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.

"In the first discussion group, Liam* was vocal about how he didn’t believe in Jesus and was very apathetic towards the gospel. I continued the discussion group and challenged them about why the resurrection is so important and what it means for us. Liam didn’t think that Jesus could come back to life, so as a group we chatted through some of the evidence/logic around the resurrection, with the other kids giving ideas and answers. Liam’s attitude became a lot more positive towards discussion groups after this, and the next day began contributing without the same rebellion as before. He ticked ‘recommit’ on his survey, and when I asked him about it he said, “I used to go to church when I was little, but haven’t in ages, and I’ve been reminded on camp how much Jesus loves me by dying for me." - Abigail, leader on a CRU Educational Camp

SCHOOLS MINISTRY

• Give thanks for the release of two new CRU lunchtime resources, ‘Investigating Jesus’ (eight studies for infants and primary students) and ‘See & Believe’ (ten studies for senior school students). These studies are based on John’s Gospel and our prayer is that the studies will help students to see and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so that they may have eternal and fullness of life through Him.

• We are thankful to be able to hold Inter-CRU events across Sydney and the ACT this year. Inter-CRUs are a great opportunity for students in senior CRU Groups to gather together, learn from one another, pray together and to learn about God and how He wants them to live for Him in their schools.

• Praise God for the many opportunities that the Schools Ministry Associates have had this year to attend CRU Educational Camps, CRU Holiday Camps, and for many regular CRU Group visits. The Schools Ministry Associates meet students on camps and follow them up throughout the year on school visits.

HOLIDAY CAMPS

• Thank God for an uninterrupted winter season of camps. Praise God for the way He spoke by His Spirit in the hearts and minds of campers.

• Praise God for Emmerson Brumby and Ellen Trimble who have recently started as Associate Directors of Holiday Camps. Pray that God will work through them as they engage with volunteer leaders and directors.

• Pray for camp directors as they prepare for upcoming camps. Pray that they’ll recruit effective teams and that God will sustain them in their vital ministry.

DAY CAMPS

• Thank God that we were able to run a full winter season of camps for the first time since 2019! Thank God for the partnerships we have with schools and churches for these camps.

• Pray for Day Camp directors, many of whom direct CRU Educational Camps during the term while they prepare a Day Camp for the holidays. Pray that they’ll be able to balance the near term and long-term planning.

• Pray for our upcoming spring season of camps. Like winter, many of these camps haven’t run since 2019. Pray that the camps will run well.

EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

• Thank God for the opportunity the CRU Educational Camps team had to focus on training during the quieter period in the winter months. 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 provide them with the skills to introduce kids to Jesus.

• During Term 2, CRU Educational Camps had the opportunity to run 37 school camps; our biggest Term 2 ever. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to run more camps at CRU Lake Mac than previously, for our team growing to allow for more camps to happen, and for the many additional campers to share the gospel with.

• We’re very thankful to God for His provision of enthusiastic new mid-year Summit trainees who joined the CRU Educational Camps team in July. Praise God for His provision, for the way that He has already been using them, and will continue to be at work in and through them as they share the gospel on camps.

GALSTON GORGE

• Praise God for the completion of the new free time area at Eaglesview, allowing groups to spread out and use separate spaces for relaxation and team activities. The new space includes table tennis, handball, bottle filler and shade sail as well as sandstone benches surrounding the area.

• We thank God for the provision of some wonderful new staff, but more are needed! Please pray that God will provide more suitable applicants. Check out our careers page at crugalstongorge.com.au/careers

• Give thanks that the BMX track design is finalised and the winter tax appeal was successful in raising funds for the project. Plans are afoot to install the new track by early 2023.

LAKE MAC

• CRU Lake Mac has been blessed to have Luke Zakris join the property team. The Lake Mac site is huge and having a dedicated property assistant to focus on the grounds will assist us greatly.

• We are continuing to grow the kitchen team to relieve the workload on some who have been working above and beyond. Please keep praying that we can build the team to ensure we serve our guests great meals.

• Give thanks that construction of the second climbing tower is about to start. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government and from another private Trust. We are looking forward to the zip line (as it might encourage campers to pray!) This will be a great activity that will be a highlight to our guests.

CRU WEST

• Thank God that Mountain Bike Camp and Study Camp ran in July, where the gospel was preached to many students on these camps. Praise God that 18 Assistant Leaders joined us on these camps, where they were able to be trained in ministry skills including running Bible studies and games.

• Praise God that with a larger staff team, CRU West has been able to visit more schools than ever before in Term 2 this year. Thank God that four schools have started lunchtime groups in their schools this year.

• CRU West has been encouraged by the enthusiasm from Christian teachers and chaplains who attended our New Teacher Night and Biblical Studies Heads & Chaplains Morning Tea, which both ran in August. Praise God that these teachers were able to gather together to support one another as they run the race in their schools.