OUR DEEPEST HELD BELIEFS

The founders and the current curators of Camp Oshkidee established and maintain the camp, with all its operations and ministries, because of our firm conviction that this world we live in was the intentional design and creation of an all-knowing and all-powerful divine being, we call “God”. 1  

Observation of the diversity, complexity, and beauty of all that surrounds us in this earthly home affirms our conviction. 2 Yet all that is around us is eclipsed by humanity and our own gift of life.  Life not just experienced as amazing material physical beings, but as those capable of creative thought, great aspirations, self-awareness, moral understanding, deep emotion, and relational longings. 3 The logical conclusion is that our God is not only capable of doing anything, but that He is also good. Together with our observing we have also joined with many millions of others who have carefully read for such understanding the Holy Bible, with its revelation of such a God.  In doing so we agree with them that the Bible tells us about this God and His intentions for all that He has made. 4 The Bible directs us to the God who is capable 5 and good, 6 as well as involved and relational. 7 Its clear description of our God, through both its narrative and instruction, corresponds exactly with what the Bible’s careful readers have experienced through their own pursuit of and response to God.  He not only can be known; He wants to be both known and enjoyed for His generous goodness. 8 This fuller understanding of God’s nature and character satisfies our hunger for the purpose and meaning of our lives.

The depth of God’s love for us was most clearly shown to us when He Himself, through Jesus, God’s Son, provided a rescue-salvation when things went wrong in creation. 9 By both individual and collective pride and selfishness everything that was intended for our relational enjoyment was scarred and broken, causing great pain and hurt. 10 Jesus came into the world He made to surrender His life to pay for and cover over all our sins that led to our own downfall, 11 and to provide a means for restoration of right relationship with God 12 and one another. 13 We believe that the God who made you, loves you, and desires for you a life that is full of the richness that only the author of life is able to provide for you. 14 A life shared with all others who together in a spiritual family, called the church, 15 live life in a new way, 16 in relationship with our God who made us for Himself.  This is a foundational belief that sustains our passion for Oshkidee‘s continued existence. 

Holding the above firmly held conviction about God, we join with the many who can express the essence of our belief through the following statement, known as the Apostle’s Creed:

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 17 I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead.  The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. 18 I believe in the Holy Spirit, 19 The one holy church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. 20 Amen.”

Camp Oshkidee is governed by an independent, non-denominational Board of Directors, made up of members who participate in various Christian churches that are Christ-centered and mission-focused. Our desire for Camp Oshkidee is that it would serve as a complement to the work of the Church of Jesus Christ in the fulfilling of its redemptive and restorative gospel mission in our world.

  • Read some of the Scripture references that form the foundation of our deepest held beliefs here.

  • WE VALUE A GOD HONOURING MINISTRY

    We seek to honour God in our programs, facilities, camper relations, and all other aspects of ministry. As we honour God, we believe he will honour our work by fostering Christ-centered faith in the people and ministries we serve.

    WE VALUE THE SCRIPTURES AS GOD’S INSPIRED WORD

    His authority for all aspects of life; the core of everything we do; the tool we use to introduce children to Jesus Christ and disciple them. A primary goal of our Family Camping program is to enable staff families to minister to camper families so as to encourage authentic, life changing spiritual growth and development. More than anything, we want to see our campers experience a power-filled relationship with Jesus that cannot be denied nor diminished by the wisdom and arguments of man.

    WE VALUE A HOLISTIC MINISTRY FOR FAMILIES

    Because authentic Christianity touches every aspect of life. Our Family Camp program and ministry is designed to help families grow in their relationships with each other, and with God. We endeavour to create the conditions and climate which allows for growth physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

    WE VALUE EXCELLENCE

    We strive for constant improvement in every aspect of ministry. While some aspects of our program have over time become "untouchable" and not subject to change, we continue to assess ourselves against the highest standards regarding staff and facility development.

    WE VALUE BELONGING

    We recognize the importance of family members building healthy relationships with each other as well as members of other families within a community context. Camp Oshkidee is a place where a sense of belonging is felt and appreciated by ALL.

    WE VALUE RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP

    We recognize that all we have comes from God. He is the source and owner of all gifts and resources we have. We are merely managers with the responsibility to use wisely all that we have, to bring glory to God and expand the boundaries of his kingdom.

  • We affirm that marriage and the family are sacred institutions established by God. The ministry of Camp Oshkidee is to support the church as it celebrates and blesses marriage, family, and singleness, fostering an environment where families can grow in love and individuals are honoured, whether married or single. 

    Marriage is viewed as a covenant relationship designed by God to unite a man and a woman for a lifelong commitment toward holiness and freedom. 1 Its purpose, as intended by God, includes companionship, sexual union, and the nurturing of children (where able). 2 Sexual intimacy is deemed appropriate only within the bounds of marriage, characterized by mutual love, faithfulness, and submission. 3 Believers are encouraged to marry within their faith, and the community of faith actively supports marriages, seeking reconciliation in times of trouble. 4 Although human sinfulness may lead to divorce, the church offers hope and healing while upholding the biblical ideal of marital faithfulness. 5

    Singleness is held in equal honour with marriage, and sometimes even preferred. The church blesses, respects, and fully includes those who are single, recognizing unique opportunities for individuals to declare and experience the kingdom of God. 6 Regardless of marital status, all are called to live sexually pure lives. 7

    Family relationships, at every stage of life, are intended by God to be characterized by love and maturing in holiness. Children are acknowledged as a gift from God, and godly parents are entrusted with the responsibility of instructing and nurturing their children in the faith. 8

    We hold that God wonderfully creates each person as either male or female and his goodness gifts each one a physical body that is in alignment with that gender. Rejecting one’s biological sex is a rejection of God’s gifts and the design he chose for his creation when he said of those that would bear his image that they would be male and female. 9

    Compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity must be afforded to every person, even when we disagree on foundational beliefs. We want to speak and live out God's truth in love, and any form of hateful or harassing behaviour is unacceptable. 10

    Camp Oshkidee's statement of faith acknowledges the Bible as the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, serving as the ultimate authority on truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind. 11 The Board of Directors of Jeannette Lake Camping Association holds the final interpretive authority on the Bible's application for Camp Oshkidee's faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline. 

    Read some of the Scripture references that form the foundation of our belief on marriage, singleness, family and sexuality here.