My Honor Academy experience wasn’t nearly as overtly abusive as other people’s was. Sometimes I feel silly for even wanting to write down my story because I didn’t have any of those nutso experiences. I feel like my experiences don’t really matter because the hurts were all “little.” Even now while I’m writing this all […]
Elizabeth’s Story: Part 1 Read More »
Thank you for this blog. I feel like a lot of the things I felt for years after being involved with Teen Mania in the mid 90’s are now validated. I remember my first Acquire the Fire. It was actually held in our church (it used to be that small!). I was a new Christian
Jessica’s Story: A Global Expeditions Review Read More »
We can all be deceived and fall into error, and we can do that though we have good character and the best of intentions. So writes Cindy at the blog Under Much Grace. She is addressing a common misconception that an abusive environment = malicious leadership. In fact, that is not the case at all. Its
When Good Ministries Go Bad Read More »
The first paragraph from the latest Honor Academy newsletter actually makes me want to barf. Regarding the Men’s and Women’s Life Transforming Event, it said: It was an encouraging weekend with men doing manly activities (like rescuing their sister core) and women doing womenly activities (like being rescued by their brother core) as well as
Gender Roles at Teen Mania Read More »
As usual, Teen Mania continues its doublespeak. On one hand, they insist that ESOAL/PEARL is optional and you can quit at any time without condemnation. On the other hand, they say that anyone who rings out is a quitter (remember Ron’s comment in the MSNBC documentary?) In 2011, they also posted signs on the ESOAL/PEARL
The Pressure of ESOAL/PEARL Read More »
Frequent commenter Eric P. has written a devastating critique of Teen Mania’s foundational theology in his article, “Ashamed of the Gospel? A Case Study of Works Based Doctrine.” It is quite extensive and shows how Teen Mania turns the true meaning of the Scripture on its head in order to promote a works-based Christian lifestyle instead of
Honor Academy: Legalistic by Design Read More »
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. Specifically, I’ve noticed Teen Mania defenders citing two of the elements of thought reform (AKA mind control) as intertwined with Christianity and therefore unassailable
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 »
