THEY'LL DEVOTE A YEAR TO GOD

"I believe that the Honor Academy basically exists to help create godly leaders that abide by integrity and honor, so that our society will be improved."

-- Bryce Ekeren

F

or some teens, the 18-year wait for college and all the freedoms it represents is over. For others, the work world awaits. Still others are unsure what will come after high school graduation.

For devout Christians, the Teen Mania Honor Academy is one possibility.

The academy is set up as a steppingstone between high school and college; its mission is "to cultivate and develop the leadership potential in young adults while preparing them to impact today's world for Christ." Students get classroom instruction, hands-on experience and "life-transforming events," such as an arduous hike in the Grand Canyon.

Students are called interns because by their second week they get a vocational placement with Teen Mania Ministries, a nonprofit Christian organization that sponsors Acquire the Fire conventions and evangelical mission trips. One convention, Stand Up: The Great Youth Awakening, was held in Indianapolis last month.

The one-year term costs $6,600, which includes room and board on the campus in Garden Valley, Texas, southeast of Dallas. Interns can stay for an extra year or two as mentors and counselors.

Interviews with four

Y-Press interviewed four academy interns. Besides Bryce Ekeren, who is from Northfield, Minn., they are: Kristina Bullock, Okinawa, Japan; Matthew Griffith, Klamath Falls, Ore.; and Erik Herrera, Gainesville, Fla.

Most first became interested in the academy through Teen Mania events.

"I wasn't planning on going to college," Kristina said. "I was planning on going directly into the missions field. I got offered a six-month internship in Thailand, but after talking to my parents, they decided that it'd be good if I got some training."

"I decided that I needed to mature in my faith and in my personal life before going into the world," Bryce said. "That way I would be more able to make better use of my time while at college."

Erik decided a little later in life. "I've actually been through two and a half years of college. I'm 23. It was more of a push from God. I needed to develop a lot of different personal skills with my relationship with God."

To these interns, it's much more than a year away from friends, family and the distractions of the world.

"It's centered around showing you how to be a better witness, and being able to take what you learn here during this year and just going out and showing the world," Matthew said.

Not everyone's family was happy with their decision. Bryce and Erik said their parents would have preferred to see them in college; Matthew's and Kristina's parents were glad they took the time off.

"So many of my friends that just went straight to college have switched their majors," Kristina said. "But this year I've found out what I want to do and what I believe the Lord has created me to do."

"It just kind of seems selfish that you would go five or six years at college and not even take one year to devote only to God," Matthew added.

Leadership and spiritual training make up the backbone of the academy. Courses include The Spiritual Leader Within and The Christian Worldview. On-the-job leadership training is provided in the internship with Teen Mania, which might include stints in areas such as customer service, publicity or facility maintenance. In addition, interns must attend services at a local church and with staff weekly in the campus chapel.

Campus life is more subdued than on a typical college campus. Dress is conservative; romance is prohibited. About 700 interns and graduates live in dorms, and extracurricular activities include intramural sports, a dance group and a drama troupe.

"Around campus there seems to be a standard that we uphold, whereas like you're not going out like every weekend and just getting drunk and you're not having to deal with just the filth of the world," Matthew said.

No distractions

"There's no dating relationships allowed. And that in itself, I think, is awesome because for one it really frees you up like relationship-wise. Without having to deal with that, it's not a distraction to you. You're able to focus more on the Lord and the things that you have to get his help with."

"I've been through college. Nobody's really lifting each other up," Erik said. "Here, everybody that's around you is also pursuing the same goal: 'What's my vision? What am I trying to pursue? What's my purpose? What was I born to do?' "

The interns have no regrets about attending the academy. Some said their plans have changed; others say they have become clearer.

"Before coming to the Honor Academy, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life," Bryce said. "After being at the Honor Academy, I realized I'm going to be staying here a second year, helping to train the new incoming interns."

His long-term plan? "I'm getting my degree in international relations, and after that I'll be picking up a job in the State Department."

Matthew has changed his mind regarding the college in which he wishes to enroll. He will pursue a career in the medical field.

Erik said he's had a chance to do some necessary reflection before returning to college.

Kristina still wants to be a missionary after studying to become a doctor or nurse.

"Now I have a clearer vision of what I will do when I get there," she said.

For more information on the Honor Academy, check out: www.honoracademy.com

REPORTERS: Mallory Jones, 13; Paige Thomas, 13; Clare Welch, 10.