Why Hans & Kate Kristensen left a gift to CRU in their Wills
There are some things we all mean to get around to but never quite do — cleaning out the garage, sorting through years of family photos, decluttering storage areas, or writing a Will. They sit quietly on our to-do list: never quite urgent enough for today but always important enough for “someday.”
Yet for one couple, Hans and Kate Kristensen, Pastors at Marsfield Community Church, attending a CRU Wills Day transformed that lingering intention into something practical, meaningful and encouraging.
“We’d been saying for a while that we really should have a Will,’” Kate admits. “It was one of those things we’d do “one day” but we didn’t really have any idea of where to start.” That changed with a simple invitation from CRU.
“It was the email,” she recalls. “Just the idea that we could come along, that it was free. It was the push we needed to finally do this and tick it off our list.”
At CRU Wills Days participants are guided through the legal process step by step by experienced professional solicitors. The result is an easy, helpful and supportive experience that removes uncertainty and replaces it with clarity.
For Hans and Kate, the day was more than just ticking off an important task. It also opened up deeper conversations — ones that can sometimes be difficult to begin.
“You don’t often have these sorts of conversations,” Kate says. “But it was really helpful to consider different situations and to be guided through those questions.”
Those questions go beyond finances or property. They gently prompt reflection on family and relationships. And for Hans, the relational impact matters most.
“I’ve seen families being ripped apart when a Will isn’t clear or up to date,” he explains. “For me, if this document serves to help divide whatever’s left in a way that keeps families loving each other, I think that’s really important.”
And for many Christians, this desire to care for those who come after us naturally extends to organisations and causes they’ve seen impacting lives for eternity firsthand.
Hans’ and Kate’s partnership with CRU has grown over the past four years, particularly through the CRU Ignite Day Camp run at their church.
“I’m thankful to CRU for CRU Ignite,” Hans shares. “It allows kids, some of whom are from non-Christian backgrounds, to hear about Jesus, and their families to have a really positive experience with church. Our partnership with CRU has been amazing for our church and for the gospel and I’m not sure we’re going to get a vibe of how big CRU’s impact has been until we get to heaven.”
Kate agrees, highlighting not only the practical support CRU provides, but the wider vision. “I don’t see how our church could run something like this without CRU’s help. But it’s not just about running a successful event. It’s about reaching kids and families, equipping leaders, and setting people’s hearts on fire for mission. It’s something our whole church gets behind.”
“CRU partnering with us turns up the mission dial and takes what we could do from a five to a 10.” Hans says.
This first-hand experience shaped their decisions as they worked through their Wills.
“We want the small resources we’ve been able to accumulate in this life to have an eternal impact,” Hans continues. “So, for us, of all the groups we know, who do we trust? Who has the runs on the board? Who has made an impact? That’s why we put CRU in our Wills.”
It wasn’t about a grand gesture but about continuing what they’re doing now. “It’s a way,” Kate reflects, “to continue to tell people about Jesus even after we’re gone. We want to have as much impact for Christ as we can. That’s the whole point of our lives.”
This is a powerful motivation. A Will isn’t just about distributing assets; it’s an opportunity to express a desire for gospel mission and bring glory to God for generations to come. Through CRU Wills Days, this opportunity is presented gently and without pressure.
“I was surprised how easy the process was,” Kate says. “And I think it’s better to have conversations like this before it’s too late.”
For anyone who has been putting it off, their encouragement is simple: take the step.
CRU Wills Days provide an opportunity to offer practical help, expert guidance from professional solicitors, and a space to think about how you want to support not only your family but the generations that come after.
Because, in the end, a Will is more than a legal document. It’s an expression of what matters most to you and, as Hans and Kate discovered, a quiet but powerful way to ensure they continue to make an eternal difference long into the future.
Invest in the next generation for Jesus
To find out about CRU Wills Days in November 2026, visit cru.edu.au/wills for available dates and locations.