Interview with CRU Summit Trainee, Reuben Kruger
Most people don’t realise how glorious and gruelling the two-year 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.
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 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 non-Christian 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.
*Name changed for privacy reasons.