CRUview Summer 2021: The Unstoppable Edition

CRUVIEW Summer 2021

Includes:

2020 ANNUAL REPORT

e l b a p p o t s Un THE

EDITION

2-5

Persevering with purpose

6-8

God continues to provide opportunities

10-16

Annual Report

17

CRU Lake Mac: Stage 1 NOW OPEN

Contents 1 2 6 9 The Big Picture

Persevering with purpose God continues to provide opportunities Hear from our CRU Camper parents!

10 17 18 20 21

Annual Report CRU Lake Mac: Stage 1 NOW OPEN CRU® Ministry & Property Updates Thank You CRU Community

Upcoming Events CRU Women’s Fellowship Morning Tea Date: Postponed - new date TBC Enjoy morning tea, prayer and fellowship with an inspiring group of women who faithfully meet to pray for the work of CRU. For more information or to indicate your interest in coming along, please call Philippa McCredie on 0417 254 617 or email philippa.mccredie@cru.edu.au

CRU Business Lunch Date: Friday, 19 March 2021 Time: 12:30pm – 2pm Location: The Fullerton Hotel, Sydney CBD Enjoy lunch in fellowship with other CRU supporters while hearing about how God is impacting young lives through the ministry of CRU. Guest Speaker: Mark McCrindle, Social Researcher. For further information and to RSVP, call Matilda Slade on 02 9188 9717 or email matilda.slade@cru.edu.au

CRU Teachers’ Conference Date: Friday, 14 May 2021 Location: St Anne’s Anglican Church, Ryde CRU's one-day conference for teachers and chaplains to network, be further equipped, and spurred on in their vital school ministries. For more information, visit www.cruteachers.edu.au

CrossTrain Date: Monday 5 – Friday 9 July 2021 Location: CRU Galston Gorge CrossTrain is a conference for Christian 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

The information within this edition of CRUview is correct as of 17 December 2020. The evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may mean that some details may have changed since the final review of the magazine. 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 current details.

The Big

Picture Pictured: Gary Hill, Executive Director

The Unstoppable Edition When decades had passed, and Abram and Sarai hadn’t been able to have children, it seemed God’s plan of a mighty people had been thwarted.

attack, despite hardship, “the word of God continued to spread” (Acts 12:24).

We’ve seen that at CRU throughout 2020. The year When the Israelites had been trapped between the dawned with our views limited by bushfire smoke, advancing Egyptian army and the Red Sea, it looked and threats to life and property. COVID-19 brought like the journey had ended. lockdown, limits and loss of life. Yet God has continued When mighty Goliath mocked to provide, and His Word has the frightened army, it continued to change lives as Yet God has continued to provide, appeared that the battle the Spirit has worked. None and His Word has continued to was lost. change lives as the Spirit has worked. of this year’s events surprised God. We celebrate those When a beaten and battered things in this issue of CRUview, Jesus was nailed to a cross, including our Annual Report. and exhaled his last breath, it suggested that all hope was gone.

I love the last two stanzas of Heidi Tai’s poem, Unstoppable: When Saul, with the backing of the Sanhedrin, launched a campaign to eradicate the fledgling church, Though our headlines shake and crumble, you might have thought it was all over. our Lord will build his church, saving his people from sin and death, Yet time and time again, the Bible’s pages show us that reviving stone hearts with flesh and rebirth.

God is unstoppable. “Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain…against the Lord and against his Though tomorrow may look uncertain Anointed One?” asks Psalm 2, quoted in the face of as first world idols continue to topple, persecution in Acts 4. We have Jesus’ promise that He let us anchor our souls in the word of God will build His church, and not even the strongest forces - unchained and unstoppable. can stand in the way of that (Matthew 16:18). Despite

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Page One

purpose O Persevering with

I

n 1952, a gilt-edged invitation came in the post for brothers Terry (16) and Robin McKay (13). The invitation was to attend the inaugural Northbridge Crusader Saturday Night Meeting at Dr Ian Holt's Northbridge home. At the time, they had no idea who Dr Holt was, but these monthly meetings greatly aided their spiritual growth and were the start of Robin’s continuing and growing involvement with CRU.

From a young age, Robin McKay always had a great sense of belonging to God. He knew about repentance and forgiveness, attended the local Anglican Sunday school, and remembers being “on God's side.” However, it was at a CSSM (Scripture Union) Beach Mission in the summer of 1952 where he was talking with a leader and dedicated his life to Jesus in prayer. Robin exclaims, “I couldn't get over telling Terry afterwards - that experience and act of dedication, it's virtually being born again!”

Yet the following years were filled with significant developments. The erection of the Hall in 1955 saw volunteer workers in their late teens and early twenties serving as labourers; levelling ground, carrying corrugated steel roofing, nailing weatherboards, and laying concrete floors. The jetty and swimming pool enclosure were built and lasted for almost 60 years before being replaced commercially. When mains water was connected Robin, who had just completed an Architecture degree at UNSW, designed the toilet block with a working septic system, providing the luxury of “flushable loos”, and showers. Countless further works followed and continued to provide an enjoyable camping experience for the many campers that stayed on the site year after year.

“We were absolutely hooked on Lake Mac and helping with improvements - with a vision of the potential for reaching young people with the gospel,” shares Robin.

“

We were absolutely hooked on Lake Mac and helping with improvements - with a vision of the potential for reaching young people with the gospel!

“

The next year saw his first trip to the sparse Lake Mac campsite with Dr Holt to help erect old army tents and a marquee for the Christmas Crusader Camp season.

The campsite had a weatherboard store hut and a corrugated steel unlined kitchen shed with a small wood stove, a sink with tank water, and two kerosene fridges. There was also a corrugated steel “2-holer” pit toilet overlooking the lake, affectionately named “Holt’s Humpy.” These were Robin’s very first memories of a campsite that would help share the hope of the gospel with thousands of campers over the next five decades.

Some significant challenges threatened to derail the site’s development. Funds were in short supply, and there were difficulties in getting necessary permissions from the local council. It took over 16 years for water to be connected, meaning that development work was continuing with the hope that this would be achieved but without certainty. To make it worse, tools were often stolen from the site.

Many regular working parties were carried out by the Senior Crusader Fellowship, a ministry formed with the prime function of equipping the group spiritually for God’s service, both within and beyond CRU.

Pictured: CRU Lake Mac working party

During this time, Robin's parents also served at Lake Mac. His father, Dick, was a builder by trade and assisted with construction works, and his mother, Robbie, kept the working parties well fed. She was

Page Three

known as “Mrs Mac” – CRU’s first Lake Mac cook! Robin recalls that they were all “well fed by Mrs Mac as a labour of love for her Lord Jesus.”

Robin served as a leader on Senior Boys’ sailing camps for a few years and also led on a series of Crusader Bushwalks between 1958 and 1962. Robin recalls, “We had annual bushwalks which were an amazing event.

Six or seven days in the Blue Mountains, miles out from civilization. The isolated, idyllic environment with morning Bible messages was conducive to close spiritual encounters with the boys.”

While working as an architect, Robin met Wendy at his office, and they were married in 1964. After living in England for nearly two years, they returned to build their house at Emu Plains. Busy with his own architectural practice and three sons, Robin’s CRU Camp involvement slowed, however, he and Wendy still served as house parents on a few sailing camps at Lake Mac and other CRU Camps at Gerringong and Wyangala Dam. Possibly Robin’s most unique and recognizable contribution to Lake Mac was his innovative design of the A-frame timber tents. “CRU can claim the introduction of ‘glamping’ to the world back in 1968

Page Four

with the construction of the unique timber tents,” Robin says playfully.

