|
About Us
TLCC offers a wide array of creative programs and camps for many types of
individuals. Whether it's quilting retreats, winter snow camps, family reunions,
or summer waterfront fun, you can be sure Twin Lakes has the facilities and
amenities that you're looking for. No matter the style of group, TLCC has an
option for you.
Our mission is to provide creative
programs, services, and facilities which will assist Christian churches and
ministries, as well as families and organizations supporting Biblical values, in
the making of Christian disciples and servants to their communities.
We fulfill this mission while pursuing a vision of developing our lakeside,
agricultural setting and restored historical features as an environment for
discovering the serenity of Christ-centered simplicity.
Our Vision
Before 1954, the site was a 40 acre farm which harvested grain and
groomed livestock. Once the Iowa Covenant churches "bought the farm," its
purpose changed to one of harvesting souls and grooming disciples. This has been
done since 1956.
In 1996, TLCC celebrated 40 Years Faithful--The Harvest Continues. While
commemorating historical highlights, we also embarked on a series of goals which
honor historical landmarks. TLCC is currently the site of Swede Bend Church, the
Pomeroy, Iowa Railroad Depot, and a historic round barn.
In 2006, we celebrated 50 years of
excellence in camping and began a new chapter in TLCC's history.
Construction on 2 new lodges began and will increase both the quantity and
quality of our accommodations.
Toboggan Chute
Tobogganing has been a favorite
winter activity for many years at TLCC. In 1995 a new chute was constructed and
later a silo top was added to it including an observation deck which is enjoyed
year-round.
Harvest Hall
Erected in 1998, Harvest Hall meets
some long-standing program needs with a unique design that reflects TLCC's
heritage. The siding from twenty barns was restored and used inside Harvest Hall
along with agricultural artifacts to create an atmosphere of simplicity that is
true to TLCC's heritage. Harvest Hall provides:
-
assembly space for groups of 300,
with rest rooms under the same roof
-
indoor recreation space,
including a climbing wall, for poor weather activities, sports clinics, etc.
-
offices for summer program staff
and guest group staff
-
a craft hall which doubles as a
storm shelter
-
an architectural cornerstone for
the agricultural and historical environment
-
a smaller meeting space which
will double as a food preparation room for banquets
-
a community center for the Twin
Lake/Calhoun County area
Round Barn
Moved on July 12, 2003, the
nationally registered Charles Knapp Round Barn expands TLCC's ministry to people
living in an increasingly confused society. Celebrating Iowa's Sesquicentennial
in a way that prepares people for effective service in its future, we have the
opportunity to preserve an historic and architectural landmark (one of four
domed round barns in Iowa) while acquiring a structure ideally suited for many
ministries.
Haven 23
In the spring of 2004 a small cabin
was donated to the camp and designated as the future solitude cabin. The
vision for the cabin is to provide a quiet place of reflection and meditation
for people serving in professional ministry throughout Iowa. Visitors can
stay at no charge and can find the quiet, secluded place to reconnect with God
and the calling into full-time ministry. Dubbed "Haven 23" the charming
cabin is now finished and open for use by ministry professionals everywhere.
The Lodge Project
In the fall of 2006, the board
approved the sale of one of the camp owned houses and designated the proceeds
toward the building of two new 60-person lodges. This enabled work to
begin on the south lodge in November with a completion date of summer 2007.
2008 Capital
Campaign
The Building On Faith Campaign
officially kicked off in March of 2007 with 100% participation from the staff
and board. The proceeds from the sale of camp house property and pledges
to date we are starting the campaign with $235, 000 toward the goal of $550,000.
If you'd like to know more about how you can help,
click here!
What We Believe
Twin Lakes Christian Center is a facility that was founded to be a
ministry of the Evangelical Covenant churches. Here is what we believe:
-
We believe that the Church of
Christ is apostolic. We confess the historic faith of the apostles.
-
We believe in Jesus Christ the
Son of God, our Lord.
-
We believe we are part of the
universal church of Jesus Christ which has been one from the days of His
apostles up to the present. As part of that universal church, historically
our roots are in mainstream sixteenth-century protestant thought. We believe
in justification by grace alone through faith alone.
-
We believe that the Church, being
singular and universal is a fellowship of persons who have experienced the
reality of grace through faith. It is characterized by mutual participation
in and sharing of the new life in Christ. Membership is by confession of
personal faith in Christ. No one can be excluded on the basis of class,
race, education, wealth or prestige. Within the church there will be
diversity in creedal details. The one thing that is needed is that one be
"born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).
-
We believe in the need for
personal faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, we exist to assist adults and
children in coming to personal faith and to enhance its growth. Jesus said,
"Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). He
also said, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you
will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:31-32).
-
We believe that freedom in Christ
is what delivers us from the power of sin and moves us by his grace into a
whole new experience of obedience and life. This freedom allows for
differences of opinion in matters of interpretation, doctrine, and practice
within the context of biblical guidelines and historical Christianity.
-
Attesting to personal faith in
Christ, we believe in the centrality of the Scriptures as God's revelation
of Himself to the human race.
-
We believe the Old and New
Testaments to be the authoritative Word of God and the only perfect rule for
faith, doctrine, and conduct. We believe the Holy Spirit, who with the
Father, and the Son call the Church into being, empowers its witness, guides
its mission, and supplies the needed gifts to exalt Christ to the Church and
its members.
These statements represent the
foundations of faith of Twin Lakes Christian Center. They generate our desire to
help people grow in grace and knowledge of God, awaiting that day when "the
kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation
11:15).
|
