Abundant Life Academy is very different from the run-of-the mill therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens. Instead of viewing troubled teens as “troubled”, we see them as good kids in need of a heart transplant. They need to be restored to their first love, Jesus Christ. At Abundant Life Academy we work solely with rebellious teens that have grown up in the Church, having known right from wrong, and raised by Godly parents. At ALA we are in the business of restoring the foundation the parent has already laid… the foundation of Christ.
- What makes Abundant Life Academy different?
- Why would a parent of a troubled teen choose Abundant Life Academy for their child?
- What makes us special?
We believe that Jesus is the only answer!
Most schools and programs for troubled teens mix all kinds of students together, throwing all kids into the same program no matter what their individual backgrounds maybe. For example, most schools for rebellious youth (including Christian schools) are filled with truly “troubled youth”, kids who have no moral compass, and have not been raised to know the truth (lacking character, integrity, and knowledge of Christ). Additionally, these kids have real traumatic issues (i.e., sexual deviancy, sociopath tendencies [acting without conscious], etc.). These kids are referred to as “hardcore” problem teens. The last thing a Christian parent wants is for their ‘soft” child (to the world of teenagers a child raised in the church is referred to as a “soft” kid) to be thrown into a school with the hardcore troubled teens.
Unfortunately, many parents find out the hard way that they inadvertently placed their “soft” child into a school for truly troubled teens (hardcore teens). Abundant Life Academy works solely with “soft” kids… kids who have been raised in the church, where they have been taught right from wrong, and have a solid foundation… raised by Godly parents who love Jesus with all of their heart. The typical student candidate for Abundant Life Academy Substance Abuse Program is a child who was raised in the church, knows the truth, but has deviated from his/her upbringing and is in total rebellion. This child is under deception, and has succumbed to the lies associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Moreover, Abundant Life Academy uses a pure Christ-centered approach to reconcile the child to the heart of God. Our focus is on total restoration… restoration of power, potential, and destiny. Our aim is to see the child and his/her family totally restored, and back on track to conquer every adversity and to triumph in all areas of life. Our goal is to see the glory of God as a testimony of His love as He restores the troubled teen to a life of promise and prosperity.
Abundant Life Academy is not a secular therapeutic program… we are an emotional and spiritual growth program based on Christian leadership and discipleship training.
The difference between Abundant Life Academy and other Christian schools is that at ALA we do not mix our Christ-centered approach with the tenants of secularism (secular therapeutic approach). We do not believe that it is okay to mix any element of secularism (therapeutic humanism) with the “truth”. We don’t water down the truth by entertaining humanistic ideals. You can’t mix the precious (Word of God) with the vile (humanistic wisdom). As you will find in most schools and programs for troubled teens at ALA we don’t explain away the “fleshly” behavior of our students, nor do we justify their out of control behavior by blaming it on “deficiencies” or “disorders”. We believe that there is a real enemy of our soul, and he crouches at the door waiting to pounce, willing to kill, steal, and destroy. More importantly, we proudly proclaim, “Jesus is the only answer!”
We believe that the children who enter our doors have a Godly calling on their lives. We don’t focus on the inappropriate behavior that these students are currently displaying. We see past the present flaws and look into their restored future. We proclaim their liberty, and contend for the reconciliation. At Abundant Life Academy we teach our students to follow after the “Spirit”. Since they already know that following the “flesh” is not working (causing nothing but loss and regret), upon their arrival they are reintroduced to the power of following after the Spirit of God. True restoration comes only through the work of the Spirit.
Overall, the difference between Abundant Life Academy and other programs (Christian or secular) is that we don’t mix “soft” kids with the hardcore troubled teenager. Additionally, instead of using a humanistic (therapeutic) approach to bring about healing and restoration, we use the truth derived from the Word of God (we minister the hope, faith, and love of Jesus Christ).
