My mom and dad wanted me to wait it out and stay there for the two months (that we already paid for). I got voicemails from friends and family encouraging me to stick it out. I ignored them. I had to. I couldn’t stay. Not after all that had happened that day. Adair’s parents bought […]
Noelle’s Story: Part 3 Read More »
Friday, August 15, 2008 – I was on a plane to Dallas, Texas. My plane was late during my connection. My mom decided to meet me in Dallas from Jacksonville. She rented a car so that way I could get bedding and storage bins and all that. We got on the road right away –
Noelle’s Story: Part 2 Read More »
In 2007, I heard about the Honor Academy internship from my Mom. I was talking with her about my future one night on the phone. I was telling her how I wasn’t sure what I was going to do after high school. She told me about Honor Academy. A girl from our old church had
Noelle’s Story: Part 1 Read More »
At this same time, I was struggling with my work life. When I first returned to MN after my divorce, I was sleeping on my mom’s couch in her one bedroom apartment. I took up a retail job and actually liked what I was doing. It was for an artsy store, so I at least
Shannon’s Story: Part 6 Read More »
The only classes I excelled in at college were the ones where professors would work with me and my chronic illness. But I continually found myself in positions where adults in authority thought they knew my story and I did not defend myself when I should have. So I continued to go down this path
Shannon’s Story: Part 5 Read More »
This was also the point when Nikki Bradshaw laid hands on me and tried to cast out my rebelliousness and desire to make people like me. I was supposed to keep a 30 day journal of things I was doing to “make people like me.” I never kept it, I guess because I was so
Shannon’s Story: Part 4 Read More »
Shannon first shared her story on the blog over a year ago: Part 1. Part 2. This is an update to her story. Many years ago, I started the Xanga blogring, “No, Teen Mania is not a cult.” I was wrong. Back when I first shared my Teen Mania experience, I was in a daze. It was the
Shannon’s Story: Part 3 Read More »
Ray and Carol Boltz (yes, that Ray Boltz) were huge supporters of Teen Mania in the 1990s. Their four children went on a combined 12 mission trips with Teen Mania, one graduated from the Honor Academy, they regularly hosted the ministry team in their home, and volunteered in Garden Valley and Miami (way back in
Carol’s Story: A Parent’s Perspective Read More »
Teen Mania has long been accused of creating an elitist attitude in its Honor Academy interns. This complaint predates this website by a wide margin and is made by many pastors and parents across the country who have to deal with the interns once they leave Garden Valley. Interns are taught to feel superior to
Does the Honor Academy Teach Elitism? Read More »
A group of Honor Academy alumni have written an “Open Letter to Those Considering the Honor Academy.” I am not an author of this document nor was I involved in putting up this website, but I do support it. At the time of this writing, the document has over 70 signatures from alumni and staff all across
Open Letter from Concerned Alumni Read More »
To the individual or individuals who are not responding to information on this site from a Godly perspective please know that I (David Hasz) nor Teen Mania in ANYWAY condone violence as a way of resolving conflict or bringing restoration to any individual. Your threats of violence are deplorable and do not reflect a Godly
Message From Dave Hasz Read More »
A person calling themselves “Ojos Asi” has repeatedly issued threats since the airing of the MSNBC documentary. They have sent me pictures of my home with the caption “We are watching you. Lock your doors.” Now, they have escalated to a death threat by saying “My Days are Numbered.” If anyone knows someone who goes
Teen Mania Follower Issues Death Threat Read More »
Because Honor Academy interns are breaking their vow of silence about the abuses they endured, Teen Mania has come under significant fire. Their two main defenses are weak and easily rebutted. Ron Luce would like to characterize the participants in the MSNBC Documentary “Mind Over Mania” – and specifically Doug and Wendy Duncan – as
Mind Control is NOT Christianity Read More »
Ron Luce gave an interview to Charisma magazine refuting the argument presented in the MSNBC Documentary “Mind Over Mania.” I’d like to rebut the article’s main points here. Nevertheless, five former interns for Teen Mania say the ministry caused them harm. There is also a group called “Recovering Alumni” of former Honor Academy interns that
Ron Luce Responds to Cult Accusations on MSNBC Read More »
(2021 Moderator’s Note: Allie’s Story is part of The Vault, a series of drafts that were discovered in a backup file from 2011. These posts were not published for some reason but are now being published. If you are Allie and do not want your story to remain published, please email me at recoveringalumni at recoveringalumni
Allie’s Story, part 2 Read More »
Note from RA: Teen Mania leadership has repeatedly assured us that the events in this story no longer happen at Teen Mania. However, this story is extremely recent – Global Expeditions 2011. I have been a Christian nearly all my life. I loved Jesus and knew that Jesus loved me, and right around the summer
(2021 Moderator’s Note: Allie’s Story is part of The Vault, a series of drafts that were discovered in a backup file from 2011. These posts were not published for some reason but are now being published. If you are Allie and do not want your story to remain published, please email me at recoveringalumni at recoveringalumni
Allie’s Story: part 1 Read More »
My Name Is Ashley, I was an Honor academy Intern in August 2008. Shortly after my grandmother passed away I was called by an Honor Academy representative who offered this bit of insight, “I know your grandmother has gone to be with the Lord, but you should take this as a clear indication that life
Another Ashley’s Story Read More »
The Honor Academy website now features a page entitled “Recovering Alumni Information.” I’d like to discuss it point by point. – Many stories and claims publicized by the group are done so in anonymity, which makes it challenging to verify facts or engage in a resolution focused conversation. Which of my factual claims are anonymous?
Honor Academy Offical Response to Recovering Alumni Read More »
A few alumni have blogged their reactions to the MSNBC documentary “Mind Over Mania.” Lots of good thoughts worth checking out: 1) Ache and Love by Carrie Dickson7 2) Why I Don’t Wear the Ring by Brooke Gale 3) My Teen Mania Experience by Kimberly Warne 16 comments: Chris K says: November 7, 2011 8:33
Alumni Reactions on the Web Read More »
This is an open thread for comments on tonight’s show. If you are sensitive and easily triggered, I recommend avoiding this thread. 226 comments: Jay says: November 6, 2011 10:01 PM Im just curious why there are only ladies on the show accusing Teen Mania of being a cult. Where are the guys? Not to
Comments on the Show: Debate and Discussion Read More »
This thread is for comments on the MSNBC show and is only open to alumni who consider themselves to be recovering from their Teen Mania experience. This thread will be strictly moderated. Anything triggering, judgmental, etc. will be immediately deleted. This is a safe space for the hurt and wounded. 87 comments: Ashley says: November
Comments on the Show: Recovering Alumni ONLY Read More »
I broke my arm once when I was a kid. It hurt like crazy until I got the cast on. In fact, if you would have touched it with even a slight amount of pressure, I probably would have screamed out in pain. Funny thing is, if you touched my unbroken arm with that same
Ground Rules, Painful Responses & Bravery Read More »
Its important to remember that the point of this website and the point of so many people speaking up about what happened to them is not to convince people that Teen Mania is a cult. I wrote this blog for nearly 2 years before I felt comfortable using that term – so that’s never been
Let’s Not Get Hung Up on the Word “Cult” Read More »
This Sunday night at 10pm/9pm Central MSNBC will air the premiere of their new show, “Mind Over Mania” which documents the lives and struggles of Honor Academy survivors. Earlier this year, cameras followed myself and several other alumni as we attended a weekend cult recovery workshop led by Doug and Wendy Duncan. The Duncans are
MSNBC Airs Documentary on Honor Academy Abuses Read More »
