We believe in the one true God, the source of all life, who rules over all things as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, overflowing in steadfast love. God the Father, the source of all life, sent the Son for the salvation of the world. Jesus Christ the Son proclaimed the reign of God, bringing good news to the poor, and triumphed over sin through his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit gives people new life, indwells and empowers believers, and assures them of eternal life.

We believe that God has made himself known to all people – first in creation, and then through God’s covenant with Israel. God revealed Himself supremely in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament bears witness to Christ, and Christ is the One whom the New Testament proclaims. The entire Bible was inspired by God. It is the infallible Word of God and the authoritative guide for faith and practice. The Holy Spirit guides the community of faith in the interpretation of Scripture.

Humans, both male and female, were created in God's image for His glory. The first humans, Adam and Eve, were created without sin and appointed as caretakers of the rest of God's creations.

When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.

Jesus Christ came to reconcile us with God. He lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for our transgressions. God raised him from the dead and now, by grace, offers as a free gift eternal life to all who follow Christ, by faith, as their Lord and Savior. That is why salvation can be found in Christ alone.

We believe that the church is the covenant community called by God through Jesus Christ to follow Christ in a life of discipleship and witness as empowered by the Holy Spirit. The church gathers regularly for worship, fellowship, and accountability. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives gifts to each member for the well-being of the whole body. We believe that the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ is for all people. Christ commands the church to make disciples of all nations by calling people to repent, and by baptizing and teaching them to love God and neighbour by telling the good news and by doing acts of love and compassion.

We believe that baptism by water is a public act of obedience which testifies that God in Christ has forgiven a person from sin, freed them from the power of sin and death, given them the Holy Spirit, and united them with the body of Christ. Baptism is for those who repent and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, pledging to live as Jesus’ disciples in all of life. Through baptism, the local church incorporates followers of Jesus.

We believe that in the Lord’s Supper, the church identifies with the life of Christ given for the redemption of humanity and proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes. The supper expresses remembrance, celebration, praise, and the fellowship and unity of all believers.

We believe that Jesus calls people who have experienced the new birth to follow him in a life of service to God. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome the acts and attitudes of sin and godlessness. Filled with love and gratitude, disciples delight to obey God in fellowship with other believers.

We believe that marriage and the family are instituted by God. The church blesses both marriage and singleness, and encourages families to grow in love. Marriage is a covenant relationship intended to unite a man and a woman for life. God designed marriage for companionship, sexual union, and the birth and nurture of children. Children are a gift from God.

We believe that God instituted the state to promote the well-being of all people. The primary allegiance of all Christians is to Christ’s kingdom. Believers witness against injustice, exercise social responsibility, and obey all laws that do not conflict with the Word of God.

We believe that God in Christ reconciles people to himself and to one another, making peace through the cross. We seek to be agents of reconciliation, to practise love of enemies, and to demonstrate Christ’s love by alleviating suffering, reducing strife, and promoting justice. We believe violence is contrary to the gospel of love and peace. In times of war, we believe we are called to give alternative service.

We believe that all human life belongs to God. The Creator and giver of life values human life highly. Abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicide are an affront to God’s sovereignty. The unborn, disabled, poor, aging, and dying are particularly vulnerable. In all decisions regarding life and death, we offer hope and healing, support and counsel.

We believe that the universe and everything in it belong to God the Creator, who has entrusted people with managing the earth’s resources. All God’s gifts, including money, time, abilities, and influence, are to be received with thanksgiving, used responsibly, and shared generously.

We believe that God’s act of creation is the model for human work and rest. In work, we use our abilities to glorify God and to serve others. Rest is an act of thankfulness for God’s provision, and of trust in God who sustains us. Believers gather on the Lord’s day to commemorate the resurrection through worship, instruction, fellowship, and service.

We believe that the saving grace of God in Jesus is the only means of reconciling people with God. God has not left anyone without a witness to the Creator’s goodness and power. Christians treat people of other faiths with respect, but lovingly and urgently proclaim Christ as the only way of salvation.

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ will return triumphantly at the end of this age to destroy all evil powers, condemn all who have rejected Christ to eternal punishment, and unite God’s children with Christ to reign with God in glory forever.

