Capernwray Harbour Bible School

Last updated
Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre
MottoProclaiming Jesus Christ as Life
TypePrivate
Established1979
Affiliation Christian evangelical
President Chris Fordham
Location
Thetis Island
,
British Columbia
,
Canada
CampusRural, 97 acres
Website http://www.capernwray.ca
Capernwray-harbour-logo.png

Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre is a evangelical Christian Bible School & Conference Centre located on Thetis Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Contents

The Centre was established by a Capernwray Hall alumnus, Charles Fordham, in 1979. The primary offering is a One-Year Bible School which runs from September to mid-April. During May - August over 4,000 participants are hosted for predominantly Christian-oriented conferences, retreats and Outdoor Education programmes.

The primary purpose and ministry of Capernwray Harbour is Christian education. Its goal is to offer students training in Bible study, evangelical outreach, leadership development, community living, and personal discovery through discipleship. According to school founder Charles Fordham, the mission of Capernwray Harbour is the "training of men and women to be equipped for full-time Christian service, regardless of their occupation," [1] following the ideas expounded by Major W. Ian Thomas. [2]

History

The site of Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre was first settled by Henry Severn in 1886. Despite the school being named for Capernwray Harbour, it is in fact located on the shores of Preedy Harbour. Severn built a log cabin on the property; the subsequent owner, H. Burchell, added Preedy Hall, one of the largest buildings on the Gulf Islands at the time, and home to a store, a chapel, and a ballroom. [3] In 1924 the property was sold to Hans Hunter, who built the Main Hall in 1926 after a fire. In 1979, Charles and Marlene Fordham formed a Board of Directors to begin operations for a Bible School on the site, signed a lease to purchase, and opened the school with an inaugural class of 77 students. [4] Current School buildings and facilities include a gymnasium, lecture hall, outdoor amphitheatre, climbing tower, several kilometres of trails, and accommodations for 150. [5]

Mission statement

At Capernwray Harbour, men and women are trained in a working knowledge of Christ. This training includes knowing Christ more deeply and personally as indwelling Lord, and studying, meditating in, and communicating the Written Word of God. The purpose of this training is to discover within daily experience the full reality of the Christian life, to prove that reality, Christ's life, in and through us. This training also aims to increase our effectiveness as members of our own local churches, so we are equipped for full-time Christian service, regardless of occupation. [6] [7]

Statement of Faith

The Capernwray Harbour Statement of Faith asserts that God created man in such a way that the presence of God as Creator within a man as creature is imperative to his humanity, and that we as men can do nothing without him. Furthermore, according to the "Regenerative Purpose of God", Christ "rose again from the dead to live his life in us." [8]

The Statement of Faith also declares that once one has truly assumed the Christian life, "Christ can then do the work in us as the Father then did the work in Him, and we let all God loose in the world; not, then just the sky, but God Himself is the limit!" [8]

Ultimately, according to the Statement of Faith, "Jesus Christ established the fact that our spiritual union with him, as he was in spiritual union with the Father, is the true and ultimate basis of all evangelism, missions and Church planting." [8]

Programmes

One of the principal ideas forwarded by Major Thomas, "simplicity in Christ", [9] is emphasized in the curriculum at Capernwray Harbour. [10] Students are encouraged to engage in discipleship to enable personal discovery, rather than looking for academic merit in Bible study. Thomas wrote, "If there is any situation from which you are not prepared to step back, in recognition of the total adequacy of Christ who is in you, then you are out of the will of God." [9]

Curriculum

The Capernwray Harbour's Bible School curriculum covers about seventy-five percent of all of the Biblical books. Essential to the Capernwray Harbour approach are the creation of journals, (ungraded summaries of lecture principles), and study projects, presentations which ensure a thorough study of the Bible and the ability to impart teachings to others. [11] [12]

Ventures

A variety of camping and recreational programmes are offered to students in the initial autumn weekends of Bible School. These Venture Programme activities are designed to establish relationships between the new students. The programmes are conducted at a variety of regional recreational areas and ecological preserves, such as Carmanah Walbran Park, [13] and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. [14]

Outreach

Outreach programmes for students involve visits to several elementary schools, First Nations reserves, youth drop-in centres and senior facilities. Additionally, students lead monthly church services in a medium-security prison [15] in nearby Nanaimo. Spring break outreach programs have included ministries to Seattle USA, Mexico, Japan, India, Philippines, Israel, and Italy. [16]

Community Life

Capernwray Harbour hosts a variety of intramural sports, including soccer, basketball, floor hockey, and volleyball. Students have opportunities to participate in other outdoor adventures such as climbing wall activities, ropes course challenges, biking and mountain hiking. Students can also organize individual team games in their free time. [17]

Other Capernwray Harbour Programmes

Conferences and Holiday Bible Weeks

Capernwray Harbour hosts several conferences throughout the year, including the Men's Conference, Ladies Conferences, and the Pastors & Ministry Leaders Conference. Retreats are offered for families, church groups, seniors groups, and those wishing for personal getaways.