“The timber tents obviated the need for constantly erecting, repairing and packing away old army tents, and had a floor to keep the mattresses off the ground.

There were plenty of mattresses in the store hut, but having them on the grass wasn't a good idea,” Robin explains.

Pictured: CRU Lake Mac winterised timber tents, 1993

The iconic design was not just driven by practicality, however. Robin’s intention for the tents was to retain the camping character that Lake Mac was known for, and not to be just a replica of the campers’ bedrooms

at home. He recalls, “When the kids came on camp, we wanted something that was a bit more exciting for them that had a real camping flavour about it. They had to roll up the canvas on each triangular end and close them down again. And when used properly, they were weatherproof.” The canvas ends not only retained the tent-like feel but allowed for ample ventilation and “natural air-conditioning” – especially suited for the summer camp seasons!

Robin reflects, “When coming up with solutions for what was needed, designs were always with God’s guidance. I think the timber tents were part of that God-given insight into what the campsite should look like, and how we enjoyed camping in the scrub that Lake Macquarie was.”

52 years later, the iconic A-frame cabins remain in use today as part of the newly-redeveloped Lake Mac site.

Over time, the canvas ends had to be replaced with infill structures for increased safety and security, yet the cabins still retain much of the character of the original design.

Robin reflects, “One day we might know how many campers have actually come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through being on camps at Lake Mac. God used those camps as an amazing force for presentation of the gospel. In that environment, where campers are away from home, with a group of friends, and with dedicated leaders who are there to point them in the right direction to Jesus, it’s a unique opportunity.”

We praise God for the McKays and the hundreds of faithful servants who have partnered in CRU’s ministry over the years. We are thankful for their perseverance when major challenges arose. Under God’s guidance, their sacrifice, commitment and generosity have enabled thousands of children and young people to encounter Christ. Their Godinspired work from decades ago still bears fruit today and laid the platform for later site developments. Our new cabins are already providing the opportunity for tens of thousands more children and young people to enjoy Christian community at Lake Mac. God’s work continues!

Times of great challenge God has continued to bless CRU’s ministry for over 90 years, even through times of great struggle.

1929-34

The Great Depression saw unemployment hit 30% in Australia, profits plummet, and suicide rates peak. Yet despite financial hardship, CRU’s founders saw the priority of investing time and money in founding and establishing this new ministry.

1938-43

The heresy of sinless perfectionism threatened to shipwreck evangelical faith in Sydney. Leaders within CRU and the Sydney University Evangelical Union stood firm to biblical teaching, often at great personal cost.

1939-45

World War II saw many of CRU’s leaders enlist to serve overseas. Many of their wives and friends recognised the need to meet regularly to pray for the country, for those serving, and for the ministry of CRU, and so the Crusaders Women’s Fellowship was founded (and still exists!).

1946-56

Guesthouses which had previously been used for camps were requisitioned by the government for the rehabilitation of returned service personnel. Prayers to find alternate venues were answered when Dr Paul White donated land at Galston and Dr Leslie Parr did so at Lake Macquarie.

1987-93

The reintroduction of the 4-term school year saw holiday camp numbers decline from 1,717 in 1986 to 861 in 1993. Questions arose about whether the day of holiday camps was over, with an additional challenge being the disconnect between school and university holidays. After much prayer and consideration, additional resources were allocated to boosting both the quality of the camps and their marketing. Thank God that the following years saw large increases in camper numbers so that they later passed 3,000.

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic saw the closure of schools and camps for a period. Limited holiday camps resumed in winter with strict COVID safety measures in place and school camps recommenced in Term 4.

Page Five

God continues to provide

opportunities

O

When Bailey Dodds joined CRU as a Schools Ministry Worker in January 2020, he never would have guessed how different his work would look just a few months later. But despite the rocky start and the unpredictability that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, he was able to witness God opening doors, building community, and moving the hearts of campers.

Page Six

Q. Hi Bailey, please tell us a little bit about yourself and your faith story.

A: Well, I’ve been at CRU for about a year now. Before that, I worked at my church doing young adults’ ministry and helping people feel welcome when they first turned up at Barneys (St Barnabas’ Anglican Church).

I don’t think I had a specific moment when I became a Christian. When I’m thinking about my own faith story, the best way to describe it is a journey of me trying to run away and God lovingly redirecting me back in the right direction. Being on this journey means that He will continue to grow me, God willing.

students attending each week – whether on Zoom, or in person, or a mix of both – they’ve all been there every week. It’s an important space for all of the students and I feel welcomed when I drop in on Zoom – I barely know the names of half the people in the group, but I still feel welcomed! God is working in those students.

Q. The COVID-19 pandemic happened just a couple months into your new role as a Schools Ministry Worker. How did that impact you and your work?

I think that’s a pretty good approximation of what a CRU Group is for – it’s a space where someone can just drop in and feel welcomed. It’s especially valuable when other extracurricular activities, like sport, are on pause and lots of students can’t meet with their usual community groups.

A: Normally, my work would involve going and visiting school chapels and lunchtime CRU Groups, and supporting teachers in any way possible. But for most of the year, it looked a lot more like supplying resources, prayer, and also providing specific support with things they required, like video talks or running online CRU Groups for some teachers, especially for those who don’t find the online aspect easy.

It was especially complicated for me at the start of the year because of COVID. The week where everything locked down, I remember thinking, “Oh, I just started to figure out what I was doing.” Then everything changed, and all of a sudden, I didn’t know what I was doing again.

Pictured: Bailey at a CRU FIT (Followers in Training) event, 2020

Q. Despite school ministry looking different, and the changes you went through, how were you able to see God working during this time?

Q. We can’t predict what 2021 will be like, but what are your thoughts about Schools Ministry and community as we begin the new year?

A: Ironically, COVID actually helped me connect and build relationships with some of the chaplains that I am now supporting. There were a few chaplains who found pivoting to online chapel quite a challenge. So, when I reached out in Term 2 with the offer to assist them with digital help such as a recording of a talk, they were thankful and eager to receive that support.

A: I suspect that how we support schools will still look a lot different, so I’m working on and praying for creativity in the ways that I support the chaplains and teachers.

We need to keep being creative in how we build relationships and help in ways that are a real blessing to those we work with.

A couple of them were people that I hadn’t actually managed to connect with before then. And that has actually been a pretty consistent experience through the rest of the year – God has used COVID to open doors in that regard! There are teachers and chaplains that I have never met, but have been able to support for six months now without actually meeting them face-to-face.

Q. Have there been any school CRU Groups that you’ve been particularly encouraged by during this time?

A: The CRU Group at Canberra Grammar has really displayed what community looks like. They’ve had eight

Everyone’s learned the value of community this year.

Lots of people have expressed how hard it was when church wasn’t running in the way we were used to – they missed the incidental interactions, myself included. I’m really interested and hopeful for us as Christians, but also just as a broader society, to see how we can do community well as rules change over time.

Q. You weren’t able to see many students in person for most of 2020, however, you had the opportunity to be the speaker on a spring CRU Study Camp and see campers face-to-face. What was that like?

A: Being on camp was really good. It was exciting to have the opportunity to meet, build relationships, and experience community in-person again.

