Important Announcement about The Pearl

Author Heath.Stoner

Dear Teen Mania Family,

You all know that ESOAL, and now PEARL have been one of the highlights of the intern year at the Honor Academy. The event has consistently been one of the highest-rated out of all of our LTE’s.

ESOAL was started in 1999, and it was an incredible event. The lessons it imparted – of strengthening our character and reliance on God when we go through difficult times – were fantastic. Over the years, we worked to innovate and improve how ESOAL was conducted. We collected feedback, took input and structured and re-structured the event so it had the greatest impact possible in the lives of everyone who participated.

Then in 2011, we changed ESOAL so dramatically that we decided to change the name to PEARL. Even though many of the events were different, the lessons and goals were similar.

Unfortunately, the secular media did not understand – or even try to understand – what ESOAL and PEARL were all about. Neither did they do their due diligence and research our event properly. They didn’t talk to the thousands who have come through the event with positive experiences. They ignored all of the positive testimonies of parents and youth pastors who came to see first-hand and even participate in ESOAL and PEARL over the years, even though those stories were offered to them.

So, this life-changing 90-hour event has been greatly mis-characterized and has resulted in the entire HA internship year being publicly maligned. We are saddened by what has resulted, and we want to make sure that all of the great things happening at the HA, at GE, at ATF – all of the lives being transformed by the Lord through these ministries — is the story that gets told.
So, the leadership at the Honor Academy has decided, starting this year, to suspend PEARL indefinitely.

While we are sad to have to take this step, we are confident that the creativity and passion embodied by the HA leadership and staff will mean those lessons learned through ESOAL and PEARL will still be taught. We don’t know what shape that will take, but we are confident that with this change will come great new opportunities to seek the Lord and His will.

Kelly Schwalbert

Stick the interns on a cattle ranch for a week – they will learn many of the same lessons. Though the media will probably scream about that too. Stretching an individual’s character/limit past where they thought the ceiling was is NOT the norm in today’s society. Mediocrity is.

It’s a shame that it has come to this, the media certainly did not even attempt to speak to interns who thought this was a positive experience. I look forward to watching Teen Mania continue to grow and provide challenges for interns to stretch above their self-imposed ceilings. Blessings to you and the HA!

Carl Litchfield

“It’s a shame that it has come to this, the media certainly did not even attempt to speak to interns who thought this was a positive experience.”Did you actually watch the media coverage? The local news interviewed 2 people against ESOAL/PEARL and 2 people for. Jon Hasz was one of them. The Mind Over Mania crew interviewed Ron Luce, Dave Hasz, and at least 3 current interns, compared to the 2 cult recovery experts and 4 members of the RA community. The rest was filled in with video footage shot by Teen Mania themselves. How is that not an attempt at speaking with interns who had a positive experience?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651175873 Breanna Donahue

well said Kelly
layne

Kelly,

I’m sorry that you, for what ever reason, have such a jaded view of humanity. I’m sorry that you think “mediocrity” is a social norm. It’s not. People are good and kind and strive to love one another (and themselves). People want to be better than they are. We build communities, we reach out to each other, we help, we give. Yes, we survive too, and sometimes that looks like a good book on the beach or a glass of wine and sitcom after a long day at work. Don’t misjudge simple acts of unwinding as laziness or “mediocrity”. Burn, but don’t burn out.

And assuming that it takes a 4 day LTE to “stretch” a person past their “character ceiling” (whatever that is) is a little naive. Courage isn’t continuing to do push-ups even when you’re tired. Bravery isn’t crawling through the mud while someone yells terrible things at (and about) you for no other reason than to get from point A to point B. Courage and Bravery are found in living a life, day-to-day.

Brandon Lilly

That’s really sad. This event impacted my life every time I went through it (3 times) or helped facilitate it (5 times). I trust that God will use this decision in a great way and will open up more hearts and doors for Teen Mania!

http://www.honoracademydirector.com/ Heath Stoner

Brandon–We also trust God with this decision and I believe it is the right one.

Johngnperks

I hope that the recovering alumni don’t for a minute believe that the HA are bowing down to them in the slightest. What I hope that the hopes and goal of doing this is that the HA could continue to rise above the challenges of this culture. That in hopes of doing this many more kids can go to the HA, and serve God.

Z. Lewis

Thanks John. I agree, choosing to not take an unnecessary beating is not bowing to someone. It is just understanding that while we are in the world we must be sensitive to how we represent ourselves, even to other members of the body of Christ.

I do also hope this can bring more peace to those who have been hurt, and I hope this brings about new ways of running the HA that will teach those important lessons without the apparent hurts and negative media.
Nancy

IT WOULD BE NICE IF HA WOULD ADMIT THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS AND REPENT BEFORE GOD AND THEIR FELLOW MAN. BUT AT THIS POINT, IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKELY, BUT THE CANCELLATION OF PEARL MIGHT BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Shannon Kish

It would be nice, but I am not holding my breathe that they will ever admit their wrongdoings and abusive ways. They continue to prove that they are only interested in covering up their negative appearance.

