Muskoka Bible Foundation
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Charitable Number 857096358 RR0001

The Muskoka Bible Foundation (MBF) exists to support transformative camp, conference and retreat experiences taking place at Muskoka Bible Centre.

These experiences are designed to nurture and sustain biblical faith for generations. Each year, more than 18,000 guests take part in programs that renew their faith in Jesus Christ, foster meaningful connections, and empower them to live out their faith in their communities.

At Muskoka Bible Centre (MBC), our vision is to be a vibrant partner with the Church, equipping families and youth to build a strong, biblically rooted faith that stands firm in a world of shifting values.

Widjiitiwin, a unique initiative of MBC, extends this mission by serving marginalized communities, with a specific focus on youth. We collaborate with churches and agencies in seven key neighborhoods—Guelph, Etobicoke, Malvern/Scarborough, North York (Jane/Finch), and Hamilton—to bring hope and faith to those who need it most and who may never otherwise have the opportunity of such life-giving experiences.

Your prayers and financial support can help us shape a stronger future for faith and family in Canada.

Will you join us in championing this vision in 2025?

On behalf of the MBC Board and Team,

John Friesen
Chief Executive Officer

Why is this so important?

  • Society is facing an epidemic of loneliness, social isolation, anxiety and depression.
  • The weakening of family function and kinship relationships, including extended family circles, are key contributors to this epidemic.
  • The influence of contemporary culture is making it increasingly difficult for young people to grow a resilient biblical faith.
  • Equipping parents to help their children grow a strong faith is more important than ever.

Resilient, biblically rooted families reflecting the redemptive story of God is perhaps the greatest testimony the Church can provide in a culture where people are disconnected, lonely and hurting.

Why MBC?

Celebrating 95 Years of Impactful Ministry at MBC!

In 2025, we rejoice in 95 years of God’s faithfulness at MBC! For nearly a century, He has used this ministry to make a lasting impact for His Kingdom here on earth.

With more than 2,000 unique communities represented across Canada, over 18,000 guests engage with our ministry initiatives each year—creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our grounds.

At the heart of MBC is a commitment to solid Bible teaching and the clear, compelling presentation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. This remains the cornerstone of our programs and experiences.

Backed by a strong organizational culture and a ministry-focused team, your investment in God’s Kingdom through MBC is on firm ground. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

2025 Fundraising Progress

(As of March 31, 2025)

Building Strong Families

Summer at MBC

Each summer, more than 3,000 families journey to MBC to be strengthened and equipped to stand firm in a world that increasingly challenges biblical faith. Through this experience, families not only grow in their faith but also deepen their relationships—both within their own households and within a larger, supportive community of believers.

Building strong faith communities is essential to cultivating personal, resilient faith. A summer at MBC prioritizes this through daily Bible teaching tailored for children, youth, and adults.

Our Transforming Culture sessions (and podcast) offer biblical discernment on pressing societal trends and challenges that families face today. Meanwhile, Resilient Family Workshops equip parents with practical tools and resources to navigate parenting according to biblical principles.

MBC Retreats

Each year, MBC hosts 12 to 14 retreats, each designed with a specific purpose. Many provide hope and healing for those walking through life’s most difficult challenges, whether grieving the loss of a child (HOPE), parenting adoptive children (CHOSEN), or supporting family members with exceptional developmental needs (UNIQUE).

Our Women’s and Men’s retreats are crafted to strengthen faith and equip participants to live out biblical principles in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

Ministry to Pastors & their Families

The Church faces a growing challenge in sustaining faithful, long-serving pastors to shepherd local congregations. Many pastors struggle to balance their ministry responsibilities while nurturing their own families in faith. With rising burnout and early departures from pastoral roles, this crisis is intensifying.

MBC is committed to supporting pastors and their families through our respite program, as well as developing new retreat opportunities specifically for pastors, their spouses, and their children.

The Goal – Building Strong Families: $500,000

Your support helps cover the costs of guest musicians, Bible teachers, staffing, facility maintenance, supplies, and equipment—ensuring impactful ministry programming for adults, youth, and children. While program fees and operating surpluses contribute to these expenses, $500,000 is needed through the generosity of donors who believe in this mission.

Together, we can build strong families, nurture resilient faith, and equip the next generation to stand firm.

