Statement of Faith – Frequently Asked Questions

Spiritual Integrity and Differences?

We have intentionally taken time to read scripture, pray, and know who we are so intimately that we are able to live faithfully the mission of reaching the found, the lost, and the broken with the grace and love of Jesus Christ. We stand firmly on who God has called us to be and embrace those who think differently than we do with the love befitting a creation of God. We recognize the heart of Jesus in John 4:5-30 and his love for the woman at the well. We welcome the chance to host guest groups and campers who come from differing views. We are committed to loving well with respect and integrity. We understand that there are several perspectives on numerous hot topic issues and believe it best practice to place those in the hands of the Holy Spirit and the most consistent spiritual influences in the lives of campers and guests.

Safe Emotional Space?

We embrace the fact that our campers are in different places in their personal faith. We believe that an individual’s faith should be experienced and grown through personal experiences, the influences of the church, and by living in a community of faith. We focus on the building blocks of the Christian faith and encourage young people to grow in the practices of reading scripture, praying, and making daily choices to honor God. We strive to create a safe space where young people can ask questions, share their joys/concerns, listen to speakers, and experience personal growth. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) We celebrate a place where campers and guests can safely ask questions of faith and grow with a child’s heart. Questions on denominational differences and items specific to different faith traditions we encourage campers to discuss with their families and local spiritual leaders.

The Authority of Scripture?

We believe the Old and New Testaments are completely inspired by God, are one story from Genesis to Revelation of God’s Creation, the Fall, Redemption, and Restoration of mankind, without error in the original writings, and that they are the complete authority for faith and life. (2 Timothy 3:16- 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Hebrews 1:1)

Sexuality?

God created man and woman, in His image, as unique biological persons. Human sexuality is not something to be shamed, but something to be embraced as individuals created in the image of God, as male and female. Because of the fall, the enemy has caused confusion around human sexuality and has turned it into something God did not create it to be. Because of God’s redemptive work on the cross, we now have the opportunity to freely express our sexuality, without shame, as it was created by God in the beginning. God’s plan for the physical act of sex is to be expressed only within the context of marriage. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, we believe marriage is exclusively the union of one biological male and one biological female. Each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.(Genesis1:27;2:24-25;3:7;Matthew 19:4-6;Mark 10:6-9, Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 7:2)

Creation?

The biblical story begins with God acting, speaking all creation into existence. Whatever process this takes, God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the initiator. The New Testament boldly reaffirms that all things, the visible and invisible were created and are being held together by the very word of Christ. Thus, God transcends creation - he is not part of it. As Christ followers we worship God (not creation) and are stewards over creation. The echo of “it is very good” rings through the ages, through the broken, ugly, and disordered, culminating in the promise of all things being made new, the joining of heaven and earth. (Genesis 1:1; 1:28; Colossians 1; Romans 8; Revelations 21-22)

Sin?

Sin is knowingly and willfully rebelling against the will of God. Adam and Eve committed the first sin when they acted selfishly by putting their own desires above the commands of God. Everyone has sinned, and the payment for that sin is death. (Genesis 3:11-12; Romans 5:12-13; James 4:17; Matthew 7:20-23 3; 1 John 1:8-10; Romans 6:23)

Salvation?

We believe that, through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life. We receive God’s salvation when we repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Christ, we are reconciled with God and brought into the reconciling community. We place our faith in God that, by the same power that raised Christ from the dead, we may be saved from the condemnation of sin to follow Christ and to know the fullness of salvation. (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 5:9-10; Acts 4:12; John 3:16-18)

New Heaven & New Earth

We believe in the end days, that God will restore humanity and creation into perfect union as it was in the Garden of Eden. The brokenness of the Earth will be redeemed, and all things will be new, dwelling in fellowship with the Lord God. And even now the Son, Jesus Christ, who took on flesh- the very stuff of creation - and then ascended to the Father means a bit of creation (humanity) is already residing in the presence of God, a first fruit of what is to come. (Revelation 21:1-5)

Reconciliation/Pacificism?

As a result of the fall of humanity, we live in a broken world. We believe that peace is the will of God. God created the world in peace, and God’s peace is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is our peace and the peace of the whole world. Led by the Holy Spirit, we follow Christ in the way of peace, doing justice, bringing reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance, even in the face of violence and warfare. We engage ministry to the faithful, broken, lost, and outcasts. We work to care well for creation and to love those that God has created. (Luke 6:27-28; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Isaiah 1:17; Matthew 5:44; Hebrews 12:44; Colossians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

The Trinity/Hypostatic Union?

We believe that God is One, existing eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—sharing equally in essence, power, glory, and perfection. We believe in the two natures of Jesus Christ: fully human and fully divine. In our humanness we strive to understand with Godly wisdom these truths. We know that Jesus came to Earth to serve as the Lamb of God, in life, death, resurrection and ascension. God as Father, Son, and Spirit points to relationship and community where love is a real thing. For those created in God's image as human, we also are individual, yet only flourish in relationship and community. (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30)