Nancy

TRUE, BUT SOME SENSITIVE SOULS WON’T REALIZE THIS UNTIL LATER.
listener

and that, in short, is a perfect example of the attitude of TM all along. ”you crazy hurt alumni. we will never admit we hear you or accept our responsibility.”
KristinC

I can say with a pretty high level of confidence that the RA community DOES see this as a victory–because it is. ESOAL/PEARL was a dangerous and potentially harmful event that didn’t impart any special spiritual wisdom that could not have been gained from simply going through life as authentically as possible. It is a good thing that is no longer happening, and the RA community played an enormous role in bringing this ridiculous event to the attention of the “secular” media. So……no matter how you spin it…..we won this battle.

Jonathan

Thank you Heath for the info. I am with you and the HA. -Jonathan
Z. Lewis

I don’t think making a decision to change something because is makes you look bad is wrong or in some way hiding something.

Also, didn’t Jesus pay the temple tax even though he didn’t have too? He did it because it would have looked bad if He didn’t.

Bryan Rayner

I agree with Zach (Yes, I know your name!) – Jesus specifically told Peter that it was to not offend them, and Paul devoted most of his life to not giving offense (1 Cor 9, and 1 Thess 2 – So no fault would be found in his ministry). We’re made to be in the image of God, and He forgives COMPLETELY. So, let’s get on with being in His image! It’s who we’re predestined to be!
Alumnus

please give the exact scripture reference for “honoring the government that was in place, which the bible tells us to do.”
there is NO scripture in the bible that commands us to honor any government. the government is in direct opposition of all jesus stands for, and will be abolished when he returns. thank god.

Shannon kish

1 Peter 2: 13–17 for starters. I can provide more if. you wish

Tara Milburn

I do find this to be a sad announcement…
Regardless of what we all thought about ESOAL/The PEARL, I know that the leadership of the HA has made efforts to make things ‘right’ with the RA community. I would encourage everyone – regardless of the side in which you ascribe to – to keep in mind that we will be known by our LOVE for one another [John 13:34-35], that we aren’t to bear a grudge or seek revenge [Lev. 19:18] and to rid ourselves of any root of bitterness [Hebrews 12:14-16].

Tara Milburn

Yes, I have followed RA silently for a long time, I am familiar with you. ( : I have seen leadership at TM attempt to make things right with the RA community through various outlets. I do not plan to list them here, as I know that you and others do not feel as though these attempts were genuine or legit. I am not looking to open a discussion or debate about what was right or wrong regarding the HA — just pointing it back to Jesus, and how we should conduct ourselves. I can only answer for myself, and how I respond….I am simply attempting to encourage others to do the same.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651175873 Breanna Donahue

well said, lots of wisdom in this comment
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651175873 Breanna Donahue

Its about love and forgiveness, period. no one is perfect but the wise and mature choose love. you totally ignored that part of her statement.
Natalie Haskell

Hey Tara! well, I just wanted to say in regards to the ‘love’ comment you have now made. That is probably one of the most judgmental and rude things to say in this situation. I’m sure you meant it as a sweet little peace offering or something. But I don’t think you understand the context of that verse.

Christians WILL be known by their love. God gives the Christian true love and its a gift to give HIM glory. Trust me, you do not need to remind a Christian to be loving. YOU just need to love. So, stop telling everyone what to do and be it, maybe?

Tara Milburn

Nat, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Please know that I do understand the context of the verse. ( : Unfortunately, I’m not really seeing how it can be construed as judgmental or rude. Christians do fail and Christians do fall…and sometimes they don’t speak out of love. I think you and I have both experienced this, and so I believe that sometimes a reminder to be loving is beneficial.

Natalie Haskell

The question is, are you addressing Christians here?
I suppose if that was a shout out to the Christians, sure. Go right ahead and address the Christians, who profess to love God and Jesus Christ. Live holy and repentant lives. Sacrificing for their brothers and living with the fear of God. As I assume you are, to be making such a statement. (I’m not being sarcastic, just laying it out.) If you are addressing the Christians and seeing a lack of love, which I haven’t seen. But whatever, if you feel the need. Go ahead.
But THIS specific battle has nothing to do with God. Other then Teen Mania’s complete lack of reliance upon truth.
If you have truly been following the R.A. community, you will know about the lies, deceit, coverups, scandals and complet lack of repentance.
Hold Teen Mania, which claims to be ‘Christian’ against the bible. See what happens.

Tara Milburn

Natalie,
Yes ma’am, my comment was to Christians, as most people who are commenting on here seem to still consider themselves as such. I do know that not everyone one is, though. The point was that these back-and-forths that often seem to occur between alumni (those who are apart of the RA community and those who aren’t) often get ugly. Hence the reminder. ( : There’s no need for it.
Natalie Haskell

Sorry dude. I think we are just looking at it totally differently. I don’t assume ANYONE is a Christian here. Therefore the use of scriptures that require an action from a believer are pretty much made void.
On top of it, you’re telling me to be nice to freaking Dave or Heath. Whose feelings I could care less about. I hope they make it out of the circle of lies they’ve swirled themselves in. Even this, they aren’t ending esoal because they care they’ve hurt people. They’re ending it because the big bad world found out what they were doing. (which is TOTALLY jacked up.) There are very real consequences when you mess with kids. Speaking of scriptures… Matthew 18:6 is a favorite of mine when I think of Teen Mania messing with kids.

Z. Lewis

I am sad by this as well, but it seems to be a wise a decision. I pray that we can plan a better way to teach these lessons without looking bad or risking someone accidently being hurt.