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I’ve led on a couple of spring Study Camps before and they can be relatively high-octane adventures with some campers who are very stressed. But this camp was really different! It was definitely the most chilled out spring Study Camp I’ve ever been involved in.

The leaders and the campers all bought into a culture together. It was a space where both campers and leaders felt safe to talk about their opinions and the way that they view different parts of life.

It was also nice to be up at CRU Lake Mac – a lot of the campers were pleasantly surprised by the new accommodation and facilities, and enjoyed their experience of the site.

There were multiple times during the week, where I thought, “Yeah, Spirit, you’re here and doing things on this camp!”

Q. Earlier, you spoke about CRU Groups being an example of community. How do you see CRU Camps being a place of community for campers?

A: I think it’s one of the best things that kids can do during the holiday break, whether the kids are Christian or not. They’re a really fun week where they meet kids from all over the place, they’re seen, and loved by a bunch of leaders who are just there to invest into the kids for a week.

Q. Were there any memorable moments on camp?

When you have kids coming back year after year, that long-term community and that long-term positive memory of Jesus is the real deal.

A: My favourite moment was when I was chatting to two campers – one came from a church background and the other didn’t. I asked the guy who didn’t come from a church background whether his opinion of Jesus had changed over the week. His response was quite blunt and quite funny!

That’s one of the Bible’s big promises for what the gospel offers in this life – community that shows them a glimpse of heaven. And both CRU Camps and CRU Groups have an opportunity to do that.

Q. How did you see COVID playing a part in how camp was different this year?

A: In my second talk on camp, I presented the idea that there’s something wrong with the world and about being dissatisfied in life. It was fascinating because almost no one in the room pushed back on that idea.

That was something I had never experienced before, especially with teenagers who come from privileged backgrounds – it’s not usually something that resonates with them. I think that their response just speaks to the reality and impact of COVID, and what it feels like for so many of the young people in Sydney.

There were a few campers who hadn’t really shown a huge amount of engagement during the week, but during Q&A time felt safe enough to ask really raw, difficult and scary questions about suffering and suicide. Praise God that He spoke through the leaders and that they were able to give utterly heartfelt and beautiful responses.

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Q. Finally, what does ‘the unstoppable gospel’ mean to you?

A: I think the part of the gospel that is unstoppable for me is Jesus. I think about people that I know, the kids that I’ve led on camps, people who’ve had no interaction with the church, or just anyone really… when they have a genuine interaction with Jesus, seeing who He is and what He did for them, that is life-changing. And when the Spirit is working in that, that is unstoppable.

“

…when they have a genuine interaction with Jesus, seeing who He is and what He did for them, that is life-changing. And when the Spirit is working in that, that is unstoppable.

“

He simply said, “When I came into this week, I hated all religions. Now, coming out of this week, I quite like Jesus.

Don’t really like the church, but I like Jesus.” We then went on to have a long conversation afterwards.

Hear from our CRU Camper parents!

Having received confirmation from NSW Health that our CRU Holiday Camps were cleared to go ahead in the second half of 2020, we were delighted to receive so many positive comments from both campers and their parents about the safe and positive environment on our camps. Praise God that He continues to work through CRU Camps!

Here’s some of the wonderful parent feedback we received.

The kids had a blast at camp! They made new friends and loved the time spent learning about God and Jesus. They were so excited to share the Bible verses that they memorised! We now keep memorising these verses as a family!

Eloise had an excellent experience. She was more productive with her HSC preparation than she has ever been before. Great sense of personal satisfaction, in a supportive environment.

– Susan, Winter Study 6 parent

– Zona, MacTime parent

My child came back and expressed that they had the most amazing experience that was truly unforgettable. They made some new friends who they keep in contact with and were inspired by the leaders.

– Mark, Frantik parent

A brilliant week where my daughter could be herself, search for answers, and learn about God. Thank you to the leaders who were loving and helped my daughter think about God. She particularly enjoyed the campfire nights and the conversations she had around them. My child came back closer to God and encouraged to face their secular school environment with gained confidence.

– Lois, Brightwaters parent

My child loved it! He came home so happy and very proud of the amount of study he achieved at camp. He's already asked to go again next holidays!

I get a sense of relief from him that he has taken control and is now actually working towards his HSC, not just drifting.

My daughter came back so proud of herself of all the things she did on camp. I felt she had matured and that she was more independent.

– Renee, Splash parent

– Annette, Winter Study 5 parent Page Nine

ANNUAL REPORT

SEP 2019 – AUG 2020

Page Fifteen

ANNUAL REPORT SEPTEMBER 2019 - AUGUST 2020

CRU witnessed some extraordinary things in an extraordinary year.

In general, the number of students directly reached

by CRU staff in 2019-20 was significantly down on the previous year. Fierce bushfires saw some Educational Camps in Term 4 2019 and some Holiday Camps over summer of 2019-20 cancelled. The COVID-19 pandemic meant all camps and school visits stopped in late March 2020. At that stage, we anticipated it would be 6 months before camps could resume.

Yet while our residential Educational Camps wouldn’t recommence until Term 4, we were able to restart some CRU Holiday Camps in winter. COVID restrictions meant that only around 570 attended compared to a normal winter of 1,500, but this was around 570 more than we had anticipated only a short time earlier.

The good news of Jesus was shared; the Holy Spirit touched lives.

And while our staff visits into schools were severely restricted, we were able to connect digitally with many groups, providing resources, sharing ideas, encouraging faithfulness and supporting in prayer.

Talks were presented via video.

CRU Groups continued to operate in most schools, and did so at a time when many other Christian programs weren’t able to meet. In many schools, attendance boomed. It was significant that kids told us how good it was that their CRU Group was still running, given that their youth group or their Sunday school wasn’t able to.

In mid-June Gary Hill, CRU’s Executive Director, received a message from one father whose daughter attends school at Wollondilly, southwest of Sydney.

Rachel was telling the family over dinner about what she had learned at her school CRU Group that day.

The father was so encouraged that he sent this text: “Just wanted to say thanks for an organisation with ministry that is far reaching, and is continuing to impact kids even when our 'normal' is taken away from us...I know you have a great team to help carry the load, but wanted to encourage you to keep going, and say thanks.”

That same CRU team contributed enormously during the lockdown period by providing support staff for two aged care providers, BaptistCare and HammondCare.

Their dedication in serving some of our most vulnerable senior citizens reflected their love for the Lord Jesus, and was a witness to the transforming work of the Spirit.

During this same period, we were overwhelmed by the generous support of our donors. They recognised that normal funding from camps was not coming, and so fully covered the shortfall so that other work could continue.

June 2020 also saw the completion of Stage 1 of the Lake Mac campsite redevelopment, and the subsequent use of the new facilities as camps resumed.

The generous support of donors also allowed CRU's first full-time staff member to commence work in Perth.

So while the numbers of students reached were lower in 2019-20 than normal, we continue to give thanks.

Praise God that His work did not stop.

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2020 at a Glance CRU's financial year is from Sep 2019 - Aug 2020.

