The CFT Difference
At CFT we believe that supporting our community is part of truly living our faith.
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
World Vision Australia
World Vision is one of the world’s most trusted and dynamic Christian organisations. Christian Fellowship Tours (CFT) is proud to announce that from 2020 we will be partnering with World Vision Australia to offer selected fundraising tours. This partnership will help to support First Nations communities in Australia through programs that focus on children and youth to create a strong, positive environment for young people and families. For 2020 our partner tours include A Taste of Europe with Oberammergau for the once-in-a-decade Passion Play, and Visionary Top End where we’ll meet World Vision’s team in action.
Bush Church Aid Society
CFT Director, John Cronshaw, first became closely involved with the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA) after a BCA minister visited John’s church in Leura in the mid 1970’s. The visiting minister 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, 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 1976, 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.
John later volunteered to be on the BCA National Council, and served on the Council and the Executive for 30 years. During that time he initiated a number of organising committees, and also 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 let you know the next BCA tour.
African Mission – Foundation of Mercy Children’s Centre
It is now over 20 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 twice 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.
For a more detailed history of the Mission’s story please visit, www.foundationofmercychildrencentre.org.
John’s most recent tour to Africa was in June – July 2015. 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.
One Bus One Child
CFT is proud to be have helped develop the “One Child Foundation” along with Platinum Electricians, an initiative that sponsors 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, sponsors 14 children through “One Bus, One Child” whilst Platinum Electricians sponsors through “One Van, One Child”.
If you would like to “meet” these children and are interested in the work that is being done here by World Vision please go to the website – www.onebusonechild.com.au. Why not sponsor a child in the same community and have your name go up on the “One Child” website, alongside the picture of your sponsored child. Or give a donation to support this great work.
Are you a business? If so, we’d love you to partner with us in the One Child Foundation. 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 of hundreds if not thousands of children 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.
