Introduction to The Khayah Encampment: Numbers 21:4-9
Statement of Purpose:
1. To promote spiritual health and healing through spiritual disciplines and Godly counsel,
2. To provide shelter to those experiencing times of great need and spiritual trial,
3. To provide instruction so as to equip the saints intellectually for battle in the World arena.
In short, it is the purpose of the Khayah Encampment to assist Christians in becoming fully effective in their walk with Christ.
Expansion of Statement of Purpose:
1. To promote spiritual health through the instruction and practice of spiritual disciplines and Godly counsel;
A) Through worship, prayer and Bible study on a daily basis,
B) Through the availability of spiritual counseling and resources,
C) Through classes dealing with various issues of spiritual health and development.
2. To provide for the physical requirements of those in great need:
A) By sheltering the unwed mother;
B) By sheltering the battered wife and her children;
C) By sheltering the runaway.
3. To provide instruction so as to equip the saints for intellectual battle in the World's arena;
A) Through the teaching of Christian apologetics,
B) By exposing the failures of evolutionary theory,
C) By instructing the saints in appropriate responses to current moral issues.
Further Information:
The Khayah Encampment appears at first glance to be simply a retreat center or camp ground. However, Khayah exists for some very specific reasons, and as such has some very different requirements, as well as benefits. First, participation in all worship services is mandatory. As Khayah is intended to be a place for reflection and healing, loud music or other such disturbances are forbidden, as are any form of alcohol or tobacco or other potentially addictive substances. Dress is expected to be unquestionably modest at all times. The Khayah Encampment recognizes the freedom Christians have in Christ, but since we are a ministry specifically to the Weaker Brother, it is expected that guests do all in their power to avoid causing their brother or sister to stumble.
The Khayah Encampment is intended to be a place of spiritual healing, refreshment and preparation. Here the weary or wounded soul may find a place of rest within a nurturing Christian atmosphere. Worship services are held thrice daily, accompanied by prayer and the reading of the Word. Classes are held regularly which address the needs of Christians in many stages and situations.
The Khayah Encampment seeks to work cooperatively with other ministries to provide temporary housing for the displaced, homeless or needy. Counseling is available for these individuals, as are the necessities of life.
The Khayah Encampment is intended, not to supplant the local church and her ministries, but to support and extend it. Therefore the Khayah Encampment seeks to establish and strengthen it's bonds to local churches and other ministries.
Although the Khayah Encampment will work cooperatively with any Bible-based ministry adhering to the beliefs expressed in the Apostle's Creed, the counsel and theology given there will be based upon Wesley-Armenian doctrine.
Development Plan (thus far):
1. Prayer and Vision Support and Counsel.
2. Land Research and Purchase. Complete tract must be at least five acres in size, preferably rural.
3. Building and grounds development.
4. Campground analysis and startup.
5. Spiritual Discipline Training curriculum development. Complete courses in general worship, prayer, service (including
spiritual gifts), and Bible study.
6. Ministry contact and interface.
Q&A
Q: Is the Kayah Encampent a cloister or monastery?
A: No. A cloister is a closed community which rejects nearly all contact with the World. Cloisters are usually formed by people who feel that in order to be close to God one needs to avoid contact with people who do not believe the same things as they do. Such people may gain a feeling of security by living in an environment which does not question their beliefs. However, this ignores the mandate that Jesus left his disciples with to 'go into all the world and make disciples.' We are called to be in the world, but not of it. We cannot do these things if we fence out the world and refuse to interact with it.
A monastery is similar, but adds an ascetic element. Usually persons living in a monastery have taken strict vows of self- denial, which they believe will enhance them spiritually. Both cloisters and monasterys are long-term affairs as well.
The Kayah Encampment by contrast is not an attempt to set up a permanent or semi-permanent communal living arrangement, with or without the elements of self-denial. Kayah is intended to be a place set aside for christians to temporarily withdraw from the World, not to escape from it, but rather to be empowered to again engage it. Jesus often retreated into the wilderness for times of refreshment and commuion with his Father. In modern society, however, it is increasingly difficult to find places of solitude where a Christian can truly rest, apart from many of the temptations and distractions of the World. The Kayah Encampment is intended to help supply that need.
Q: Why are there so many rules?
A: For one, because the Encampment is intended as a place for nurture and refreshment, we intend to cater to the 'weaker brother', and the 'babe in Christ' - those who are easily offended or tempted. Although it is impossible to remove all possible sources of spiritual distraction or disorder, we believe that we must attempt to at least moderate such distractions so as to allow the christian the greatest opportunity for spiritual refreshment.
Secondly, we wish to insure that persons at the encampemt do not come for other reasons, such as simple recreation. The rules that we insist on send a clear message that the Encampment is not a campground in the recreational sense, but is instead a place for worship and spiritual retreat.
