| Our History |
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Our Humble Beginnings, at Stoney Creek, began back in 1993 as a special kind of summer camp, for a unique group of individuals. Three ordinary guys with an extraordinary vision saw a specific need within the lives of the average Christian. Drawn by an unquenchable thirst to fulfill the Great Commission, we used our positions as Youth Pastors to explore the idea of short and long-term missions. Our Goal was simple; fulfill the call to reach out to the lost, provide basic needs to the orphans and widows and allow God to work through us to change the hearts of not only the people we worked with...but to the people that serve with us.
On our very first summer we set off on this noble quest with thirteen teenagers. The results of this experience were astounding. For seven days we worked in the transient work camps of the Mexican Baja. Overwhelmed by the great need and incredible response to the Gospel we grew together, depended on one another, and became a close-knit team. Our experience brought life to a whole new level. As we watched the change overtake our group, we changed too. Truly, missions does as much for those who we serve as the teams that go.
Today, Stoney Creek has grown to meet the needs of all ages, year round in three countries...introducing teams, from all evangelical denominations, to reach the Nations through Foreign Service. Stoney has spent thousands of hours in the mission field with fellow believers...many, of which, return year after year for a new challenge and different level of service. Mostly, the result is always the same...something more. Life is not about what you can get out of it, but what you can give away. As Stoney has served with multiple ministries over the years; God has allowed us to recognize the importance of empowering ingeniousness ministries. Our heart's desire was always to serve the communities of the world, but we have learned that the best way to do this was through empowering the local church...who are already making a difference. By ministering with local Pastors, Stoney doesn't provide a "band-aid" solution...but something that is long-lasting and of eternal value. Working under the indigenous church and community that surrounds it, Stoney has expanded into a charitable ministry called www.onelifeonechance.ca To Clarify: 1) Stoney is a bridge. It connects the short-term missionary to indigenous ministry around the globe, with a desire to bring the experience home with domestic application. It is Stoney's ambition to have every evangelical believer encounter a short-term missions experience at least once in their life. 2) One Life brings long-term care, empowering foreign ministries that lack adequate means. Providing a bridge between short-term help and the local church after Stoney has left. One Life works with indigenous ministry to develop infrastructure where there is none and build hope. With an exit strategy, OL desires the empowerment of endemic resources to bring unity between the evangelical churches. Hope, purpose, and change is our goal as we minister to each village...one at a time as the Lord changes a Nation. The purpose is always the same...bring many to Christ, and stir a generation to missional care...whether that is domestically or abroad. Stoney may provide the short-term opportunity but, One Life continues the care through indigenous ministry. "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15
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With God as our guide we were ready to be changed, meet new challenges, explore newfound abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Driven by our desire to meet this need we struck out with very little sleep...a lot of hard work....and the open road....yet, the Mexican Baja gave us much to learn!
Without exception our team experienced its own struggles and growing pains. However, as teens encouraged each other, dealt with personal issues, and rose to meet new challenges we realized the potential of what we were discovering. Since that moment we haven’t looked back.