Statement Of Faith
Our Mission:
To invite people to be whole and effective Jesus followers who desire to live faithful to the call of Christ and to grow in character, wholeness, maturity and service to others.
Since the beginning of the Coldwater Foundation ministry, the programs, fellowship, community life, worship, teaching and service of Coldwater have been set within the framework of historic evangelical theology. Our primary source for theological guidance are the Holy Scriptures; the bible.
This is what we believe:
The Scriptures
We believe the Bible to be inspired, the only infallible authoritative Word of God. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures have supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13; Hebrews 4:12
God
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
Isaiah 48:12; Psalm 95:3,6; Isaiah 40:21-26; Psalm 139:1-12; John 7:37,38; Deuteronomy 6:4
II Corinthians 13:14; Mark 12:29; Matthew 28:19; Isaiah 43:10-11
Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return for His church in power and glory.
Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:8; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20; Romans 3:25;Titus 2:13; I Corinthians15; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 20:31
The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
Acts 1:8; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 5:18-20; I Corinthians 3:16-17
Salvation
We believe in the depravity of man, that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore in need of salvation–divine redemption through personal regeneration. We believe that those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior are saved, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. [But our transformation doesn’t stop here. It begins.]
Acts 10:47-48
Christian Living
We believe that all believers are indwelt with the person of the Holy Spirit at the time of regeneration, given every spiritual blessing, all things pertaining to life and godliness, and empowered with the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit, drawing upon the resources available through the resurrected Christ, to the end that our lives increasingly manifest the very life, character, and power of Christ. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed.
Acts 2:38; II Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:1-6; II Corinthians 3:16; Romans 12:1-3
Galatians 2:20
The Church
Coldwater is not the local church, but a para-church ministry. We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members, including the believers at Coldwater. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ who have a credible profession of faith and gather for worship, work, and fellowship. We believe the calling of the church is to be the very presence of Christ in the midst of the world, standing as a testimony of His life and character. We believe that the testimony of Christ’s life is seen most fully in the corporate expression of His life that is the church and that when God calls people into life with Himself, He necessarily calls them into fellowship with other believers as well.
Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:25-27; I Corinthians 12:12-14
The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has mandated two sacraments, water baptism and the Lord’s supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water into the name of the triune God. We believe that baptism signifies and symbolizes Christian life begun. We believe that the Lord’s supper was instituted by Christ for the commemoration of His death and signifies Christian life continued.
Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Romans 6:4
The Last Things
We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, and the eternal blessedness of those made righteous in and through Christ. [restoration of all things, including the earth]
Mark 9:43-48; John 5:28-29; John 11:25-26; Revelation 20:5-15
Attitude
Considering the many denominational backgrounds of our community, we wish to stress the importance of the main fundamental doctrines as being absolutely necessary and to be understanding in minor differences that so often are merely differences in terminology or custom. “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Have other questions? If you still don’t find your answer, feel free to contact us directly.
What's an average day like on a Coldwater Course?
After wakeup, our morning routine typically includes a delicious and nutritious breakfast with hot drinks, a morning devotional, a period of quiet time for reflection, journaling, and prayer, and then we pack up camp to head out for the day! A hearty lunch is usually eaten on a large rock jutting out near the water, or in a shady nook if the day is hot. In the afternoon we continue travelling until we reach our campsite. Usually a snack gets pulled out, and after that’s polished off, we set to work pitching shelters, gathering lots of wood, and lighting a fire. Water is boiled to cook dinner, and then it’s time to sit down and relax with a meal. Evenings are often spent learning more about each other as we share a bit of our story, and reflecting about the day, sharing highlights, frustrations, or things we learned.
What does faith-based mean?
Once you register, we will send you a packing list of everything you need to bring! We’ll provide group gear, like canoes, packs, tarps/shelters, etc. You are responsible for bringing personal gear like a rain jacket and shoes! Don’t have what’s on the packing list? Don’t fret! We also have a lot of extra gear that you can borrow if you don’t have it at home
Where do students go on their trips?
Yes, just make sure to include that information as you fill out your med form prior to your trip. We can accommodate most food allergies. Our packed trip food is produced in a facility that also packages tree nuts. However, this can typically be sorted through depending on the allergy. If you have questions about this prior to registering for a trip, just ask!
How do I register?
Just click the button below! It will take you to our registration page where you make an account, select the trip you are signing yourself or your child up for and walk through the guided process until you’re finished and can click submit! It usually takes no more than 10 minutes.
Who are the Coldwater Instructors?
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