Articles of Faith
A belief in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the inspired Word of God and inerrant in the original writing, and that they are the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matt. 5:18; John 16:12-13)
A belief in one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; II Cor. 13:14)
A belief that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, a virgin and a descendant of David. (John 1:1-2, 14; Luke 1:35)
A belief that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from fellowship with God; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the case of those who reach the age of responsibility, become sinners in thought, word, or deed. (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:22-23, 5:12)
A belief that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as our representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe in Him and accept Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood. (Rom. 3:24-25; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Cor. 15:1-3)
A belief in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord and His ascension into Heaven, and that He is there at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Advocate. (Acts 1:9-10; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:35; I John 2:1-2; I Peter 1:3-5)
A belief in that blessed hope—the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that He will set up His Kingdom on earth.
A belief that all those who in faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God. (John 16:8-11; II Cor. 3:6; I Cor. 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Eph. 1:13-14; John 16:13; I John 2:20,27)
A belief in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting punishment of the lost. (Matt. 25:46; John 5:28-29; John 11:25-26; Rev. 20:5-6, 12-13; Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:23, 3:21; I Thess. 4:16-17)
Human Sexuality Statement
Questions surrounding gender and sexuality have continued to rise in today’s culture, and while the Christian Church has not always responded well, it is our desire at New Life Ranch to respond in both grace and love, as well as with faithfulness to Biblical truth. We are committed to giving an answer to those who ask, but we will do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). It’s also our desire to be kind to all and to instruct in gentleness (2 Tim 2:23-26). Our mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equip believers for ministry compels us to develop Christlike men and women within our programs. Therefore, we instruct and encourage our staff, campers and guests with Biblical truth regarding what it means to be created in the image of God (Gen 1:27) and what it means to live in response to that within their relationships. Therefore, in regards to human sexuality, New Life Ranch affirms the following:
- We affirm that God created men and women in his image, and that their biological sex as male or female is an integral part of that image-bearing nature (Gen. 1:27). The way in which we bear this image includes the embodiment of our sex (biologically male or female).
- We affirm that the Bible defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman (Gen 1:26-27; 2:18-24; Matt 19:4-5; Eph 5:31).
- We affirm the Bible says any sexual relationship outside of marriage is sinful (Rom 1:24-32; 1 Cor 6:9-7:5; Gal 5:16-21; Jude 7).
- We affirm that the Bible says a sexual relationship between two men and/or two women is unnatural and is a perversion of God’s design (Gen 18:20-21; 19:4-5, 24-25; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rom 1:24-27).
At New Life Ranch, we seek to submit to and instruct toward a Biblically-faithful worldview. We, therefore, ask our staff to be in agreement with this statement. Because of this, we commit to operating within the following parameters:
- Campers are to be housed according to their biological birth sex.
- Campers who express engagement in or identifying with views outside of the Biblical view regarding human sexuality will be treated with love and respect. Staff will be trained to focus on identity beyond sexual or gender identity, sharing Biblical truth with the camper regarding who God says they are.