Tuesday, October 11, 2005

To All Fellow Lovers of God's Troubled Youth and Children,

OUR HOMEPAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. (THIS ISN'T IT.) THIS PAGE SERVES AS A DISCUSSION BOARD FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN THIS MINISTRY TO OFFER COMMENTARY ON THE ROAD HOME AND TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE AN INTEREST IN TROUBLED YOUTH AND CHILDREN.

TO SEE UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS OF OUR MINISTRY, PLEASE CLICK ON THE THE ROAD HOME::ROAD CONSTRUCTION LINK ON THE RIGHT OF THIS PAGE

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT FOR MARTY AND CAROLYN ALTMAN BY CLICKING ON "COMMENTS" AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST.


Hello! Thank you for taking the time to review this site.








PURPOSE STATEMENT:
THE ROAD HOME is a ministry created in order to connect troubled youth and children with the TRUTH that God LOVES them, has a GREAT PURPOSE for them, and wants a RELATIONSHIP with them.

We are based in Atlanta, GA, and are being birthed out of a revelation that God wants to both reach and use troubled youth and children for His kingdom in the days to come.

BASIS:
How a person addresses a problem is always based on his/her definition of the problem. Our definition of the problem is simple: The sad state of the American family has left many kids hurting for the TRUTH, which is necessary for children to grow into spiritually and emotionally healthy, purpose-filled adults. As a child, you cannot form a healthy identity without the truth of God's love . The best and most powerful source to teach and show you God's love is the family (Christian, married, heterosexual, stable, and loving). This is what God intended. All across America, however, children are suffering from a lack of familial support. Youth Detention Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals, Group Homes, Foster Homes, and even Homeless Shelters in our nation house children who are trying to deal with abandonment, anger, and hopelessness, among other problems. Often, these are combined with biological and/or psychological problems. Shame can engulf any child, especially one that is exposed to these elements. We draw our ability to love from how much love we have received in the past, especially during our childhood. Usually, the harder a child is to love, the less love that child receives. Troubled children are developing greater and greater "compassion deficits" making them socially withdrawn; not fixing, but worsening their existing problems.

We are not against justice for youth, but we do see the need to minister to, not just punish, the inward need that causes the outward problem. Troubled teens and children need to hear that they have been created for a purpose by a loving Father just as much or more than anyone. Can you really minister to people while they are living out consequences or in a time of a psychological crisis? We believe the answer is "Yes." Good churches have been doing it since Jesus' time. We call it redemption. We call it grace. We call it The Road Home.

FOUNDERS and FUTURE PLANS:
Our founders are Marty and Carolyn Altman, who are members of Great Commission Fellowship Church in Powder Springs, GA. We are currently building up two Resource Centers; one for parents, and foster parents, and another for teachers, ministers, and families looking to minister to troubled children. We are also becoming affiliated with Youth Groups who are after troubled kids and hoping to establish a Group Home to house and minister to especially hurting kids.

12 Comments:

At 6:01 PM, October 12, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a terrific vision!
Q: What is the meaning of your phrase...."youth groups are after our kids" at the end of your blog?

 
At 6:16 PM, October 12, 2005, Blogger maltman1 said...

To anonymous (who is probably Mike Stachura):
Thank you for asking for clarification. In my haste, I wrote an unclear statement and probably left a word or two out. One of the purposes of this ministry is to connect troubled youth and children with church ministries that will disciple them. As we are doing this, though, we are preparing those ministries with on-line resources. Our goal is to prepare their hearts for reaching the dejected so that they can pursue healthy relationships with the young ragamuffins of our world.

 
At 7:32 PM, October 12, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Marty and Carolyn,

Remember just last week I said to you.."Whenever I am lost I call you guys.." I think it's wonderful that you are reaching out to 'lost' children who need direction in their lives. Most people (me included!) get so busy we forget to reach out to others who need to know the wonderful news that God loves us all, even with our shortcomings!! Please remind me to connect you with another tutor, Steve, who has similar passions. Also, please let me know if I can help. I'll start with a prayer of thanksgiving right now!

 
At 5:23 AM, October 13, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 1:42 PM, October 13, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Marty,

I haven't been able to talk to you for awhile now and I knew that you would be busy doing something to help those you see in need. I think that God has given you a vision and that you will do God's work to the best of your abilities. I will try to email you later and do a better job of keeping in touch with you.

Jason

 
At 3:13 PM, October 13, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Marty-
What a great vision! I'm looking forward to more details about the on-line resources and how you will connect with the students and the step by step plans on what "the road home" looks like. Please let me know what I can do to help. Hoping to get together with you and Carolyn soon!!!

 
At 12:45 AM, October 14, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey guys,
awesome! praise the Lord! from my heart - this sounds like a fantastic ministry, and i'm eager to see it develop. from a writer - everything is clear and well-written :) hope to see you in a few weeks once i'm stateside.

 
At 6:12 AM, October 17, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Marty and Carolyn,
Hv either of you heard about "Break Fre Ranch" downin middle Georgia? They have a a wonderful work with troubled boys.
You can find them via CCC's prison ministry team of Johnny & Virginia Thompson, whom I know personally.
Let me know if you'd like to know more.
Mike St.

 
At 7:32 AM, October 17, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Marty and Carolyn,

What a blessing! I have always known that God has great plans for you.
Reminds me of some of NUMC youth and the roads that we have walked together.

Keep trusting the Lord as He directs your paths.

In Him, Mrs. Ann

 
At 11:04 AM, October 18, 2005, Blogger Jonathan said...

Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit with you Marty, but yes I was incredibly busy. I'm looking for a church in the area that will hire me so I CAN visit you more when I'm there! (I'm supposed to graduate in December, and want to move there afterwards, but I'm having a hard time finding a job in the area).

Your blog looks good, I'm adding it to my blogroll (list of blog links) so that hopefully people will visit you from my site.

I also am praying that God will bless you and Carolyn and your ministry. Your friendship has been a blessing in my life.

 
At 11:12 AM, October 18, 2005, Blogger Jonathan said...

PS: you should put up a picture of you and Carolyn on the profile, and fill out the settings according to the preferences of you two. That would be neat and we'd get to know the founders a little better!

 
At 8:03 AM, November 17, 2005, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Altman! (...guess who!)
Wow! This looks great! I'm so happy for you and Carolyn, and the vision you have for this ministry. Many blessings upon you both.

 

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