Anchor Academy for Boys in Havre, Montana.

[Anonymous]

Pastor read that article again:

Key points--it IS a branch of the Roloff ministries!
Montana's lack of autority to regulate such schools.

Are you just choosing to ignore these key points?

[Antigen]

Come on, Pastor. Think. I sort of wish the Baptist church was structured a little more like other mainstream denominations. That way, 'Pastor' would be short hand for a fairly reliable body of education and certification. But, as it is, I have no idea what your background is or your education.

Did you go to some sort of seminary? Have you any formal or informal training in human behavioral science like the Presby pasors usually have?

I'm asking because I just have a hard time understanding how you could be so niave. Unrepentant child abusers jump state and set up yet another facility where they have unrestricted access to more children. And you seem to just take their word for it that they've been cured of their evil ways, even when kids who have been there since the move try to tell you, from their firsthand experience, that this is just not so.

By what formula do you decide to believe the unrepentant child abusers over the abused children?

G:   "If we do happen to step on a mine, Sir, what do we do?"
EB:  "Normal procedure, Lieutenant, is to jump 200 feet in the air and scatter oneself over a wide area."
-- Somewhere in No Man's Land, BA4

[Pastor]

"Key points--it IS a branch of the Roloff ministries!
Montana's lack of autority to regulate such schools.

Are you just choosing to ignore these key points?"

No, I am not igonoring those points.  Have you ever tried to run a program under the juridiction of state regulations?   You who post on this site agree that state institutions are not safe either so we don't want to get into that.  There are some things that state government regulations are so strict on you can't afford to do them.  So, Montana has a lesser control.  That certainly doesn't mean that Anchor is doing wrong.  If they are, then it will be found out and they will be shut down.  Found out, it the questions. What does that mean?  Found out in my opinion is that they are found to be harming the students in abuse or neglect.  Discipline and rules are not harming and neglecting.   The post from a former Anchor student only infers things and doesn't say anything.  I wish he would contact me so I can know if what he is saying was abuse and if so, it needs to be uncovered.

[Pastor]

Come on, Pastor. Think. I sort of wish the Baptist church was structured a little more like other mainstream denominations. That way, 'Pastor' would be short hand for a fairly reliable body of education and certification. But, as it is, I have no idea what your background is or your education.

Did you go to some sort of seminary? Have you any formal or informal training in human behavioral science like the Presby pasors usually have?

Antigen wrote:  "I'm asking because I just have a hard time understanding how you could be so niave. Unrepentant child abusers jump state and set up yet another facility where they have unrestricted access to more children. And you seem to just take their word for it that they've been cured of their evil ways, even when kids who have been there since the move try to tell you, from their firsthand experience, that this is just not so.

By what formula do you decide to believe the unrepentant child abusers over the abused children? "

It is not just Baptists that are in question here.  We are independent to a degree but hopefully we have the sense to police ourselves.  Don't turn the tables and start to question anyone that questions your view.  Right is right and wrong is wrong, no matter who or what.  Truth is also truth and so is slander, slander.

[TimeBomb]

This thread is confusing, but I think what I see what you're trying to say here Pastor. Correct me if I'm wrong:

"Yes, Anchor Academy is connected to one of the most abusive, cram-the-bible-down-your-throat-under-coercion gulag chains  in the history of the world, but there is no connection."

[ This Message was edited by: TimeBomb on 2005-10-19 18:10 ]

[Deborah]

***Have you ever tried to run a program under the juridiction of state regulations?

Have you, Pastor?

***You who post on this site agree that state institutions are not safe either so we don't want to get into that.

That's right, and 99% of the time it's because they are in violation of regs- illegal restraint being top of the list, medical neglect, out right abuse too. While many violations in programs are frequently overlooked, ocassionally it happens that someone's conscience is working and they do the right thing. Or they can no longer cover for the program's faults and are forced to take action to save face with the public. Without that authority, they have no power to take any action.

***There are some things that state government regulations are so strict on you can't afford to do them. So, Montana has a lesser control.

No sir, you're wrong. Any decent set of state regs will include a process for applying for a waiver/variance if the facility can not afford to comply with a particularly 'expensive' rule. They have the option of showing they can meet the intent of the rule in a less expensive way OR will be given very 'ample' time to come into compliance.

***Discipline and rules are not harming and neglecting.

That is relative. Some would consider your suggeston to withhold dinner as punishment to be neglect. While you may get away with that as a parent, institutions that care for children 24/7/365 are not allowed to do such things.

Where are you acquiring your education on this topic?

[Nihilanthic]

Pastor... uh... what point are you trying to make? It reads like and feels like youre blathering and squirming and saying nonsense and avoiding the point... that it IS related and connected to the Roloffs.

It is not just Baptists that are in question here. We are independent to a degree but hopefully we have the sense to police ourselves. Don't turn the tables and start to question anyone that questions your view. Right is right and wrong is wrong, no matter who or what. Truth is also truth and so is slander, slander.

So uhhh yeah. Youre saying we should just "believe" in them to police themselves?  :rofl:

Cos thats the only thing I can make out from that blathering nonsense you posted.

Please, try to CLEARLY make a point next time, so that we wont have to sit and scratch our heads over this.  Also, the whole... uh... "thing" about "dont turn the tables and question anyone that questions your view" and "right is right" (etc)... okay? You said a bunch of nonsense.

