I’ve got a HUGE announcement to make so check back here tomorrow for all the details. Its something that has been in the works for several months and I’m excited to finally be able to share it with you! 12 comments: Phil Boltz says: October 31, 2011 7:26 AM I am so very excited! LizBR […]
Note from RA: After knowing “Grace” the last few months, I felt that the end of her story didn’t fully convey the traumatic damage her body has suffered as a result of her time at Teen Mania, so I asked her to explain it a bit more. Here is her response and then some additional
Grace’s Story: part 3 Read More »
Being a hard worker, I did not mind working in the ministry and feeling like we were making it all happen. This was the case until summer missions season was upon us. 1998 was a big year for mission trips, and since Teen Mania had only been at the campus in Garden Valley for a
Grace’s Story, part 2 Read More »
As a high school student, I was a go-getter. I was working two jobs at a time, acing my honors classes, running cross country, going on mission trips, and generally trying to be perfect and to save the world. My relationship with God was vibrant and my home and church involvement positive and encouraging to
Grace’s Story, part 1 Read More »
“You Are Not So Smart is a book about all the wonderful ways you delude yourself everyday.” This is psychology research thats easy to digest and will change your perspective on so many things. We are irrational, we make decisions and then justify them and we are susceptible to a whole host of biases –
You Are Not As Smart As You Think You Are Read More »
Before you read my story, I want to make it clear where I am coming from. I am now inches away from being atheist. I have a deep hatred for religion (if there is a god who cared, I think that they would feel the same way), I feel that religion has done more
Melissa’s harrowing ESOAL story can be read here. At the end of October, while I was working an ATF in Hamilton, Canada, my mom came to visit me. This was the first time we had seen each other since June, when I came back home to walk in my graduation ceremony. After seeing how bad
Melissa’s Story, part 4 Read More »
Between the time that the old August class left and the new ones arrived and were trained, our January class of 50 had the responsibilities of the 400 positions that were unfilled. They promised us that we would get time off for the overtime we worked (and had a fancy formula or adding it up),
Melissa’s Story, part 3 Read More »
At one point, I went to see Jose Cano, the licensed counselor on staff, because I was having a hard time with the HA. I was incredibly homesick and frustrated that I wasn’t feeling close to God like I had at the beginning of the internship and at home. After giving him an overview of
Melissa’s Story, part 2 Read More »
Moderator’s Note: “Melissa’s” Story was posted last year but had to be temporarily taken down for personal reasons. It is so eloquently written and so recent – 2009 – that she has given me permission now to repost it. Shortly after starting high school, I attended my very first ATF. Alone, I went to one
Melissa’s Story, part 1 Read More »
As part of their efforts to “reach” the 18-30 crowd, GUTS Church in Tulsa has been holding unsanctioned boxing matches. Last week, one of the boxers became critically ill within minutes of his match and died just after reaching the hospital. Making the story even more tragic, he leaves behind a fiance, 2 year old
Illegal Boxing Match at Tulsa Church Leaves One Dead Read More »
Several parents visited the Teen Mania campus to watch or participate in the ESOAL/PEARL event. Heath Stoner interviewed this parent, who participated with his daughter. This man is well-spoken and believable. After watching his interview, even I want to believe him! He seems very reasonable and calmly assures us that there is no brainwashing going
What About Parents Who Approve of ESOAL/PEARL? Read More »
PEARL is based on ESOAL 2006-2010. This testimony comes from ESOAL 2007: (2021 update: links have since broke) Since ESOAL ended, I have been having problems with my legs. I was cut up a lot during ESOAL. Well now I have these scabs and cuts that aren’t healing to well. I have been cleaning them
Another ESOAL Testimony Read More »
I know I shouldn’t be surprised by the way Teen Mania continues to lie and mislead the public about its activities. Now that the vow of silence has been broken, they are scared to death that the truth about the Honor Academy, and specifically ESOAL/PEARL will come to light, so they are waging an all
Teen Mania’s Lies and Propaganda Read More »
Perusing the Honor Academy Facebook page last week, I came across this exchange between the HA and a potential intern. Potential Intern: what r corporate test outs. Honor Academy: Corporate test outs can apply to a few things. Everyone does corporate as part of learning how to discipline your mind, body, and Spirit. There are
Heart Problems? No Problem! Read More »
This week the Honor Academy interns will start the event known as the PEARL (physical, emotional and relational learning). In past years, this even was known as ESOAL (emotionally stretching opportunity of a lifetime). Because of a spate of bad press and many damning ESOAL videos being posted to YouTube, Teen Mania made minor changes
PEARL 2011 (Formerly ESOAL) Read More »
The Honor Academy facebook page claims that the PEARL is: PEARL is JUST as (challenging as ESOAL) if not MORE challenging. We shall see! Posted by Honor Academy on 9/14/11 at 10:46am 12 comments: Eric says: September 14, 2011 11:29 AM And we’ll be right here, seeing. Jan2010 says: September 15, 2011 3:11 AM Live
Often when things aren’t going well for new interns or kids on summer mission trips, they call home in tears. Unable to really articulate what is going on, most parents just think its homesickness or something trivial and encourage their child to stay. Parents assume that their children are with trustworthy people who will take
Dear Parents: Please Listen to Your Kids Read More »
I came across this quote in the book “Recovering from Churches That Abuse”, Tragically, like other victims of abuse, she sometimes feels that she deserved the abuse, that she was a bad person, that she didn’t measure up, that she could never make it on her own in life. Do you ever feel like you
You Didn’t Deserve It Read More »
Before David Hasz joined Teen Mania, he taught high school. This email is from one of his former students. I wanted to thank you for your blog. I found it just a few days ago and I have been reading it a little bit each day since. I have to admit that I was reluctant
Blake’s Story: David Hasz was my High School Teacher Read More »
Even though it’s been 8 years since I completed my internship I am still struggling to make sense of my year in Garden Valley. Before applying for the Honor Academy I knew very little about Teen Mania Ministries, in fact my no one from my church group had ever attended an Acquire the Fire or
Why do we keep going back to the people who hurt us? Why does a hurt and exploited intern return for a 2nd year? Why does a dismissed intern return for another shot at graduating? Sometimes, the answer is “Stockholm Syndrome.” The term was coined when hostages in a Stockholm bank robbery bonded so deeply
On Why So Many Interns Love the Honor Academy Read More »
What do you call a place where… – You can go live in an isolated location with a group of people that think, talk and believe just like you – You are given a strong sense of belonging and a new “family” (core) – You develop a strong sense of us vs. them and think
What Do You Call It? Read More »
This story was sent to me by a very recent intern. Since Dave Hasz says that the PEARL LTE will be based off the ESOAL LTE of the last 3-4 years, I think it is worthwhile to examine eyewitness accounts from that time period. If you have a story to share, please email me at
ESOAL/PEARL LTE: 2009 Read More »
Today, Dave Hasz announced “big” changes to ESOAL. It will now be called the PEARL LTE, the Physical, Emotional and Relational Learning Event. Lest you assume that this means substantial changes to ESOAL, please note he says they will “retire with honor the name ESOAL.” So, first off they are giving honor to ESOAL. FULL
Honor Academy Announces ESOAL 2.0 Read More »
