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CULTIVATE

From Gary’s Desk

One of the first articles I wrote when I became CRU’s Executive Director in 1993 was about the importance of Bible literacy for all, but especially for CRU’s leaders. Today, as I pen one of the last articles I will write in this role, I need to make the same point: reading the Bible is crucial.

Yet research by OneHope indicates that 47% of Australian Christian teenagers never read the Bible for themselves — 47% of Christian kids!1 Many students we meet, whether at school or on camps, lack personal experience with Scripture.

The Bible is powerful, as God has revealed himself to us and made clear how we need to respond. It is God’s very word (II Tim 3:1617) and carries great impact as the Holy Spirit

1 Source: OneHope Global Youth Report, 2023

stirs us to understand and apply it. I’m often amazed by the fresh gems a familiar passage can provide.

Recently I was reading Daniel. His steadfastness when faced by a hostile culture is inspiring. Most significant of course is the faithfulness of God which is revealed — greater than the greatest earthly king, worthy of all “authority, glory and sovereign power” (7:14).

“The Bible is powerful, as God has revealed himself to us and made clear how we need to respond.”

Yet I found myself noticing for the first time a verse which I’d previously skimmed past. Daniel 1:2 says “And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into (Nebuchadnezzar’s) hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylon and put in the treasure house of his god.”

Do you see what has happened here? This isn’t just about Daniel being taken into captivity. Focus on God. Out of his abiding love for his people, God is willing to lower himself to be taunted by idol worshippers. We are reminded of a characteristic of God — the One who is above all humbles himself to serve. It points to Jesus (Phil 2: 6-11).

This is a message our school students need to hear! I’m grateful for your prayers and support which enables us to reach so many school students each year.

And yes, in case you missed it in the first paragraph, it will soon be time for me to move on from my role so that a new CEO can step in and lead CRU forward. I plan to finish up in December 2025.

I’m so thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to be part of CRU’s ministry and look forward to continuing to support from the sidelines. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement over the years! God is good!

Gary Hill, Executive Director

Join Gary Hill, CRU Executive Director, on a tour of the new Lake Mac site as he shares the impact of the new redevelopment and future plans for the site over light refreshments.

Please register your interest at crulakemac.com.au/events OR scan the QR code:

Annual Report

Six inspiring facts from our 2023/24 Annual Report

116,400+ young people were reached with the gospel.

• *98,487 students reached through Schools Ministry on the East and West coasts

• *14,503 students reached on CRU Educational Camps

• *3,453 campers reached on CRU Holiday Camps and Day Camps

Nearly 900 young people indicated they became a Christian or recommitted to following Jesus Christ. We give great thanks to God that in His mercy and kindness, 882 young people indicated a decision to follow Jesus this year.

217K+ meals were served to over 35,100 guests at CRU Lake Mac and CRU Galston Gorge.

5.9K

Approximately 5,900 students met in CRU Groups each week at school.

8,276

1,230

Our volunteer leaders ran over 59 CRU Holiday Camps and 13 CRU Day Camps. Holiday camp programs couldn’t run without the help of 1,230 volunteer leaders who gave up their annual leave or holidays to serve the Lord in this way.

Praise God that 8,276 campers indicated they’d be more likely to start attending youth group, or their school CRU Group, after camp.

Scan here to view the full 2023-2024 Annual Report or visit cru.edu.au/annual-report.

What’s Next? Strategic Plan 2025-2030

Engaging a new generation

Ministry Aims for 2025-2030

“The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11

MISSION: To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the students of the independent schools of Australia, to nurture Christians, encourage church membership and train young Christians for a life of servant leadership.

Under God, we plan and pray for the following:

CRU Educational Camps

Camper numbers to grow by 25%, reaching 16,600 campers each year by December 2030.

CRU Holiday Camps

Camper numbers to grow by 15%, reaching 2,800 campers by 2030.

CRU Day Camps

Number of camps to increase to 16 and reaching 850 campers each year by 2030.

Supporting Ministry

Funding

CRU generates around 80% of its revenue from our camps and campsites. Donations are essential to make up the balance and drive ministry.

Schools Ministry

CRU continuing to actively support Christian ministry in over 200 east coast schools.

CRU West

Number of holiday campers to grow by 18%, reaching 400 by 2030. The number of schools supported to also grow by 50% to 54 by 2030.

