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.
The numbers you are about to read are not a misprint
Due to the redevelopment and expansion of CRU Lake Mac (Stage 1), camper numbers have grown from 4,421 in 2018 to 19,487 in 2023. An amazing growth rate of 341% which equates to an extra 15,066 campers encountering Christ each year, despite our culture’s best efforts to sideline the Christian message.
However, sometimes, when things are growing fast, small but important items can get missed — like remembering a camper’s name. It may sound insignificant, but to a 10-year-old, a name remembered can mean the world — as it shows interest, respect and care and speeds the building of relationships.
Mr Thomas Sowden, Teacher at St Philip’s Christian College (Cessnock) on a CRU Educational Camp at Lake Mac
So, we were delighted to catch up with Tom Sowden, a teacher at St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock recently, and hear his feedback concerning the CEC (CRU Educational Camp) he was attending at the Lake Macquarie campsite. Tom shared, “One CEC leader, Wellen, at our first activity, really shocked me. He’d only just met our students and yet he already knew the students’ names — this speaks volumes…”.
It’s these young CEC leaders that Tom believes make camp so special. He says “What I love about being on camp is that I see these young Christian men and women, who are bold in their faith and willing to invest in the kids. You see their heart for ministry and the students look up to them and respond.”
Tom is no stranger to CRU Camps. He says, “I first got involved with CRU in 2011 when my wife and I were houseparents on a CRU Study Camp. I was struck by the warm and welcoming Christian culture provided, where kids felt really cared for and were challenged by the gospel. The camp environment naturally fosters conversations and I remember having lots of chats with kids about significant things.”
Tom has been bringing Year 11 students on a CRU Educational Camp at Lake Mac for the past 3 years, with the main goals being to build community amongst the student body; challenge the students to ‘step up’ as young adults; and to consider how Jesus fits into that.
When asked why he loves coming back to CRU Lake Mac he responds, “I just love the quality of the facility and the beauty of the spot. There’s something special about this site that is really helpful. It adds to the wonder and feel of the beautiful natural environment and outlook.”
Tom goes on to say “CEC camps offer a dual benefit — both outdoor education and building community amongst the students. Camp helps move our year groups forward in their connectedness and includes the challenge of the gospel. The love of God is modelled well amongst the staff — the leaders are gentle in character, lead well and model who God is. Even when something isn’t going right, their posture of humility speaks volumes about their faith in Christ.
“So far on camp, our students have participated in rock climbing, kayaking, bushwalking, laser tag and other fun activities. They’ve also heard talks about Jesus and participated in daily discussion groups where they have had their questions answered and their stereotypes challenged.
“It’s wonderful to witness the CEC leaders taking every opportunity to speak to the kids about Jesus at every chance they get in a natural, unforced way. Just last night I was encouraged to see a CRU leader take the time to chat and pray with a student, in their own time, after the evening session had finished.
“I love how camp provides a different context for our students to hear about Jesus. It validates what we’ve been telling them at school and gives them a broad perspective. Camp sows a seed and grows those seeds that have been sown by others.”
Back in 2015 Tom did a year of Bible college at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC) because he was thinking of leaving teaching to become a minister. He says “This could have been the moment where I left teaching…but I decided to go back. A mentor challenged me about the huge size of the ministry opportunity within schools and the fact that all kids go to school (willingly or not), but only the willing attend church! I realised that schools are a massive harvest field — so I decided to stay in a place where kids turn up each day and I can tell them about Jesus.”
“Camp sows a seed and grows those seeds that have been sown by others.”
At CRU we are delighted to come alongside schools and teachers like Tom who says “To have a camp that supports the mission of our school and my personal mission is so valuable. I’m very thankful for it.”
We praise God for moving CRU supporters to generously fund this amazing site at which thousands of school children are encountering Christ each year.