The Holiday Bible Weeks are attended by families and individuals who want to have a Christian vacation experience. [18] Christ-centred devotionals and talks round out a program that includes several outdoor activity options each day. [19]

The Holiday Bible Weeks outdoor recreational activities include ocean kayaking, waterskiing, Gulf Islands boat tours, trail hiking, trout fishing, and beachcombing. Team events such as ropes course challenges and beach volleyball are available to participants of all ages, from preschool to adult. Facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, five kilometres of beach and forest trails, 32 stations on two challenge courses, and a 14-metre climbing wall/rappelling tower. [20]

The devotional services are conducted in several meeting areas, which include the gymnasium, the lecture hall, and an outdoor amphitheatre.

Outdoor Education Programme

The Capernwray Harbour outdoor education programme takes advantage of many of the same facilities, but is geared toward youth aged 10 to 18. The outdoor education focusses on problem solving, communication skills, leadership, community, and teambuilding. [21]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Fordham, Charles "Capernwray Harbour Mission Statement", retrieved Jan. 24, 2023
  2. ↑ The Mystery of Godliness. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1974
  3. ↑ Oke, Kevin "History of Thetis Island", "Gulf Island Guides", retrieved April 17, 2008
  4. ↑ Fordham, Charles "Our History", retrieved January 24, 2023
  5. ↑ Joslin, Elizabeth "About the Property", retrieved January 24, 2023
  6. ↑ Urbana.org: Capernwray Bible Centre Overview "Vision", retrieved July 31, 2009
  7. ↑ Fordham, Charles "Our Mission", retrieved January 24, 2023
  8. 1 2 3 Fordham, Charles "Our Mission", retrieved January, 24, 2023
  9. 1 2 The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. ©1961
  10. ↑ Fordham, Charles "Bible School Overview", retrieved January 24, 2023
  11. ↑ Canadian Christianity "Capernwray Bible Centre" Archived 2009-05-08 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved August 2, 2009
  12. ↑ Jensen, Lawrence "Bible School Course Description", retrieved January 24, 2023
  13. ↑ BC Parks: Carmanah Walbran Park "Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park", retrieved August 26, 2009
  14. ↑ Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of Canada "Pacific Rim National Park" Archived 2009-08-05 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved August 26, 2009
  15. ↑ Nanaimo Correctional Centre "BC Corrections Branch, Nanaimo Correctional Centre", retrieved March 31, 2019
  16. ↑ Joslin, Elizabeth "Course Description", retrieved January 24, 2023
  17. ↑ Jensen, Lawrence "Community Life", retrieved January 24, 2023
  18. ↑ ChristiaNet Inc. "Christian Vacation" Archived 2008-10-25 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved October 17, 2008
  19. ↑ Canada helps "Holiday Bible Weeks", retrieved August 2, 2009
  20. ↑ Fordham, Chris "About the Property", retrieved January, 24, 2023
  21. ↑ Fordham, Chris "Outdoor Education Programme", retrieved January 24, 2023

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Community of Christ</span> Second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement

The Community of Christ, known from 1872 to 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), is an American-based international church, and is the second-largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. The church reports 250,000 members in 1,100 congregations in 59 countries. The church traces its origins to Joseph Smith's establishment of the Church of Christ on April 6, 1830. His eldest son Joseph Smith III formally accepted leadership of the church on April 6, 1860 in the aftermath of the 1844 death of Joseph Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urbana (conference)</span> Christian conference

Urbana is a major Christian student missions conference sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The event is designed to inform Christian students about global issues and issues around the world that missionaries face. The conference also encourages students to explore the biblical mandate for cross-cultural missions and encourages them to participate in missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Pentecostal Church International</span> Christian Pentecostal denomination

The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) is a Oneness Pentecostal denomination headquartered in Weldon Spring, Missouri, United States. The United Pentecostal Church International was formed in 1945 by a merger of the former Pentecostal Church, Inc. and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ. The United Pentecostal Church International began with 521 churches and has grown, according to their own figures, to more than 43,000 churches, 43,000 ministers, and a total constituency of over 5.6 million worldwide. The international fellowship of United Pentecostals consists of national organizations that are united as the Global Council of the UPCI, which is chaired by the general superintendent of the UPCI, currently David K. Bernard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers</span>

The Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers (CMFOT), is an evangelical Christian educational organisation based at Capernwray Hall in north Lancashire, England. In 1998 the organisation was incorporated as a UK charitable company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capernwray Hall</span> Historic site in Lancashire, England

