OUR BELIEF ON MARRIAGE, SINGLENESS, FAMILY AND SEXUALITY

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.