I also hope this can bring a greater peace to those who have been hurt in the past, though we disagree on the reasons why the event is being stopped.
Kathryn S

Thank you for keeping us in the loop! I’m sad to see it suspended but I understand the reasoning behind it. It was very impactful in my life and still use it as a for point if reference . I trust that the leadership is following the leading of the Holy Spirit and I pray that you would have creativity and innovation to continue to challenge interns in the strength of their character, relationship with others, and in their personal relationship with Jesus. You are doing a great job.

http://www.honoracademydirector.com/ Heath Stoner

Thank you Kathryn. We will continue to innovate the HA and by God’s grace continue to point people to Jesus.

Jason Reuwer

ESOAL was great. Man, my team had so much fun. I rung out when I wanted to and I learned a ton. The issue with our generation is whining. Get over your bad experiences. You signed up for you “abuse” and you could have left whenever you wanted. Thank you Honor Academy for great friends and a great time.

layne

Jason, thanks for the pep-talk. I feel better already. Really, it wasn’t that I was a victim at all. It was my own fault for not leaving. Finally, someone put it straight to me. I guess trained therapists who diagnosed the PTSD in some alumni should be stripped of their credentials for not telling said distressed alumni to “get over it, you whiney baby”.

Zac S.

Hi Michael,

I think it’s a good idea too that they have decided to avoid the appearance of evil as the media took it as that. Had you been through ESOUL or PEARL, were you associated with Teen Mania in the past?
- Zac S.

Michael C.

Yep I went through ESOAL in its early stages. In the beginning I went along with everyone thinking it was all fun and great – but it left some negative ramifications on me. Looking back it was an abuse of power and goes right along with the Stanford Prison experiment. That kind of role playing and going through self-torture in the name of Jesus is completely unnecessary and I’m glad – that at least for now – Teen Mania is putting on the airs of doing the right thing and pulling the event. I’m sure that it will come back at some point with a different name. Same pig, different lipstick.

Bryan Rayner

Paul said while in prison he forgot what lay behind him, and pressed onward towards what lay ahead. Jesus, when He washed Judas’ feet, didn’t even bring an accusation against him or point him out among his disciples. Jesus loves His church as the bride – and made someone who persecuted his church as part of it and it’s most influential component. Michael, you believe in a God who gave His own son to save his enemies. I’m telling you all this, because that’s who you’re meant to be – That’s who God made you to be, like Himself! Let Him show you who you are, I would hate to have you trapped in a feeling of superiority. You are made to be like Jesus, and that is what I would love to see myself, TM, and all other people be like.

Katyreynolds

@Bryan….what???
Indiewedding

“trapped in a feeling of superiorority”? Sorry dude. This is what is otherwise known as Transference.
Natalie Haskell

Bryan Rayner, FTW, creepiest message EVER.

lol. Bryan, seriously dude. what? Unless you know Michael… how do you know he’s a Christian? Seriously, can people stop being so silly and irrational?

Quentin HA 2007-2008

Wow I never thought that
I would see pearl go it was not evil and had no appearance of evil what it did
do was get crybabies me being the foremost of the bunch off are butts to see
that we could push harder and go longer then we have always though we could go
and for all the haters of ESOAL AND PEARL were they not at all time a choice if
we were to do them are not and we could quite whenever we wanted to leave and
go get hot food and a shower so I will say this you all made the choice of
going through esoal and pearl no one forced you to do it so pull up your pants
and admit that for everything esoal or pearl did to us it was a choice I made
in life it is one that I have never regretted and if there lessoning to the
holy spirit then amen that is amazing that god is still using them to teach
teens life goals and lesions that means there still lessoning to god so I will
say this we as the teens of America are a bunch of wimps and are papered I mean
we don’t even get spanked anymore and when parents try kids call the cops on
there parents all I’m seeing is the end times and America is following right
along with everything else about the end times.

Real men cry and morn
and laugh and they work hard pushing them self’s dally to the limit to see the
kingdom of god come

real women cry and morn
and laugh and do the same things to see the kingdom of god come and if esoal or
pearl helped you grow amen and amen if it didn’t then guess what get over it
and move on with your life I had plenty of bad thing happen at the ha but I can
learn from them all and grow in god the whole lesson here is not esoal or pearl
it is your own heart posture before the almighty god and what you think of him
is he god and could he use this to help you grow or cant he if he can’t then renounce
Christ and go find a god who can because you think he is a weak puny god and
dons not sit in his throne ruling and raining and not one thing can move him
from his throne so go run around and find out who god is because all I see are
a bunch of teen that hate there ha experiences and do not want to see how
they can grow from it and learn to live as Christ walked this earth not how humans
lived but how he lived so it’s your own choice on how you live life and how you
take this who esoal thing in me personal I would have loved to see easol
go on or pearl go on but it’s not then god will give the ha something new to
teach the very lesions that we all learned from pearl or easol and we will grow
that way and it too will probably be shut down by the media because humans just
like to find things wrong with everything else instead of looking in to them self’s
and talking to god about it they have to blame everything else other then them self’s
well guess what HA alumni parents staff on the HA or anyone out there the only
one to blame if you’re not growing from going through this or growing in your
life and you have to find other things to blame in your life you only have to
look in the mirror and look at yourself you’re the problem and you’re at fault
and the only one that is going to fix it is you and god when you say he can
work on your life god is god and we are not

KristinC

You must have missed the MAJOR emphasis placed on excellence at the HA, since there is nary a period or comma to be found in your comment. That is the longest run-on sentence I have ever seen.

