CRU

CRU is a Bible-based, interdenominational, Christian youth organisation which seeks to:

• Share Jesus with a new generation
• Nurture Christians and
• Encourage church membership

CRU was founded in 1930 by the Rev. Dr Howard Guinness.

Dr Howard Guinness was a visionary man who was keen to strengthen Christian work among school students. He saw voluntary groups as a key to achieving this. From small beginnings in just four schools, CRU has now grown to serve over 240 independent schools in NSW, the ACT and WA. In 2023, we anticipate that over 100,000 young people will be reached through CRU Holiday Camps, CRU Educational Camps and CRU Groups in schools.

Our Christian core values drive CRU's ministry.

CRU's core values include:

• Being true to the Bible as the Word of God
• Being passionately, unashamedly gospel-focused
• Being driven towards excellence and growth so that our impact may increase
• Being selflessly committed to the care and development of individuals
• Being prayerfully dependent on God to bring about real and lasting change

CRU desires to help school students grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

We seek to equip students to be disciples of Jesus and to witness to their friends. As well as attending the CRU group at their school, we always look to encourage students to be involved in their local churches.

CRU Holiday Camps

Running since 1930, and welcoming over 3,000 campers each year, CRU Holiday Camps is the largest provider of Christian holiday camps in NSW. CRU Camps provide a wonderful opportunity for primary and high school students to have fun, make friends, learn new skills and explore faith in their school holidays. Over 1,000 volunteer leaders run these camps each year, and model what following Christ looks like while also creating a safe place where campers can experience Christian community. 

CRU Educational Camps

For more than 30 years, CRU Educational Camps have continued to provide excellent school camp experiences for students in K-12 by creating and delivering outdoor education programs that are designed to develop students physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. By working closely with each school, the CRU Educational Camps team tailor camp programs to meet curriculum objectives and meet the individual needs of each group.

CRU School Groups

CRU has 8 full-time staff workers who visit, support and speak at CRU lunchtime groups, give Bible talks at chapels and help train students for Christian leadership. For many students who don't attend church with their families, contact with CRU at school may by the only opportunity they have to hear about God's great love for them and His precious gift to us in Jesus.

A key emphasis is on leadership training and development. 

CrossTrain is a popular camp for senior students who look to play a leadership role at their school. This camp is carefully designed to help students grow in their faith and equip them to serve Jesus at school. 

FIT (Followers in Training) is a training program teaching foundational Christian leadership skills to primary students in Years 5 and 6.

Summit Trainee Program is a two-year ministry training program in the CRU Educational Camps team which equips young adults for Christian ministry. For over 30 years, CRU Educational Camps has been training young adults in biblical theology, practical leadership and youth ministry skills as well as qualifications in outdoor education.

Schools Ministry Associates Program (SMA) is a two-year, full time, paid gospel training program with a focus is on sharing Jesus with secondary school students through visiting CRU Groups in schools and leading on CRU Educational Camps and CRU Holiday Camps. Through the SMA, young Christian adults will have the chance to make a life-changing impact on the lives of hundreds of teenagers.

CRU owns two camp/conference centres - i) CRU Galston Gorge and ii) CRU Lake Mac.

These special sites located north of Hornsby and on the Central Coast offer unique opportunities for schools, churches and community groups to hire for their camps and retreats.