STATEMENT OF FAITH
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our character must be an expression of our Christian beliefs, both on personally and in community. As a Christian environment, we take seriously the Bible and its implications for personal accountability.
At Invested Youth, Christian Leadership & Educational Farms:
We Believe...
In order to preserve the function and integrity of Invested Youth Christian Leadership & Educational Farmstead, and to provide a biblical role model, those employed by Invested Youth Christian Leadership & Educational Farmstead in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to abide by this Statement of Faith in its totality. (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31) Hateful, harassing, demeaning behavior or any attitude that does not reflect the love and grace of God that is directed toward any individual is not in accord with Scripture nor the Faith and Practice of Invested Youth Christian Leadership & Educational Farmstead.
The power of the Holy Spirit can help the person overcome all strongholds in our lives (I Corinthians 10:13; 2 Timothy 3:1-5 We believe the Final Coming of Jesus is a time when Christ will personally come again as savior and judge of the world.
Marriage was established by God and we believe it to be a lifelong, exclusive relationship between one man and one woman and that all sexual activity outside the marriage relationship, such as: adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, or any attempt to change one’s sex or disagree with one’s biological sex is sinful and offensive to God (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Salvation is by God alone through Jesus Christ. One accepts Christ as Savior through a conversion process that includes faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (Acts 2:38, 8:12, 10; 47-48, Rom. 10:9). We believe Human Beings were created by God to walk in fellowship with Him. However, all (except Jesus) have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and must rely on God’s grace and forgiveness.
The Bible, the Old and New Testament Scriptures, inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God (2 Tim. 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21).
The Holy Spirit works actively in the world and in his children. The Holy Spirit convicts, guides, directs, disciplines, and comforts His people to righteousness. (John 16:5-11). The Holy Spirit indwells believers individually and completely in the Church. The Holy Spirit renews in the Christian a clean heart which results in Christ-like character expressed in private and public lives.
God is one being in three persons — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the source of all creation (Gen. 1:1, John 1:1-2), which He sustains (Col. 1:17). He now holds all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). He is Savior and Lord. He made human salvation possible through His life, death on the cross, and resurrection.
Invested Youth Christian Leadership & Educational Farmstead insists upon from all involved with IYCLEF, and any adult associated with Invested Youth Christian Leadership Educational Farmstead, affirm our Statement of Faith and Practice. Secondly, all families, acknowledge and understand our Statement of Faith is non-negotiable.
Examples of expectations for adults in direct contact with our students are, but not limited to: participation in the life of a local church; respect for the position of Invested Youth Christian Leadership & Educational Farmstead on marriage, gender and sexuality; respect for issues like the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs; respect for individuals; a personal commitment to spiritual growth; and a willingness to be positive representatives Invested Youth Christian Leadership & Educational Farmstead, both personally & in community.
The statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our faith. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, the CEO, subject to review by the Board of Directors as appropriate, is the school’s final interpretive authority on the meaning and application of our Statement of Faith.