If you want to be taken seriously, write like a grown-up.

Emily Friday

I am so sad to see ESOAL gone completely!!! I really loved that LTE, I didn’t partica LYpate in it but I did the Service LTE and the lessons still impacted me!!! My August Class of 2011 would say that it was the most highlighted event during our internship!! But I respect the HA leadership on this decision and I pray that the event will return in the future; because I have a friend who is coming Aug of 2014 and he was reallyyyyy looking toward into doing ESOAL. So please don’t take this event away forever!!! But I love my Teen Mania family and as an Alumni I will stand by their side and support whatever decsion is made!!

Michael C.

You loved the event but didn’t participate in it? Example of your logic: So you love traveling to Paris but you have never been to Paris? Do you realize how the basis of your statement makes no sense what so ever? I think Teen Mania should have spent more time teaching its interns to be thinkers of themselves and not being brainwashed to then write such ridiculous statements of loyalty for something they never even did – and willingly admit.

Sue Burke

“So, this life-changing
90-hour event has been greatly mis-characterized and has resulted in the
entire HA internship year being publicly maligned.”
Um. No.
Sorry, spin people at HA. This is not ok.
I’ve read too many bad experiences, and oh, wait, experienced it myself for it to continue.
Also, the “secular media” was informed by many people who are not secular. Truth is truth.
Unless you are Obiwan
Then it is true from “a certain point of view”
but if you’re not Obiwan, don’t even try to spin it this way.

Bryan Rayner

Jesus doesn’t judge anybody (John 5). His Word does. You don’t know their hearts, and neither do they yours – Only God does. You’re made to be like Him, and love! His love really is the fullness of God (Eph 3) Don’t let yourself be less than that

Sue Burke

Bryan. I work in marketing…I know spin when I see it. And I worked at TM for 4 years, which I believe is enough time to get to know someone’s heart. Thank you for your concern.

Heath.Stoner

Sue,

There is no spin here. What you read is why we suspended it.

Heath

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=546972819 Joel Mears

Man…I get why you had to do this, totally behind you guys…But I still can’t help but say that it sucks.

I went through ESOAL 4 times (Including the 96 hour one in 06). I also facilitated once and had a great time. I was planning on coming back to do PEARL if my little bro decides to be an intern in a few years. It was by far my favorite event that we did at Teen Mania. So many great stories, so many great lessons learned, so many memories…Just sad to see it go!

Did I have any negative experiences in any of my ESOALs or TM? Sure, plenty, facilatraitors saying stupid stuff or crossing the line at times…And to be honest I learned from it, I got over it and left any bitterness right there on the field when they said we finished. I also never felt an ounce of pressure from the staff to do ESOAL or stay in ESOAL – actually my 3rd one I was encouraged to ring out due to an injury (sprained ankle) and I did – no regrets!

Seriously, thank you to Dave Hasz, Heath Stoner, Michael Batista (my commander for 3 out of 4), Dave Neal, and the rest of the crew that created and facilitated an amazing event. My years at Teen Mania would have been really different w/out ESOAL and I’m glad you guys had the guts to try something out of the box w/ us interns and staff.

I’ll be praying you guys come up with something just as challenging/creative to teach those same lessons of pushing on, relying on God’s strength, and finding the joy of the Lord in all situations (a few of the major lessons I got out of ESOAL). I know God will lead you!

Nothing but love for all my ESOAL Teams and commanders over the years, you guys rock!

Joel

Natalie Haskell

lol. For real. Joel Mears was like ESOAL’s bff.
Nancy

Your love and sincerity is appreciated even though I am NOT a fan of ESOAL or PEARL.

BryanR

I finished, finished ESOAL and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I eventually was dismissed from the HA but ESOAL would be the one thing, if I could, would go back to do again. Yes, the HA is heavy handed and sometimes a pain in the ass but keep in mind each intern is there by choice.

Nancy

TO BRYAN R: . . .”KEEP IN MIND EACH INTERN IS THERE BY CHOICE.”

THIS STILL DOES NOT GIVE ESOAL THE RIGHT TO STEP OVER THE LINE OF THEIR LEADERSHIP TO MISTREAT THOSE ENTRUSTED INTO THEIR CHARGE.

Emily Friday

Hey Bryan!!! Thank you for what you said!! People you are judging people; who ate very special to me and I know the heart behind Teen Mania and the leadership; these people are constantly putting Christ first before deciding anything and they all work so hard into making the HA the best place that it can be; please don’t talk about any group of people unless you personally know them and I do know them!! Every single person at Teen Mania; including Bryan are like a second family to me. So please if wanna talk bad about the interns,the staff or any of the alumni please keep the comments to yourself and think really hard if this what you wanna say in public!!! Thank you!!! Emily Friday HA August Alumni Class of 2011!!

listener

holy cow Emily. Seems like it’s really hard for you to face the idea someone you believe in has wronged people.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651175873 Breanna Donahue

avid the appearance of evil is a scripture.
Emily Friday

People please stop talking bad about my Teen Mania family PLEASE!!!! that includes bryan cuz he is sn alumni!! These people are reallyyyy wonderful group of people and they are all pursing Christ a full 100% and all they wanna do is serve the Lord with all they have!! Who are you to judge, the plan of the Almighty God!!
Daniel Algarin

