Mission Bible Training Center
473 Parkway Drive
Salyersville, KY 41465
(606) 349-7607
www.missionteens.com
Providing hope for the hopeless.
Those willing to seek God
For answers to life’s problems.
THE FOUNDER
Rev. James D. Bracken founded Mission Teens, Inc. in 1969. He opened the first residential center in Norma, New Jersey after much prayer. He knew there was a need for a more effective ministry for the troubled younger people that were attending his home prayer meetings. After 2 years of little results in the center, God answered his prayer by dictating to him a program that, when put into effect, brought immediate results in the people’s lives. This same program is still used today in all of the Mission Teens centers, and the results are still phenomenal.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rev. Steve Schwartz
Gaastra, MI.
(906) 265-9546
THE MINISTRY
Since 1962, it has been Rev. Bracken’s desire to minister God’s love to people. He has seen this desire fulfilled as over the years he has touched the lives of thousands through his radio ministry, home prayer groups, newsletter articles, prison outreach and personal counseling. Jim has given his life to ministering the gospel to the lost and to teaching others to do likewise. The Mission Teens ministry is the result of and a reflection of Jim’s own ministry.
THE STAFF
Almost all of our staff are graduates of the discipleship-training program. They do not receive any salary, but work as missionaries, giving back their life to serve the Lord by reaching out to others. The Assistant Executive Directors at each center work directly with Steve to train the staff, oversee the general condition of the buildings, raise the necessary support, as well as teach, counsel, etc. Each center also has an Overseer who is in charge of daily operations. Anyone seeking admission into a center needs to call the overseer at the center.
FUNDING/EXPENSES
Mission Teens, Inc. is a faith-based ministry. We do not charge for our services and we do not receive any funding from the government. All of our support comes from concerned individuals and a few churches who are sensitive to the type of work we do. We do not receive any denominational funding. (We are non-denominational.) Each of our centers is expected to raise its own support from local sources.
We do not charge anyone for the services we provide. Our goal is to help people who have life-controlling problems, such as drug or alcohol addictions, by ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. We believe that the gospel should be free to all.
ABOUT THE CURRICULUM
We treat each resident as a member of the family. The newer residents are treated as younger children, but each child is expected to mature and take more and more responsibility. There are 5 ½ hours each day spent in bible study and worship and the course amounts to approximately one year of bible school. There is a comprehensive study of the New Testament and a general survey of the Old Testament. Each resident matures through four phases of discipleship development, gaining more and more responsibilities and privileges. They will learn to lead devotions, counsel, teach and discipline. They will be able to direct others to Christ. They will grow in decision-making and learn to make a stand for the Lord.
PURPOSE
It is our goal to direct people to the Lord Jesus Christ, to find love and purpose for their lives and to make disciples of them as the Bible directs.
LENGTH AND STRUCTURE
The discipleship training is divided into 4 phases, with increasing responsibilities and privileges as the resident completes each phase. An additional 10-12 month staff-training program may be offered to the graduate if he wishes to stay and help run the center.
Upon entering the program, the resident will be given a 2-month induction period with few privileges other than sending and receiving mail, and will have no responsibilities other than simple daily chores. He is, in fact, on retreat to seek the Lord. Generally, it is during this time that he will receive salvation and the Holy Spirit. In the next 2 stages, he will begin to assume certain job responsibilities, which will add pressure and lead him to the Lord for help. With these increased responsibilities come additional privileges, such as receiving and making phone calls, visits from family and weekends at home. In the final phase of the program, the resident actually is in training to be a counselor and will counsel another resident of a lower status and then make a report to senior staff. In this way he will learn to help others as he was helped.
Each graduate of the program will receive a diploma to be presented to him/her at the Annual Graduation Banquet.
Each person in the program will be required to follow a daily schedule, which includes attending Bible classes and devotional meetings, receiving counsel, participating in recreational activities and work chores. Written compositions or Bible verses, loss of privileges, or extra work chores will be given to help correct negative behavior.
YOU CAN HELP, TOO
There are many opportunities for you to get involved with us and help throughout the year. Volunteers lead all of our classes and night meetings. Some are teachers at their church, some are previous graduates, and some are just Christian friends of the Mission. If you would like to help by teaching a class, call the center and speak to one of the directors. Typically we keep a full schedule of teachers for regular classes, but Saturday night is reserved for guest speakers.
During the holidays we have many special activities such as talent show, food drives, special meals, etc. You can help by donating food or funds, or just by coming out to fellowship with us for a holiday.
Also, throughout the year, we have a few fund-raising efforts. Any assistance you can provide in this area is greatly appreciated.