Campsites

CRU Galston Gorge continuing to see high levels of occupancy and strong return bookings. Further work is planned for CRU Lake Mac to help achieve our goal of reaching an extra 20,000 campers annually, meaning an extra million campers over 50 years.

“We will tell the next generation of the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders he has done.”

Psalm 78:4b

Brynn (leader) and Mia (camper) met on CRU Brightwaters Camp

Come for Fun, Leave with Faith

How Mia got more than she bargained for!

“When I first started going to CRU camps, I tuned out during the Christian time” says 14-year-old Mia.

No doubt Mia is not alone. But there’s something special about CRU Camps that helps to awaken interest in even the most disinterested young person.

Growing up in a family that didn’t attend church, Mia didn’t know much about the Bible. She had made the decision to go on a Brightwaters CRU Camp purely for the wake boarding, knee boarding, water skiing, tubing and heaps of fun she could have with her friends.

However, after getting to know the leaders, Mia started listening to what it was they were saying about Jesus.

“I had always wondered why bad stuff happened to people” said Mia, and people on camp were talking about deep questions that don’t often get spoken about elsewhere. Her leaders were referring to the Bible as

the source of truth in answers to life’s big questions and Mia started to take notice.

She says, “the leaders and the people who go on CRU Camps are all so encouraging and really helped me to think about God and what it is that I believe.”

It was also at this camp that Mia’s sister, Phoebe, gave her heart to the Lord. This made a big impression on Mia, but in her words, “I wasn’t going to believe just because she did!”

Instead, Mia spent the week peppering her leaders, Brynn and Halli, with questions and reading God’s Word for herself. She says, “the words of Isaiah 53:6 rang true for me and I knew I needed to make a decision one way or the other.”

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Then, on the last night of Brightwaters camp, a special evening was held at which

“I wasn’t going to believe just because she did!”

leaders and Christian campers shared their testimonies. After giving a short talk, Jared, the camp speaker, invited all campers to join him in saying a prayer of confession if campers wanted to accept Jesus. Mia recounts, “Jared asked us to close our eyes, and if we wanted to become a Christian, to put up our hand. I prayed the prayer and raised my hand and experienced a peace and joy, knowing that God was now a central part of my life.”

It was a very special night as Mia’s friend Lauren also became a Christian that evening. Mia recounts, “we prayed and sang songs around the campfire together”.

Mia’s leader, Brynn, encouraged Mia to start attending a local youth group when she returned home and promised to support her through prayer.

Since camp, Mia has found staying on track with Jesus is not easy because “I don’t have Christian friends at school my age”. However, Mia says she has “started going to a youth group in Bondi and I have a Bible from CRU and read that quite a bit, and I pray every night.”

Mia is optimistic about the future as she knows that God is the source of all hope and she can rely on Him in everything. Her favourite Bible verse is Matthew 19:26 “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mia hopes to lead on CRU Camps one day and help kids who, like her, came on camp for fun, but will leave with something more precious — faith!

CRU West Happy Campers

“Camp has made me want to read my Bible more and I am excited to learn more about Jesus.”

“Being surrounded by young adults so dedicated to Christ is really comforting and I’d love to become a leader when I’m older.”

“I always find CRU Camps encourage me, I love the sessions and having meaningful conversations in discussion groups and looking into the Word with others.”

“Camp gave me guidance on how I can fully submit to Jesus and take up my cross each day. The camp gave me inspiration to live for Jesus.”

“Camp helped me to understand many things I was confused about. I now feel sure that I am a follower of Jesus.”

“Camp answered a lot of my questions and made me feel less alone in my faith.”

Campers and leaders at CRU West School Leavers Camp

Summer CRU Camps

30 CRU Residential & Day Camps

1,118 campers

474 volunteer leaders

137 kids indicated a faith commitment (first time or recommitment)

344 kids indicated they’d like to start attending church/youth group/CRU group at school after camp

75% of campers indicated they grew in their faith or understanding of God from camp

Adam and Who?

Heidi Woodhouse, CRU Captain at Barker College, knows the answer

David and Goliath, Noah and the Flood, Adam and Eve, The Cross of Christ…

All names and phrases which were once familiar to Aussie kids but are now drawing a blank.

Biblical literacy is on the decline, driven by the declining numbers of youth at church and Sunday School and a secular society that has branded Christianity irrelevant.

CRU is committed to teaching the Bible to school students. Currently, there are 230 CRU Groups meeting weekly with around 6,000 students studying the Bible and growing as disciples.