It saddens me that it has come to this. I went through ESOAL two years before it became PEARL and it taught me some valuable lessons. It taught me that I can persevere no matter what. I learned that I can give way more that I think. I gave two years of my life to Teen Mania and never not once felt that I being manipulated or pressured to do anything that I didn’t want to do. The Lord used so many different aspects of The Honor Academy including to chisel things out of my life and show me that he created me with a purpose and a goal. I am soooo sorry and it pains my heart that there are people out there that have had a negative experience with ESOAL or PEARL or Teen Mania in general.
Dickson Carrie

Regardless of how this came to be, I think this is the best move TM has made in a while and I’m grateful for it. The damage, both real and potential, does not outweigh the perceived possible benefit. I so wish this had stopped many years ago. There are a million better ways to get your points across, to push yourself beyond what you think is possible that are actually uplifting. God always gives us the grace we need to make it through any situation. We don’t need military role-play to learn that lesson.

It is my sincere hope that you devote 90 hours to learning how to Love, the abundance of a life devoted to Grace, and the joy of vulnerability and hopefulness. That would change the world.

layne

This is the best response yet.

Alumnus

i completely agree!! i thought the exact same thing! the problem i’ve had with teen mania all along is that instead of actually teaching the gospel and what jesus said is most important (LOVE love love LOVE), they are teaching legalism (obey rules!!!). there is never a focus on learning to love people, instead there is a focus on “excellence” by crossing off all your lists of things you should do and rules you should follow. being a statesperson is not nearly as important as loving people. caring for the poor, widows, and orphans is the message of the gospel. rejecting the lure of riches, and loving when you are hated is the message. not wearing a jacket and “looking” good. not having 60 minute quiet times. not following stringent rules and regulations. not “stretching” your body to the point of illness and injury to prove you’re a good little christian. loving people will stretch you more than enough on its own. if you live a life of love, you will learn all the stretching you need.

Alexander Sima (Class of ’06)

I think people are forgetting that ESOUL wasn’t mandatory, you chose to be in it. Also in ESOUL you could leave whenever you wanted to. There was no shame in leaving, there was no shame in not participating. I was never pressured, to go through it, and when I run out 8 hours into the event I wasn’t pressured to stay in. The only “pressure” that was given was when I was asked if I had come to the end of myself and relied on God, to which I replied I did.

Just because something is hard doesn’t mean it should be suspended. Should we suspend basic training because our young men and women in the armed forces are gonna have to be put under pressure? How bout we get rid of SEAL and RANGER training, after all it might psychologically scar them.

ESOAL/PEARL is nowhere near as intense as the aforementioned training programs. Mentally or Physically. I had a meh experience, It was a hard thing to go through, I learned from it, and I got some great stories to tell my friends and family about what I went through. My only regret is that I didn’t go longer so I could have more stories to tell.

Shannon Kish

Mandatory or not, it was still abusive, dangerous, and unbiblical.

Alumnus

my class (03-05) was made to feel stupid for not participating in esoal. we were told directly by dave hasz that unless god spoke to us personally and said NOT to participate, we were supposed to, and any fears or doubts we had about it were from satan. seriously. so yes, you can claim it was mandatory, but when leadership is telling you that bs, you don’t feel it’s mandatory at all.

Alumnus

sorry, i’m tired and have a massive headache. i meant to say “you can claim it’s NOT mandatory, but when leadership is telling you that bs, you don’t feel it’s NOT mandatory at all.”

Natalie Haskell

I would love to just dissect this letter. And it’s late, so I will.
***Dear TM family.*** – That’s a good place to start. I suppose this letter is only addressed to those who agree with Teen Mania? Because I certainly was an intern, and not too long ago. In fact, Heath, I was your assistant. But I am definitely not family.
***You all know that EASOL, and now PEARL have been one of the highlights of the intern year at the Honor Academy.*** Again, maybe the family knows it. I think ESOAL is flippin crazy.
***The event has consistently been one of the highest-rated out of all our LTE’s.*** – This I don’t disagree with. I’m sure finishing ESOAL is the biggest rush. It doesn’t make the event unsafe, scary as hell and a form of brainwashing. (think I’m crazy? google brainwashing techniques and try and tell me ESOAL doesn’t match up.)
Um. I’ll end there. I’m bored.
Heath, get out of TM before it ruins your entire life.
Trace

I facilitated last year at the PEARL, and I encountered a number of parents who came out to the event because of concern for their kids because of what they saw online and through the media. All of those I met were pleased with the event. I met one dad a day or two into the event, and he said if he witnessed anything inappropriate, he would have stepped in and removed her from the HA right there. However, he told me that what he saw in the media and online were not congruent with what he was witnessing at the event, and that he was pleased his daughter was taking part in the PEARL.

Nancy

WELL OF COURSE IF PEARL KNEW PARENTS WERE WATCHING, THEY WOULD NOT DO WHAT THEY HAD DONE IN THE PAST.

layne

You were hazing kids and calling it a “learning experience”; of course the media (and general public) had a negative response. They didn’t mis-characterize it, they called it out for what it was; dangerous. The fact that a christian internship held an event that required on-call medical personnel is disturbing at best.

That being said, I do think that some of the media coverage was shoddy and one-sided, which only allows the perpetrators to yell “bad journalism! two sides of the story!”.

