Travel and Community
One of our greatest joys during the year is taking many of the boys on trips. The boys are learn so much from these trips, even if the goal is to help a community overseas. One of our students, Nolan, reported his experience and how it affected him...
"Guatemala opened my eyes to a world that seemed forgotten. I was slapped in the face by the firm hand of reality. The one thing I saw least was hope. But God used our whole team to bring hope and joy to the kids at the orphanage.
I realized how selfish and ungrateful we can be -- how small our problems are to the rest of the world. O saw how spoiled rotten America is. When I got back to the states I was disgusted by all the senseless junk we have in our homes and stores. hearing people gripe about petty things made my stomach churn.
My experience in Guatemala was the final tool God used to change my outlook on life."
Small groups of students from our school go on trips. Often today's youth feel a sense of "entitlement" to all of the best life in America has to offer them materially. Boys get a first-hand look at poverty and hunger in less-advantaged countries; having opportunity on these excursions to help meet the needs for those in crisis.
Annual "tours" are taken to other states. The teen travels with staff members and sometimes with the teen's parents.
Learning by Teaching
As students succeed in the program, they are given the opportunity to become part of the drama travel teams and Stay Sharp school ministry team. Stay Sharp teams travel to public and private schools to present drug awareness programs. Recently our Stay Sharp team spoke to an audience of more than 3000 students in Oak Park River Forest High School in Chicago.
Gateway Military School Testimonials and Reviews
“Our 13 year-old son is attending this school, and it is one of the best things that we could’ve done for him. The staff is very loving, very engaged, and very much in God’s word. There is a regimen that is very fair, and very appropriately enforced. There is physical training, there is growth, there is discipline. All the things that are needed to help misguided boys like ours and the situation that we found ourselves in. It is not an easy process but it is a process that we knew was right. God definitely led us to Gateway Academy and we cannot say enough about how appreciative we are. Pastor Clay, all the counselors and the direct care staff as well as all the administrators that work in the front office, care for the boys, love the boys and are all crucial in their growth. I personally have witnessed the change in my son and have spoken to many other parents that also have seen positive change. It is not an overnight change and you would not want it to be that way. You have to stick it out for the long haul. For the change that will last and not allow them to fallback on to habits that likely are the reason your reading my review. It’s different for all the boys and they all absorb the transformation at different times. My only regret was not having my son attend sooner.”
Nelson G. (parent)
“What dedicated amazing people who transformed the life of our son. What a blessing the staff is not only to the boys but to the families. Before sending our son to Gateway, we had looked at other places… I am so grateful that we picked Gateway!”
(parent)
“Shared the love of God with my son. Loved him with firm boundaries, which is exactly what these boys need. The staff pored their heart and soul into my son! I thank God for them every day!”
Virginia H. (parent)
“A year ago we were hurting and at a loss. This year we are missing our boy but knowing that he is in loving and capable hands. We are so proud of him.”
Rachel (parent)
“Gateway was the best decision we have made in our entire life. Our son’s life was saved from destruction on this earth and for eternity. The education at Gateway was the finest he could have received anywhere. He became a self-disciplined student with motivated study habits and finished with a 3.9 GPA. He now has the desire and compassion to serve in his community and church, as well as tutoring and mentoring younger kids.”
David and Joy (parents)
“We had tried everything we could think of for our troubled son — tough love, Christian counseling, traditional church activities, and homeschooling. But all were to no avail. The military format of Gateway taught John self-control, physical work and teamwork, leadership skills and integrity. John received love, discipline, forgiveness, and persistent mentoring from dedicated staff members. Gateway is a God-send for our broken family…restoring our relationship with our son. It is a place of hope, a place of love, and a place of renewal.”
Jessica (parent)
“At Gateway I prayed by my bunk for the first time. I confessed my sins and gave my life to Jesus in that prayer. I regained the relationship I once had with my parents. I developed respect for authority, a work ethic, and learned how to love myself and others. Now I strive to make God proud of me.”
Gabriel (student)
“God used Gateway in a mighty way in my life. What this program did for me is something that I cannot put into simple words, but I can say that I met Jesus Christ at Gateway.”
