2007-03-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

Not Forgotten, Just on Pause::

For those of you logging on from Kansas City and from Atlanta, WELCOME!!! As you can see, not much has changed within these pages in the last 17 months. Don't be discouraged, though - the Mission is not forgotten. My efforts have been "put on pause" that I might be emersed in a new job in order to train me for administrative duties in future roles. (Let me tell you, the challenge is working!) Also, the past 9 months have been filled with expectancy as we anticipate the birth of Ellie Altman, due this Tuesday, 3/20/07. FYI: Induction will be 3/26 if no baby by then.

So, please stay tuned for more details. The goal is STILL to give birth to this ministry and to coordinate all of the services mentioned in October '05's post. Some will change slightly, but the purposes will remain the same.

Please leave comments if you'd like, and please pray for us!

2005-10-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

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.