 Our Core Values are how we express our beliefs. In essence, they influence how we behave and a consistent focus on Christ will bridge the divide that is often seen between faith and life. Our Core Values are a filter that enable us to richly bless and influence the people that we minster to or partner with. This list is not exhaustive, but summarizes the culture that we want to contribute to.

The life and teaching of Jesus, the Gospel message, is not a compartment in our lives, but is foundational and woven into every part of our lives. It doesn’t simply inform us for living but it transforms us for living. The message of the gospel is dynamic as it lives and moves, bringing God’s people along with it. The gospel is clearly articulated in the “Great Commandment/Great Commission” of Jesus. The greatest commandment(s) that he taught were for His followers to “love the Lord, your God, with your heart, soul, mind and strength”, and “to love our neighbours as ourselves.” Jesus gave a command in the Great Commission as follows: “Go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)

The Bible is the Word of God. It is living and is a manifesto of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit and we believe it to be the infallible Word of God and the authoritative guide for faith and practice. As we minister within a secular High School, we set the scriptures as our standard for encouraging students towards a relationship with Jesus Christ and a life that honours Him. The scriptures are able to make students “…wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:15-17)

We love the students of Eden High School and we yearn for a community that is rooted in Jesus Christ! We seek to offer our best to Eden so that it might become a reflection of the grace of Jesus. A community is typically the sum of the core beliefs that it holds. The gospel commands that we see other people with an entirely different lens, meaning that the value God has placed upon others is the value we should uphold as we see those around us. As the Apostle Paul writes, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
(2 Corinthians 5:16-18)

As believers, we are called to “go and make disciples…” and we are excited that Jesus modelled an extraordinary discipleship model. He called unusual people to follow Him and through intentional discipleship, He raised extraordinary disciples. For the SLC, we know that students come from many different personalities and perspectives and this is the beauty of the family of God. We seek to encourage students towards a passionate faith that is Christ-like and courageous as they live and navigate challenges within our culture. 

We seek to live compelling lives in Jesus Christ and we encourage students towards the same. We believe that serving others provides opportunities to build relationships and live out a “Great Commandment/Great Commission” life. We want to serve others and through humility, we seek to be known for what we are for rather than what we are against. Our desire is to be willing to “go the second mile,” even when facing opposition and adversity. Jesus modelled humility and service as he came “not to be served, but to serve and offer his life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45)

“Creativity communicates value.” We will always invest in the relationships we care about and this is often demonstrated through creativity. The gospel of Jesus is a dynamic, life changing message and we want to creatively communicate to the students we serve. We also believe that creativity fosters excitement and can be a catalyst to new conversations and relationships. Of course, we have a lot of fun as we create pathways for students to encounter Jesus!

 There are Four Ministry Roots that clarify our mission practically and although each root has a specialized focus, each should be a part of every ministry program we offer. To the best of our ability, the SLC will incorporate these into daily life.

We seek to lead students through discipleship, providing opportunities for leadership along the way. We will model Christ-centred leadership while equipping students to be influential leaders in their community. Whether worship teams or life-groups, The First 25 or Retreats, we want to provide students with a safe and encouraging platform to lead well. We don’t want our “discipleship” to be mechanical, but want it to reflect the organic nature of walking with Jesus. We believe that John 15:5 demonstrates this in that “Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. In order to accomplish anything, He must abide in us and we must abide in him.

We teach the gospel message to students, seeking to equip them to teach as well. In each ministry area, we provide opportunities for “student seekers” to understand salvation in Jesus, or as believers, be able to grow where they are in their faith journey (4 Chair Discipleship model). We also seek to equip them in the disciplines of the faith so they can teach others and disciple others (Matt. 28:16-20). These would include scripture reading, prayer, servanthood, evangelism, and an understanding of their spiritual gifts.

We seek to model a gospel lifestyle that points students to Jesus. We want students to learn to bridge the divide between faith and life; to live out what they say they believe. We want to provide opportunities for them to live and serve as outlined in the Greatest Commandments; “to love God with their heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as themselves.”
(Mark 12:30-31)

We partner with students as we minister and partner with the local church and para-church ministries to influence the community for God’s kingdom. We also seek to partner with families and stakeholders. This includes serving together where we can and being a resource to parents, churches and community organizations.