Breakaway Youth Ranch

Breakaway Youth Ranch recognizes that the Bible is rich in truth about many subjects not addressed in this statement.  However, this statement of faith is intentionally limited to expressing those truths which we believe are most pertinent to our mission.

 

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, written down by people who were moved to speak by the Holy Spirit.  God’s word ought to be obeyed because it carries God’s authority.  We believe that the Bible is written and intended for all people, that it testifies about Jesus Christ, that it proclaims the good news of salvation from sin and is designed to bring eternal life.  But beyond bringing people to faith, the word of God also works in those who believe to produce obedience and change them to be more like Jesus by cleansing their ways, keeping them from sin, and building and strengthening their faith. Because of these truths, Breakaway Youth Ranch will submit to Biblical truth in all its policies, standards, and programs, and will seek to apply and share Biblical truth in its relationships with people.  (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Matt. 7:24; Lk. 11:28; James 1:22-25; Rom. 16:25-26; Acts 10:43; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 1:1-2; Jn. 5:39; Acts 18:28; Jam. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Tim. 3:15; Ps. 119:50 & 93; Jn. 20:31; Deut. 17:18-20; Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26; Ps. 119:9-11; Acts 20:32; 1 Pet. 2:2)

 

Triune God

We believe God is a Person who has revealed Himself as a Trinity in unity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three Persons and yet one God.  (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 8:6)

 

Humanity

We believe that humans are created by God in His image.  One aspect of being image-bearers is God’s stated intention that people are to act with authority or rulership on the earth as God Himself would – in His best interest and in His behalf.  Breakaway Youth Ranch recognizes that this has direct implications for how the ranch interacts with both people and animals.  Humans are family beings. We are biologically created male or female from conception. We believe we are created uniquely as God intended for a purpose. We also believe marriage is between one man and one woman. We believe these truths lead us to a holistic approach to helping people.  (Gen. 1:26-28; Gen. 2:7; Rev. 4:11; Jam. 3:9; Lk. 23:43; Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21-24)

 

Sin & Salvation

As created, humans were wholly good.  But sin entered the world through Adam, who, as the head of the human race, brought sin to the whole race.  Sin in humans is pervasive, affecting every part of the person to the deepest core.   (Gen. 1:31; Gen. 3:6-11; Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 1:21&28, 8:5-8; Tit. 3:3; Rom. 6:12, 13:14; Gal. 5:16-24; 1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 9:14; Mic. 6:7; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Pet. 2:11; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 5:23; Rom. 1:24-27, 8:10; 1 Cor. 6:18; 2 Cor. 4:16)

 

Our sin has broken our peace with God and made us God’s enemies.  Because of sin humans experience guilt, shame, and fear; a curse is on creation; and both physical and spiritual death come to mankind, for all have sinned.  All people, saved and unsaved, will experience bodily resurrection – the saved unto eternal life and joy, the unsaved unto everlasting punishment.  This truth adds gravity and urgency to our relationships with people.  We believe people are involved in sin both actively, as perpetrators, and passively, as defiled victims.  Because sin is ultimately against God, only He can forgive sins.  By God’s grace, Jesus was manifested to take away the sins of the world, and He could provide the atonement for sins for he alone was without sin.  Because Jesus died once for all, individuals can be forgiven, cleansed, and restored to relationship with God through sincere repentance to Him. (Col. 1:21, Heb. 10:27, Jam. 4:4; Rom. 5:1; Gen. 3:7-13; Gen. 3:14-19, Rom. 8:19-21; Rom. 5:12-17, 6:23; Rom. 3:10-18, 23, 5:12-14; Mark 9:43-48; Rev. 20:4-6, 10-15; 22:3-5, 11; 1 Jn. 1:9; see also Gen. 34:5; Ezek. 22:11; 1 Cor. 8:12; Heb. 12:15; Mk. 2:7; Jn. 1:29, Jn. 3:16-17; 1 Jn. 3:5; 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:18; Prov. 28:13, 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Col. 2:13-14; 1 Jn. 1:9)

 

Breakaway Youth Ranch recognizes the needs of people for God’s forgiveness, cleansing, and healing.  We approach people with great hope because God has triumphed over sin completely in Jesus Christ. We believe that salvation is a gift of God, and that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again by the Spirit of God, receive eternal life, and become children of God.   We believe that saving faith evidences itself in an inner and outer lifestyle pleasing to God. Those who serve at Breakaway Youth Ranch in positions of leadership and ministry are expected to live lives that evidence salvation.  (John 1:12; Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:11-14; 3:5; Eph. 1:9-10; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 1:15-22; 1 Cor. 15:20-28; Gal. 5:16-23)

 

The Church

The Bible speaks of the church both universally.  The universal church is made up of  all true members of God’s family in every geographic region ever since the church’s birth, regardless of race, ethnic, social, or cultural differences.  In contrast, the local church refers to a specific group of believers at a specific location, in a specific time.

The church’s main task is to carry on the work of Christ in the world.  This task may be summed up by the word discipleship, since believers are to be disciples of Christ, both individually and corporately, and they are to be disciple-makers in all the world.  Discipleship will include bringing people to faith in Christ, helping people worship God rightly, training and equipping believers for works of service, and helping believers grow in maturity as followers of Christ.  The ultimate purpose in all the activities of the church is to bring glory to God.   Breakaway Youth Ranch leaders and personnel are part of God’s universal and local church, and will, therefore, seek to carry out the mission of disciple-making through their service at the Ranch.  (1 Cor. 15:9; Col. 1:24; Eph. 3:10; 1 Cor. 10:32) and locally (Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; Philemon 1:2; Rev. 1:11; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Gal. 3:27-28; Eph. 5:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:21; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 5:14; 11:24; 1 Pet. 2:12; Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:23; Eph. 5:18-21; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 4:12, 16; Phil. 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 14:12; Eph. 3:20-21)