Holiday Camps

42

2,189

632

Holiday Camps

campers

volunteers

226

389

campers indicated they either became a Christian or recommitted their faith on camp

of campers indicated they grew in their faith/ understanding of God

95%

of campers indicated they would recommend Holiday Camps to a friend

79

6,435

31

CRU Educational Camps

campers

Summit trainees

campers took a Bible or Christian resource home (262 Bibles, 198 devotional books, 20 follow-up packs)

257

campers indicated a commitment or recommitment to faith

of campers indicated that they were more likely to attend church or CRU Group as a result of camp

223

519

290

schools supported

school visits made

CRU Bible study resources sold

digital resources distributed

460

students trained at CRU Schools Ministry leadership events (FIT & CrossTrain, not including in-house school training)

437

students attended CRU Schools Ministry’s Inter-CRU events

58,384

students reached on school visits

Galston Gorge campers

Day Camps

101

7,158

50,940

camps meals served Average rating from guest groups

4.7 out of 5 In the last year, the solar panels produced enough power to toast

1,924,650 pieces of bread. Hungry anyone?

Camp types: CRU Educational Camps

42% 21% 37%

CRU Holiday Camps

9 Day Camps

21

school partners and church partners

78

campers indicated they wanted to start attending church after camp

74

20,204

campers

camps

meals served # of workers on the redevelopment project:

CRU Educational Camps

1,040

CRU Holiday Camps

# of hours worked onsite during the redevelopment:

Guest groups

143 volunteers

42%

of campers who come from non-church families indicated they wanted to attend church

98%

of campers indicated they either liked or loved camp

CRUÂŽ West

3,272 Camp types:

411 campers

Guest groups

Lake Mac

42% 16% 42%

campers indicated they would like to start attending a school CRU Group after camp

480

Schools Ministry* - NSW, ACT and WA

113

392

campers indicated they would like to start attending church after camp

Educational Camps

42%

90%

148,388

Volume of concrete used in the build:

2,500m3

1 Holiday Camp

59

20

campers

volunteers

100%

of campers indicated they grew in their faith/ understanding of God

11%

of campers indicated a commitment or recommitment to faith

100%

of campers indicated they would recommend CRU West Holiday Camps to a friend

15%

of campers indicated they would like to start attending church/youth group after camp

*Please note that statistics from our CRU West ministry have been incorporated into this section.

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Governance CRU® is blessed to be served by a group of dedicated, prayerful and godly men and women who oversee this vital ministry. In the financial year of 2019-2020, we give thanks for the service of: Vice Presidents

Further Office Bearers

RTO and Summit

CRU Safe

Roger Corbett AO B Comm, FAICD

Hon. Secretary

Annette Ware (Chair) James Carroll Calum Henderson (Summit only)^ Gary Hill Alex Koch Michael Leonarder (RTO only) Nathan McElveney Emma Pesavento (née Bennett)^ Nicole Schabort (Summit only)*

Rebecca Carritt (Chair) Bailey Dodds^ Andrew Fahey Zane Garratt Adam Houghton^ Brooke Linton* Luke Matthews^ Allan Nicholls* Jessica Seal* Matilda Slade

The Rt Rev Dr Paul Barnett BD, ThL, ThSchol, MA, PhD, ASTC

Rebecca Carritt BSc, Cert. Lang. (German), Grad. Dip. Div., Cert III Conservation & Land Manangement (N.A.R)

CRU Board

Committees

Chair Dr Timothy Wright PhD, DipEd, BSc(Hons), FACE, MRACI, CChem Headmaster, Shore School (2019); Executive Director, Timothy Wright Educational Executive Coaching (2020)

Thank you to all who helped govern CRU by serving on committees and providing strategic direction to increase our impact as we share the gospel with young people.

These committees are formed by, and report to, either the CRU Board or the Divisional Heads management team.

Deputy Chair

Board Committees (Sep 2019 - Aug 2020)

Gary Hill (Chair) Anna Burke Rebecca Carritt Nigel Glasby Nathan McElveney Matthew Seidl

Helen Burgess BA, LLB(Hons), FGIA, FAICD Legal and Governance Executive

Finance

HGLT Investment

Santino Dimarco (Chair) Ian Bucknell Nigel Glasby Jess Hewson^ Gary Hill Clare Pendlebury* Matthew Seidl Matilda Slade

Garth Rossler (Chair) Anna Burke (Secretary) Santino Dimarco Michael Evans

Hon. Treasurer Santino Dimarco BEc, CA Executive Pastor, St Andrew’s Roseville

Directors David Attenborough Dip. Management, Dip Property Services Business Owner Rev Patrick Benn BSc (Hons), BTh EU Graduates Fund Senior Staffworker (Evangelism) & AFES Sydney Area Director Nathan Brown BHosp CEO, Christian Media & Arts Australia Dr Jennifer George PhD, MEnvPl, BLArch, MPIA, PTC Director, Community and Planning, Comcorp Jessica Hewson (appointed June 2020), BBus(Acc)/LLB, GradDip CA Risk Executive, Commonwealth Bank of Australia Rev Alexander Koch BSc (Maths), BEd, BD, MEdLead, MACE, MACEL Chaplain, St Catherine’s School, Waverley (2019); Deputy Headmaster – Secondary School, Arndell Anglican College (2020) Sarah Lancaster M Teach, BPsych, BTh. Children’s and Families’ Pastor, Christ Church Anglican Gladesville Clare Pendlebury (resigned April 2020), BComm, CA, GradDip CA Manager - Business Services, CIB Accountants and Advisers James Ward MABus, BADes, MDIA Director, NBRSARCHITECTURE

Governance and Risk Management Helen Burgess (Chair) Paddy Benn Jennifer George Nigel Glasby Gary Hill Matthew Seidl Tim Wright

Galston Property & Development David Attenborough (Chair) Zane Garrett Gary Hill Andrew Reeves Matthew Seidl Garry Tenkate Alice Rees#

PBI

Management Committees Lake Mac Fundraising (final meeting Oct 2019) David Braga (Chair) Sam Allen Nathan Brown Ian Bucknell Anna Burke Roger Corbett Heather Henderson Gary Hill Karen Kightley Cassandra Matthews Damien Wang Tim Wright

Camps

James Ward (Chair) David Attenborough James Carroll Gary Hill Lisa Houghton Nathan McElveney Matthew Seidl

Nathan Gale (Chair) Iain Aitchison Melissa Bell Ryan Betbeder^ Elizabeth Donnelly-Coode^ Jade Hajj^ James Hall^ Josh Hall^ David Krebs Sebastian Lane Philip Rawnsley Emma Roberts Stephanie Semler Annika Williams

Strategic Planning

IT Steering

Paddy Benn (Chair) Anna Burke Rebecca Carritt Peter Crawford Nigel Glasby Gary Hill Nathan McElveney Matthew Seidl James Ward Annette Ware

Dave Czapala (Chair) Anna Burke James Carroll Stephanie Chow Nigel Glasby Gary Hill Nathan McElveney Phil Rawnsley Matthew Seidl

Lake Mac Taskforce

CRU West Scott Rowland (Chair) Kim Chin Hannah Killow^ Nathan McElveney Nicola Naoum Belinda Overmiere^ Jacinta Patterson^ Clare Potts* Sheridan Raston Peter Smith Edward Surrey^ Dougal Steven Michelle Underwood*

Senior Staff

(Sept 2019 – Aug 2020)

Executive Director Gary Hill

Divisional Heads Anna Burke – Fundraising Rebecca Carritt – Assistant to ED James Carroll – Summit Peter Crawford – Schools Ministry Kathy Elliott – Marketing Nigel Glasby – General Manager Nathan McElveney – Ministries Allan Nicholls – Lake Mac* Phil Rawnsley – CRU Camps Andrew Reeves – Galston Gorge Matthew Seidl – Properties Edward Surrey – CRU West^ Brett Taylor – Lake Mac^

KEY: ^ = Started during the year * = Finished during the year # = Maternity leave

Annette Ware BEd, DipTh, MACE, Dean of Senior College, Abbotsleigh

Page Thirteen

Who are we reaching?

