Cultivate - Vol. 2 October 2024
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
From its beginning in 2015, CRU West has grown to support 47 schools in Western Australia today — and it keeps growing!
The number of CRU Educational Camps at Lake Mac is booming! Teacher Tom Sowden provides an inside look at what lies behind this amazing growth.
CRU Lake Mac played host to Federal Member for Hunter, Mr Dan Repacholi, on Tuesday 18th June to officially open the second climbing tower and dual zipline, with 30 VIP guests and staff in attendance.
Tara and Werner Pienaar discuss an important, but rarely discussed, way to grow the kingdom.
Cultivate - Vol. 1 April 2024
Welcome to our new Cultivate magazine! Cultivate replaces CRUView. Instead of a broad overview of CRU’s activities, Cultivate invites you into a deeper picture of CRU’s activities as we seek to share God’s love in Christ with a new generation.
At 15 years old, Jonah Korsten has big dreams of playing in the AFL. But beneath that ambitious drive is another, more important purpose — to follow Christ and live in a way that reflects his faith.
Perhaps you have heard of the Braga name around CRU? Well, the Braga lineage has been heavily involved and faithfully supporting CRU since the 1950s. In 2023, David Braga was elected as Chair of the CRU Board. Let’s get to know David and his heart for CRU.
This year we are so thankful to have 23 incredible Summit trainees joining our team! From Sydney to Canberra to Perth, and with two internationals, this group has come from all over the country (and world!) to share the gospel with young people on camps.
Spring 2023: The Taste & See Edition
I recently read a fascinating book: Making Numbers Count. The two authors highlight the problems we have in comprehending large numbers. Take a billion for example. We know the word, and know the concept, but we just can’t readily grasp its size.
What if you found a community where you could grow in your faith and share Jesus with young people, all while getting paid? Harry Grant found his community when he joined Summit, CRU’s camps-based ministry training program, in early 2022.
Lachlan and Ash Bunn have attended CRU Holiday Camps over many years and in various ways. Ash tagged along with her parents as a child, they both attended as campers in high school, and served as leaders, camp mechanics and directors. In fact, it was at Dirt Action, a dirt bike camp for high schoolers, where they first met!
These winter holidays marked the 10th year of CRU Blast, CRU’s longest running Day Camp. The camp takes place annually in July at Richard Johnson Anglican School and Oakhurst Anglican Church. Each year, a team of around 40 leaders run activities and Christian Discovery sessions for 80-100 campers in Kindergarten to Year 6.
In May, CRU’s biennial Teachers’ Conferences, held in New South Wales and Western Australia, provided a wonderful opportunity for teachers and chaplains to be spurred on in their faith and ministry.
Autumn 2023: The Fearless Edition
Where is courage found? At a time when young Australians increasingly report feelings of hopelessness and fear about the future, where can they gain the courage to face what lies ahead?
Kiki Knight completed Summit, CRU’s 2-year mission and ministry training program, last year and now works in the CRU Educational Camps team as an Outdoor Leader, leading on camps, maintaining site activities and helping to support Summit trainees. Let’s hear her story.
Over the summer break, 431 wonderful CRU Camp leaders ran 27 activity camps, day camps and study O camps for nearly 1,300 campers. Every season, we thank God for His provision of faithful volunteers who dedicate time and energy to serve Him on camps. Let’s hear from a few who served in different roles, but were equally encouraged by how God worked through their particular summer camp.
Every week, we hear encouraging stories of how God is working through schools and in the lives of students across Australia, both on the east coast and through the ministry of CRU West in WA. CRU Groups have growing attendance, new lunchtime groups are starting up, and opportunities for providing Schools Ministry support to teachers and chaplains often exceed what our teams can offer. Praise God!
Summer 2023: The Onwards Edition
What do you say to someone who has done something good? “Thank you” and “well done” may both be appropriate. But if you stop there you have missed a golden opportunity…
The CRU Lake Mac Open Day and Thanksgiving Service provided a great opportunity to reflect on God’s extraordinary provision for CRU. Just over 400 people gathered despite heavy morning rain to tour the site’s new facilities, participate in sailing, archery and climbing, and to praise God…
CRU Lake Mac Open Day allowed guests the opportunity to participate in all the site has to offer, from sailing and archery to reconnecting with old friends, making new memories together and reminiscing over plenty of old ones! We hope you enjoy reading this sample of wonderful Lake Mac memories from over the years, and lovely feedback from the Open Day.
Cruising on the lake, conquering the climbing tower, inspiring Bible talks and late-night campfire chats… these might come to mind when choosing your fondest camp memories. But there’s an essential part of camp which is often taken for granted. Meals!
Spring 2022: The Enduring Hope Edition
The Christian life does not equate to comfort. Consider Jason, whose decision to follow Jesus was shadowed by strife and intimidation. Chased by a mob and called before the authorities, he and his friends faced “severe suffering”. We read of them in Acts 17 and 1 Thessalonians 1…
Each year, around 20 passionate men and women join Summit, CRU’s camps-based ministry training program. They grow in their skills and character, make lifelong friendships and are presented with countless opportunities to share Jesus with thousands of students on CRU Educational Camps…
Naomi Hammond has served in CRU’s Schools Ministry team as a Schools Ministry Associate for the past three years. Let’s find out how she has grown in her role and why she loves her job.
To say Sarah and Nathan (Wal) Walter are busy is a modest assessment. Wal has loved serving as the senior minister at Naremburn-Cammeray Anglican Church for over five and a half years, and both are involved in various ministries there…