Many think that they are to broken and damaged to come to God. God says come to Him as you are. He will mend your brokeness and your damaged heart.
He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you!
I would like to explain the program that has been designed over the last couple of years. After a lot of prayer and conversations, we feel we have come up with a good program. Our anchor to the whole process is Camp Heart. This is where the design started and continued outwards to include Heart Outreach Ministries, The Heart Market Place, Heart House, Hearts Beacon, and Hearts of Recovery. We are a Christian Outdoor Educational Behavioral Modification program. Christ has given us a very powerful tool in recovery. It is the peace and tranquility of nature. We are designed as a 90 day plus program. We feel that 30 day programs are not effective. When a member first comes to the program, they will be placed in detox for 3-7 days depending on the drug of choice. Camp Heart is a 90 day Christian wilderness program where we bring a group of 15-20 individuals and place them in the wilderness. They stay in platform cabin tents, cook their own meals, create a home in the woods for
themselves, spend mornings in recovery programs and then afternoons are spent in Christian Living Skills. Christian Living skills can encompass a wide range of instruction. Bible Based, members will learn Biblical teachings related to the Gospel and Recovery. They will learn that there is only ONE HIGHER POWER: That’s Christ, not a door knob or a pencil. They will learn politeness, manners, and re-learn all the garbage they have developed in their addiction. They will attend church on Sundays sampling the various dialects of religion. As we know, not everyone can learn from the Baptist flare and not everyone will enjoy the pace of the Lutherans or Methodist. Everyone has their level of comfort. We will be visiting churches that we will use for placement of our members after their program is finished. We do this so that they don’t go in cold and feel awkward. We also will allow time for members of churches to spend time at the campus on week-ends to get to know the members. These churches will also bring their points of view and will be able to offer a "second Opinion" to what we have been teaching.
We are a co-ed program because we feel that if the members are not interacting with the opposite sex during instruction, two things happen: 1) they only get the points of their sex. They don’t get the view of the other side and have now room for discussion. 2) If they are not called on the carpet for their behavior in a controlled setting, when they return to their areas they will not have learned how to deal with their actions. While members will be in separate tents, security staff will be present at night. Most of everyone involved have been where these individuals are. We have recovering addicts, ex-biker gang members, and individuals that have dealt with friends or family of addicts and behavioral issues. It is the policy of our ministry not to take sex offenders at this time because of legality issues. We will be happy to refer them to a group that can help them.
The first 3-4 weeks are an intensive program. There will not be much room for free time and will have no off campus time. When the group has graduated the intensive program, a week-end event is planned. This will be the first time they will leave campus and have time to enjoy a break. Upon returning to campus, weeks 4-12 have more Christian education than treatment. They will have time with our therapy dogs, work with a small farm, do a service project for the camp, and learn how to transition back into the real world. The way we are setting up schedules, we are allowing for a wide range of members to attend. We are discouraging 4-5 members from the same area. The reason behind this is that we feel members will do better when all of them are strangers not allowing "clicks" at the get go. This should allow for the "bully" mentality to be nullified. Even though our program is Tennessee based, we are open to all. We only ask that members bring an open heart, mind, and a
willingness to grow. Our approach is showing Christianity and NOT preaching it. Dealing with our own addictions, we know that we need to show our love and our wanting to help them. When they are down, going through withdrawals, we need to love them, not harp at them.
Our staff will consist of a Licensed CDC Level III counselor who will be on campus during the days. There will be 6-8 counseling staff rotating days off allowing 24-7 coverage. These staff members will be sleeping in the tents with the members. There will also be 1-2 security staff members that will on an overnight shift. All staff will be in direct contact with each other and the director via 2 way radios. Local law enforcement and emergency personnel is only a few minutes from campus.
While in the Camp Heart Program, members will not be able to have electronic devices. This means phones, iPod’s, mp3 players, etc. Each member will be encouraged to write home and mail will be inspected upon arrival. ANY DRUGS OR PARAPHERNALIA WILL BE TURNED OVER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. Upon arrival, they will have the opportunity to "dump" any drugs, paraphernalia, alcohol or other contraband with NO QUESTIONS ASKED. After that, they will be dealing with local law enforcement.