Praise God for the schools we are reaching in NSW, ACT & WA, through the work of CRUÂŽ Holiday Camps, CRU Groups and CRU Educational Camps.

Abbotsleigh - Boarding__________________________________________________________ Abbotsleigh - Junior______________________________________________________________ Abbotsleigh - Senior______________________________________________________________ Arden Anglican School - Junior_______________________________________________ Arden Anglican School - Senior_______________________________________________ Arndell Anglican College - Junior____________________________________________ Arndell Anglican College - Senior____________________________________________ Ascham School - Junior_________________________________________________________ Ascham School - Senior_________________________________________________________ Australian Christian College - Junior________________________________________ Australian Christian College - Senior________________________________________ Barker College - Junior__________________________________________________________ Barker College - Senior__________________________________________________________ Belmont Christian College - Senior__________________________________________ Berowra Christian Community School______________________________________ Bishop Druitt College_____________________________________________________________ Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College - Junior___________________________________ Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College - Senior___________________________________ Blue Mountains Grammar - Junior___________________________________________ Blue Mountains Grammar - Senior___________________________________________ Brigidine College St Ives________________________________________________________ Brindabella Christian College ACT - Junior_______________________________ Brindabella Christian College ACT - Senior_______________________________ Broughton Anglican College - Junior_______________________________________ Broughton Anglican College - Senior_______________________________________ Burgmann Anglican School ACT - Junior__________________________________ Burgmann Anglican School ACT - Middle_________________________________ Burgmann Anglican School ACT - Senior__________________________________ Calrossy Anglican School - Senior___________________________________________ Calderwood Christian School - Junior______________________________________ Calderwood Christian School - Senior______________________________________ Canberra Girls Grammar School ACT - Junior___________________________ Canberra Girls Grammar School ACT - Senior___________________________ Canberra Grammar School ACT - Junior__________________________________ Canberra Grammar School ACT - Senior__________________________________ Cedars Christian College - Junior____________________________________________ Cedars Christian College - Senior____________________________________________ Charlton Christian College - Junior_________________________________________ Charlton Christian College - Senior_________________________________________ Claremont College________________________________________________________________ Coffs Harbour Christian Community School_____________________________ Covenant Christian School - Junior_________________________________________ Covenant Christian School - Senior_________________________________________ Covenant Christian School ACT - Junior__________________________________ Covenant Christian School ACT - Senior__________________________________ Cranbrook School - Junior______________________________________________________ Cranbrook School - Senior______________________________________________________ Danebank - Junior_________________________________________________________________ Danebank - Senior_________________________________________________________________ Dubbo Christian School - Senior_____________________________________________ Emmaus Christian School ACT - Junior____________________________________ Emmaus Christian School ACT - Senior____________________________________ Frensham_____________________________________________________________________________ Galen Catholic College__________________________________________________________ Galston Public School____________________________________________________________ Georges River Grammar - Junior_____________________________________________ Georges River Grammar - Senior_____________________________________________ German International School Sydney - Junior___________________________ Glenaeon Ruldolf Steiner School ____________________________________________ Greenacre Baptist Christian Community School - Junior___________ Greenacre Baptist Christian Community School - Senior___________ Green Point Christian College - Junior____________________________________ Green Point Christian College - Senior____________________________________ Hills Adventist College - Middle_______________________________________________ Hills Adventist College - Senior_______________________________________________ HopePoint Christian School____________________________________________________ Holy Cross College Ryde________________________________________________________ Hunter Christian School - Junior_____________________________________________ Hunter Christian School - Senior_____________________________________________

KEY Students attending CRU Holiday Camps

Students attending CRU Training events

Lunchtime CRU Group

Regular support by CRU staff

CRU Educational Camp program run

Partners with Day Camps

Illawarra Christian School - Junior___________________________________________ Illawarra Christian School - Senior___________________________________________ Inaburra School - Junior_________________________________________________________ Inaburra School - Senior_________________________________________________________ John XXIII Catholic Primary School__________________________________________ Kambala Girls School - Junior_________________________________________________ Kambala Girls School - Senior_________________________________________________ Kincoppal - Rose Bay_____________________________________________________________ Kinross Wolaroi Preparatory School_________________________________________ Kinross Wolaroi School - Senior_______________________________________________ Knox Grammar Preparatory School__________________________________________ Knox Grammar School - Senior________________________________________________ Kuyper Christian School - Junior_____________________________________________ Kuyper Christian School - Senior_____________________________________________ Lakes Grammar - Junior_________________________________________________________ Lakes Grammar - Senior_________________________________________________________ Loreto Kirribilli Senior_____________________________________________________________ Loreto Normanhurst______________________________________________________________ Lycee Condorcet - Junior______________________________________________________ Lycee Condorcet - Senior______________________________________________________ Macarthur Anglican School - Junior________________________________________ Macarthur Anglican School - Senior________________________________________ MacKillop Catholic College_____________________________________________________ Macquarie Anglican Grammar School______________________________________ Maitland Christian School - Junior__________________________________________ Maitland Christian School - Senior__________________________________________ Mary Immaculate Primary School____________________________________________ Mamre Anglican School - Junior______________________________________________ Mamre Anglican School - Senior______________________________________________ Marcellin College___________________________________________________________________ Marist College North Sydney__________________________________________________ Marist College Canberra - Senior____________________________________________ Marist Sisters College Woolwich______________________________________________ Mater Maria Catholic College_________________________________________________ Medowie Christian School - Junior__________________________________________ Medowie Christian School - Senior__________________________________________ Meriden School - Junior_________________________________________________________ Meriden School - Senior_________________________________________________________ MLC Junior School________________________________________________________________ MLC Senior School________________________________________________________________ Monte Sant' Angelo College___________________________________________________ Mountains Christian College - Junior______________________________________ Mosman Church of England Preparatory School_______________________ Mount Annan Christian College - Junior__________________________________ Mount Annan Christian College - Senior__________________________________ Mount St Benefict College_____________________________________________________ Nepean District Christian School - Junior________________________________ Nepean District Christian School - Senior________________________________ Newcastle Grammar School - Junior________________________________________ New England Girl's School - Junior__________________________________________ New England Girl's School - Senior__________________________________________ Newington College Preparatory School - Lindfield____________________ Newington College Preparatory School - Wyvern House____________ Newington College - Senior____________________________________________________ New Hope School__________________________________________________________________ Northcross Christian School___________________________________________________ Northern Beaches Christian School - Junior_____________________________ Northern Beaches Christian School - Senior_____________________________ Northholm Grammar - Junior__________________________________________________ Northholm Grammar - Senior__________________________________________________ Norwest Christian College - Junior__________________________________________ Norwest Christian College - Senior__________________________________________ Nowra Anglican College - Junior_____________________________________________ Nowra Anglican College - Senior_____________________________________________ Nowra Christian School - Junior______________________________________________ Nowra Christian School - Senior______________________________________________ Oran Park Anglican College - Junior________________________________________ Oran Park Anglican College - Senior________________________________________ Orange Anglican Grammar School - Senior_______________________________ Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School Waitara________________________

