Crusader Union of Australia, The

Founded in 1930, The Crusader Union of Australia ("CRU®") is a Bible-based, interdenominational Christian youth organisation that reaches over 115,000 young people each year through our camping and school based programs.  Our vision is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students of the independent schools of Australia, to nurture Christians, encourage church membership and train young Christians for a life of servant leadership.  

CRU provides young Australians with programs that help them grow spiritually, educationally, socially and physically. ‘We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.’ Psalm 78:4b

We are a large and dynamic organisation with three key ministry areas: CRU Holiday Camps (including CRU Day Camps), Summit Educational Camps and CRU Schools Ministry. These frontline ministries are supported by two amazing campsites (Galston Gorge Conference & Recreation Centre & Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre), and a Training Division (First Aid and Outdoor Recreation).

Children and young people are the primary beneficiaries of this ministry.

CRU is currently focussed on the redevelopment of the Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre. This represents a generational opportunity to transform a much-loved but worn out campsite that was established in 1946 into a modern outdoor conferencing and education hub that can serve schools, churches and community groups. Once completed, this project will positively impact an extra 20,000 campers each year, allowing them to engage with Christian faith, experience onsite holistic education programs and be trained in leadership.

CRU operates through three key ministry areas: CRU Holiday Camps (including CRU Day Camps), Summit Educational Camps and Schools Ministry.

CRU Holiday Camps - Over 70 CRU Holiday Camps are conducted during the school holidays for children aged 6-18. The camps are run mostly by volunteer leadership teams. Campers are able to experience a wide array of exciting activities such as sailing, horse riding, dirt-bike riding, skiing and much more. There are also 17 HSC and IB Study Camps each year to help Year 12 students find success, motivation and perspective in their final year of school. CRU Day Camps have been running since 2013, providing week long, daytime camps (typically 8am – 6pm) during the school holidays, offering a fun and safe Christian environment for infants and primary school kids to get involved in exciting outdoor activities.

Summit Education Camps - Summit provides 100+ fully programmed school camps each year during term time, for schools across NSW and the ACT. Trained professionals in outdoor education run school camps that meet curriculum-based outcomes. Summit Camps also feature a Christian Discovery time where children who may have never have heard about Jesus before are introduced to the Gospel.

CRU Schools Ministry - Full time staff workers reach over 100,000 students every year with the Gospel in 224 independent schools across NSW, WA and the ACT. The Schools Ministry team supports Christian teachers and students, offering resources to 165 lunchtime CRU Groups, training student leaders and giving Bible talks in school chapels and assemblies.

Nigel Glasby, General Manager, Matthew Seidl, Director of Properties, 
Nathan McElveney, Director of Ministries, Phil Rawnsley, Director of CRU Holiday Camps, Peter Crawford, Director of Schools Ministry, 
James Carroll, Director of Summit, Anna Burke, Director of Fundraising, Dan Cummings, Director of Marketing

CRUSADER COUNCIL
Chairman Dr. Timothy Wright, PhD, DipEd, BSc(Hons), FACE, MRACI, CChem, Headmaster, Shore School; Deputy Chairman Helen Burgess, BA, LLB(Hons), FGIA, FAICD, Legal and Governance executive; Hon. Treasurer Santino Dimarco, BEc, CA, Executive Pastor, St Andrew’s Roseville; David Attenborough, Dip. Management, Dip Property Services; Rev. Patrick Benn, BSc(Hons), BTh
EU Graduates Fund Senior Staffworker (Evangelism) & AFES Sydney Area Director; Nathan Brown, BHM, CEO, Christian Media Australia; 
Jenny George, MEnv P BLArch, PTC, PhD (Candidate, MPIA), Community and Planning Strategist, Comcorp International; 
Rev. Alexander Koch, BSc (Maths), BEd, BDiv. Chaplain, St Catherine’s School, Waverley; Sarah Lancaster M Teach, BPsych, BTh.
Children’s and Families’ Pastor, Christ Church Anglican Gladesville; 
Clare Pendlebury, BComm, CA, GradDip CA, Manager - Business Services, CIB Accountants and Advisers; James Ward, MABus, BADes, MDIA, Director, NBRS+PARTNERS; Annette Ware, BEd, DipTh , MACE, Head of Senior College, Abbotsleigh

Lake Mac Capital Campaign

Join us in creating a new Lake Mac campsite that will benefit an extra 20,000 campers each year! We are currently seeking tax deductible gifts to seed fund stage 1 of the redevelopment. Over the life of the project your sacrificial gift will be instrumental in enabling more than 1 million campers to encounter Christ and be trained for a lifetime of Christian service. If you would like more information about this campaign please contact Anna Burke on (02) 9188 9711 or anna.wood@crusaders.edu.au

Share Jesus with Generations to Come.  A gift in your Will ensures Kingdom growth for God's glory. If you are interested in leaving a gift in your Will to CRU, or you require further information on how to include CRU in your Will, please contact Philippa McCredie, Donor Care and Bequest Manager on (02) 9188 9716 or philippa.mccredie@crusaders.edu.au.

CRU’s school and camping programs connect with kids ‘where they are at’, reaching over 2,500 kids each week with the hope of the Gospel. We greatly value our generous supporters, channelling all donated funds into projects of eternal impact that will help young people hear the Gospel. As well as one-off donations to special projects, donors can also provide sustainable long term funding through the Howard Guinness Leadership Fund, invest in CRU debentures or become a Crusader Friend (regular supporter). If you would like to donate to CRU, you can do so here. All donations over $2 given to “The Crusader Union of Australia Education Building Fund” are tax deductible.

CRU is always looking for talented people to join our team! Check out our latest positions available here.

CRU works with over 1,200 volunteers each year. If you like to volunteer you can find more information here.