Reviews of Pine Mountain
— Parent
— Kim B.
— David R.
— Keri S.
— Lenai K.
— Kim S.
— Candyce M.
— Brandie L.
— Scott F.
— John A.
“Our son is currently enrolled at Pine Mountain Boys Academy and we heartily endorse this program. There is no better place in the world that he could be at this time. What professional counseling and our best parenting efforts failed to produce over 10 years (He came to live with us at age 4), PMBA produced within the first 3 -4 months. We delight in the changes we see continue to see in him…an increasing sense of personal responsibility, a healthy attitude toward authority, genuine gratitude, and a growing response to the drawing of God in his life. His school grades are steadily improving! Online courses and personal tutoring are helping him catch up from the consequences of his having stopped doing any schoolwork prior to PMBA.
PMBA keeps them busy. They focus on instilling the disciplines necessary for healthy functioning in the adult world. In addition to their schooling, Bible studies, physical training, each student is assigned a series of books addressing common problem areas: personal character, their view of God, taking responsibility for their own thinking and behavior, etc. Each student also has appropriate supervised work assignments, fitting chores for a family of 20 – 24 people: meal preparation and clean up, gardening, light carpentry, laundry, or grounds maintenance, etc. Our son has learned to handle chickens, guinea fowls, and rabbits, and is learning to cook for the other boys and whatever staff eat with them. He has a healthy pride in all these accomplishments. As a father, I’m glad to see him pick up some valuable skills and life lessons. And what a hoot it was to see 30 or so fowl scattered in the yard respond to the presence of one who feeds them and fall in line behind him.
I describe PMBA as fatherly/pastorally tough, but not harsh. Two stories flesh it out for me: In his first or second month, it was noticed that, while playing basketball, my son was verbally putting down one of the other students who’s not as athletically gifted. For the next month, my son was not allowed to play. Instead, he was assigned to help that young man develop his basketball skills…learning to, even if being required to, serve others and help make them greater. Isn’t that what the Father required of Jesus when He sent Him into the world, not to be served but to serve? In the process, my son had the chance to get to know that other young man better, to appreciate him for who he is as a person, requiring my son to look beyond his own narrow vision of someone’s worth being limited to what they can do athletically.
Secondly, one of my son’s early assignments was to write the book of Proverbs by a certain date. My son completed the assignment, but, oh, so typically, turned it in a day or two late (I’ll do it if you make me, but I’m doing it on my terms). His counselor reminded him it was due earlier, tore it into pieces, and told him to do it again…turning it in on time! This too was the exact tough love lesson my son needed at that moment. Does half-hearted work, or work turned in late, cut it at your job or business? Of course not! And who wouldn’t benefit from another dive into Proverbs! And yes, this time, he completed the assignment on time.
My son tells me they eat well, including some vegetables from their garden and eggs from their hens. He has gained back some weight, and continues to muscle up. They have two movie nights a week, daily sports, have been white-water rafting (I was envious!), and been on outings for pizza, swimming, etc.
He’s halfway through the program, but we eagerly look forward to his internalizing the disciplines he’s embraced, continuing on toward true manhood, which is becoming conformed to the image of Jesus.”
–Tim M.
“I’ve been a volunteer at Teen Challenge Pine Mountain Boys Academy for the past four years. While working with the boys in the kitchen I have come to understand that these are not bad boys, just boys that have made bad decisions. I have seen boys arrive with hardened hearts, broken spirits, and messed up lives. I have had the privilege of watching these same boys let God soften their hearts, heal their spirits, and give purpose to their lives. What a blessing they have been to me.”
— Janice E.
“My Grandson is currently enrolled in Pine Mountain. With God’s grace and the guidance and support of the counselors, teachers, and the entire staff at Pine Mountain our grandson has reclaimed his life. Through their help and with their year-round school program he has completed his high school education, scored well on the ACT, and is going on to college when he completes his program at Pine Mountain. The staff has helped with reconnecting the family’s communication with him. There have been many wonderful things happening as a result of our choosing Pine Mountain Boys Academy. But foremost has been his finding God in his life and his commitment to seek God’s direction as he moves forward with that life.”
— CV W.
“Before Pine Mountain, my son was angry. He was destructive. I did not think that he would make it in life. When I committed my son to the program and myself to the program and committed to the Word of God, things began to happen. They did not happen overnight. With love and intensive counseling from the Pine Mountain staff, my son began to blossom and became more confident day by day. Today, he is happy. The anger is gone. Joy has come. Today he has a bright future with unlimited possibilities. Most important he knows and loves God. Thank you Pine Mountain for giving me my son back!”
— Lester K.