Princess Star

I don’t think that teen mania was hazing at us. I went through ESOAL and I loved every minute of it. It changed my life. It freed me from certain things that I was dealing with. I would go through it over and over again if I could, just so that it would draw me closer to the Lord, because it did. I’ve been through it twice and it helped build my character. It saddens me that the media thinks it was negative, because is reality it was positive for me. And in fact, we don’t have to go through ESOAL, it’s a choice we made and we can quit it at any point. And it was good that there were medical personnel there just in case something bad were to happen. It would be bad if we didn’t have them there.

The media did mis-characterize it, because they ingnored all the people that had something nice to say about it. You know if you were going into the army, this would be the exact same stuff they would do. Who cares if it’s a Christian organization or not, it still prepares you for the future. It prepares you for persecution in other countries where the don’t believe in Jesus Christ.

layne

Princess Star, I appreciate your perspective. However, I also went through ESOAL. I used to believe that it had been a great experience, that I had been “stretched” and, through that, had uncovered things about myself that I never would have otherwise. Several years after leaving TM (I am alumni and was a Staff Associate after my undergraduate year), I would tell others (non-TM) about my experiences with ESOAL, and I would try my hardest to get across to them that it was a “good thing” and not at all damaging. Oh, and of course, that it wasn’t mandatory (I reiterated this point over and over) They were still horrified. They were also Christians. I finally started to realize that my experiences were not good. The month after ESOAL, I showed classic signs of PTSD (and, btw, no one acknowledged this or did anything about it…). I would break down crying for no apparent reason. I would freeze over the simplest tasks (brushing my teeth, making the bed, writing an email, walking down the stairs) and have full-out panic attacks when I realized I was unable to perform them. A friend of mine, who also went through ESOAL, spent an evening in his office, hiding under a desk with the lights off. All of this was ignored. What was it called? The ESOAL “shuffle”? Laugh it off, kid. You’ll get over it in a few weeks. Now that’s what I call the love of Jesus.

It was hazing. Maybe you were lucky and had an easier time. But the truth is, some of us went through hell and were told it was for the betterment of our souls. Sure, it wasn’t mandatory, but many would argue that within a group-think environment, the weight of personal choice is compromised and possibly nullified.

BTW, ten years later and I still get nauseous when I hear the theme song from “Survivor” (which was played on repeat during my ESOAL experience). Does a violent physical reaction in a grown adulut to even the suggestion of ESOAL sound healthy to you? It isn’t.

Melissa Paape

So, we’re all Christians here, right?

I’ve listened to both sides of this story for several years now, and I am fine with everyone being entitled to their own opinion and conclusion based on their personal experiences. I was an intern myself and experienced HA life and ESOAL also. But all perspectives aside, if we’re going to call ourselves ‘little Christs’ and live as Christians, then we have to find ways to express our opinions and conclusions appropriately. Ways that our Lord and Love are in agreement with. There’s a lot of hate, rude comments, sarcasm, and disrespect in response to this post, not to mention tied up in this entire controversy itself.

Imagine how this is being portrayed to outsiders? The conduct of people in this debate is no longer just reflected on Teen Mania, it’s being reflected on CHRISTIANS and JESUS CHRIST Himself, since we are called to be His ambassadors. And reading through this, we look like a vicious bunch throwing around daggers with our scripture verses. That bothers me, otherwise I would have stayed out of this. But I believe there is a better way to handle some of the accusations, responses, and emotions involved here. And whichever side of the line you stand on, I believe some people should still be ashamed of the way they are behaving. Different perspectives or not, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ, people…please…

Mr. Stoner, I do just want to say I appreciate the effort you put into seeking the resolution of this difficult scenario, and the good of Teen Mania, and especially in maintaining a position of honor and calm, even with quite heavy and offensive resistance.

Shannon Kish

No, we are NOT all Christians here. Assumptions.

Natalie Haskell

For real, Shannon. People are so naive.
All the ‘outsiders’ (that’s not exclusive, elitist, cultic talk there…) I’ve met, known, grew up with thought the Honor Academy was the very worst idea ever before I went and before R.A. Everyone tried to stop me from going. They knew it was bad news before I did. I think the truth will find it’s way to the surface.

listener

again. Melissa, thank you for the “shut up” message.

tami evans

My son is at the honor academy now. He chose on his own free will to not participate in the pearl. He was not pressured to do it or not do it. He just didnt feel inclined or feel “the need to participate”…its that simple. We could not be happier with the spiritual, physical, and emotional growth we have seen in our son from being a part of the honor academy. Over the last year I have seen many changes at the honor academy being made and I am thankful that that prayerfully mull over decisions and make changes to make the internship better. We have nothing but respect and gratitude to the leadership at the honor academy for all they have poured into our son over the last year. If our second son feels called to the honor academy he will be there as well with no qualms whatsoever. Thanks Heath for all you have done for our son. It will benefit our entire family and our generations to follow!!!

KristinC

I’m glad that your son is doing so well. You say you trust his judgement, that he did not feel the “need to participate.” Well, the thing is, there IS no need to participate! He is probably going to figure out a way to manage life and faith just fine without whatever lessons TM thinks PEARL is of critical importance in teaching. If this event is, as your own comment has affirmed, so entirely superfluousness, than why keep doing it? Why feel the need to defend it? Why dismiss the voices of pain that have been lifted on behalf of those who’ve been damaged? And how on earth can you, as a parent, be so dismissive of those voices and throw your child to the proverbial wolves like that?

