PARENT TESTIMONIES
"I would tell any parent: run, don’t walk, to CEM." |
"Above all, CEM provided an environment of unconditional acceptance, support, and concern. |
"CEM is an amazing medium through which God works miracles in the lives of young people." |
My wife and I can't say enough good things about CEM, and we are so, so grateful to God for leading us and our son to the CEM program. We have gone from deep despair and anguish over our son, to joy and hope and deep gratefulness
- Wil & Donna, Parents of Former CEM Student
"[CEM] staff loves the LORD and longs to see healing and success in each young life that comes in." |
"I am so glad I decided to give CEM a chance!...The only thing I would change is going to them sooner, before things got worse. I am so grateful for what CEM has done for my daughter and our family. |
The unconditional love we have all experienced at CEM has changed all of our lives...Our child has returned to us, and with God's help CEM saved our child. |
Elaine, 2018 (Mother of Former Student)
"As a family, we had exploded and we needed help. I was desperate, I don’t know what my family would look like if CEM didn’t help my son. CEM saved our whole family.
Parents are afraid to send their kids somewhere where their kids will get harmed. There isn’t anyone that I wouldn’t send to the Ranch. I would tell any parent: run, don’t walk, to CEM."
"As a family, we had exploded and we needed help. I was desperate, I don’t know what my family would look like if CEM didn’t help my son. CEM saved our whole family.
Parents are afraid to send their kids somewhere where their kids will get harmed. There isn’t anyone that I wouldn’t send to the Ranch. I would tell any parent: run, don’t walk, to CEM."
Diana, 2018 (Grandmother of Former Student)
"To those seeking help: We were at a loss. We had lost our daughter to cancer and we were not going to lose our granddaughter to drugs. We had tried everything we knew or heard of. A counselor suggested Christian Encounter Ministries (CEM). We were not a religious family, but a long term program was what our granddaughter needed to kick the habit and get away from the life she was involved in. We went to visit CEM at the "Ranch" as it became known as. It was peaceful and beautiful. The students seem happy and everyone was welcoming. Of course our granddaughter was not buying it. A year or more was more then she could fathom or commit to. We told her again she could not live with us if she was a drug addict. She stated she would quit, it didn't happen. She decided to give CEM a shot. Sierra had her ups and downs but this was the best decision she had ever made. |
The unconditional love we have all experienced at CEM has changed all of our lives...Our child has returned to us, and with God's help CEM saved our child. |
Sierra stayed [at CEM] a year and became the person we knew she could be. She has gained confidence, good work ethic, acceptance of who she is and a desire to be a productive member of society.
The unconditional love we have all experienced at CEM has changed all of our lives. |
Others have told us that CEM has saved their child and now we are one of those grandparents wanting to spread the word. Our child has returned to us, and with God's help CEM saved our child. "
Stephen, 2018 (Grandfather of Former Student)
"My granddaughter's background has been traumatic - loss of her mother at age 8 (brain tumor), subsequent loss of her father, and a learning disability. After high school, she began a period of drug use and homelessness. She has been involved with several rehabilitation attempts, none of which were successful. The Ranch was the answer.
In October of 2016, my granddaughter began her journey with Christian Encounter Ministries. For one year she became a member of the CEM family which included fellow students, interns who worked with her constantly, staff who provided training, education, counseling, and guidance, and other members of the church community.
CEM provided structure, including education, work assignments, and a regular schedule of activities. It also provided exceptional outings and events: a snow camping trip (where the students learned to build an igloo), an extended backpacking trip in the Sierras, participation in the Agony Ride, and others. But above all, it provided an environment of unconditional acceptance, support, and concern.
After one year, my granddaughter finished the CEM program. She returned a significantly different person: happier, more responsible, structured, more confident and mature, and ready to begin a normal life. She is now employed and moving forward.
"My granddaughter's background has been traumatic - loss of her mother at age 8 (brain tumor), subsequent loss of her father, and a learning disability. After high school, she began a period of drug use and homelessness. She has been involved with several rehabilitation attempts, none of which were successful. The Ranch was the answer.
In October of 2016, my granddaughter began her journey with Christian Encounter Ministries. For one year she became a member of the CEM family which included fellow students, interns who worked with her constantly, staff who provided training, education, counseling, and guidance, and other members of the church community.
CEM provided structure, including education, work assignments, and a regular schedule of activities. It also provided exceptional outings and events: a snow camping trip (where the students learned to build an igloo), an extended backpacking trip in the Sierras, participation in the Agony Ride, and others. But above all, it provided an environment of unconditional acceptance, support, and concern.
After one year, my granddaughter finished the CEM program. She returned a significantly different person: happier, more responsible, structured, more confident and mature, and ready to begin a normal life. She is now employed and moving forward.
I would suggest that anyone considering CEM should pay a visit and talk to the students, interns, and staff. If you have the opportunity, come to the Agony Ride, and watch everybody - students, interns, staff, the community, and riders - all involved in the support of this program. It is a wonderful thing that a program such as this is available to help young adults who are struggling in life - to help them find their way."
