What is KRUX?
KRUX is a community of Christian formation tucked in the heart of Stellenbosch – a vibrant university town in the Western Cape of South Africa. Launched by native South Africans JB and Corli Krohn in 2015, KRUX disciples young adults through theological education, mentoring, community, and a unique focus on the arts.
Stellenbosch is a place of extraordinary beauty, a confluence of intellect and imagination. It is a place that sifts, weighs, and unmasks the crux of our beliefs.
A unique focus on theological study, mentoring, community, and the arts.
Why Theological discipleship?
Each week, KRUX participants join in informal but rigorous study that dive deep into the Word, followed by lively discussion, honest wrestling with hard questions, and robust engagement with the implications of a living theology in the real world.
One would expect this kind of Christian discipleship to be the natural outflow of trusting in Christ and the coming of His Kingdom, which is the central act of God towards humanity. Sadly, spiritual formation and discipleship frequently find itself marginalised in the Christian enterprise, while theology proper is viewed a matter for the seminary classroom, not everyday life. The result is unschooled disciples and untested theologians.
In contrast, orthodox faith demands a Word-birthed and Word-centred spirituality generating and sustaining a Word-shaped community. Theological discipleship pursues a head and heart knowledge of our faith, forged in the fire of community.
Why Mentoring?
Mentorship is intrinsic to the theological and relational core of KRUX, whether by means of personal conversation, counselling, small group seminar, or hospitality.
Christian mentoring is both art and skill. Its strength lies in providing an ongoing encounter in faith-friendship through dialogue, observation, and practice, which enables personal transformation in a uniquely powerful way. It is within the context of relationship and community that we step into the fullness of our personhood and redemption in Christ.
Why Community?
KRUX fosters faith-in-community by hosting weekly fellowship meals, followed by a short talk, presentation, or film/music clip, and deep conversation.
We believe there is no more earthy and enjoyable way of exercising the Christian life than through practising hospitality. Christ the Hospitable One ate with ‘sinners’ and welcomed outsiders. He always offered a place at the table in anticipation of the coming feast of the Kingdom of God.
Hospitality extends a concrete invitation to enter community though the sacred ordinary of redeemed life. Being situated in community reminds us that we are one with the saints through the ages, part of the glorious Bride of Christ, and that our new life in the Kingdom has already begun.
Why Culture & the Arts?
Various seminars and opportunities for reflecting on the intersection of faith and culture are offered through KRUX, as well as an annual Artists’ Gathering, which connects artists from across Southern Africa, and has brought several international speakers to our shores. An Artist-in-Residence provides focus on the visual arts throughout the year, and further engagement with faith and culture.
It bears remembering that the Triune God acts continually in the transformation of culture. As image-bearers, our imaginative enterprises are to yield to the purposes of the Spirit. In recent years, the Christian community has reawakened to its pivotal stewardship role in cultural renewal, and the redeeming faculties of the imaginative and the creative. The Arts has the means to clothe the human struggle with metaphor and lived experience, and beauty works an ‘alchemy in the soul’ (Hans Urs Von Balthasar) which awakens in us a desire to re-appropriate the good and the true.