Growing Passionate Youth Disciples of Jesus Christ

MBC and the Widjiitiwin Youth Camp provide a dynamic platform for more than 125 young people, ages 15 to 25, to engage in Immerse—an intentional, community-based discipleship and work experience.

In a time when many young people are disengaging from Christianity, and studies show a growing exodus from the faith of their parents, investing in the next generation is more critical than ever. Through Immerse, students take on meaningful work roles while living in a Christ-centered community where biblical values are not just taught but lived. The Bible becomes their lens for understanding and navigating the culture around them.

Each year, we witness incredible life transformation as students encounter and take ownership of a vibrant, biblical faith.

Our goal: $200,000 to support this gospel-centered, life-changing experience for young people.

Youth Discipleship: $200,000

These donations cover the costs of providing leadership and care for the students registered in one of our discipleship / work experiences.

Encouraging Marginalized Communities – Widjiitiwin

Widjiitiwin is a program of Muskoka Bible Centre (MBC) dedicated to meeting the unique and complex needs of marginalized youth and their families. This ministry collaborates with community partners in some of the most underserved areas of Southern Ontario.

Each year, these partners bring over 300 campers to Camp Widjiitiwin, where they experience a week filled with activities such as archery, basketball, canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, and more. In addition to these fun activities, each community group engages in Bible teaching, devotionals, singing, and prayer, as part of our mission to share God’s love and hope for their lives.

$365,000 is needed to help cover the cost of bringing these campers to experience something transformative that they may never otherwise be able to know. MBC Inc is committed to financially supporting the expenses associated with these camper experiences to match donations given to Muskoka Bible Foundation. This ensures that campers from these communities have the opportunity to attend at whatever investment they can afford, most can afford to pay very little or nothing at all. Your support of Widjiitiwin has a profound impact—lives are being transformed, both spiritually and physically, thanks to your generosity.

Widjiitiwin: $365,000

The cost of providing this camp experience at Widjiitiwin is sponsored by donations to Muskoka Bible Foundation. Your gift helps provide a transformative camp experience, in partnership with churches and government agencies, to marginalized young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to camp. Some facility improvement and special program projects are also included in this annual donation target.

Special Projects 2025 – Creating Space for our Youth!

In 2024, we launched a fund to enhance the teaching and learning spaces for both our Widjiitiwin SALT (Skills & Leadership Training) program and the Widjiitiwin student leaders. This year, we’re focusing on building this space, along with addressing a few other priorities at Widjiitiwin.

Our fundraising goal of $185,000 will help us achieve the following:

  1. Upgrades in the kitchen ($7,000)
  2. Purchase a used vehicle for transporting campers and team members to and from MBC ($10,000)
  3. Install a new dock system ($38,000)
  4. Construct the new SALT/Staff learning space ($130,000)

The good news is that over $100,000 was generously donated last year, leaving just under $85,000 needed to complete these projects in 2025!

We sincerely appreciate your consideration of these special projects, which will enhance both the longevity and effectiveness of our Widjiitiwin campsite.

If you have any questions on how you can support our ministry, please feel free to call or email John Friesen, CEO at 705.789.0123 or john.friesen@muskokabible.com

John Friesen,
CEO
Muskoka Bible Centre

Give Online

You can help support the ministry of Muskoka Bible Centre through giving to funds of your choice, either once or on a schedule that you choose.

E-Transfer Donations

Donations can now be made by e-Transfer by sending to donate@muskokabible.com. To assist our team in issuing your tax receipt, please be sure to include your full name and email address in the optional “Message” when completing the transfer.

USA Donors

We have finally ‘cracked the nut’ on receiving USA-based tax deductible donations. We’ve registered with an agency in Colorado Springs called Friends of the Great Commission. They partner with projects/ministries to issue grants for qualifying charity work throughout the world. If you know of any USA residents who would like to support MBC (general or Widjiitiwin, etc) you can send them to this link: https://friendsgc.com/muskoka-bible-ministries 

Designated Donation Policy

We will gladly issue receipts for donations designated for projects that have been approved by the leadership of MBF and received within the timeline of the project. If donations are designated to non-approved projects, the donor will be contacted as to whether they wish to redirect the gift or have it returned. Each restricted contribution designated towards an approved project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a project has been met, or cannot be completed for any reason, the remaining restricted contributions will be used where needed most for other approved projects.