While with most programs you are on your own after treatment, our program carries on. Members have the option of staying in a Heart House for up to 1 year. These houses are set in good areas, on bus routes, and offer computers, laundry and cooking facilities, and in most cases their own room. While at the house, members will have to maintain their program by attending a graduated recovery meeting schedule, attend weekly house meetings, attend a church of their choice, and have weekly/daily chores. They will be required to be attending school, work, or actively looking for work. After week 4, they will be responsible for $250 a month in rent. The computer room will be there for them to job hunt, resume work, research, and school work. These computers will be blocked for "adult" sites. We have designed this because we know what happens when an addict is thrown into the streets on their own. They may stay clean for a while but when stresses of living, or not having a job or a roof over your head, they can and most times do relapse.
Those that under 18, we are working on a system that will allow for foster parents if going home is not an option. These youth will be placed with a Christian family and will be able to continue their education and Christian studies. When they turn 18, they will have the option to move into a Heart House. Anyone that has dropped out will be assisted with getting back into school or working on their GED. Whether members are in a Heart House or a foster house, they will be required to assist with Heart Outreach Ministries. This could be helping with mailings, clean-up, community work, telephones, and other help.
Our program doesn’t operate with large government funding so we rely on the support of the community. God has instructed us to help those that are less fortunate. We are to feed those that are hungry and cloth those that need clothes. God wants His church to step up and take the reins. We do not turn anyone away because of their inability to pay. We do not turn anyone away because they don’t fit "our" pattern. Again, if they have the hunger to live a Christian life and give up their old life, we welcome them.
My personal experience has led to me to finally follow a path that Christ has set forth years ago and I ignored Him. I didn’t feel I could do it. I do feel that no individual should go through what I or my staff has gone through in life. I want these members to feel the love of Christ coming from within and that is why I have assembled a staff that has the same feeling. Our Board of Director’s have been picked because of their qualities that I wish to show up in our program. We will have attorneys, marketing individuals, pastors, counseling staff, and the general public. I want people to understand that this program is not designed as a money maker and just churning out members. I have had the
good stuff in life. Now it’s time to give back and share my love for Christ and the out of doors with others. While we depend on community support, I have also started a trucking company that will provide a steady income as a back up. This will, over the years as it grows, will also allow us an employment stream for those members that wish to pursue a trucking career Please contact us to learn how you can become involved. Remember, 1 life saved from prison not only saves a life, but saves tax payers approximately $50,000 per year they would have
spent behind bars. Each saved life becomes an asset to a community and not a liability. If you wish to have me speak with your group, please contact the office and schedule a day and time. Now, may God Bless you and yours, and allow you to look to your heart to assist us help those unable to help themselves.
Keeping God in Recovery,
David M Barbee
Director
themselves, spend mornings in recovery programs and then afternoons are spent in Christian Living Skills. Christian Living skills can encompass a wide range of instruction. Bible Based, members will learn Biblical teachings related to the Gospel and Recovery. They will learn that there is only ONE HIGHER POWER: That’s Christ, not a door knob or a pencil. They will learn politeness, manners, and re-learn all the garbage they have developed in their addiction. They will attend church on Sundays sampling the various dialects of religion. As we know, not everyone can learn from the Baptist flare and not everyone will enjoy the pace of the Lutherans or Methodist. Everyone has their level of comfort. We will be visiting churches that we will use for placement of our members after their program is finished. We do this so that they don’t go in cold and feel awkward. We also will allow time for members of churches to spend time at the campus on week-ends to get to know the members. These churches will also bring their points of view and will be able to offer a "second Opinion" to what we have been teaching.
We are a co-ed program because we feel that if the members are not interacting with the opposite sex during instruction, two things happen: 1) they only get the points of their sex. They don’t get the view of the other side and have now room for discussion. 2) If they are not called on the carpet for their behavior in a controlled setting, when they return to their areas they will not have learned how to deal with their actions. While members will be in separate tents, security staff will be present at night. Most of everyone involved have been where these individuals are. We have recovering addicts, ex-biker gang members, and individuals that have dealt with friends or family of addicts and behavioral issues. It is the policy of our ministry not to take sex offenders at this time because of legality issues. We will be happy to refer them to a group that can help them.