One of these CRU Groups is at Barker College, located in Hornsby NSW.

As part of the senior student leadership program, a female and male CRU Captain are appointed to work alongside the school Chaplaincy team to: lead the senior CRU Group; run small groups for each year group; and to act as a representative of Barker CRU when involved in wider school activities.

17-year-old, Year 12 student, Heidi Woodhouse, has been appointed as one of these CRU Captains for 2025. We caught up with Heidi to find out how God is at work through Barker CRU.

Heidi Woodhouse, CRU Captain

Heidi started at Barker College two years ago, when she was in Year 10, and found such a large school a bit overwhelming and isolating with over 300+ students in her year alone, many of whom aren’t Christian. She says of the CRU Group, “There are definitely challenges in being a Christian no matter where you are, but I’m very blessed to go to a school where Christianity is supported. I think the best thing about Barker CRU is the sense of community, where people are encouraged and loved. I also really appreciate the sense of unity in our CRU Group where students across year groups can come together under Christ.”

Meeting at lunch on Fridays, there are currently over 50 kids attending weekly from Years 7-12. Now in a leadership role, Heidi attends fortnightly meetings with the chaplaincy staff to discuss ideas, plan and pray for ministry in the school. “It has been fun planning our annual camp ‘CRU Kickstart’ with some of the other Year 12 students. We have also had great experiences giving Bible readings in assemblies, speaking at events and helping create outreach initiatives such as the ‘CRU Connect’ bracelet making day. It’s a very hands-on role.”

There are some challenges Heidi faces as a CRU Captain in Year 12. “Some specific struggles for me are managing my time and finding a balance between my role as CRU Captain and Year 12 study.”

But the joys of serving outweigh the challenges. “I want to serve God by helping foster an encouraging and welcoming community where students feel comfortable

asking questions and learning more about Jesus” Heidi shares. “I think that as a CRU Captain it is important to serve both up front and behind the scenes, including other students and spurring on Christians at school.”

One such student is a friend of Heidi’s who is from a Greek Orthodox background. She started coming along to CRU because of her love of Christian community. She continues to attend each week, asking questions from a different perspective and discussing ideas she didn’t grow up with. Heidi has been really encouraged witnessing her journey, “It has been really cool to see her express a genuine love for the CRU community and an eagerness to keep coming along to CRU and learning about God. I was so encouraged too when she bought a Bible at a conference because she wanted to learn more about Jesus.”

Heidi has also grown personally. She shares, “CRU has helped me grow in faith by providing a place where I feel encouraged and supported. I’ve also really enjoyed leading the Year 9 small group on Wednesdays. It’s given me more confidence to share the gospel with others at school. Being CRU Captain has also developed my confidence in other aspects of my life such as helping lead the kids’ program at my church.”

We give thanks to God for Barker College’s committed Christian ethos, and for the Spirit’s work in Heidi’s life as she leads Barker College students to know their Bibles and love God this year.

CRU Group meeting at Barker College

Made of Tough Stuff

Interview with CRU Summit Trainee, Reuben Kruger

Most people don’t realise how glorious and gruelling the twoyear Summit Traineeship with CRU Educational Camps can be:

• On camp with over 6,000 students (over two years)

• 14-hour camp days

• Trying to remember 30-40 new names every few days

• Countless conversations about Jesus, God and the Bible

• Answering important questions about life and faith

• Formal study in Outdoor Recreation & Theology and qualifications gained

• Loads of fun and lifelong friendships

These are just a taste of what the Traineeship is like. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted! 20-year-old Reuben Kruger, who has just completed his two years, shares how his Summit experience has impacted his faith, grown his skills and shaped his future.

Why did you do the CRU Summit Traineeship?

When I finished school, I was tossing up what to do next. I thought it would be great to do something that was focused on ministry, that would grow me as a Christian and help me share the gospel with young people. I wanted to figure out if full-time ministry is where the Lord wants me in the future.

Reuben leading a discussion group on a CRU Educational Camp

Have your expectations been met?

I expected to lead on a lot of camps and do some ministry on those camps. I was also hoping for good community with like-minded people. My expectations were exceeded! I’ve been on camp with over 6,000 campers and ministered to hundreds of kids in discussion groups. I’ve been surrounded by leaders who are keen to make Jesus known to the next generation and have a passion for the outdoors.

What are the best things about Summit?

