A Balanced Approach
- We believe in the integration of Biblical truth along with professional counseling to treat the whole person.
In the marketplace of residential programs, we tend to see programs that are one extreme or the other. We tend to be a trend for programs to either be completely secular and humanistic, or the opposite, programs that are biblically based but abandon all that modern psychological knowledge and modern medicine have to offer. At Evangel House™, we integrate both without compromising Biblical truth.
Our goal for the spiritual life of residents is for them to have an authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We believe this is the foundation from which behavioral change begins. We focus first on the transformation of the inner man- (in the form of attitudes, inner beliefs, and unmet emotional needs), and encourage that change to be replicated and amplified to the outer man- (in the form of behaviors, actions, and in life choices reflecting integrity). We strive to create a supportive environment in which residents can learn to succeed over time in a nurturing atmosphere of Christ’s love, support, accountability, and structure. We go to great lengths to be sure that we create an environment that encourages this, without forcing false compliance. Our goal is to present biblical solutions for the whole person - Mentally, Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally and Socially.
- Life Management Curriculum
Within the scope of our classroom, we provide the Evangel House™ Life Skills and Emotional Growth curriculum. In this curriculum, we teach Biblical truths that give residents practical skills in managing their emotions, dealing with relationships, and making positive life choices. This curriculum is developed by our staff, and topics are covered based on the present needs that we assess within the group. Topics are based on a culmination of readings, biblical passages, and psychological principles. A special effort is made for this to be non-denominational in nature. A sample of the topics we cover from a Biblical perspective include:
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- Church Attendance
While they are not forced in any way to participate, they are surrounded with God's love...
Evangel House™ has a special relationship with Lafayette First Assembly. As part of the program structure, our residents attend Sunday and Wednesday meetings there. The residents are active in the youth meetings, yet they are supervised by staff and they sit together as a group. The people of the church started the program as a home missions work in 1995. Since then, Evangel House™ has grown to become its own ministry organization.
- People that care
Through the years, the people of Lafayette First have learned to produce an effective working relationship with our program. The residents in our program are welcomed to God's house with love, acceptance, and a non-judgmental atmosphere. The goal of the people and pastors of Lafayette First is for the residents of Evangel House™ to have a genuine and personal experience with God. This is never forced by the program or the Church. The residents receive no special rewards or favor for participating in prayer or worship. Yet it is encouraged, and the Church along with the Program work hard to create an environment of spiritual safety in which they can 'test God out.' "O taste and see that the LORD is good, how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" psalm 34:8.
- Home Discipleship Course
Residents have the option to join a voluntary weekly home discipleship course, led by our home directors. Within this course, residents are challenged to take notes of church sermons, develop personal bible study habits, and develop a personal prayer time. Weekly group accountability meetings are held, in which struggles are shared, and encouragement with support is provided from within the peer group. Staff members supervise and lead this group, yet the group is encouraged to have a prayer meeting together weekly on their own.
- Personal Devotional Time
Residents are encouraged to voluntarily spend personal time in worship and
personal prayer. Each school day is started with a group prayer and
devotional thought for the day.
Each night before lights-out, the group is given time for personal quiet time.
Residents are encouraged to spend this time in prayer, bible study, and
reflection. Depending on the needs of the group, sometimes this is done in
a group meeting, and other times it is done individually.
