Our Purpose

River of Life Bible Camp is a non-denominational Christian youth camp licensed with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.  The camp is governed by a Board of Directors and owned by a membership incorporated as the Evangelical Christian Fellowship.  We exist to provide a safe and fun place where children can hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be instructed in the Bible through the ministry of Christian camping.

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Our History

In the early 1970's a generous Christian couple donated approximately six acres of land for the purpose of establishing a Bible Camp. This beautiful property is nestled in a pine grove on the shore of the Piscataquis River in Maxfield, Maine.

The Evangelical Christian Fellowship was incorporated on Aprill 11, 1975 with the support of four local Bible believing churches in the Penobscot River Valley. The fellowship was formed to promote Christian education, evangelism and fellowship for people of all ages in central Maine. The primary means of accomplishing these goals was to establish the River of Life Bible Camp.

The camp's unique location offers campers and staff a firsthand look at God's handiwork. Since its beginning, campers have come to enjoy recreation and fellowship centered around God and His Word. Many campers have learned about and received Christ as Savior.

In 2007, the Evangelical Christian Fellowship enterind inot a partnership with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine, Inc. The ministry of CEF provided leadership for the summer camping program. After a successful camping season, the ECF voted to enter into a long-term partnership with the ministry of CEF at the annual meeting on October 7, 2007. Both ministries share a similar purpose to evangelize and disciple children and people of all ages. CEF currently provides a camp director from their full-time paid staff, as well as, organization for the volunteer staff and program.

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Our Leadership

Brad Walker is originally from Allagash, Maine where he was raised in a Christian home. In his childhood, he attended the very primitive Aroostook Bible Camp. In 1991, at the age of fourteen, Brad attended Christian Youth In Action, a training school sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine, Inc. Although, he trusted Christ as a his personal Savior at age four, it was here that Brad dedicated his life to the Lord for service.

In 1998, Brad met Alecia Williams of Skowhegan, Maine when she attended CYIA as a student. In September 2003, the couple was married. Brad has worked full-time with the central Maine chapter of CEF for ten years. He, his wife, Alecia, and their son Ian currently live in Hermon, Maine. The couple is expecting their second child, a daughter in June 2009. This will be their second season as directors at River of Life Bible Camp.

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STATEMENT OF FAITH

OF

EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

 (RIVER OF LIFE BIBLE CAMP) 

THE SCRIPTURES:

We believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word, verbally and fully inspired without error in the original text, and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. 

(II Peter 1:20-21;  II Timothy 3:16-17)

THE GOD HEAD:

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons:

• GOD THE FATHER -- Perfect in holiness infinite in wisdom, measureless in power, merciful towards men, hearing and answering prayer, providing salvation to all who come to Him through Christ.

(Isaiah 6:3; Job 42:2; Genesis 1:1; Romans 5:8; II Peter 3:9; Exodus 3:13-14; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 14:6)



• GOD THE SON -- The Lord Jesus Christ, eternal, and the only begotten of God.  He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, sinless in life, died vicariously (as a substitute) for man, was bodily resurrected, is interceding at God the Father’s right hand, and will visibly come again in power and glory. 

(Luke 1:35; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1)



• GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT -- Sent from the Father to convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement.  He regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, instructs and comforts the saints. 

(John 16:8, 16:13-14; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:9-12; I Corinthians 3:16, 12:13; Ephesians 5:18)

MANKIND:

We believe that man is a direct creation by God, and that he is a sinner by nature and by choice.  He is destitute of all power to save himself, and that his only means of salvation is through repentance and faith in the atoning work of Christ. 

(Romans 3:10 & 23; Ephesians 2:1-2; Romans 3:24-26;Hebrews 9:22; John 3:3 & 5; Acts 13:38-39;  Romans 3:24-25, 5:1; Colossians 1:14)   

THE ETERNAL STATE:

We believe in the resurrection of all men—the saved unto eternal life, the lost unto eternal damnation.

(Acts 2:32-36; I Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 15:11-21; Revelations 20:4-15) 

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:

We believe that God gives spiritual gifts to all believers.  Some gifts of the Holy Spirit are permanent and are to be used throughout the “Church Age”.  Other gifts were temporary and were given in the “Apostolic Age” for the purpose of founding the New Testament Church.  Having fulfilled their purpose, they are no longer necessary and are not given today.  We believe the temporary gifts include the gifts of apostleship, prophesy, miracles, healings, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. 

(Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12: 13-14; II Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 1:1-2, 2:3-4) 

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(adopted 9/14/02)