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington____________________ Oxford Falls - Junior_______________________________________________________________ Oxford Falls - Senior_______________________________________________________________ Oxley College________________________________________________________________________ Pacific Hills Christian School - Junior_______________________________________ Pacific Hills Christian School - Middle______________________________________ Pacific Hills Christian School - Senior_______________________________________ Parks Christian School___________________________________________________________ Penrith Anglican College - Junior____________________________________________ Penrith Anglican College - Senior____________________________________________ Penrith Christian School - Senior_____________________________________________ PLC Sydney - Junior______________________________________________________________ PLC Sydney - Senior______________________________________________________________ Pymble Ladies College - Junior_______________________________________________ Pymble Ladies College - Senior_______________________________________________ Queenwood School for Girls - Junior_______________________________________ Queenwood School for Girls - Senior_______________________________________ Radford College ACT - Junior_________________________________________________ Radford College ACT - Senior_________________________________________________ Ravenswood School for Girls - Junior_______________________________________ Ravenswood School for Girls - Senior_______________________________________ Redeeer Baptist School - Junior_____________________________________________ Redlands- Junior___________________________________________________________________ Redlands- Senior___________________________________________________________________ Regents Park Christian School - Junior____________________________________ Regents Park Christian School - Senior____________________________________ Richard Johnson Anglican School - Junior_______________________________ Richard Johnson Anglican School - Senior_______________________________ Rosebank College__________________________________________________________________ Roseville College - Junior_______________________________________________________ Roseville College - Senior_______________________________________________________ Rouse Hill Anglican College - Junior________________________________________ Rouse Hill Anglican College - Senior________________________________________ Sapphire Coast Anglican College - Junior________________________________ SCEGGS Darlinghurst - Junior________________________________________________ SCEGGS Darlinghurst - Senior________________________________________________ Scone Grammar School - Junior______________________________________________ Scone Grammar School - Senior______________________________________________ Scots All Saints College - Junior______________________________________________ Scots All Saints College - Middle_____________________________________________ Scots All Saints College - Senior______________________________________________ Shellharbour Anglican College - Junior____________________________________ Shellharbour Anglican College - Senior____________________________________ Shire Christian School - Junior________________________________________________ Shire Christian School - Senior________________________________________________ Shore Preparatory School_______________________________________________________ Shore School - Senior____________________________________________________________ Southern Cross Vocational Catholic College____________________________ Southern Highlands Christian School - Junior__________________________ Southern Highlands Christian School - Senior__________________________ Stella Maris College_______________________________________________________________ St Aidan's Catholic Primary School__________________________________________ St Aloysius College________________________________________________________________ St Andrew's Cathedral School - Junior_____________________________________ St Andrew's Cathedral School - Middle____________________________________ St Andrew's Cathedral School - Senior_____________________________________ St Augustine's Senior College Brookvale__________________________________ St Catherine's School - Junior_________________________________________________ St Catherine's School - Senior_________________________________________________ St George Christian School - Junior________________________________________ St George Christian School - Middle________________________________________ St George Christian School - Senior________________________________________ St Ignatius College Riverview - Senior______________________________________ St Ives Preparatory School______________________________________________________ St Joseph's College Hunters Hill______________________________________________ St Luke's Grammar School - Bayview_______________________________________ St Luke's Grammar School - Junior__________________________________________ St Luke's Grammar School - Senior__________________________________________ St Mary's Cathedral College____________________________________________________ St Mark's Coptic Orthodox - Senior__________________________________________ St Patrick's College Campbelltown__________________________________________ St Patrick's Marist College______________________________________________________ St Paul's Grammar School - Junior___________________________________________ St Paul's Grammar School - Senior___________________________________________ St Peter's Anglican Primary School Campbelltown_____________________ St Philip's Christian College (Cessnock) - Junior________________________ St Philip's Christian College (Cessnock) - Middle_______________________ St Philip's Christian College (Cessnock) - Senior________________________ St Philip's Christian College (Gosford) - Junior__________________________ St Philip's Christian College (Gosford) - Senior__________________________

St Philip's Christian College (Newcastle) - Junior_______________________ St Philip's Christian College (Newcastle) - Middle______________________ St Philip's Christian College (Newcastle) -Senior_______________________ St Philip's Christian College (Port Stephens) - Junior_________________ St Philip's Christian College (Port Stephens) - Middle________________ St Philip's Christian College (Port Stephens) - Senior_________________ St Pius X College Chatswood__________________________________________________ St Vincent's College_______________________________________________________________ Sydney Grammar School - Senior____________________________________________ Tara Anglican School for Girls - Junior_____________________________________ Tara Anglican School for Girls - Senior_____________________________________ The Anglican School Googong Junior (ACT)_____________________________ The Hills Grammar School - Senior___________________________________________ The Illawarra Grammar School - Junior_____________________________________ The Illawarra Grammar School - Senior_____________________________________ The King's School Preparatory School______________________________________ The King's School - Senior______________________________________________________ The Scots College - Boarding_________________________________________________ The Scots College - Middle_____________________________________________________ The Scots College Preparatory School_____________________________________ The Scots College - Senior_____________________________________________________ Thomas Hassall Anglican College - Junior________________________________ Thomas Hassall Anglican College - Senior________________________________ Toongabbie Christian College - Junior_____________________________________ Toongabbie Christian College - Senior_____________________________________ Trinity Christian School ACT - Junior_______________________________________ Trinity Christian School ACT - Senior_______________________________________ Trinity Grammar Preparatory School________________________________________ Trinity Grammar School - Junior______________________________________________ Trinity Grammar School - Senior______________________________________________ Tudor House School______________________________________________________________ Tyndale Christian School - Junior____________________________________________ Tyndale Christian School - Senior____________________________________________ Wahroonga Preparatory School_______________________________________________ Wenona School - Junior_________________________________________________________ Wenona School - Senior_________________________________________________________ William Carey Christian School - Junior____________________________________ William Carey Christian School - Senior____________________________________ William Clarke College - Junior________________________________________________ William Clarke College - Senior________________________________________________ Wollondilly Anglican College - Junior_______________________________________ Wollondilly Anglican College - Senior_______________________________________ Wycliffe Christian School - Junior____________________________________________ Wycliffe Christian School - Senior____________________________________________ Wyong Christian Community School - Junior___________________________ Wyong Christian Community School - Senior___________________________

The following WA schools had students who came on CRU Camps, met in CRU Groups or attended Inter-CRU events.

All Saints College Applecross Senior High Bob Hawke College Carey Baptist College Christ Church Grammar School Churchlands Senior High School Emmanuel Christian Community School Geraldton Grammar School Greenwood College John XXIII College Perth Lake Gwelup Primary School Leeming Senior High School Methodist Ladies College Mundaring Christian College Penrhos College

Perth Modern School Presbyterian Ladies College Rehoboth Christian College Shenton College St Luke’s College St Mark's Anglican Community School St Mary's Anglican Girls School St Stephen's School, Carramar St Stephen's School, Duncraig Strathalbyn Christian College Swan Christian College Walkaway Primary School Wembley Primary School Wesley College Willetton Senior High School

683 students representing 176 NSW, ACT and WA state or Catholic systemic schools also attended CRU Holiday Camps or CRU Educational Camps.

17 students representing 9 NSW, ACT and WA state or Catholic systemic schools also attended CRU leadership training events (e.g. CrossTrain and Spring Leadership Camp WA).

173 students from disadvantaged backgrounds attended CRU Holiday Camps (incl. sponsored campers).

