OUR BELIEFS, OUR MISSION, OUR GOALS
We Believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and is man’s only salvation from the penalty of sin through faith in His blood atonement at the cross. We believe He is the only begotten Son of God (God incarnate). The Holy Bible is His inspired written Word for our direction.
Our Mission is to build intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual character into struggling teens, and their families, so they may use their integrity of character to integrate and impact today’s culture for the glory of God, and the benefit of society.
Our Goal is to provide a Christ-centered community model where struggling teens can experience life where healthy boundaries are defined, enforced, and enjoyed.
Because we believe Holy Scripture to be the final authority for truth, life, and family living, our philosophy is to heed God’s principles. We strive to mentor SHA residents in a Christ-like manner with the truth of God’s love, training, nurture, education, and discipline. An environment that is structured, yet not-threatening, and where healthy boundaries are clearly defined, enjoyed, and enforced with consistency, are the means by which such mentoring is achieved.
And, although residents know our motives for adhering to clear and healthy boundaries are rooted in God’s will for our own lives, no staff member will force-feed his or her faith on any resident. And, nobody at SHA will discriminate against a resident who chooses not to accept Christ.
Shepherd’s Hill Academy (SHA) is an unapologetically Christ-centered program. We are a wilderness-style therapeutic program, but also an accredited junior and senior high school (students who graduate receive diplomas) with a fully equipped on-campus school building and certified teachers.
By wilderness-style program, we don’t mean to imply that our residents are in survival mode or living outside under the stars. They do, however, intentionally live in primitive cabins that they help build and maintain. We have found that the challenge of living in a primitive environment takes them out of their comfort zone. It also relieves them of the many negative cultural influences that have helped influence so many of their faulty attitudes and behaviors. Since SHA residents have no access to electronic gadgets, they will never have a better opportunity to contemplate the deeper issues of life—issues such as origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. That is, after all, the reason why they are here — to gain a new perspective and respect for themselves, God and others.
The primitive living experience, where cooperation is necessary for even the most basic daily needs, is a significant motivator toward re-thinking one’s role in society and one’s obligation to others. It’s an environment where kids are not just taught what to think, but how to think. They come to understand that responsibilities and obligations are to be exercised before rights and privileges can be enjoyed. They come to see that God, not them, is the preeminent Entity of the universe.