Young lives finding faith through FUSE … and giving back
Having discovered God on a camp herself, FUSE Camp Director and REIS teacher Lisa Smith was compelled to give her students this same opportunity.
“Going on camp completely changed the direction of my life,” reflects Lisa. “FUSE camp was born out of my desire to take the two things I’m most passionate about [REIS and camping] and combine them.”
Standing for ‘Finding Unity Seeking Eternity,’ FUSE serves SRE (REIS) students in NSW. As of 2024, SU Australia is thrilled to be a part of the journey, and it is quite a journey!
What started with around ten young people fourteen years ago has now grown to close to sixty campers, stretching the limits of the campsite’s capacity.
A key part of FUSE is the camp’s safe, inclusive atmosphere, facilitated by volunteers.
“The volunteers are being the hands and feet of Jesus and showing young people the love of God in really practical ways,” says Lisa.
While these volunteers are often local youth leaders, something very special has recently been happening in the FUSE ecosystem.
“This year it was really exciting that four or five leaders on our team were previous campers who made decisions in year 7 or 8, came to camp for five or six years, and now are leaders,” says Lisa
Lisa has pockets full of stories of lives changed at FUSE. They spill out as she speaks.
“There was one young guy who came to us completely externally … for a little respite. He came in with a big chip on his shoulder … He had one of the biggest transformations I observed …” remembers Lisa.
“We sent a different kid home by the end of the week.”
FUSE campers are faithfully followed up afterwards, many joining local youth groups.
But perhaps best of all is the story that never grows old because it is always new, that of faith being found for the very first time.
“Often when kids come to camp they’ll make decisions to follow Jesus and come back each year,” says Lisa.
To be part of more young people coming to faith, head to su.org.au/donate