I think my number one favourite thing about Summit is the community. I have loved hanging out with other young adults who have a love for the outdoors and are on fire for Jesus and want to see campers come to know Jesus.

CRU has really helped me to understand the complexities of sharing the gospel with young people from different backgrounds, and

Reuben Kruger, Summit Trainee

I’ve been able to put that into practice each day on CRU Educational Camps.

I find it so rewarding to see campers understand the gospel better. It’s cool to see it ‘click’ and turn from head knowledge to heart knowledge.

So many kids become Christians on camp or shortly afterwards. I led a discussion group last year in which I met two girls, Sonya* and Elizabeth* who were from nonChristian families. They had some really good conversations with me and some female leaders on camp, but as camp wrapped up we were unsure where they stood. My fiancé and I started attending a new church and leading a youth group. In my first week at the youth group, Elizabeth showed up out of the blue. It was the first time she’d ever been to a youth group. She was blown away that I was there as well. She was so happy that she brought Sonya with her in the following weeks. And this church group has been mentoring and discipling these girls so well that, in July, Sonya was baptised and they are now both solid Christians who follow Christ. Praise God!

How has Summit grown your faith?

I think Summit has grown my faith by teaching me how to reason and debate about what I believe well. More importantly, I’ve learned to listen to other people’s perspectives better so I can understand where they’re coming from.

What’s challenging on camp?

It’s not easy. The late nights and early morning are tough — but so worth it! What I found most challenging on camps was when campers were apathetic to the gospel. When they thought they were too important or too cool for Jesus. I found that difficult to navigate but it was encouraging when, being surrounded by Christian leaders, they finally started to listen and show interest. Building rapport quickly helps break through the apathy. To get

amongst campers and be their friend before we teach them about Jesus works really well, and Summit is amazing at that.

What

are your plans for the future?

I’m getting married in March and will start studying software engineering this year at uni. I’m super keen to serve as a youth leader at our church this year. And then our long-term aim is to go to Bible college and enter vocational ministry, wherever God places us.

How do you think you’ll put what you’ve learned at Summit into practice?

The skills that I’ve learned from Summit and camp ministry will be very helpful for youth ministry because they are very similar. I’m really looking forward to potentially leading a Bible study group in future and helping people understand the Bible better. I’d like to help others grow to be more like Jesus and share his good news with as many people as they can. Also, I’m keen to draw on my skills of building rapport and getting alongside people quickly because I think it’ll be super helpful for ministry at uni. I’m also keen to use the qualifications I’ve gained at Summit for vocational ministry long term. I’ve just completed a Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership and Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology.

Final thoughts?

CRU has grown me as a person and given me the opportunity to share the gospel with so many young people. I’ve appreciated how CRU is so well grounded in the gospel and firm in the teachings of the Bible. I’m very thankful to CRU for these past two years.

* Names changed for privacy reasons.

The CRU Board Welcomes a New Recruit

The 2025 CRU Annual General Meeting took place on February 3rd with much to thank God for, as this edition of Cultivate magazine attests. At this meeting, Kingsley Pandian, was officially welcomed by David Braga, Board Chair, as the CRU Board’s latest member. Cultivate magazine caught up with Kingsley to learn a bit more about him:

When did you become a Christian? I was born into a Christian family in India and my mother raised me and my siblings with Christian values. However, my faith journey became my own in my forties when I was transformed from religiosity to a full realisation of the gospel message. Since then, I have enjoyed a personal relationship with Jesus and am guided by the Holy Spirit.

Tell us about your family — I have been happily married to Susy for 31 years and we have two adult children.

What church do you go to? We attend St Anne’s Anglican Church in Ryde.

What is your profession? I was a Hospitality Design and Development professional for over

36 years across the Globe. For the last 31 years I was with Accor, a French Hospitality group, from which I have recently retired and set up a private company which offers Hospitality Development Services.

What has encouraged you most about the work of CRU? Two things. Firstly, how effective CRU is at planting the seed of the Gospel in children’s hearts and secondly, the Lake Mac campsite’s real estate and Gospel expansion possibilities. I thank the Lord for his provision of this fantastic site and the committed people associated with running the programs and facility.

What do you hope to achieve as a CRU Board member? I hope to bring my hospitality real estate expertise and commercial branding knowledge to assist CRU’s kingdom expansion vision amongst kids and youth in Australia.