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"Above all, CEM provided an environment of unconditional acceptance, support, and concern. |
Doug, 2016 (Father of Former Student)
"CEM is an amazing medium through which God works miracles in the lives of young people. We had lost our son through a variety of circumstances, substances, and experiences...Our beloved son has returned to us, and we are eternally grateful to God, and to CEM, for all that we have been given. God bless the Ranch and all the Ranch staff!" "CEM is an amazing medium through |
Julie, 2016 (Mother of Former Student)
Christian Encounter Ministries has greatly impacted my family's life, in ways we never imagined. Before CEM, my daughter, Madison, was in a dark place. It felt as if our family was disconnected; our relationship was shaky. Madison struggled with suicidal depression, and anger issues that consumed her. Everything I did, as her mother, seemed to make everything worse. There was a toxic hate that seemed to plague her, and it was a fearful time for all of us. After a year of consideration, I am so glad I decided to give CEM a chance!
CEM provided Madison with an environment that was tranquil. The interns helped lead her to scripture and gave her an outlet to deal with her feelings. With the help of God, they helped her build social skills and problem solve.
When Madison was struggling at public school, she prospered at CEM. The schooling was personalized and the teachers cared for Madison, often giving her one-on-one lessons.
When Madison came home, CEM continued to provide outreach services to her. They helped her feel ready to face adulthood, by keeping in close contact. It was clear that CEM is interested in Madison's continued success. They provided her with resources for higher education and employment. Even before she came home, she already seemed to be a totally different person, joyous and peaceful. Madison is currently working close to home, and is a valued employee.
Madison looks back at her time at CEM with fondness, as do I. She has gained many lifelong friends and a new attitude from her time there. She carries her experiences with her and her enthusiasm is contagious. Madison, and our family, is in a better place thanks to CEM. The only thing I would change is going to them sooner, before things got worse. I am so grateful for what CEM has done for my daughter and our family.
Christian Encounter Ministries has greatly impacted my family's life, in ways we never imagined. Before CEM, my daughter, Madison, was in a dark place. It felt as if our family was disconnected; our relationship was shaky. Madison struggled with suicidal depression, and anger issues that consumed her. Everything I did, as her mother, seemed to make everything worse. There was a toxic hate that seemed to plague her, and it was a fearful time for all of us. After a year of consideration, I am so glad I decided to give CEM a chance!
CEM provided Madison with an environment that was tranquil. The interns helped lead her to scripture and gave her an outlet to deal with her feelings. With the help of God, they helped her build social skills and problem solve.
When Madison was struggling at public school, she prospered at CEM. The schooling was personalized and the teachers cared for Madison, often giving her one-on-one lessons.
When Madison came home, CEM continued to provide outreach services to her. They helped her feel ready to face adulthood, by keeping in close contact. It was clear that CEM is interested in Madison's continued success. They provided her with resources for higher education and employment. Even before she came home, she already seemed to be a totally different person, joyous and peaceful. Madison is currently working close to home, and is a valued employee.
Madison looks back at her time at CEM with fondness, as do I. She has gained many lifelong friends and a new attitude from her time there. She carries her experiences with her and her enthusiasm is contagious. Madison, and our family, is in a better place thanks to CEM. The only thing I would change is going to them sooner, before things got worse. I am so grateful for what CEM has done for my daughter and our family.
Wil & Donna, 2016 (Parents of Former Student)
We are so grateful to God for CEM. By God's grace, our son's time at CEM brought him through a very difficult time, and he is doing well now.
We work overseas in Asia, and our son grew up in Asia. After transitioning back to the U.S. for high school, he developed rather severe depression during his last two years of high school. Signs of depression were there earlier, but we didn't catch it, in spite of the fact that depression and debilitating anxiety run in the family.
During his junior year in high school, we began taking him to a Christian counselor. The counselor helped us to understand some of what our son was going through, but didn't seem to help our son. After high school, our son began college, but in the first semester went into such a deep depression that he had to quit. He then lived with us; it was a very difficult time for all of us. He would try to work, then depression would take over, and he would stop. He had no motivation to move forward, or do anything at all. We couldn't tell if it was just depression, rebellion, or a mix. This went on for over a year. We were at our wit's end, not knowing what to do or how to help our son. We didn't want him to just be at home with us and languish, but he didn't seem to have the ability to do things on his own. We talked with a different Christian counselor about intervention, having Joseph leave home and be at a shelter, if that's what it took. At this time, we became aware of CEM, checked it out ourselves online, and discussed it with Joseph. My wife and I knew that we needed to move forward with the plans God had for our lives (to move back to work in Asia) so we gave Joseph a deadline to decide what he was going to do. He looked up the program at CEM online, considered his options, and decided that he would go there. We were thrilled that he made this decision. He was 20 years old at the time. It was a big step into the unknown for him and for us. In January 2015 my wife and I flew with our son from NJ to CA and entrusted him into God's hands. We prayed a lot about whether this was something God wanted us to do to help our son, and we were assured that it was.
