Over 200 enthusiastic Year 7-12 school students helped to turn the Southee Complex at Olympic Park into a place of praise and celebration at CRUFEST on Saturday March 17.
Jason Smith, captain of the Sydney Kings basketball team, spoke at the event, which was held by the Crusader Union of Australia (Crusaders).
Jason shared from his own life experiences and encouraged students to make the most of the chances they have to live a life of faith and witness for God in their schools.
Ed Springer also gave an inspiring message, speaking powerfully on John chapter 4, challenging students to think about what they are thirsty for in their lives and how to quench this thirst with true living water.
Students enjoyed giant blow-up activities like Horizontal Bungee and Human Foosball, as well as listening to Christian bands Daybreak and Freedom1 perform live.
Games, guest speakers, live bands and a Bible message urged students to see the bigger picture of what God is doing in schools through Crusaders ministry.
Students said they were encouraged as they heard from School CRU Group leaders, who shared how God is growing and using their groups to reach people in their school.
"We were definitely one body of Christ last night,” Barker College student Tom Swanton said.
“CRUFEST really let people feel a part of something bigger that is so incredibly exciting" it was a real taste of heaven!"
Many school teachers who are involved in leading CRU Groups also attended CRUFEST, and agreed that the night was a great success.
Anne Bell of Blue Mountains Grammar School thanked Crusaders for "making the event so professionally run and for giving such a good and positive message about Jesus."
Crusaders held their first CRUFEST in 2006, with the aim of bringing together students from all high school CRU Christian groups in NSW.
"CRUFEST is unique in that it is a great opportunity to gather together students from so many CRU Groups,” says Crusaders Director of Schools Ministry, Pete Crawford.
“These students share the same spirit and purpose for their schools and it's exciting to be able to provide a place for them to meet together as a whole, have fun, and be encouraged to live boldly for Christ at school."
Crusaders run over 100 CRU Groups in Independent Schools in NSW.
These groups meet at lunchtime or before school to study the Bible, pray, share and encourage each other in their Christian faith.
For more information on CRU Groups, or recently released Crusader School resources, please contact 02 9874 8933 or click here
