Vision

• No camper left behind (no camper will be excluded from camp for inability to pay.)
• Camps filled to capacity. (Highly effective use of time, space and resources.)
• Irresistible camp programming

Core Values

• We honor our heritage of more than a century of effective ministry that brought spiritual revival and renewal to many generations.  This history, rooted in Wesleyan theological traditions, embraces the core truths of the Gospel and intentionally invites all guests to respond personally to Christ.
• Building on our heritage and tradition, we strive to be innovative in programming and ministry practices, keeping the Gospel presentation relevant to current culture.
• We reflect the character of Christ, exhibiting integrity in our work and our relationships with vendors, guests, co-workers, neighbors and all whom we encounter.
• We care deeply for the well-being of our guests by providing a sanctuary that is socially, emotionally and physically safe so that they are free to engage the truth of the Gospel.
• Light hearts, laughter and fun are an expression of the joy of our salvation and are embraced in programming for all ages.
• Recognizing that all resources are provided for the glory of God, we will exercise faithful stewardship over financial matters, our time,  our talents and our resources.

Heritage…Innovative…Integrity…Sanctuary…Fun…Stewardship

Bay Shore History

The original piece of property was purchased in 1911 by the Flint District of the Evangelical Church for the purpose of annual instruction for clergy, revival meeting and youth gathering.  The program was a 12 day assembly.  The first 5 days were programmed for the youth, the next few days were for ministry workshops and the last for revival. While business meetings were on the agenda, this was a time of spiritual refreshing and renewal. 

In 1946 the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren to become the Evangelical United Brethren Church.   The ownership of the Camp remained with the EUB church. 

In 1957 a new constitution and By Laws were written for Bay Shore Area Camp Meeting Association of the Michigan Conference Evangelical United Brethren Church.

1968 brought the merger of the EUB and the Methodist churches.  At the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church it was voted to end the Bay Shore Camp-meeting Association.  Conference allowed the former leaders of the camp to run the Assembly program “until such time as their responsibilities may be assigned to another Board or Agency as provided in the Plan of the Union.” 

In 1970 the Bay Shore Evangelical Association was formed with the intent to gain ownership of the camp ground and provide programming under the direction of local leadership.  The transfer of ownership to the Association was completed at the 1974 Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Bay Shore Camp would be owned by the Bay Shore Evangelical Association.  (From its earliest days of partnership with the Mennonite Church, Bay Shore has shared its resources with groups of all Christian faith traditions.) (Today, Bay Shore Camp operates as a ministry open to all who seek to experience Christ.)

Our Statement of Faith

Our faith is grounded in the authority of the Bible, which is the full and sufficient rule both of faith and of practice.  The Bible informs all that we believe and determines how we live.  We embrace the core Christian doctrines expressed in the historic affirmations commonly known as the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

Further, in keeping with our Wesleyan (and Evangelical United Brethren) theological heritage:

We believe:

The Triune God

We believe in one eternal God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-equal and co-eternal. The Trinity is not three gods nor three roles played by one God, but three distinct persons sharing one essence-one nature, power, action, and will. This profound mystery is revealed to us through Scripture and embraced by faith.

The Father

God the Father is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things. He rules with wisdom, power, and grace, and lovingly involves Himself in human affairs. He hears our prayers, extends mercy, and offers salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, rescuing us from sin and eternal separation from Him.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully divine and fully human, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Sinless and obedient, He fulfilled all messianic prophecies, was crucified, died, rose bodily from the grave, and defeated sin and death. He ascended to heaven, where He reigns and intercedes for us as Lord. Christ will return to judge the living and the dead.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is fully God with the Father and Son, present and active in the world. Given in fullness at Pentecost, the Spirit empowers the Church, convicts of sin, comforts the believer, guides and equips us for a life of holy living. By the Spirit, Christ lives in us, the gospel is proclaimed and God’s Kingdom is revealed through us.

Scripture

The Bible is God’s inspired Word—His self-revelation—true and without error in all it affirms. We submit to it as the final authority for faith and practice. Both Old and New Testaments reveal God’s unchanging truth for every generation.

Humanity

God created humanity in His image, male and female. Out of God’s love, He united the first man and first woman in a holy covenant, as a standard for all time, to be fruitful and multiply. Through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin entered the world, corrupting our relationship with God and death came as a result. All people are born with a sinful nature and are unable to restore themselves apart from divine grace.

Prevenient Grace:  The Goodness of God

Before we even seek God, His prevenient grace is already at work—awakening spiritual desire, prompting repentance, and drawing us toward salvation. This grace is the expression of God’s love, reaching out to all people, inviting them to respond.

Salvation:  Justifying Grace and New Birth; Initial Sanctification

Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God offers salvation to all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. In Christ, we are justified—declared righteous—and born again as children of God. We are set free from guilt and begin a life of holiness by faith and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation:  Entire Sanctification

God calls every believer to entire sanctification—a deeper experience of grace marked by full surrender and faith. In this work of the Holy Spirit, believers are cleansed from inward rebellion and enabled to love God and others with wholehearted devotion. This grace does not make believers faultless. Entire sanctification is both a decisive moment and an ongoing journey toward Christlikeness.

Assurance of Believers

All who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior can be assured of salvation by the inward witness of God’s Spirit with their spirits, by faith in the gracious promises of God’s Word, and by the manifestation of the gifts and fruits of the Spirit in their lives; 

God’s Victory

We affirm God’s ultimate triumph over Satan and evil. One day, Christ will return, and God’s perfect Kingdom will be fully realized in a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness and peace will reign forever.

Therefore, our response to God, Holiness in Heart and Life:

We are called to live lives marked by holiness—both inward and outward—as individuals and as a community of faith. At Bay Shore, we strive to embody this calling, creating a Christ-centered environment where the life-transforming power of God’s holiness is known and shared.

This is the faith we proclaim and the life we pursue.

SO BE YE HOLY.  AMEN.