Why Canada?

The purpose that has fueled our passion since 1927

Canada is a great place to live! It’s a land of opportunity, public education for all families, and freedoms found in few other countries. But sadly, there is something missing.

In the 1930s, when we first began, hundreds of families lived and worked in rural Canada.  They lived far from churches that could share with them the hope of Christ. They were “those with the least opportunity to hear.”

We chose to go find them. God led us to gather children in school houses and homes and called them Sunday Schools. We taught the Bible, shared the Gospel, and ultimately reached their whole family. We set up tents and called them Bible Camps, inviting these same children, and they came. They were eager to have fun and hungry to know more of Jesus. We made it our purpose to present the Gospel, particularly to those having the least opportunity to hear of Christ and especially children and youth, and we disciple believers for living and serving through His Church. We were the Canadian Sunday School Mission.

Now our name has changed to One Hope Canada, but our purpose remains the same.

What has not remained the same is our country. City populations are outgrowing the rural countryside. Technology now connects our communities. And sadly, more than ever, any remaining threads of Christian faith and the Bible are being plucked from the fabric of our nation. The chances of a Canadian child or youth hearing of the Christ of the Bible anywhere outside a church? Slim to none.

And so our burden remains steadfast: to focus on those with the least chance to hear of Christ. We continue to search for them, inviting them to our camps and community ministries. More than 20,000 children and youth walk through our doors every summer. Over 2,000 choose to receive Christ for the first time. Others renew their faith and continue to grow in their walk with Jesus.

Now, more than ever, our deepest desire is to share the love of Jesus Christ with these children and youth. Since 1927 we have welcomed and will continue to welcome campers and families of all backgrounds, even and especially those with different beliefs. We are committed to serving every person equally and joyfully.

Because we follow Christian beliefs and teaching, we are committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment on protected grounds, as protected by provincial legislation. We believe that God created each person in His image, and of equal value in His sight. We believe every person is entitled to equal dignity, respect, and bodily integrity.

God loves us all equally, and we strive to pour love and care into each person who connects with One Hope Canada.

Come discover how we do it! Come explore the camps and community ministries serving in every province of this great country of Canada.

Purpose

We present the Gospel, particularly to those having the least opportunity to hear of Christ and especially to children and youth, and we disciple believers for living and serving through His Church.
 

Vision

To intentionally equip current and next generation leaders to be Gospel-centred, and to aggressively pursue new ministry strategies that recognize cultural and geographical realities.
 

Core Values

We are desperately dependent on God. We accomplish nothing of eternal worth apart from God’s Spirit empowering us, and we practice this dependence upon God by being Christ centred and Gospel focused. (John 15:5; Romans 1:16)
 
We are completely confident in the Bible. The Bible is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16)
 
We are continually committed to being family. The Holy Spirit, through the Gospel, creates a new community where we intentionally love and serve one another. (John 15:9-17, Colossians 3:12-15)

Statement of Faith – One Hope Canada

In short summary, we believe—

  1. The whole Bible is inspired by God and, therefore, our authority for faith and practice.

  2. The Trinity is one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

  3. Jesus Christ is God and was miraculously conceived, performed miracles, died and was buried, physically rose again, ascended to heaven and will return.

  4. In the person of the Holy Spirit, whose ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, draw all people to Him, renew the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.

  5. In the existence of Satan, a created being and an enemy of God.

  6. All people, though created in the image of God, have rebelled and are totally sinful, unable to please God; all will one day be resurrected and only by being born again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone can they receive salvation and the gift of eternal life, thus escaping conscious eternal punishment.