Capernwray Hall is a former country house situated 3 miles east-northeast of Carnforth, Lancashire, England, and is currently used as a Christian Bible school and holiday centre. The house is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It stands in grounds included in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens at Grade II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youth With A Mission</span> Christian missions training organisation

Youth With A Mission is an interdenominational Christian training organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide</span> Church in Philippines

Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW), or more commonly known as Jesus Is Lord Church (JIL), is a Christian megachurch based in the Philippines. It describes itself as a Full Gospel, Christ-centred, and Bible-based church, with over 1 million members in 60 countries as of 2023. Most members abroad are overseas Filipino workers and their families.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alphacrucis</span> Ministry training college of Australian Christian Churches

Alphacrucis University College is a tertiary Christian liberal arts college. In addition to being the largest self-accrediting Christian liberal arts College in Australia, it is the official training college of Australian Christian Churches, the Assemblies of God in Australia. The college has campuses in every state capital city in Australia, campuses in Auckland and in Finland, and registered sites of offer in other places. Its main campus in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. The college has programmes running in various colleges and churches around Australia. The college was founded in 1948 with the vision of being a "Spirit-empowered, church-planting, missions-sending, outreach-focused, distinctly Australian college that would contribute its efforts towards changing the world".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park</span> Provincial park on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada

Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, originally Carmanah Pacific Provincial Park, is a remote wilderness park located inside traditional Ditidaht First Nation ancestral territory. The park covers a land area of 16,450 ha (63.5 sq mi) immediately adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve's West Coast Trail on the south-western, coastal terrain of Vancouver Island. The provincial park comprises the entire drainage of Carmanah Creek, and a good portion of the lower Walbran River drainage, both of which independently empty into the Pacific Ocean. The park is named after the Anglicized diitiid?aatx word kwaabaaduw7aa7tx, or Carmanah, meaning "thus far upstream" and John Thomas Walbran, a colonial explorer and ship's captain. Access to the park is by gravel logging road from Port Alberni, Lake Cowichan, or Port Renfrew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clear Creek Baptist Bible College</span>

Clear Creek Baptist Bible College (CCBBC) is a private Baptist Bible college in Pineville, Kentucky. It is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. CCBBC provides a Bible-based education focusing on Christian service. The college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association for Biblical Higher Education. CCBBC was founded by Lloyd Caswell Kelly in 1926.

The Australian Christian Churches (ACC), formerly Assemblies of God in Australia, is a network of Pentecostal churches in Australia affiliated with the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, which is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world.

Torchbearers International consists of an affiliation of 25 centers around the world. Torchbearers International was founded by evangelist and author Major W. Ian Thomas, in England, in 1947.

Free grace theology is a Christian soteriological view which holds that the only condition of salvation is faith, excluding good works and perseverance, holding to eternal security. Free Grace advocates believe that good works are not the condition to merit, to maintain, or to prove salvation, but rather are part of discipleship and the basis for receiving eternal rewards. This soteriological view distinguishes between salvation and discipleship – the call to believe in Christ as Savior and to receive the gift of eternal life, and the call to follow Christ and become an obedient disciple, respectively. Free grace theologians emphasize the absolute freeness of salvation and the possibility of full assurance that is not grounded upon personal performance. Norman Geisler has divided this view into a moderate form and a more radical form. The moderate form being associated with Charles Ryrie, and the more strong form with Zane Hodges.

Mizoram Presbyterian ChurchSynod is the largest Christian denomination in Mizoram, northeast India. It was a direct progeny of the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales. It was the first church in Mizoram and is now one of the constituent bodies of a larger denomination Presbyterian Church of India (PCI), which has its headquarters in Shillong, Meghalaya. The administrative body called the Mizoram Synod has its headquarters at Mission Veng, Aizawl. As the first church, it remains the largest denomination in Mizoram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cairn University</span> Private Christian university in Pennsylvania

Cairn University is a private Christian university in Langhorne Manor and Middletown Township, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1913, the university has six schools and departments: Business, Counseling, Divinity, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Music. All students take a minimum of 30 semester hours of Bible classes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centre for Missional Leadership</span>

The Centre for Missional Leadership(CML) was a theological centre specialising in applied theology. It was based in Watford, 20 miles northwest of central London, England.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), (in Swahili, Baraza kuu la makanisa nchini Kenya) is a fellowship of Protestant churches and Christian organisations registered in Kenya. It is currently Chaired by the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) Archbishop Dr. Timothy N. Ndambuki. Its motto is "For Wananchi" which means "for citizens" (Wananchi meaning citizens in Swahili): This motto has been exemplified in NCCK's long involvement in public service, advocacy, and social responsibility in Kenya. It is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.

Liberty Baptist School, formerly United Baptist, was established in September 1968, in San Jose, California, consisting of ten pupils with Mrs. Cherie Noel as principal and teacher. Liberty Baptist School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the American Association of Christian Schools.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.