Let us know if you want to help in any way. We would be grateful for it.
Contributions can be sent to:
KENTUCKY MBTC
PO BOX 293
SALYERSVILLE, KY 41465
All Contributions are tax-deductible
MAILING LIST
We publish a newsletter each month, which contains testimonies as well as information about upcoming events, needs, etc., and a letter, intended to minister encouragement to its readers. If you would like to be put on our mailing list, please send your name and address to the above address or call one of the Director’s at (606) 349-7607. Our mailing list is our primary source of fundraising as people are moved by the Spirit to contribute when they read about our ministry and learn how we work. We are sure it will minister to you too.
THE MISSION CENTERS
Mission Teens Norma (856) 691-9855
Located near Vineland, New Jersey. The Norma Center is the original Mission Teens center
Restoration Ranch (256) 381-0930
Located in Tuscumbia, Alabama which is in the mountains of northwest Alabama, this center has log-cabin type dormitories separating the men from the women
Mission Bible Training Center (906) 265-6247
Located in the upper peninsula of Michigan, this center has the least turnover rate
Sonrise MBTC (954) 485-0951
Located near downtown Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, this center has summer all year long. We are a ray of hope in the heart of the south Florida drug and crime problems
Savannah MBTC (912) 234-7000
This center is a real “southern mansion” located in scenic Savannah, Georgia
Northwest MBTC (503) 289-7758)
This mission is located in downtown Portland, Oregon
Midwest MBTC (563) 547-3286
Located in Cresco, Iowa
Mountain of Mercy Mission Farm (707) 725-1743
This Mission is located in the mountains of Honeydew, California
First Fruits MBTC (618) 498-3560
Located in Jerseyville, Illinois
House of Hope MBTC (812) 446-1717
Located in Brazil, Indiana
Crossville MBTC (931) 484-9935
On the beautiful Cumberland Plateau in Crossville, Tennessee
Grace MBTC (870) 573-6414
Located in northeast Arkansas and is a former church camp on Crowley Ridge in Paragould, Arkansas
God’s New Life MBTC (870) 358-4851
Also located in northeast Arkansas in Marked Tree
Set Free MBTC (270) 377-0075
Located in Western Kentucky in Greenville
Ohio MBTC (937) 509-0373
Located in Hillsboro, Ohio
Freedom House MBTC (618) 946-9570
Located in Holcomb, Missouri
Genesis MBTC (256) 702-0035
Located in Northport, Alabama
Lion Den MBTC (989)-275-0929
Located in Roscommon, Michigan
Victory MBTC (931) 250-6779
Located in Center Ridge, Arkansas
THE DAILY SCHEDULE
SUCCESS RATE
Since 1969, over 20,000 people have come into the various Mission Teens centers. In our annual review, we hear from about 65% of our graduates, and of those, approximately 90% are doing well. In addition, approximately 40% of the non-graduates we hear from are doing well also. Many have gone into Christian ministries and some have stayed on to work in the centers.
ACCEPTANCE
Adults (ages 18 and up) can apply to any of our centers for help. Admission is on a bed available basis. Our centers are open to both men and women. All we ask is that the person be willing to seek God for answers to their life, and be willing and be able to follow the schedule of the program.
Prospective residents should call the Overseer at the center of their choice. A preliminary interview may be done over the phone according to the distance from facility, but most centers require the person to come in to see the facility and meet the staff before being accepted.
We do require some initial blood tests (and a pregnancy test for the ladies) before accepting a person, (neither of these results weigh on acceptance). Also, the incoming resident are required to have a return ticket (or an equivalent.) It is important to know the program is highly structured. If a person cannot follow the structure of the rules and schedule, they will not be permitted to stay. The return ticket is used in the event that we must ask a person to leave.
Any serious health or legal problems should be taken care of before coming into the center. Only emergency medical care will be sought for the person while in the training program and any medical expenses are the responsibility of the resident. The Resident Director at the center must approve all prescription medications. Typically, only non-addictive, non-narcotic medications will be approved. All medications are administered by the staff according to prescription.
Providing Help for the Desperate
Kentucky Mission Bible Training Center, a branch of Mission Teens, Inc., is a non-profit, non-denominational, faith-based organization with a Christ-centered residential discipleship program for people of all backgrounds, with histories of drugs, alcohol and emotional problems.
KMBTC DIRECTORS
- Chad & Amy Ellis, Directors
- Clair Florence, Resident Director
- Jeff Liscik, Assistant Resident Director
- Daniel Allen, Assistant Resident Director
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