Interview with CRU Summit trainee, Reuben Kruger. 20-year-old Reuben, who has just completed his two years, shares how his Summit experience has impacted his faith, grown his skills and shaped his future.

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.

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.

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.

Almost half of Australian high school students aren’t sure what they want to pursue after school. This definitely wasn’t the case for Caitlin Randall, second-year Summit Program trainee. It only took one CRU Educational Camp to convince her that the Summit traineeship was where she was meant to be.

Mei-Lin Denne-Toh has achieved a rare triple in CRU involvement – she’s been on over 30 CRU Holiday Camps, attended and led lunchtime school CRU Groups, and is currently an energetic firstyear trainee in the Summit Program, CRU’s training and camping ministry program.

Like most Year 12 students, Campbell Steven wasn’t too sure what to do after he finished high school. But one thing was certain - he wanted to keep learning. God used that desire and brought Campbell to Sydney, where he recently completed his first year of CRU’s Summit Program, a full-time leadership and ministry training program.

Lisa Houghton’s family has a rich history of being connected to CRU. Her grandparents were the caretakers of the Lake Mac campsite for 27 years, her mother helps in the kitchen at Lake Mac, and her sisters, Bonnie and Amber, led on CRU Camps. Also (and not surprisingly), both Lisa and Bonnie met their spouses through CRU!

It would be easy to assume that Wellen’s childhood was like any other – a nice childhood, a nice family, a nice life. However, his memories of growing up were quite the opposite with his teen years filled with hurt and brokenness. Thankfully, it is the hope found in Jesus that helps free him from past hurts, brings healing to relationships, and gives him immense joy in sharing the gospel with kids on camp.

Pursuing God has its challenges, especially when the opportunities He presents you with don’t seem to align with the earthly hopes and dreams of our society.

As a child, Apurbo Biswas, or Apu as he is known, attended Christian camps through Generation Bangladesh, an organisation in his home country running activities similar to CRU. This had a huge impact on Apu, helping him grow in his faith. “It was everything the leaders did, that helped me know more about Jesus,” he remembers.

According to Julianne Duggan, her daughter Emma was not very confident when she was young. “Emma used to be this shy, withdrawn child. She didn’t like talking to people, she didn’t want to be in front of anyone.” But lately, things are completely different for Emma.

25 years ago, Tim Watson had just finished an arts degree. He was also studying law, but was not sure law was for him. Ministry or teaching were both careers he considered, and so, to get some experience with both, he decided to become a Summit trainee.

Many Summit trainees begin with CRU because they have been volunteer leaders on Holiday Camps, and want to continue the work they have been doing on those camps, while also getting trained. Though Thomas did have a history with camping ministries, he came to Summit through a different path to most.

“The Summit Program gave me so much insight into how to relate to kids on the level.”

“Even in my seventh year at Summit, I am still being taught new things and attending courses and conferences to continue to develop my skills.”