KristinC

“superfluous” I meant to say
tami evans

I dont feel that I was dismissive at all to the people who were wounded at the Honor Academy. I read what they had to say and about their experiences and prayed alot about whether this was the place for my son to spend a year of his life. After reading about many of their experiences I spoke firsthand to many many people from different aspects. Some were in leadership at the ha. Some were parents who had sent multiple children there. Some were students who had been there or were there now. After doing that and praying and fasting we all decided that my son was being called to go there and give a year of his life to the ministry and the internship. I dont feel at all that I was throwing my son to the wolves. I dont feel a need to defend the ministry. At this point I dont have anything to defend it for or from. We have had only good experiences….I dont or would never dismiss the voices of the people who have been wounded. I advocate for this program because for us it has been an amazing experience and I would send my second son there in a heartbeat if he so chooses…hope that makes sense….

KristinC

tami,

That does make sense. I want to apologize for my reply to you last night, as it was harsh, and I don’t mean to question your judgement as a parent (which is something I am not). It sounds like you really thought and prayed about it, which is to be commended. Also, you were very, very kind in your response to me–much kinder than I probably deserved, in fact.

I really hope that things go well for your son, that he has a great experience, and that he takes a lot away from his year at the HA that will assist him on his journey through life. If, however, he doesn’t, he won’t be alone and there are people that he can turn to for understanding.

tami evans

thank you for your kind words….

Tara Milburn

I agree with Melissa. You know, I attended a funeral today…and then I came home and read this. Losing someone you love will awaken one to the frivolous things we give our time to, and I currently find myself to be perplexed by the amount of time/emotion that has been given to this announcement (and many others in the past). Our lives should not be spent arguing (period) or even arguing over ESOAL/The Pearl. Let’s take what we’ve learned from them, whether good or bad, and move on. Life is more than daft arguments/debates over the past. In the light of eternity, really, it does no one around us any good to continue to beat on this subject. Regardless of where you stand or what you believe, a little grace, mercy and moving on is good for all.

listener

thanks Tara, for trying to shut everyone up. If you’re done thinking about it, then leave. But you don’t have a right to tell others to stop talking.

Alumnus

HOORAY!!!!!!! i’m so glad to hear interns will no longer be subjected to cruelty, abuse, and physical harm in the name of spiritual growth. this is definitely the right decision, and i’m thankful for whatever source (media attention, etc) made you make it.
Kalyn Cherry

Dear Heath,

I am very sorry to hear of this announcement. The Honor Academy changed my life in a GREAT way! God used everything there to grow, equip, and teach me how to truly live for Him. I am so thankful for all of the leaders who have given of themselves so that young people can come to Christ. It is very heartbreaking to see those who are not walking in the truth.

I am confident that God will continue to direct the leadership at Teen Mania as young people continue to be reached!
Natalie Haskell

ESOAL is ending?!?!
That’s a miracle.
Praise God that ESOAL is ending! Seriously!
What a gross, sick, jacked up way to control people. Ew. I can not wait until Teen Mania’s doors are closed for good. That will be an even greater day.

I don’t buy for a minute that the reason ESOAL is ending is because of poor media attention.

Nealbinghamjr

Your an idiot! An obviously didnt learn a thing. Hopefully one day you will learn the life lessons an principles that were intended.

shannonkish

Now, THAT is some Christian love and Christ like treatment if I have every seen it. And sadly, I Neal,,YOU are a product of the Honor Academy. Great job, Heath and other leaders, you have successfully produced unmoving,,unkind,,and far from Christ like individuals.

Natalie Haskell

Thank you Shannon. SO appreciate you having my back. You are so amazing. And I’m so glad you have stuck this thing out for the long hall. I love you input!!!

Natalie Haskell

Glad you get a kick out of calling young girls names. Very respectful. You sound amazing as scum.

And, if you’re saying I didn’t learn a thing from ESOAL, you’re right. It was the most boring thing I’ve ever done. uhg, ESOAL was SO BORING. I can’t believe people liked it. The only people that think ESOAL is legit are people who still call Dave ‘Mr. Hasz’ and interns who think whenever Dave says ‘good job’ they suddenly think they can leap buildings. Or GI’s who like to shoot interns, cause they’re sick jerks. Or maybe if it’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done… Haha. that would be sad, but I suppose some kind of victory.

Wake up.

Trent Miller

I think ESOAL was a great LTE. I think anyone who dislikes esoal completley missed the life lesson it was supposed to give. I learned that there is nothing too hard for me to do. Everytime you go through a hardship in life you have a choice to either give up or endure through it. You had that same choice in esoal. I think the media is wrong because they fail to tell people that everyone going through this event has a choice to enter and a choice to quit.

Kelly, you’re totally right in saying that nobody is ever pushed to there limit anymore. In todays society people just give up when things get tough. That’s why the divorce rate is so high in our country and why there are so many people collecting un-employment.

As for Teen Mania I find it hard to believe that they are hindering anybody. I don’t understand how teaching somebody how to live a life of exellence just like Jesus did is a bad thing. I understand that there are many other things we need to learn from the Bible as well, and Teen Mania had some great teachers who tought on many of them. But anything we didn’t learn, like how to love, should have been learned when doing your 60 minute quiet time.

Thanks Mr. Luce and Mr. Hasz for being great leaders so many teens lives.

Michael C.