What is one of your most loved passages of scripture and why? I love Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This verse gives me assurance and inner joy which assists me to navigate tough situations in life.

CRU Board 2025 L-R Back row: Nathan Brown, Ian Bucknell (Treasurer), David Attenborough, David Braga (Chair), Alex Koch.

Front row: Jess Chilton, Sharon Moore, Eleanor Kaw (Intern), Kingsley Pandian, Jen George (Deputy Chair), Jess Hewson and Rebecca Carritt (Company Secretary). (absent: Sarah Lancaster)

HSC Study Camps Help Top Performers

Nathanael Robertson was pleasantly surprised when he received his HSC results. Achieving a 99.9 ATAR and coming first in the state for drama was a phenomenal result. But he doesn’t think he would have achieved these marks without attending a CRU Study Camp.

“CRU Study Camps were the perfect balance of study and fun. I ended up going on three study camps and I saw a huge impact on my HSC results! I loved the structured study blocks each day, and it was also great to have

time set aside to take a break and hang out with friends playing sport or just chilling.

“I really enjoyed the discussion groups where you get to chat with people you wouldn’t normally get to talk to and hear their different views and thoughts. They were so different to our regular school chapels or Christian Studies classes. I know many people have become Christians on study camps, and it’s my prayer that it will continue to be a place where people come to know Christ.

“In my opinion, CRU Study Camps are one of the best things you can do during your HSC year.”

CRU Study Camps are a great way for Year 12 students to prepare for exams in a structured environment with like-minded people, while also hearing the good news of Jesus.

If you know someone who could benefit from a CRU Study Camp, visit crucamps.com.au/study

Thank You to Supporters

A roof over campers’ heads

Our heartfelt thanks to all the supporters who together donated $92,000 to help replace the worn out lodge roofs at Galston.

Roofs become an exciting topic when their replacement will help campers get a good night’s rest and awake refreshed, ready to consider the claims of Christ. And that’s exactly what your contributions to the CRU Christmas Appeal have achieved. Thank you.

Congratuations to Nathanael Robertson for achieving First in Drama in the NSW HSC

L-Plates for Leadership

Training youngsters to prepare them for life and leadership is readily seen across the natural world — birds teaching their chicks to fly before they leave the nest, teenagers on L-plates learning to drive, big cats teaching their young how to hunt for food.

CRU is no different.

For young people aged 15-18 who are interested in learning how to lead on CRU Holiday Camps in the future, CRU offers ‘Onward’, our Junior Leadership Training program. Junior Leaders receive training in running discussion groups, listening skills, planning CRU Camps, running various activities and games, discipleship and mentoring. They are then able to put these skills into practice as they lead on select CRU Camps during the year.

In 2024, our Onward trainees gained practical experience on ‘Autumn Adventure’ and ‘Mac Time’ camps in the spring school holidays.

Here’s what they shared about their experiences and training:

Lana, 15 years old: “I love to lead on CRU Camps to teach others about Jesus and spend time in Christian community. I have been able to

learn more skills through Onward — how to run games and activities and how to keep the focus on Jesus.”

Daniel, 16 years old: “Kids deciding to follow Jesus makes camp great. I lead on CRU Camps because of evangelism + exploring camp ministry as a job + leadership skills.”

Grace, 15 years old: “The Onward program gave me some great skills. I love sharing the good news of Jesus in a fun way.”

Avril, 17 years old: “Onward helped me learn how to run different things like discussion groups and activities. I want to lead on CRU Camps because it helps me grow in my own faith and helps equip me for a life of ministry.”

Keira, 15 years old: “I feel more equipped as a leader and have grown and matured a lot. Onward helped equip me and teach me how to be a good leader while giving me experience on camp.”

If you are, or know of, a young person aged 15-18 who loves kids, camps and Jesus, we’d love to train you!

Contact Onward by visiting crucamps.com.au/onward

Onward Junior Leaders with Trainers, Mac Time 2024

Why not choose CRU Lake Mac as the location for your next church getaway? Or perhaps bring the whole school band!

CRU Lake Mac is an incredible place that God continues to use for His glory. So, if your church is considering a youth camp or the school band is planning a weekend away, why not share this link with those organising the trip? For a limited time, they can get 15% off their booking!*

With ensuited lakeside accommodation, delicious meals, and extensive facilities suitable for teaching, worship or band practice, your community will have an amazing time!

*Terms and conditions apply. Visit crulakemac.com.au/getaway to find out more.