Please note that this list is sourced from Sep 2019 - Aug 2020. Only schools that have two or more students are listed.

The State of the Union Thank you for your support!

2020 was an extremely challenging year which has served to magnify this truth from Mark 10:27, ‘with God, all things are possible.’

mid-year appeal (which raised the target amount so urgently needed) and our Christmas appeal. THANK YOU!

In the first half of 2020, COVID forced the closure of camps and school visits and CRU’s cash flow came under considerable pressure. We are therefore so incredibly grateful to our government for its support, primarily through JobKeeper assistance; to BaptistCare and HammondCare who enabled the redeployment of many CRU staff; and every individual supporter who dug deep to support the ministry via our

We were also overjoyed to reach $25m in pledges ($21m banked by Aug 2020), aiding the completion of Stage 1 redevelopment at the CRU Lake Mac Camp and Conference Centre. The site began running camps, albeit with reduced numbers due to COVID, in the new accommodation during the winter school holidays.

Praise God that the Spirit’s powerful work is unstoppable!

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM

Year ended 31 August 2020 25% DONATIONS

2019 ($)

2020 ($)

REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

8,723,486

9,685,502

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN INCOME

5,004,888

6,989,553

21% FED GOVT JOBKEEPER/ CASHFLOW BOOST

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

(5,592,912)

(6,490,487)

17% GALSTON GORGE

CAMP EXPENSES

(1,501,104)

(754,152)

ADMINISTRATION & IT EXPENSE

(669,561)

(774,306)

CATERING EXPENSE

(599,465)

(421,035)

(997,643)

(750,631)

(634,038)

(529,870)

FINANCE COSTS

(33,471)

(109,594)

MARKETING & ADVERTISING EXPENSE

(334,225)

(325,832)

CURRENT YEAR SURPLUS

3,365,955

6,519,148

DEPRECIATION, & AMORTISATION EXPENSE RENT, UTILITIES, INSURANCE AND REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE EXPENSE

Income $9,685,502

16% CRU EDUCATIONAL CAMPS 9% HOLIDAY CAMPS (INCL. DAY CAMPS) 6% LAKE MAC 5% AGED CARE 1% OTHER

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

EXPENDITURE

Year ended 31 August 2020 2019 ($)

2020 ($)

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

5,352,135

8,481,778

TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS

18,114,820

36,027,588

TOTAL ASSETS

23,466,955

44,509,366

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

3,675,535

15,538,895

TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

555,423

3,215,326

TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,230,958

18,754,221

NET ASSETS

19,235,997

25,755,145

RETAINED SURPLUS

19,235,997

25,755,145

GENERAL RESERVE

-

-

TOTAL MEMBERS' FUNDS

19,235,997

25,755,145

21% CRU EDUCATIONAL CAMPS 15% GALSTON GORGE 14% ADMIN, IT & GOVERNANCE 11% HOLIDAY CAMPS (INCL. DAY CAMPS)

Expenditure $10,155,907

8% LAKE MAC 8% DEPRECIATION & AMORTISATION

MEMBERS' FUNDS

7% GOVT JOBKEEPER TOP UPS 6% SCHOOLS MINISTRY 1% CRU WEST

LAKE MAC REDEVELOPMENT & CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

3% MARKETING

6% FUNDRAISING

Year ended 31 August 2020

Campaign Revenue ($)

Campaign Costs ($)

Consultants, Preliminary, Build & Other Project Costs ($)

2020

6,989,553

131,279

18,759,515

PROJECT TOTAL (INCL 100 ACRE PURCHASE)

21,395,159

1,340,100

29,448,197

CRU’s Finance Committee supports the CRU Board in providing financial direction and oversight to the organisation. This includes regular meetings to review and approve the accounts. The 2019/2020 Full Year Financial Statements were audited by NEXIA.

Pictured (from left to right): Gary Hill, Senator Hollie Hughes & Tim Wright

Stage 1 Now Open The new CRU Lake Mac is now open and in use, and campers and leaders are absolutely loving it!

The first winter Holiday Camp in the site was a Year 12 Study Camp which commenced on Sunday, 5th July, and utilised the new accommodation, facilities and activities.

During the spring holidays, we were able to welcome 3 CRU Camps each week!

Here’s what a couple of happy campers had to say about the new site and their time on camp: “A lovely campsite with a supportive community and excellent recreational facilities. You can achieve your personal study goals whilst broadening your mind through discussing big questions.” - Quincy

“I have loved getting to know more about the Christian faith and how to answer some of the massive life questions about suffering, loss, and hope. I have become more open-minded and challenged this week. Thank you for everything.” - Skye On September 21, a small COVID-safe Opening Event was held onsite to mark the end of Stage 1 construction, with Senator Hollie Hughes presiding over an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Praise God that the vision to reach an extra 20,000 campers each year at Lake Mac with the love of Jesus is already bearing fruit!

CRU Lake Mac is ready for you! Enjoy our brand new ensuite accommodation and purpose-built facilities. Book your next camp today: www.crulakemac.com.au

Page Seventeen

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. The information within this edition of CRUview is correct as of 17 December 2020. The evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may mean that some details may have changed since the final review of the magazine.

“

“Camp was a great reminder of what I had been taught previously. I feel refreshed and ready to live life with Jesus, once again, as my ultimate purpose.”

“The venue was clean, tidy and very well organised. It’s the best/most organised venue I have ever visited.”

Jasper, camper on a spring Study Camp at CRU Lake Mac

“

SCHOOLS MINISTRY

Nicole from ‘Feel the Magic’, guest at CRU Galston Gorge

“Beautiful site and really lovely staff!

So accommodating and welcoming.

I loved seeing the enthusiasm of campers to ask questions and grow as the week went on.”

Leader on a Study Camp at CRU Lake Mac

• Praise God for His help and guidance as the Schools Ministry Team produced two

digital resources for both the Junior and Senior Schools in Terms 2 and 4 this year.

These resources were a huge blessing to many lunchtime groups around Australia.

• We were delighted to see many CRU Groups growing in size despite the challenges

faced when trying to meet together during COVID. The Schools Ministry Team loved visiting groups in person and online.

• Praise God for the many students, teachers and chaplains who participated in the first ever live-streamed Mega-CRU event. At this event, we reflected on God's faithfulness to us throughout the year.

HOLIDAY CAMPS

• Give thanks that 25 Holiday Camps ran safely in summer, hosting over 1,000 campers!

• Give thanks that 3 new camps were able to be launched at CRU Lake Mac this summer.

• Give thanks that the increased camper capacity at CRU Lake Mac meant that over 85% of summer campers were hosted at CRU-owned campsites.

• Give thanks that 4% of campers indicated that they became a Christian for the first time on camp this summer.

DAY CAMPS

• It was great to be able to once again run a camp this year at Arden. We’re thankful for our ongoing partnership with Arden and for the connection between the camp and their CRU Group.

• We’re thankful for Mike Lihou who is finishing up his three-year internship with Day

Camps. We thank God for the work He’s done through Mike, we look forward to seeing how God will use Mike in the future, and how God will continue to work through Day Camps with new staff onboard.

• We’re really encouraged by conversations had with our partners after most winter Day Camps weren’t able to go ahead. All of our partners are looking forward to running camp again in the future once COVID restrictions allow.

Page Eighteen

GALSTON GORGE

• In November 2020, all non-LED lighting was upgraded to the more energy

efficient LED technology. This compliments the solar panel installation carried out in 2019 and will provide further savings to our electricity costs.

