For us “community” embraces the whole world – whether people live internationally, in the Outback or here in our home that is the beautiful Blue Mountains, we see them all as God’s children.
“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” Corinthians 9:6-7
John Cronshaw, CFT’s Founding Director, first became closely involved with the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA) in the mid 1970’s after Rev Reg Langshaw visited John’s church in Leura. Rev. Langshaw was BCA’s NSW Secretary and outlined to the congregation some of the important ministry work undertaken in the outback by BCA Field Staff.
As owner / operator of a Coach Company (then called Golden West Tours), John came up with the idea of taking BCA supporters out on tour so they could meet these Ministers that they supported through donations and prayer.
After praying on the concept and offering to help organise the first coach tour in 1977, a unique form of outback ministry support was born – the BCA Outback Tour. That first BCA tour, travelling through Western NSW and the Flinders Ranges, met with such a positive response that two trips had to be operated to cope with demand. The Spring of 1977 saw BCA supporters travelling to Wilcannia, Broken Hill, Leigh Creek and Flinders Ranges, Adelaide and returning via Mildura.
In June 1978 and June 1979, our company operated its first North West Australia tour. In 1979 we did a special BCA Easter tour to Lightning Ridge whilst our BCA Outback Tour covered Western Queensland, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. Here in Coober Pedy, we attended the newly opened Catacomb Church and met the BCA Field Staff, Kerry and Julie Medway, for the first time. This was such a popular itinerary it was repeated six weeks later. Other early BCA tours included Family Safari tours and specific parish charters as well as Chaplains tours for ARV Villages.
John later volunteered to be on the BCA National Council, serving on the Council and the Executive for 30 years. During that time, he initiated several organising committees and spoke on behalf of BCA, doing deputations.
BCA supporters, as well as other CFT passengers, continue to book our annual Outback Tours for the unique opportunity they offer to travel our beautiful country and meet with local Christians in remote and rural Australia. The interactions between visitors and BCA Field staff are of great benefit to both parties; travellers are inspired by the important spiritual work undertaken in often challenging environments whilst BCA Ministers receive great encouragement from both the emotional and financial support that flows from these visits.
Interested in BCA’s work? Let us know and we’ll tell you all about our next BCA tour.
It is now almost 30 years since Rev Henry Omreo Nyasemi started the Foundation of Mercy Children’s Centre in the Kisii region of Kenya in response to the HIV / AIDS epidemic that swept the community. In 1993 the Kisii region had one of the highest death rates in the country resulting in 15,000 children orphaned and one in five homes being left without a parent or guardian. Rev Henry is a truly inspiring individual, the founder of a wonderful work of faith that cares for around 500 orphans daily.
CFT has been privileged to have a relationship with the Foundation since 2012 and has helped raise money to improve the centre. John Cronshaw, a CFT company Director, has been strongly supportive of Rev Henry’s work, visiting the Kenyan Mission and assisting Rev Henry’s 2013 Australian visit so he could raise both awareness and funds to continue his vital work. John is committed to continuing to assist in fundraising and prayer support and if you would like to be involved please contact John directly.
John led a group that visited the Foundation of Mercy in June-July 2015 and 2018. Whilst the tour group he led greatly appreciated the amazing scenery and wildlife, the human highlight was seen as the full day spent at Makara village in the company of Rev Henry Omreo Nyasemi. The CFT group were greatly impacted by attending church with the children and local Christians as well as spending time with the kids at the orphanage, where facilities are still basic.
One of the passengers is now supporting Rev Henry’s daughter so she has been able to resume her midwifery studies, studies that had been postponed due to financial hardship. This “hand up” by one individual will have a significant impact on the health of birthing mothers and their children in the community.
John’s most recent tour of Africa was in June 2025.
Poverty and disadvantage exists within our world, but we all hold the power to change that. At Pro Purpose™ we believe generous businesses are a vital part of the solution.
CFT is proud to have helped develop the “One Child Foundation” along with Platinum Electricians, an initiative to sponsor children in a single community in Zambia through World Vision. Christian Fellowship Tours, along with our sister companies – Fantastic Aussie Tours and Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, began to sponsor children through “One Bus, One Child” whilst Platinum Electricians sponsored through “One Van, One Child”.
Today our Christian Family company sponsors more than 15 African children through World Vision. Go online to see the Channel 9 video (“Helping Hands”) – https://www.propurpose.org/fantasticaussietours
Are you a business? If so, we’d love you to partner with Pro Purpose to join the mission to see a world where Profit & Purpose prosper together.
It is not a financial partnership; it is a partnership in vision and passion to see our businesses make a difference in the world. Imagine the lives that could be transformed as we unite our efforts and generosity. Compared to a lot of the world, Australia is a prosperous nation, and as Australian business owners, what an amazing opportunity to bless others.
LEARN MORE – https://www.propurpose.org/join-the-movement
John Cronshaw’s latest book, Land of the Bible (2017) was published as an accompaniment to The Land of the Bible Tour through Jordan and Israel operated by Christian Fellowship Tours.
These books are $20 each (plus postage).
To purchase, please email John Cronshaw [email protected]
In this Coach Captain’s Commentary of the Bible, John presents a clear, concise summary of the Bible’s story—from the beginning to Jesus’ Crucifixion.
Accessible and engaging, this book is perfect for those exploring the Christian faith or wanting to see how the Bible fits together. It’s not an academic work, but a readable guide to understanding God’s Plan A.
$20 (plus postage).
To purchase, please email John Cronshaw [email protected]
Buspa’s Corner: Thoughts for the Journey of Life (2017), followed his 2006 CD Moving Devotions with Buspa. Both grew from the daily devotions he began during Christian Fellowship Tours with Bush Church Aid (BCA), which he initiated in 1978 to support remote and rural churches.
“These are simple, practical devotions—down-to-earth and easy to read. I started putting them together on tour, and before long, people were really connecting with them.”
$20 (plus postage).
To purchase, please email John Cronshaw [email protected]
Coached by God: The Successful Christian (2015), began as an attempt to reconcile the conflict within himself between ambition to steer a successful business and humanist philosophy which places all power to change on the individual, and conservative Christianity which defers to God alone and a desire to live a godly Christian life.
Coached by God is a product of two decades of writing, peppered with experiences from Mr Cronshaw’s own life.
$20 (plus postage).
To purchase, please email John Cronshaw [email protected]