No shit, x = x. They're related, and you cant face up to that so you just say a bunch of crap. Come on man, fess up and admit to it.

And no, 'self regulating' doesnt work. We have cops for a reason.

A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows.
--Samuel Clemens "Mark Twain", American author and humorist

[Antigen]

Pastor wrote:

***Discipline and rules are not harming and neglecting.

Ok, rule #1. You must confess to the entire group your innermost sexual secrets and fantasies. You must search your mind daily, constantly for any errant thoughts of a sexual nature and confess to all the other messed up kids and all of the adults in attendance. In order to ensure compliance, those kids and adults can badger and berate you. And you'd best just suck it up and not try to defend yourself. Walking out of the room is not an option either.

There now, it's a rule.

There once was a rule that certain persons born of certain ethnic stock and who's names appeared on certain ownership documents must do whatever the owner instructed, bar nothing. Hey, it was a rule. How could it possibly be abusive or neglectful. Nothing wrong with a little structure and discipline, eh?

Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself
--Jimmy Carter

[Withdraw]

There is no way around it. Absolute power over anything becomes corrupt. You can't totally control every facet of someones natrual life and expect it to be doing good.. no matter how you look at or in what ~name you think your doing it for. No matter how you label it, it is abusive and degrading to human souls. Power=corruption, period.

[Anonymous]

I have not read through these (many) pages discussing this home for boys. But I will tell you what I know.

I was sent to Mountain Park Baptist Boarding "Academy" in 1994. I was 13. It was the most horrific 2 years of my life. My childhood was taken away from me by people who were in a position of power over young people who were helpless. Thank GOD that place has since been shut down through the hard work and dedication of former students who would not stand for any more kids to be abused by them. I will say that the owners' daughter and son-in-law of the facility were generally fairly kind to me, (The Gerhardts). On a side note, Dennis did work there at the time that I was there, although I had minimal interaction with him because the male workers did not have anything to do with the female students.

My mom finally brought me home and I was attending a Baptist church school using the ACE curriculum. I will tell you that I remember more from high school than most people my age. I did learn quite a bit using that curriculum. Some people are not good at independent study, fortunately for me, I am.

My mom sent me to another boarding school after bringing me home for only 7 months. This school was in Missouri also (like Mountain Park). It had some of the same methods as far as locking us in, ACE, Bible study, modest dress, etc. However, the couple who ran it and their family were incredible. I credit much of who I have become today with what I was exposed to there. I do not call myself a Christian, although I do believe in Christ. I do not go to church, as I am of the opinion that we were not created to sit in a church with a bunch of hypocrites, but to go out and enjoy the Earth that God created.

The second school I went to was run by Dennis McElwrath's aunt. His mother worked there also. They loved the girls there. They wanted to help us. I still talk to Dennis' aunt about twice a year. I love her dearly and I love her family.

So basically, I believe that Dennis has the best intentions in helping these kids. Yes there are abusive homes out there and its so unfortunate for the rare few who truly want to help people.

I am anonymous because I am not registered on here, not because I was put up to posting or whatever. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

So Dennis McElwrath worked at this abusive Mountain Park, huh? And he also is connected to the abusive Roloff Ministries.

Well, BROTHER Dennis may have a NICE Aunt and Mom, but his "history of working in abusive programs" speaks LOUDLY about what is probably going on at Anchor Academy!

Doesn't that concern you, just a little?

You can easily register here using an anonymous name. Most people do not use their given names.

[Anonymous]

To the Poster "praising BROTHER DENNIS:"

A reader only needs to "google" Mountain Park Baptist Academy to get a real EYE FULL!!!

Articles written in the Wayne County Journal-Banner decribes an EXTREMELY ABUSIVE SITUATION!

The founder of Mountain Park is Rev.Bob Will whose reputation in Hatiesburg, Mississippi is well-known at the Bethesda Home for Girls, which was closed for its abusive treatment of students.

A student at Mountain Park was awarded $20,000 in a suit for abuse he suffered by an employee.

WORESE YET: A student at Mountain Park, Joseph Burris, received a life sentence with no parole when he "repeatedly slit a fellow student's throat...."

Seems BROTHER McElwrath just surrounds himself around ABUSIVE SCHOOL SITUATIONS, young lady!!!!

Mountain Park has been charged with denying students outside communications...limitations on bathroom breaks...sleep deprevation...excessive corporal punishment.

Do you honestly expect anyone to believe these SAME tactic are not being used at Anchor Academy?

NOW, what was the name of this OTHER WONDERFUL school that the Aunt ran that you attended that was run by the McElwraths?

And tell me: Who DID ask you to post here?

[Anonymous]

hey bro i was in the academy for 4 yers you want info ask me my e-mail is cleon@@mindspring.com

[Anonymous]

sorry it's cleon@mindspring.com and i know everything that happened from eric M. to david L etc... i was there for 4 years and i knew how everything worked from staff to students i knew every student all the way up to 2 years ago almost i know about the abuse and everything i will tell if asked so e-mail me if you want my knowledge of the anchor academy for boys in havre montana who used to be in lewistown montana and corpus christi texas.

[Anonymous]

Why don't you register here so you can receive private messages?