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.

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!