’ as the name of our camping ministry traineeship.

Give thanks that for the first time, we have two camps running in winter, and two in spring. Please pray for the smooth planning and running of these camps.

Praise God that 26 Christian groups are now running weekly around Perth and we're looking to add more as the year goes on.

Our last Inter-CRUs have had over 60 students attend, including one school that made it a part of their CRU Group weekend away! Praise God that, at these inter-school events, students were encouraged by fellowshipping with Christian students from other schools.

*Name changed for privacy reasons Page Fifteen

Thank You CRU® is so thankful for those who faithfully give of their time, money and efforts to support our ministries. We want to say thank you to these three people, who have played a vital role in the work of CRU over the years:

SANTINO DIMARCO

EMMA FLOCKHART

ANDREW WILKINSON

Santino is the Executive Pastor at St Andrew's Anglican Church, Roseville, involved in overseeing operations, finance and music worship. He first got involved with CRU when he joined the Board as Honorary Treasurer back in 2000 and served tirelessly in the role until stepping down in January 2021.

Emma first heard about CRU at Abbotsleigh, but at the time she thought she was too cool to go to the lunchtime group! Emma started to go on CRU Camps as a teenager, and has since led on eight Study Camps because she knows the value of grappling with questions of faith at this crucial time of life.

Andrew works as a chaplain at Northcross Christian School where he has co-led the lunchtime CRU Group for the last five years. He uses CRU’s lunchtime resources to “speak truth into this generation”.

Santino believes that CRU plays an important role in sharing the news of Jesus with young people. He is concerned that more and more young people in our community are feeling isolated and is thankful that CRU provides the opportunity for friendship, belonging, mentoring and the development of leadership skills.

The thousands of young people impacted by the work of CRU include Santino’s three children who have all attended CRU Holiday Camps and CRU Groups at school. He reflects, “To hear of young lives being transformed by the gospel, the life-long friendships that are made, and all on top of fun and adventure on camps – that is why I was joyful to serve on the Board.”

Santino has also hosted a table at several CRU fundraising lunches where he has enjoyed hearing inspiring testimonies from students and connecting with like-minded people.

Thank you, Santino, for your service as the Honorary Treasurer on the CRU Board for over 20 years.

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Indeed, one of the most pivotal moments in Emma’s faith came when she was in Year 12 on a CRU Study Camp. A leader asked her over breakfast, “If you were to die tonight, get to the gates of heaven and God asks you ‘Why should I let you in’ what would you say?” In that moment, everything she’d heard about the gospel, and salvation by grace alone, clicked in and made sense.

Emma views the work of CRU as important for not only evangelising to students, but also building leaders up in knowledge and defense of the gospel - teaching love, patience and perseverance. Emma also provides financial support through CRU’s monthly giving program ‘CRU Friends’, to help spread the good news of Jesus.

We thank you, Emma, for your involvement over many years with the work God is doing through CRU.

Now, after five years with the group, Andrew has built up a team of 42 student leaders who are willing to give up lunchtimes to plan, create and be trained in Christian leadership. He writes about the impact of the group: “I have seen students comfortable to share their faith, question to seek further understanding, and explore by inviting others on the journey.”

Andrew knows CRU Groups also have a positive ripple effect throughout the school and connected community. He is moved as he hears regularly from parents that they are delighted to see their child take steps of faith through the impact of CRU. Thank you, Andrew, for your passion and commitment to help kids come to know and love Jesus through the CRU Group at Northcross Christian School.

Community

HITCHED

TEACHERS ON THE MOVE

• Bailey Dodds & Steph Troost – 5 February 2021

• Mark Thornton commenced at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College mid-2020 as the new Youth Worker.

• Rev Sally Yabsley-Bell commenced at MLC Burwood as one of the school chaplains this year.

HATCHED

• Natasha Clark commenced at Roseville College as School Chaplain this year.

• Andrew & Amber Robertson – a boy, Isaac Obadiah, born 30 November 2020 • Zane & Eilish Garratt – a girl, Skylar Willow, born 3 February 2021

HOME

• Matthew Pickering finished as Chaplain at The King’s School.

• Rev Michael Bennett is finishing up as School Chaplain at St Peter’s Cambridge, New Zealand, and will commence at Scots All Saints College, Bathurst, as the School Chaplain in Term 2 this year.

• Jenni Stoddart is finishing up as School Chaplain at Abbotsleigh to be the new Assistant Minister at St Philip's Anglican Church, Eastwood.

• Graeme Philips – 10 January 2021

Keep us posted

If you have any news, updates, or stories that you would like to share with the CRU community, let us know by emailing cruview@cru.edu.au

Page Seventeen

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