Teen Troubles Causing All

the Joy to Leave Your Home?

You’re aware that a problem exists with your teenager, but you’ve already tried everything you know to do and the problem is only getting worse.  That’s what The Gathering at Heartlight is all about.  In one weekend, you’ll gain specific training for managing challenging behaviors in teenagers. 

As a parent, you will develop the new relational skills you absolutely need to deal with your teenager in his or her current state, and you’ll develop a plan for real change within the life of your teen and in your home.   

The 3-day training seminar and retreat is hosted by Mark Gregston, author, national radio host and the Director of the Heartlight Residential Center for Struggling Teens. Several Heartlight counselors will also participate in leading sections of the 3-day seminar. 

The Gathering at Heartlight 

August 21-23, 2008 

You’ll learn what may be causing your teenager to spiral downward, and how to stop this freefall to disaster. You’ll also learn how to intervene and deal with specific situations and capably provide the appropriate response to intense arguing, anger, defiance, and rebellion.

Most of all, you’ll come away with a more complete understanding of your family dynamics, and gain a renewed sense of purpose, energy and confidence to deal with your teenager.

The Venue…

The Gathering at Heartlight is held in the beautiful Heartlight Conference Center, on the Heartlight 100-acre wooded campus located in Hallsville, Texas, about 2 hours east of Dallas.

How to Register…

BY PHONE: Call 903-668-2173 for more information, to receive a brochure in the mail, or to register for the next Gathering at Heartlight. 

REGISTER ONLINE: See the online brochure and register online at www.thegatheringatheartlight.com.

Tell Your Friends…

Pass this on to a friend who needs help with their own teenager, or a youth worker, pastor or teacher who would benefit learning what it takes to deal with today’s teenagers.

You are invited to our Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction on April 19th, at the Dallas Westin City Center.  

This is our one big event of the year as far as coming together to raise funds specifically for the Heartlight residential program.  We do so through a Silent and Live Auction, as well as through sponsorships of tables at the event. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

A LIFE-CHANGING JOB OPPORTUNITY

Heartlight Ministries, a residential counseling center in the beautiful Piney Woods Region of East Texas, is seeking dedicated and committed single Christian men and women who will pour their lives into building relationships with our teenage residents. Our staff make an incredible difference in the life of teenagers through life-on-life relationships. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

It is Christmas Eve and we just received an unsolicited letter from a recent Heartlight graduate…a girl Mark once dubbed, “The angriest child I have ever met.” We can’t think of a better Christmas gift and wanted to share it with you as well!  With all our love, Jan and Mark

Hi Jan & Mark:

First, I know I didn’t really thank you guys a lot when I left, it was so unreal - that graduation dinner. Coming to Texas and being looked after by everyone, the talks with the counselors, and especially Susan and you made me finally feel the love and attention that I shut out for so long. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

In addition to the current 1-hour weekly radio program Voice of Heartlight, Mark Gregston has just recorded the first two months of the new short-feature daily radio program, Parenting Today’s Teens. Several major radio networks have already agreed to carry the program, free of charge, since the content is unique and needed for parents today. Dr. Randy Carlson of the national radio program Parent Talk is also providing free studio and engineering time to record the new program.

Jon Rivers, host of 20 The Countdown Magazine and morning program host for K-Love Radio, says this about the program, “Mark Gregston has one of the most powerful teen ministries in existence. His Parenting Today’s Teens radio program is relevant and effective in a painful world for teens. He is making a real difference.”

The goal of the Parenting Today’s Teens radio program is to provide tools, insights and encouragement to parents of teens and pre-teens. The program will also direct the listener to other helpful resources and training developed by Heartlight on various teen parenting issues. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

Michael Martin Murphey returns to East Texas for a second time this year to benefit Heartlight by putting on a “Cowboy Christmas” concert and silent auction this Saturday, December 8, at the beautiful new S.E. Belcher, Jr. Chapel and Performance Center of LeTourneau University. We wish everyone could join us for the evening, and perhaps some of you were fortunate enough to buy tickets, but the concert was sold out some time ago.  We’d love to have you join us the next time “Murph” is in town. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

Dear Friends,

I’m excited to make our latest newsletter available to you via electronic means. Sending it this way saves postage and printing costs, allowing more funds to be applied toward helping parents and teenagers in crisis.

It also gives me the chance to share with you how God is using Heartlight to change the lives of hurting kids and keep you updated on a more regular basis.

For many families, Heartlight is their last resort in a never-ending cycle of pain and confusion. On their behalf, we thank you for helping underwrite some of the costs to give kids and parents physical, emotional, and spiritual support in their time of need.  MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

Over the years Heartlight has become one of the finest residential Christian counseling centers of its kind, with an added national outreach to families that includes publishing, radio, internet and live and recorded seminars.

Heartlight is firmly attached to its mission – helping families with teens who struggle. Some of the new opportunities for Heartlight include the development of the Heartlight Radio program, growing weekly, with new networks and stations adding Heartlight to their air-time schedule every week.

Mark Gregston’s new book, When Your Teen is Struggling, released in January, was chosen as a premier Harvest House publication and is now already scheduled for a second printing.  Mark has started work on his second book, The Many Faces of Rebellion. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

The launch of Heartlight Radio this past fall has been an exciting development in our ministry. The radio broadcast hit the airwaves in September with a weekly program dedicated to bringing help and hope to parents. And its outreach is expanding rapidly! By April 2007, Heartlight Radio will be on more than 700 stations across the United States, sharing its message of real hope and practical help with thousands of listeners. With moderator Wayne Shepherd and host Mark Gregston, the hourlong program weaves interviews of special guests with true stories from residents of Heartlight. Parents can also participate by calling in with questions or concerns pertaining to their teens. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>

“When Your Teen Is Struggling shares Gregston’s observations and experience working with disturbed teens, using personal stories and case histories to encourage readers not to lose faith when the situation looks dire. He helps them see the bigger picture when dealing with adolescents who seem to be drowning in life’s undertow. He encourages readers to persist and gives them skills to throw these teens a lifeline. Using biblical and practical insight, he speaks directly to problems that confront both parents and teens.”
—Aspiring Retail

Mark just finished writing another book entitled A Look at Adoption…from the Other Side sharing his reflections about parenting adopted kids, his love for the adoption process, and his advice to help families deal with issues surrounding adoption. He shares his insight gained from having more than 600 “adopted kids” live with him throughout the last 30 years. A strong supporter of adoption, Mark encourages future parents to consider all “sides” of adoption, in hopes of bettering everyone involved in the process. The book is slated to be released in a few months. MORE OF THIS ARTICLE >>>