What We Believe (expanded)

Here is an expanded description of our core beliefs as a para-church organization within the Restoration Movement. This is what we teach to all students that are served by the camp, and to all faculty that participate in the camp's ministry.
About God
  • The God of the Bible is the supreme creator/ruler of the universe.
  • God is three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that are all co-equal and form one Being. This is known as the Trinity.
  • The Son, Jesus Christ, was incarnated on earth through the virgin birth. During His time on earth, Jesus was both fully human and fully God. Christ lived a sinless life, and died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins, and after three days was resurrected from the dead, then later ascended into Heaven. At the end of time, Christ will return to earth.
  • The Holy Spirit is present in the world today to provide guidance and power to immersed believers in Christ.
About the Bible
  • The Bible is God's Word for us. It is the final spiritual authority in every Christian's life.
  • It was written by multiple human authors who were each inspired by the Holy Spirit. Because of this divine inspiration, the Bible is without error.
  • The list of inspired (and thus inerrant) canon contains 66 books. This 66-book list is commonly referred to as the Protestant Bible. Other books that are commonly printed in the Bible (referred to as the Apocrypha books) may be instructive, but are not inspired by God in the same manner.
About Humanity
  • Humans were created according to God's image, a trait that makes us unique among God's creations.
  • Each human's biological sex is designed to be intrinsic to God's will for their life, and thus, immutable. This also means that a person's stated gender identity is intended by God to be identical to their biological birth-sex.
  • Although we have the potential for good, our potential is marred by our shared rebellion against God known as "sin." Death is a product of sin.
  • We cannot overcome our sin by ourselves, we need the redemptive sacrifice of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.​
  • Despite our sin, God adores human life, including unborn life.
About Marriage
  • Marriage is a sacred institution created by God to reflect Christ's love for the church.
  • By design, marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman, and should endure for their entire shared lifetime.
  • ​Sexual gratification is designed to be shared between one man and one woman, exclusively within the context of their marriage.
About Baptism
  • In order to accept the forgiveness granted to us by Christ's sacrifice, Christ calls us to be baptized by immersion in water in the name of the Trinity.
  • Because of this, baptism by immersion is essential to a person's salvation from sin and death.​
  • Upon their baptism, a person receives the indwelling Holy Spirit into their being.
  • Baptism must be a conscious personal decision; coerced baptism and infant baptism are not acceptable practices.
About Salvation
  • In order to receive salvation from sin and death, we must accept God's forgiveness.
  • God's forgiveness is accepted through faith in Jesus Christ, an experience categorized by a person's confession, baptism (by immersion), and continued dedication to Jesus's way of life.
  • ​Because of the need for continued dedication, personal salvation cannot be lost, but it can be surrendered via apostasy (either explicit or implicit).
West Central Camp Rules​
Below are the official WCCSC Rules that all campers, faculty, and deans are expected to follow. West Central Camp reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who is found to be noncompliant.
  1.  The dean of each week is responsible for, and has authority over, everything during their week. Only the camp manager or a board quorum can override their decisions. The dean has the authority to dismiss any faculty member or camper for violation of camp policy.
  2. Everyone is required to conform to the daily camp schedule.
  3. Use of tobacco, alcohol, vaping, illegal drugs, or crude and obscene language is forbidden.
  4. No one is allowed to leave the grounds without the permission of the dean. Campers must have a permission slip signed by their parent or guardian to leave during the week. No field trips off the campgrounds are allowed.
  5. Sickness or injury should be reported to the camp nurse immediately.
  6. Males and females are forbidden to enter each other’s dorms and designated areas at any time. No one is allowed out of the dorms after lights-out without permission from the dean.
  7. Campers are not allowed to bring fans, fireworks, weapons, any entertainment electronics (CD players, consoles, etc) cell phones, bikes or skateboards to camp. These items will be confiscated and returned at the end of the week.
  8. Modest dress is required by all attending camp. Two-piece bathing suits showing a bare midriff are not allowed, nor are short-shorts, tube tops, spaghetti straps, clothing showing bare midriff, clothing displaying immoral slogans, images, etc. Males are to wear shirts at all times except when swimming. Any faculty has the authority to ask a camper to change into more appropriate clothing.
  9. Visitors’ hours are from 4:00PM to 7:30PM. Exceptions can be made for parents and special activities such as baptisms. All visitors are required to abide by all camp rules and schedules. Visitors must wear their ‘visitor pass’ at all times while on the grounds.
  10. All campers’ automobiles will be parked in designated areas, and keys will be turned in to the camp office for the duration of the week.
  11. Everyone is required to follow the pool rules, and the lifeguard on duty has authority over all campers and faculty during swim times.
  12. No food, drinks, or gum are to be brought to camp by campers. No food or drink is allowed in the dorms.
  13. Campers may be held financially responsible for any vandalism or damage they cause to camp property.
  14. WCCSC reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone, and reserves the right to expel any faculty or camper found to be living a lifestyle, or promoting any lifestyle, that WCCSC believes to be in conflict with New Testament Teaching on Christian behavior or doctrine. Bigotry and bullying are not acceptable as Christian behavior and will be disciplined accordingly.

Our Policies on Sexuality and Gender
Because of the convictions and rules listed above, practically speaking, persons joining West Central for summer camp can expect the following policies on sexuality/gender:
  • WCCSC will not refuse service to anyone based solely on their sexuality. However, non-heterosexual behavior is not acceptable on camp grounds. If a person refuses to comply with this policy, West Central reserves the right to refuse service to them (see Section 14 of our Camp Rules).
  • WCCSC will not refuse service to anyone based solely on the fact that their gender identity or biological sex does not reflect their sex at birth (culturally referred to as a person's "natal sex"). However, for the sake of the camp's engendered practices (male/female dorms, bathrooms, activities, etc), a person's natal sex will be enforced. If a person refuses to comply with this policy, West Central reserves the right to refuse service to them (see Section 14 of our Camp Rules).
  • If a Camp Dean or Camp Manager has reasonable belief to suspect that a person is misrepresenting their natal sex, they reserve the right to compel that person to present their own birth certificate as evidence of their natal sex. A dean or manager also reserves the right to refuse service to a person if they do not comply with this policy.
  • WCCSC does not practice or in any way support the practice of "conversion therapy." It is regarded as an unbiblical, ungentle, and amoral approach to ministering to those who are challenged by God's design for their body.
  • Harassment of any student or faculty, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, biological sex, or natal sex, will not be tolerated under any circumstances and regardless of whether or not an individual's lifestyle is reflective of God's design for their body.

Individuals who comply with the camp's rules and policies can expect to receive our fun, fulfilling and Biblical ministry service regardless of their present beliefs. These policies are not in place to exclude any parties from said service. We hope to minister well to anyone that joins us here at West Central from all walks of life, per our Christian duty to treat others with gentleness and hospitality. These policies are in place to effectively serve our organization's religious conviction, and to protect our campers and faculty from harm.

West Central Christian Service Camp thanks you for your understanding and compliance. If you would like to discuss any of these topics with a representative, you are welcome to contact us here.