Mission
NTS Camp exists to see TRANSFORMATION in the lives of students, PREPARATION for Youth Ministries, and CONNECTION that synergizes Youth Ministries and their Church.
What We Believe
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We believe there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
We believe in the deity of Christ (John 1:1), in His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18, 25), in His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood (Hebrews 9:15-22), in His bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9-11) and in His personal return in power and glory (Hebrews 9:27-28).
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men (women), regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (John 3:16; John 5:24; Titus 3:3-7)
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Ephesians 1:13-14)
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:1-4)
Philosophy
Never The Same Camp (NTS Camp) is an environment that creates space for students to connect to God, to a network of support from their local church, and to a caring adult small group leader from their youth ministry.
NTS Camp is a strategic partnership with the local church to see change happen on 3 different levels:
STUDENT TRANSFORMATION:
NTS Camp sets the table for a student to meet with God. But our philosophy is that the camp is just the beginning. NTS Camp is strategically structured so that the student is set up for long-term spiritual growth and success accomplished by providing a support structure that continues on throughout the year.
‘Relevant’ is the word that best describes what we hear from students year after year about their experience at NTS Camp. From the programming to the activities to the small groups, each environment is specific in meeting the needs of students, primarily the need for community.
Statistically, facts show that what ‘sticks’ in the life of a student after a camp or retreat is the relationship between the adult small group leader/counselor and the student. They will leave not only with a new understanding of God’s unique design for their lives but with a network of relationships that help them pursue God and impact the world around them.
YOUTH MINISTRY PREPARATION:
The week at NTS Camp is strategically designed around the small group environment. This makes NTS Camp a powerful tool for the youth ministry because of the shared life experience between the student and adult leader. This relationship will allow follow up and accountability for the commitments that students make at NTS Camp.
The experience of NTS Camp for a youth ministry team is strategic as well as it supports the mission of student ministry back home, as well as provides a great opportunity for team building while at camp.
LOCAL CHURCH CONNECTION:
Many times the missing link between what makes churches good and great is the amount of connection between the church and their students. What would it look like to see students energized about their faith integrating with the rest of the church community? NTS Camp seeks to integrate the excitement the students are experiencing after camp with the mission of their local church.
NTS Camp resources and encourages youth workers to make a connection with their local church to ‘unleash’ the passion and energy of their students in helping achieve the unique mission of their local church. NTS Camp helps attending churches align this passion and their church is stronger as a result.