My wife and I are Christians, desiring to serve God, so our son grew up learning about God through scripture, prayer, love, and a life of service to God. However, he had not yet come to the point of accepting God's grace and Christ's Lordship.
His time at CEM was difficult at first. He said he was withdrawn and angry a lot of the time. But God worked in his heart over the months, and our son truly accepted Christ during his time at CEM. That didn't solve all the problems; he still wrestled with depression, but it began a healing process that continues today.
Our son was at the CEM ranch for one and a half years. He was a very different person at the end of that time. Before going to CEM, he was still immature in many ways, a 'late bloomer.' But during his time at CEM he began to mature in faith and in character, and began to have hope. He developed some very good friendships with some of the students and interns; they were able to help and encourage each other.
We are so grateful to God for CEM. By God's grace, our son's time at CEM brought him through a very difficult time, and he is doing well now.
We work overseas in Asia, and our son grew up in Asia. After transitioning back to the U.S. for high school, he developed rather severe depression during his last two years of high school. Signs of depression were there earlier, but we didn't catch it, in spite of the fact that depression and debilitating anxiety run in the family.
During his junior year in high school, we began taking him to a Christian counselor. The counselor helped us to understand some of what our son was going through, but didn't seem to help our son. After high school, our son began college, but in the first semester went into such a deep depression that he had to quit. He then lived with us; it was a very difficult time for all of us. He would try to work, then depression would take over, and he would stop. He had no motivation to move forward, or do anything at all. We couldn't tell if it was just depression, rebellion, or a mix. This went on for over a year. We were at our wit's end, not knowing what to do or how to help our son. We didn't want him to just be at home with us and languish, but he didn't seem to have the ability to do things on his own. We talked with a different Christian counselor about intervention, having Joseph leave home and be at a shelter, if that's what it took. At this time, we became aware of CEM, checked it out ourselves online, and discussed it with Joseph. My wife and I knew that we needed to move forward with the plans God had for our lives (to move back to work in Asia) so we gave Joseph a deadline to decide what he was going to do. He looked up the program at CEM online, considered his options, and decided that he would go there. We were thrilled that he made this decision. He was 20 years old at the time. It was a big step into the unknown for him and for us. In January 2015 my wife and I flew with our son from NJ to CA and entrusted him into God's hands. We prayed a lot about whether this was something God wanted us to do to help our son, and we were assured that it was.
My wife and I are Christians, desiring to serve God, so our son grew up learning about God through scripture, prayer, love, and a life of service to God. However, he had not yet come to the point of accepting God's grace and Christ's Lordship.
His time at CEM was difficult at first. He said he was withdrawn and angry a lot of the time. But God worked in his heart over the months, and our son truly accepted Christ during his time at CEM. That didn't solve all the problems; he still wrestled with depression, but it began a healing process that continues today.
Our son was at the CEM ranch for one and a half years. He was a very different person at the end of that time. Before going to CEM, he was still immature in many ways, a 'late bloomer.' But during his time at CEM he began to mature in faith and in character, and began to have hope. He developed some very good friendships with some of the students and interns; they were able to help and encourage each other.
I know 'amazing' is overused, but we have to say the staff at CEM is just that, amazing. They are patient, loving, and able to deal with the kids' issues, some of them quite severe, with tremendous grace. When we first read about the CEM Ranch rules, we thought things like no cell phones, limited phone calls and very little freedom were a bit over the top. It turns out that's exactly what our son needed, to have nothing hinder or distract him from what God wanted to do in his life. Not fun for the kids sometimes, but it's what they need. Our son has benefited from a constant loving community, seeing Christ lived out in the lives of those at CEM.
After leaving CEM, our son served with Youth With A Mission, and did a missions trip overseas. Now he is returning to CEM to be an intern, and he has a heart to love and minister to kids who need God, and are having a hard time with life. My wife and I can't say enough good things about CEM, and we are so, so grateful to God for leading us and our son to the CEM program. We have gone from deep despair and anguish over our son, to joy and hope and deep gratefulness |
My wife and I can't say enough good things about CEM, and we are so, so grateful to God for leading us and our son to the CEM program. We have gone from deep despair and anguish over our son, to joy and hope and deep gratefulness |
"[CEM] staff loves the LORD and longs to see healing and success in each young life |
Laura, 2015 (Mother of Former Student)
"Things turned upside in our family and our child hated us and would not communicate with us. We tried many different things i.e. schools and counseling but nothing seemed to help. Our child was so depressed we feared she would flee our home. CEM was a Godsend for her and us. With a loving staff, and interns, high school courses and counseling, she was able to get away from home to a safe place that helped her work through many issues that got in the way and helped her to focus on who God is to her personally, as well as continue her high school classes. Our daughter stayed in the program for 15 months and when she came back home the entire family was able to work through the areas of previous hurt and resentment. Today she is working and going to college with a bright hope for her future. I would recommend CEM to anyone who is looking for help for their child in a safe loving live-in Christian environment where the staff loves the LORD and longs to see healing and success in each young life that comes in." |