I think I learned for myself that you can do anything if you keep on pushing through: when I sat in an ATF call center for a year and I made calls all day long completely miserable, and yet at the end of the year I had a successful event. Those lessons were learned with dignity. No vomiting. No shaming myself into submission for the sick game of role play. And by the way, ESOAL will NEVER prepare you for the death of a child. Sorry Jon Hasz but that is the most ridiculous load of crap ever spouted on television. There are many ways to learn lessons and you don’t need to subject yourself to a ridiculous game of power/submission.

The media isn’t wrong. Sure it is an optional event – but I remember chiding people who didn’t want to do it because “they came to the HA to be challenged, why on earth would you not take this challenge.” The cultural pressure was evident. I don’t think you are in any place to explain away divorce and unemployment because people just give up. Those are complex issues. I know a lot of divorces nowadays are happening because homosexuals are married to the opposite sex because they could never “pray the gay away.” That is because it will never go away. Divorce is probably the best choice in those cases.

All we know – allegedly – is that Jesus lived a sinless life. We don’t know that he did everything with “excellence”. A “60-minute” quiet time is a legalistic requirement of the Honor Academy. It isn’t real life. Is it good to have solitude time on a regular basis where one may seek development and guidance? Sure. Putting a time frame on it and saying that one would learn how to “love” is brainwashed Teen Mania rhetoric. You learn to love with action. You don’t learn to speak spanish by reading about it, you do it. I would never learn to love my dysfunctional family by sitting on my carpet reading Psalms for an hour a day. No, you learn to love my being confronted by atrocious experiences that demand a choice of sacrifice in the face of awful circumstances.

Were there good things about ESOAL? They are minimal. It is pointless now trying to explain away the event when so much of it was bad. I am so glad it is cancelled – although I just think it is a media stunt. If the heart of Teen Mania was to truly do the right thing and seek restitution with those who participated in the Board of Directors inquiry – then the alumni wouldn’t have been swept under the rug with a fake “investigation.” I spent nearly three years with Teen Mania and none of these reactions bring any surprise to me. I suggest you start to do some critical thinking free from brainwashed rhetoric.

KristinC

”
. And by the way, ESOAL will NEVER prepare you for the death of a child. Sorry Jon Hasz but that is the most ridiculous load of crap ever spouted on television.”

Not to mention one of the most offensive comments ever made by someone from TM!!!! What an INSULT to anyone who has had the misfortune of losing a child!I bet Jon Hasz would like to take a Mulligan on that comment…..

Julia Keith Weis

Well i liked it and enjoyed working for Heath Stoner and Randy Olssen. I liked the class of 03′ 04′ what a great class of people! Im glad I got to experience Esoal!

Julia Weis
Paul Heller

Man, that’s really too bad, but I can understand why it’s necessary.

Over the past 6 years since I graduated from the HA core adviser program, I have remembered ESOAL very often with great fondness as one of the most impactful events of my life – indeed, perhaps the most impactful. I recall with great emotion the friendships I formed with other brothers and sisters who chose to persevere, even when it would have been fine to call it quits.

Although it had its flaws, God used ESOAL to help me overcome enormous obstacles in my life. I consider myself truly privileged to have had the opportunity to participate in this, now, historical event.

I see real, genuine wisdom in this move by TM leadership, but I, like many others, am sad that it needs to happen. My wife and I are praying for you guys that Teen Mania’s years of most fruitful ministry are yet to come.

God bless and Trailer Forever!
deleted

I find it hilarious that earlier today there were 115 comments, but once all of the dissenting voices were deleted, you’re left with only twenty-five.

You’re digging your own grave without anyone else’s help.
Elle

Glad this horrible activity was finally suspended. Sad that the reasoning was not because staff realized the damage it can do. But a victory is a victory.
Ledia

I really got encouraged to see all the young people participating and growing during Esoal and Pearl but also TM has a lot of other great LTE’s that will teach to the interns the same values and help them grow in different areas like: Mountain LTE, World Awareness, UPG, Fasting, Men’s and Women’s etc. I have seen so many powerful changes during these LTE’s as well.
Matthew M.

I’ll second this. Who cares about bad PR? If it’s a valuable tool for training tomorrow’s leaders, keep doing it. There will always be haters; if you are doing what is right, why should the opinion of the “secular media” matter?
Zac S.

You need to pick your battles. I’m confident that the leadership of Teen Mania are genuine and that they do their best to be in step with the Holy Spirit and His guidance. Ministries change over time and Teen Mania is continually growing for the better. Their creativity, passion, and heart are in step with Christ and will undoubtedly bring them to new ways of equipping the future generation of leaders with the fortitude, endurance and character that they’ll need to expand the Kingdom of God. Keep fighting Staff & Interns, you’re empowered by the very same spirit that raised Christ from the dead.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651175873 Breanna Donahue

your not doing it in love.
Shannon Kish

You are not posting in excellence. Your grammar and spelling is horrible.
Alumnus

“Please elaborate…”
she said please. how much more polite/loving could she be? are you confronting her in love, or out of defensiveness and a desire to prove your “side” is right? i believe she asked a legit question politely. there was no harshness there. nitpicking is not loving.
Natalie Haskell

Breanna. I think you might want to actually read the bible. No one knows the heart and who are Christians to judge those we do not believe…
That’s a place to start.

I’m not really TRYING to be rude. Other then I’m so annoyed at how easily you and YOU’RE pose mis-use the bible. And so… obviously.