"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it" Hab. 2:2

Introduction

"The mentally ill" - these are the most suffering, and yet the most neglected, people in our society. All could be helped, and many (perhaps all) could recover under the right circumstances - the "right" circumstances being, separation from the things that hinder their recovery, exposure to God's healing Word, good nutrition and medical care, a structured environment, and lot's of Christian love. All want their life back, and most already want to live the Christian life. They're just people. Jesus is their only hope. The harvest is ready, but there are few labors in this field. Will you labor here? Will you catch the vision?

Christian Support Groups

Small informal Christian cell groups, pooling information, ideas, and resources to better the lives of families in which there is suffering from emotional and/or mental disorders. These may meet in homes or other designated places. As the cells grow, they will split and grow more cells, thus spreading into more communities. These cells would be strongly connected and have periodical meetings where they can come together in a larger gathering to support and to strengthen one another in the Lord. There is power in unity. In Acts chapter two, they were all in one mind and one accord when the Holy Ghost came upon them in a powerful way., emboldening them to do the work to which they were called.

Christian Community Outreach

We are trusting that this ministry will stem from the Support Group: When we learn of a family who has a member with an emotional and/or mental disorder, we will go to them and offer our Christian services. We will befriend the family, while helping to encourage their afflicted loved one toward wholeness in Christ Jesus. We will "go into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in", Luke 14:22.

Christian Day Care Program

For those who live at home: Local day care centers where families can rest assured that their loved one will be exposed to the clear life-changing principles of Christ, and protected from the harmful attitudes, philosophies, entertainments, and hurts, which so easily set them back in their progress toward wholeness.

Christian Community

Christian community with a discipleship program similar to that of Teen Challenge, but geared for the protection and recovery of those with emotional/mental disorders, and as a permanent home for those who need it. Exposure to the Word produces faith for healing. The community would provide protection from wrong influences, while providing the healthy structured environment with strong Biblical influence needed for recovery.

Finer Details On Charis Christian Community

Because we would leave no doubt as to Charis Christian Community being "Christian", and to prevent any later confusion as to where we stand in this endeavor, we would have it clear from the start, that our intention is to use clear, practical, Biblical principles and teachings in our ministry to the mentally ill without mixture of philosophies and religions. We also believe that good nutrition, medical care, and the stability of an uncomplicated structured lifestyle, in a joyful, loving, protective atmosphere, are absolutely necessary for recovery. It will not be required that a person, needing our help, be a Christian upon entering CCC, but they must be aware that Biblical doctrine, principles, and lifestyle are the absolute rule to which they will be asked to submit.

The yoke of a mental/emotional disorder is a hard yoke to bear, not only for the sufferer, but for the family as well. God's Word, the Bible, has instructed us to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ". We take Biblical instruction seriously. No one suffering so severely should be left to suffer alone. At CCC, we want to treat each member of the community as we would want to be treated.

When established as Charis Christian Community Farms, CCC plans to welcome those on medications for mental/emotional disorders as well as those not on medications. Our desire is to meet each "member" where they are, and go from there on the journey toward wholeness.

There will be separate communities for males and females. The full attention must be drawn toward recovery without added emotional entanglements.

There is need for small one-occupant rooms w/bath for each member in the first stages of treatment. The picking up of, and/or encouragement of, wrong attitudes and philosophies must be prevented.

We will keep a full schedule of enjoyable activities, with adequate rest periods in order to keep the mind too busy to fall back into the unhealthy and tormenting thought patterns. This will all be done with the individual's needs in mind, and with utmost compassion.

It is our sincere goal to help each member discover their God-given abilities and talents, and encourage the use of such to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the furtherance of His kingdom. At CCC we intend to infuse each member with the motivation to "aim high and shoot straight".

CCC hopes to eventually become completely self-supportive as new and innovative ideas are brought into reality. Also, we are hopeful of establishing savings accounts for each member as a "nest egg" to help begin life anew upon return to the outside community and to the Church family of their choice. We are trusting God also for programs to teach members of the Church how to welcome and befriend those who have regained their life and returned to their communities.

What can you do to help? Sincerely pray for us and all who are endeavoring to minister hope to these hurting people, communicate with us, educate yourself and others concerning mental illness, and get involved.

We are hoping for many Churches and Christian organizations to catch the vision of CCC and establish such places of refuge all over the nation because the need is so great.

There will be many opportunities for members of local Churches to get involved in such a ministry. Much can be done through volunteers. There will be opportunities for volunteers to teach outdoor skills, and to set up classes (1-2 hrs per wk or month) at local CCC farm's to teach their skills (arts and crafts, etc) in a fun and encouraging way. We hope also to create things that will enable the members of CCC to bless the Churches and surrounding community (choir, plays, etc). This is a wonderful way to minister to the emotionally and mentally hurting and allow them, in turn, to know they also are being a blessing to others instead of feeling they are a burden to society.

In the CCC vision, opportunities are plentiful for many volunteers, both professionals and non-professionals.

With the establishment of places like CCC we can pick up the man on the Jericho road and have an "inn" to which we can take him for restoration.

Please go to page two for the deveopment plan for Charis Christian Community. You can get there by clicking on the below link. Thanks! Rosemary