Izzy’s unexpected adventure at Summit
Camping ministry is unique. Young people spend a concentrated amount of time in a fun environment that can often push them out of their comfort zone, away from the familiar, giving them the opportunity to experience moments that can be life changing.
Izzy Chan is a First-Year Summit Program Trainee who, after attending her first CRU Holiday Camp when she was in Year 8, had her life forever changed. Izzy grew up in a non-Christian household and, after being invited to camp by a family friend, she heard the gospel message for the very first time.
She started attending a church with a friend from school and she attributes where she is in her faith today to the discipleship that she received and the support of her church family alongside her.
Izzy has subsequently become a bit of a CRU Camps pro! “I’ve been on a lot of CRU Camps. 11 in fact — two Beach Blitz’s, seven Brightwaters and two HSC Study Camps.”
After finishing Year 12, Izzy decided to undertake the Summit Program — a place for young Christians to get equipped and trained, grow in faith and share Jesus with students on school camps.
“I was initially going to go straight to Uni after school and study primary teaching. But as I researched all the different Christian post-school options but I realised I really wanted to do the Summit Program because I knew how much CRU had impacted me. I wanted to be someone God could work through to help others come to faith, just as He had used camps to bring me to faith.”
Izzy might have just been looking for a gap year program, but at Summit she has found so much more than that! She really appreciated being surrounded by a Christian community where she is receiving a solid Biblical grounding for her faith while also being trained in outdoor recreation and camping ministry.
“We have training days where we are abseiling and belaying people down a wall for a day. It’s so much more fun than just sitting in a classroom.”
When you speak with Izzy, it’s clear she carries a deep joy in being used by God to impact the next generation — just as CRU impacted her own life.
Izzy recounts a recent experience as a leader when she noticed a young girl sitting out on her own during an activity. After wandering over to check in on her, the conversation opened up about feelings of being an outcast and struggling to connect with friends. Izzy shared a little of her own struggles of seeking validation from others and the comfort of knowing that the Creator of the universe loves her so much that he sent His son Jesus to die for her. In that moment Izzy asked if she could pray for the young girl.
“She was crying as I was praying for her and when I finished, she looked so filled with peace and joy. Later that night she came up to me and said, ‘you know, when you prayed for me earlier, I felt all the tension lifting off me. I felt like someone was holding me.’”
At the end of camp, Izzy was able to give that student a Bible and a devotional which was received with a promise to read it and update how she went.
Izzy shares that some of the many skills she has gained through Summit include greater confidence in talking with younger students and improved behaviour management.
“Summit is such a great program. I feel like they really push you out of your comfort zone and throw you in the deep end. But it’s so rewarding because you learn so many new skills as you train on the job and make a lot of new friends.”
Izzy firmly believes that the Summit Program has played a big role in the maturing of her faith. She has grown in her reliance on God, developed a deeper love for His Word and experienced the power of prayer many times.
“I’ve really enjoyed being focused and intentional in growing my faith at Summit this year and having the opportunity to tell others about Jesus. There’s no better place!”
To find out more about the Summit Program, visit summitprogram.com.au