The Honor Academy has truly been a tool used by God to lay a strong foundation of character in my life. From the first day I arrived in 2006, God has used the internship to tear me down and build me back up with wisdom, character, a strong work ethic, discipline, and above all else, a consistent walk with the Lord.
The relationships that I have formed at Teen Mania are unlike any I have ever experienced. There is a level of godliness, character, and integrity instilled into Honor Academy participants that is inevitably much harder to find outside these walls. In many ways, the friendships and interactions I have experienced here are similar to the community and accountability that were founded in the early church of Acts.
Surprisingly, Teen Mania Ministries is almost completely run by young people, between the ages of 18-21 years old, with very limited work or ministry experience. The core value of excellence brings out a contagious level of professionalism. I, along with most of my fellow interns, have gained a great deal of knowledge, experience, determination and vision that will compliment any work atmosphere.
Finally, the Honor Academy has helped me develop a solid walk with God. Along with most of my generation, I have grown up to be dependant on how I feel rather than on something that is consistent and based on truth. Therefore, most of us are easily swayed to the left and right. The Honor Academy, through various teachings, books, worship times, relationships, and a strong emphasis on spending “one on one” time with the Lord has helped me form a firm and unyielding foundation based on the truth of the Word of God rather than emotions or experiences.