We have closed on the property! We have until the end of March '08 to pay back the wonderful person that purchased this for us, and allowed us to go ahead and move in and take over the property, with NO money down, to get it started. This can help SO many girls in SO many areas.....won't you please consider helping with a one-time or a monthly commitment to help salvage some girls lives? Think of all the girls lives you could have a part in - helping them get turned around for the Lord....and the rewards you shall receive in Heaven..Go HERE to help now. Thank you.
VISION STATEMENT
To provide a place for troubled youths and have an environment of love, care and instruction where they can see the wonderful life their Creator has made for them.
OUR PURPOSE
We will accept girls that are struggling with their life, looking at future destruction and will help them to be a strong, solid and stable member of society. We will give them a strong Christian education, practical training in computers and other skills that will help them to make a living, and will help them know how to have successful, wonderful home as they mature to become adults in a few years.
Click here to see more pictures of the property
THE PROBLEM
Today, there are over seven million Americans (1 out of 32) that are either behind bars, on probation or on parole. We all know there is a big problem, but most people aren’t doing anything about it. Most people say that these are bad people and deserve all they get. We believe if someone has committed a crime, there is a price to pay. Are they just bad adults, or were they children and teenagers who had problems and did not get any help? In 2002, 2.3 million juveniles were arrested for committing crimes. Juveniles are involved in one in ten murders, one in eight drug abuse violations, one in five weapons violations and one in four robberies. In just a couple years, they will be adults and just a part of the system. They have built habits and a character from a young person that is very hard to change. Most of the adults incarcerated today have had juvenile records. What if someone had gotten to them when they were thirteen and starting to show rebellion? What if someone had gotten them help for their substance abuse at fifteen? What if someone had helped them through their childhood abuse when they were twelve? I believe we are missing the biggest opportunity to change our troubled society by not helping more youths with their problems.
We believe that no young person would have to go bad if they knew, really knew that one person really cared about them. We want to set up a home for troubled youths that will show them all the love, all the care and all the teaching that they need to change their life. We want to put them in a warm, beautiful environment that will help foster and show them the love God has for them. We believe that showing them what kind of life they can have will give them a new purpose and light for their life. We have been doing this individually for years and have seen amazing results.
We have ministers that go speak at the juvenile center for girls and boys and see wonderful young people that have so much potential, but are just in a horrible situation. They have nowhere to go except back into a major problem. Many of them plead with our ministers to help them. Some have asked if they would please let them come home with them. We would like to be able to do that, but we need the facility to do that.
Years ago, we met a family that ended up having many problems. The oldest son went to prison for eight years for armed robbery, and the younger ones were headed that way. We met them and helped. The family moved but left the two oldest teens. We took the boy in our home and another family took the girl. Today, both are happily married and good productive members of society.
THE PROGRAM
The academy will use a multi-faceted program to change their lives and prepare them for the future.
We will start them immediately in an accelerated, computer-based Christian education program that will take them at whatever level they are at and bring them up to where they need to be. They will not be able to make a good life in this world with a sub-level education. Many of them have been passed over because of behavioral problems, and they need to be caught up. We will have trained teachers to help them every step of the way.
We will have many practical training opportunities for them to learn computers, a trade and marketable skill so they can get a job and be a productive member of society. Besides their schoolwork, this will be a big part of their life. They need to know how to live and how to make a living.
They will be given many things in this program that will change their life.
Here are a few:
Love
Acceptance
Accountability
Music (instruments and singing groups)
Scripture
Mentors
Counseling
Purpose
And fun…
One of the most important parts of our program will be the fun that they will have. Young people spell love t-i-m-e and f-u-n. When you love them, you need to give them time and fun. At this facility, there is an in-ground swimming pool, a gymnasium, plenty of acres to run, play and have a great time. Many of the young people have had such a hard life that being in this home will be the best life they have ever had. We want to teach them a new way to live that they will take with them for a lifetime.
We also have a great staff to teach and influence them for right. Our staff has some of the biggest hearts of care and love for young people that you have ever seen. They have all personally dedicated their lives to helping troubled teens. They are not doing this as a job, but a calling. They have all been involved in working with troubled young people for years as volunteers. We know that the staff is the key to helping the teens have a new life. I believe you will not find a better staff of caring people anywhere in the country. They know how to listen and love. They also know when to be firm and strong. I have personally watched all the staff give of themselves to help others.
The most important person that they will get to know in this home is Jesus Christ. We will do everything we can to help each young person to have a personal relationship with the Truth who is Jesus. He can change their heart, their life and their direction.
THE NEED
We have a 95 acre piece of property on two tracts (35 acres and 60 acres) that has been literally built to house people and care for their needs. The property started out as a businessman’s retreat on which was built an 8,000 sq. ft. three story rock home. He then sold it to someone that was going to have a wellness spa on it. They built four cottages and a big activity building. It was furnished with beds, sheets, irons, blow dryers and the works, but closed before they ever opened. It is like God had it built and then saved for a bigger purpose, helping people. We have a contract on the property and have six months to raise the money for the home. It is a perfect place to take troubled youths and give them a new life.
Would you consider helping us? I promise you the rewards will be immeasurable, now and in eternity.
Phase 1 – Raise 1.5 million dollars to purchase and repair the property on the 35 acre tract as it has been empty for years
Phase 2 – Develop the 60 acre tract for more housing for staff and restoring families.
Phase 3 – Purchase a property to have Lighthouse Ranch for Boys.
Phase 4 – On the Boys Ranch property, build a camp for children, teenagers and families that will help them for a week at a time so they will never need a full time home for troubled teenagers.
We also are looking for people who would like to help us renovate the property. We are in need of all building trades. There are also opportunities if people would like to give new or almost new furniture, (beds, tables, chairs) kitchen accessories and utensils, lights and fixtures, building supplies, and many other things. Rich Young, who is a missionary builder, is in charge of renovating the property. He has been a contractor for decades and helps build churches and mission works all over the world. If you or a group would like to help, or if you have anything to donate, call Rich at 916-849-4540.
Thank you for considering this ministry and opportunity.
You may also MAIL your tax-deductible check to Lighthouse Baptist Church. Put at the bottom LEFT of the check: Lighthouse Haven for Girls.
MAIL TO: Lighthouse Haven for Girls
c/o Lighthouse Baptist Church
130 Ashwood Dr.
Columbia, TN 38402
