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Beliefs and Practices

Camp Evergreen is a registered, independent religious society and Christian camp. Our roots are in the Mennonite Brethren Churches of Alberta. Our full Confession of Faith comes from the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.

Camp Evergreen’s mission to see lives transformed by the power of Jesus is founded on the belief that every individual matters to God and needs God. Camp Evergreen welcomes guests from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. We do not condone the harassment, abuse, or bullying of any person for any reason. Furthermore, we do not support or advocate any action that demeans the dignity of human life. Our commitment is to see that every guest receives treatment marked by love, kindness, and respect according to the Bible.    

As a ministry, the following are our foundational beliefs and practices:

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

  • We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary,  He lived a sinless life as fully God and fully man.
  • We believe that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was for our sins and that all who trust in Him are forgiven their sins and granted eternal life.
  • We believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which broke the power of sin and death, His ascension to Heaven, and His ministry there as our High Priest.
  • We believe in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to judge and establish His rule and reign over the Earth.
  • We believe in the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming people by convicting us of our sins and empowering us to live in obedience.

 

The Bible

  • We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, authoritative Word of God. Scripture shows us what we are to believe about God, and out of a renewed relationship with Him, what duty God requires of us. This culminates in a life that is holy and fulfilling. 

 

People

  • We believe that all people are created in God’s image and therefore have inherent dignity. As stated in Romans 5:8, all people are unconditionally loved by God, and at Camp Evergreen it is our goal that all individuals leave knowing that they are valued, loved, and purposefully created for a relationship with the living God. 
  • We believe that “...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore, no one meets God’s holy standards. God’s desire is for all of us to be restored to a right relationship with Him, which happens through putting our faith in Christ and repenting (turning away) from anything that is contrary to His design.
  • Camp Evergreen desires for all people to pursue a relationship with God, surrender every area of life to Him, and live a life that honours and glorifies Him.

 

Salvation 

  • We believe that all people have sinned and are fully deserving of death and separation from God. But God is merciful and freely extends grace to all people. 
  • Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and resurrection to life, those who trust in Him as their Saviour are forgiven for their sins and granted a renewed relationship and eternal life with God.

 

Christian Living

  • We believe that God calls His followers not just to be good people, but to be Godly people.
  • We believe that God has given the Holy Spirit to all His people to convict us of sin and empower us to live in obedience.
  • Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”. Holy living requires a daily and continual surrendering to God.
  • We believe that as Christians we receive direction in holy living through God’s written instructions in the Bible.
  • We believe that by continual prayer we give glory to God for His work in our lives and receive strength, peace and forgiveness from Him.
  • We believe that God’s desire for His people is that they live in community with one another for the purpose of holding one another accountable for sin and encouraging one another to live obedient lives.
  • We believe that God gave human sexuality and gender a beautiful place in creation. In His divine plan, these elements are not just functional but are intended to be expressions of the image of God. Embracing the inherent dignity of sexuality and biological sex requires us to recognize their purpose within the broader context of creation, relationships, and the continuing narrative of God’s love and intention for humanity. Being created either male or female is integral to who we are and, in a complementary way, provides for the full expression of our humanity. We believe that as Christians our gender identity should reflect our biological sex.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 says that “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality…For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life”. We believe that Christians are called to sexual purity, affirming abstinence or lifelong marriages between a biological male and female.
  • We believe that followers of Christ should be baptized and actively participate in a local church to strengthen their faith and to be disciple-makers in their own community.

 

The Church

  • We believe that the Church consists of people around the world who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
  • We believe the Church should gather together regularly in local communities to worship God and encourage one another.
  • We believe that Jesus created the Church to reflect His character and to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a).