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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. What is the purpose of Agape Youth Ministry ("AYM")?
A. AYM was born from a God-given vision to the heart of Gordy Lange -- a vision to provide a safe haven for "at risk" (troubled) young teens where the teens would learn "how to do life better" through faith-based programs provided in a ranch setting.
Q. How does the Agape Youth Ranch ("AYR") fit into these programs?
A. AYR was established by AYM, based on the following principles of what "at risk" teens need:
- To be removed from the environment in which their behaviors have developed
- To feel they are in a safe environment to live and learn
- To learn of and grow in the loving grace of Jesus Christ
- To live in an environment that provides healthy boundaries in their lives
- To have the influence of Christian staff members
Q. How does AYR accomplish meeting these principles?
A. AYR does the following:
- Removes the teen from their negative social environment for a period of 12 - 18 months. The teen will spend 12 months at AYR and 3-6 months in a Christian foster home to provide guidance as the teen makes the transition back into his/her home environment, all of which is focused on teaching the teen to make better choices in life, becoming disciplined and helping them find direction for their life, and showing the teen the importance of developing a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- The AYR program has a "paramilitary" structure using the reward and consequence discipline.
- Teens will receive home schooling, beginning at their academic level and moving forward.
- Teens will participate in regular scheduled Bible studies, devotions, and worship services.
- AYR provides horse and dog programs that help teach responsibility, discipline, unconditional love, and overcoming fears.
- Staff members are selected based on their relationship with Christ and their qualifications.
Q. The construction of AYR appears to be a huge financial project. How is it being financed?
A. Gordy Lange has committed the last years of his police officer career to raising and providing monies for the Ranch Project. Also, through donations and those who have and will commit to consistent financial support, and by using volunteer labor and donated materials, God has and continues to provide the necessary resources.
Q. When will the Ranch open for enrollment?
A. Only the Good Lord knows for sure, however, we have a goal date of opening the Ranch to the first 12-month program teens by the end of 2008. We have been able to provide weekend programs for inner-city teens that begin in 2007.
Q. How will the Ranch Project be financed when it is up and running?
A. It is envisioned that, once up and running, AYR will be receiving donations, pledges, and financial commitments from individuals, churches and faith-based organizations, and from businesses, and grants. Additionally, a base fee for each teen would be required based on a fee structure that will consider the family income / ability to pay. This base fee could also be obtained through sponsorships in which individuals, churches, or other organizations may sponsor one or more particular teens through the Ranch program.
Q. What type of teenagers are you looking to help at the Ranch?
A. Primarily, we are focusing on young teens, ages 13 to 16, who are "at risk," i.e., defiant at home and school, truant from school, runaways, and first time drug users or unwanted (lack of parental supervision). These teens would NOT be coming from the Criminal Justice System, i.e., drug-dealing, burglaries, or other hardened crimes.
Q. Will you be taking referrals from government agencies?
A. At this time, we are not looking to be involved in any government program that would compromise our ability to bring Jesus Christ into the lives of the teenagers in our programs.
Q. Will AYM have other programs?
A. Yes. It is envisioned that after the Ranch Project is developed, AYM will have a Teen-to-Teen Mentoring Program and a Bondage-to-Freedom Mentoring Program, both of which will also be faith-based.
Q. What does AYM need now?
A. This Ministry, the Ranch Project, future programs, and all of the staff and volunteers need: 1) your prayers; as well as 2) your donations and commitments for financial support (monthly, bi-annually, or annually, and/ or sponsorships); 3) volunteers for construction projects (skilled and unskilled), and cooks for our volunteers; 4) staff members and supporters for staff members; 5) building materials (including plumbing, electrical, cement, HVAC, sheetrock, stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters (propane), cabinetry, kitchen and bathroom fixtures; tile, carpeting, etc., etc.) 6) Ranch equipment (tractors, road grater, garden and hand tools; 7) Horse needs: Saddles, blankets & tack, feed buckets, muck rakes, and water troughs; 8) Veterinary supplies for horses and dogs, as well as a volunteer veterinarian. And, the list goes on .
Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. (Matthew 6:32-33).