• With school camps allowed to proceed, it was exciting and wonderful to see the

eagerness of schools to get back to camping in Term 4, 2020. Within moments of the Department of Education allowing school camps to resume, we received over a dozen enquiries from schools keen to get outdoors and back onto camp.

• During the spring CRU Camp season it was fantastic to hear that, after some challenging and engaging talks, devotion times became well attended by campers keen to grow in their faith and their understanding of Christianity how exciting!

LAKE MAC

• We are so thankful that Stage 1 of the redevelopment has been completed and that the new part of the site is now in operation. We are excited to about the additional work being done to establish a large new meeting room beneath the Dining Hall.

• It was so exciting to see the first ever Study Camp happen at CRU Lake Mac during the winter school holidays. We give thanks that the campers and leaders enjoyed the accommodation and facilities immensely.

• We praise God for the return of camps in Term 4. Seeing the campsite full of kids hearing the gospel has been so encouraging.

• Residential camps were allowed to resume as of Term 4, 2020. We were thrilled

EDUCATIONAL CAMPS

to have overnight campers return to CRU Educational Camps for the first time since March, as well as continue to run a number of day-only programs. We praise God that many schools were eager to return, and we were thankful for the gospel opportunities that existed as we were able to run 46 camps in an 8-week Term 4.

• We’re incredibly thankful for strong interest in the Summit Program for 2021, and thankful too for our new intake of trainees who began in early January. Please be praying for them throughout January as they begin with an intense training period that seeks to equip them for camping ministry, and then as they begin leading on camps in February.

• Assuming there is no further considerable change in COVID related restrictions, the CRU Educational Camps team is gearing up for busiest ever Term 1 and 2.

We are due to run 63 camps for approximately 5,500 campers. We’d appreciate your prayers for the team during this time, and look forward to seeing God work through these camps to bring students into His kingdom.

CRU WEST

• Praise God for the 65 campers who attended CrossTrain and left camp excited

about sharing Jesus at school. Praise God for 2 new school CRU Groups that have started as a result of the leadership training camp.

• We’re so grateful for churches and individuals getting behind the gospel in WA

schools. Please pray that CRU West will continue to support and partner with them in this Kingdom work.

• Mitch* came on CrossTrain last year, and wanted to set up a lunchtime group at his

state school, but only after this year’s camp did he go for it. From the 6 friends he invited to join him, praise God that 5 attended the group. The librarian at his school has allowed them to meet in a side room of the library. Mitch asks us to pray with him: “I would love it if you could pray that the group would start off well, and praise God that it has gone smoothly so far.”

*Name changed to privacy reasons.

Page Nineteen

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 past few years:

JULIANNE CASTLE

AARON SMITH

KAREN KIGHTLEY

As a teenager, Julianne first heard the gospel at Crusader ‘Saturday Night Meetings’ in Strathfield, and it was at a Crusader Houseparty at the age of 16 that Julianne first committed her life to Christ.

Aaron first heard about CRU through the lunchtime group at Shore where he helped to run the CRU Group and was trained in how to run a Bible study.

At the age of 18, Karen attended a Billy Graham rally and went up the front to give her life to Jesus. Karen went on to have 4 children who all enthusiastically attended CRU Camps from a young age. They not only had fun, but the message of Jesus was powerfully presented and they studied God’s Word. Karen also loved being involved at Lake Mac as a camp parent.

Julianne enjoyed going to weekly Crusader meetings at Meriden where she was able to introduce younger girls to the Lord. She is thankful for lifelong friends made going to camps at Galston and Lake Mac. Julianne and her husband David have loved watching their 4 children be involved as campers and leaders over the years.

Julianne believes that CRU impacts young people at the most influential time of their development, when ideas, concepts and beliefs are being investigated and foundations of faith are being laid. That’s why she and David generously support the work of CRU by giving regularly to the CRU ‘Share Partnership’ scheme (also known as the ‘CRU Friends’ Program).

Thank you, Julianne, for your longterm involvement with the work God is doing through CRU.

Aaron loves speaking once a year at a CRU Year 12 Study Camp and directing the CRU Surf Camp over summer. He appreciates that CRU has given him some great opportunities to grow in his leadership and preaching skills.

Seeing several teenagers come to a personal faith in Jesus over the years has been a highlight for Aaron.

Many of these campers have had no previous contact with Christianity.

One teenager from a non-Christian household came to faith on Aaron’s first ever Study Camp, joined his local church, and is now directing her own CRU Camp. Praise God! Aaron reflects that the evangelistic opportunities presented by CRU are incredibly unique and precious.

He says, “I hope you will join me in praying that many more kids would be radically touched by the love of Jesus in the years to come.”

Thank you, Aaron, for your passion and commitment to help kids come to know and love Jesus!

Page Twenty

Karen and her husband, John, cosponsor the CRU Business Lunch each year and Karen has often helped out in the office in preparation for large events.

Most recently, we are particularly thankful to Karen for leading the prayer support behind the Lake Mac Redevelopment Project.

Karen sees CRU Camps as the one place some kids will ever hear the gospel, have the opportunity to study the Word, and ask questions in a nonthreatening and trusting environment.

Over the years, Karen has seen many young campers come to know the love of Jesus and give their lives to Him. Karen reflects, “I thank God for CRU staff’s faithful dedication to His work and spreading the gospel among so many children and young adults, changing their lives for eternity.”

Thank you, Karen, for your ongoing assistance, prayer and financial support over many years.

Community

HOOKED

HOME

• Pippie Van Den Heuvel & David Krebs

HITCHED • Sophie Ingham & Andrew Stanford – 17 October 2020 • Andrea Wise & Nick Molteno – 5 December 2020 • Shona Bellringer & Ross McGaughran – 5 December 2020 • Sophia Fish & Tim Wallace – 12 December 2020 • Courtney George & Josh Greenwood – 13 December 2020

HATCHED • Lisa & Adam Houghton – a girl, Evangeline Rose, born 12 October 2020 • Karen & Jade Hajj – a girl, Alice Sarah Hajj, born 3 November 2020 • Lauren & Grant van der Merwe – a girl, Evie Esther, born 23 November 2020

Keep us posted

CRUVIEW

• Elizabeth Glover – 26 April 2020 • Richard Tress – 6 December 2020

TEACHERS ON THE MOVE • Sam Chiswell is moving from Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College to Carinya Christian School, Tamworth.

• Yooie Choi is leaving his role as Coordinator of Learning at Kinross Wolaroi School to be the Deputy Principal at Orange Christian School.

• Michelle Ibrahim has finished her teaching role at Georges River Grammar School.

• Ian McGregor is moving from The Scots College Preparatory to Sunshine Coast Grammar School.

• Josh Persson finished his apprenticeship as a Chaplain at The King’s School at the end of 2020.

• Joseph Smith is finishing his role as Chaplain of Georges River Grammar School and will be moving interstate.

• Luke Wilson is moving from teaching at Sydney Grammar School to teaching at Cranbrook School.

• Margaret Hill is retiring from Northholm Grammar School.

• Nat Muscat and Jonathan Hann have moved from teaching at Calderwood Christian School to begin ministry apprenticeships, proclaiming Jesus at Wollongong University.

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 Twenty One

Sharing Jesus with a new generation

The Crusader Union of Australia PO Box 590, Eastwood NSW 2122 (02) 9874 8933 www.cru.edu.au ABN 90 213 359 332