The first 3-4 weeks are an intensive program. There will not be much room for free time and will have no off campus time. When the group has graduated the intensive program, a week-end event is planned. This will be the first time they will leave campus and have time to enjoy a break. Upon returning to campus, weeks 4-12 have more Christian education than treatment. They will have time with our therapy dogs, work with a small farm, do a service project for the camp, and learn how to transition back into the real world. The way we are setting up schedules, we are allowing for a wide range of members to attend. We are discouraging 4-5 members from the same area. The reason behind this is that we feel members will do better when all of them are strangers not allowing "clicks" at the get go. This should allow for the "bully" mentality to be nullified. Even though our program is Tennessee based, we are open to all. We only ask that members bring an open heart, mind, and a
willingness to grow. Our approach is showing Christianity and NOT preaching it. Dealing with our own addictions, we know that we need to show our love and our wanting to help them. When they are down, going through withdrawals, we need to love them, not harp at them.
Our staff will consist of a Licensed CDC Level III counselor who will be on campus during the days. There will be 6-8 counseling staff rotating days off allowing 24-7 coverage. These staff members will be sleeping in the tents with the members. There will also be 1-2 security staff members that will on an overnight shift. All staff will be in direct contact with each other and the director via 2 way radios. Local law enforcement and emergency personnel is only a few minutes from campus.
While in the Camp Heart Program, members will not be able to have electronic devices. This means phones, iPod’s, mp3 players, etc. Each member will be encouraged to write home and mail will be inspected upon arrival. ANY DRUGS OR PARAPHERNALIA WILL BE TURNED OVER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. Upon arrival, they will have the opportunity to "dump" any drugs, paraphernalia, alcohol or other contraband with NO QUESTIONS ASKED. After that, they will be dealing with local law enforcement.
While with most programs you are on your own after treatment, our program carries on. Members have the option of staying in a Heart House for up to 1 year. These houses are set in good areas, on bus routes, and offer computers, laundry and cooking facilities, and in most cases their own room. While at the house, members will have to maintain their program by attending a graduated recovery meeting schedule, attend weekly house meetings, attend a church of their choice, and have weekly/daily chores. They will be required to be attending school, work, or actively looking for work. After week 4, they will be responsible for $250 a month in rent. The computer room will be there for them to job hunt, resume work, research, and school work. These computers will be blocked for "adult" sites. We have designed this because we know what happens when an addict is thrown into the streets on their own. They may stay clean for a while but when stresses of living, or not having a job or a roof over your head, they can and most times do relapse.
Those that under 18, we are working on a system that will allow for foster parents if going home is not an option. These youth will be placed with a Christian family and will be able to continue their education and Christian studies. When they turn 18, they will have the option to move into a Heart House. Anyone that has dropped out will be assisted with getting back into school or working on their GED. Whether members are in a Heart House or a foster house, they will be required to assist with Heart Outreach Ministries. This could be helping with mailings, clean-up, community work, telephones, and other help.
Our program doesn’t operate with large government funding so we rely on the support of the community. God has instructed us to help those that are less fortunate. We are to feed those that are hungry and cloth those that need clothes. God wants His church to step up and take the reins. We do not turn anyone away because of their inability to pay. We do not turn anyone away because they don’t fit "our" pattern. Again, if they have the hunger to live a Christian life and give up their old life, we welcome them.
My personal experience has led to me to finally follow a path that Christ has set forth years ago and I ignored Him. I didn’t feel I could do it. I do feel that no individual should go through what I or my staff has gone through in life. I want these members to feel the love of Christ coming from within and that is why I have assembled a staff that has the same feeling. Our Board of Director’s have been picked because of their qualities that I wish to show up in our program. We will have attorneys, marketing individuals, pastors, counseling staff, and the general public. I want people to understand that this program is not designed as a money maker and just churning out members. I have had the
good stuff in life. Now it’s time to give back and share my love for Christ and the out of doors with others. While we depend on community support, I have also started a trucking company that will provide a steady income as a back up. This will, over the years as it grows, will also allow us an employment stream for those members that wish to pursue a trucking career Please contact us to learn how you can become involved. Remember, 1 life saved from prison not only saves a life, but saves tax payers approximately $50,000 per year they would have
spent behind bars. Each saved life becomes an asset to a community and not a liability. If you wish to have me speak with your group, please contact the office and schedule a day and time. Now, may God Bless you and yours, and allow you to look to your heart to assist us help those unable to help themselves.
Keeping God in Recovery,
David M Barbee
Director
