Gary and Susan Smith
Assistant Executive Directors
Our purpose is to provide hope to the hopeless. It is our goal to direct the people to the Lord Jesus to find love and a purpose for their lives and to make disciples of them as the Bible directs.
We treat each resident as a member of the family. The newer residents are treated as younger children would be, but each person is expected to mature and take more and more responsibility. There are 5 ½ hours each day spent in Bible study and worship, and the course amounts to appro9ximately one year of Bible school. There is a comprehensive study of the New Testament and a general survey of the Old Testament. Each resident matures through four phases of discipleship development, gaining more and more responsibility and privileges. He will learn to lead devotions, counsel, teach, and discipline. He will become an inspiration to others, and will be able to direct them to Christ. He will grow in decision-making and learn to make his stand for the Lord.
The 8-10 month discipleship-training program is divided up into four phases, each lasting 2-4 months. As the person proves that he/she can handle the increasing responsibilities of each phase, their privileges will increase. It is a highly structured program with a rigid daily schedule. Everyone is expected to obey the house rules and follow the schedule. Infractions of the rules or schedules are corrected with writing assignments, loss of privileges or extra work chores.
The first phase of the training is a 2-month induction period with very few privileges or responsibilities. Each individual is simply expected to follow the rules and will begin to understand how to seek the Lord. The next two phases add some general household responsibilities, which will add normal life pressures and cause the person to seek the Lord for help. Privileges in these two phases include phone calls and visits from immediate family only.
In the final phase, the person is in "counselor training." They will counsel one person each day and make a report to senior staff. They are expected to be a good example in the house and to learn to help others as they were helped.
Upon completion of the program, the person may be offered an additional 10-12 month staff-training program.
Almost all of our staff are graduates of the discipleship training program.
They do not receive any salary, but work as missionaries,
ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS
To be accepted into the program, a person must be willing to seek God as the answer to his problems and to submit to authority. All court cases must be taken care of or postponed for at least two months. Prescription medication is allowed upon approval of the Overseer. (Narcotics and alcohol-containing medication are not allowed.) A preliminary interview is taken before acceptance.
EXPENSES
There is no charge for any services administered. Residents are required to have money for a return bus ticket plus $50.00 for gas and food. This is kept in an account for the duration of their stay. Any expenses such as trips to doctor, court, etc., are at the expense of the resident, both for himself and the accompanying counselor. Personal spending money and money for prescriptions are the responsibility of the resident.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rev. Stephen Schwartz
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Rev. Gary & Susan Smith
giving back their life to serve the Lord by reaching out to others.
SUCCESS RATE
Since 1969, well over 26,000 persons have come to the our many mission centers and 90% of the graduates and 40% of the non-graduates reporting back to us are doing well!