Elim Home
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In January of 1959 because of the great need for a place where alcoholics
could be helped spiritually, and because of the leading of the Holy Spirit, Elim
Home for Alcoholics was established by Dr. Jerry Falwell. It was never proposed
to give medical or psychiatric help. We require that each man coming to Elim be
sober and in his right mind, seeking permanent and spiritual deliverance.
The Elim Home was first located in Appomattox county, near Stonewall,VA. It is
now located in Amherst county, six miles North of Lynchburg. The home is located
on property donated by the past directors, Ray & Amanda Horsley. They directed
the ministry from 1964 until his death in 1984. Their son David joined with them
in 1980 and is now the present director.
A resident program involving a stay of at least eight weeks forms the structure for Elim's program. It is to be clearly understood that the primary help is spiritual in orientation, and the goal is spiritual regeneration resulting in permanent sobriety.
Spiritual restoration is based upon the premise that the chemically-addicted lacks the capacity for self-control and does not have the will-power to break his addiction. Having a degree of desire to find sobriety, and yet having tried unsuccessfully various humanly-conceived remedies, he can only be liberated through the acceptance of divine life thorough Jesus Christ. The biblical description of the result of this transaction is given in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." The plan is, "...Not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20).
Physical, psychological, and emotional complications stemming from alcohol and drug addiction are usually alleviated or brought under control "coincidentally" with spiritual regeneration. No medical or psychotherapeutic program is included. Spiritual help is offered by means of a self study Bible course, group meetings, group and individual counseling, scripture memorization and public worship services at Thomas Road Baptist Church.
No charge is ever made for the program at Elim. Each man is provided a comfortable room, good food, laundry service and linens. A discipline program involving about four hours of work, each weekday, is a vital part of the recovery process and consists of general handiwork, building and grounds maintenance and food service.
The place itself is peaceful with a homelike atmosphere. It is located in a rural setting on ten acres with trees and a creek. The men reside comfortably with two men to a room. Modern kitchen, dining room, cheerful reading room, and day room.
The purpose of the home is to provide a place of protection, care and helpful surroundings for the men while they are being shown the way to a new life and freedom from the slavery of chemical addiction. Thousands of men from all walks of life have found their way to Elim and in hundreds of cases to a new, happy, successful life.
Elim Home is a true work of faith. The Home for more than 38 years, has been supported by Thomas Road Baptist Church, through prayer and by the voluntary gifts and contributions of those who have been helped through this ministry. God knowing our needs, moves the heart of people to give as He chooses.
Thrilling testimonies can be given of hundreds of men wonderfully transformed, reunited with loved ones and established again in society. Many have enjoyed years of freedom from desire for alcohol and drugs since their lives were changed at Elim. Such miracles of grace are to be found all over the country today, and their frequent expressions of gratitude are heart-stirring.
It is important to realize that our program itself cannot change a man's life. Only when one genuinely seeks the person of the program (the Lord Jesus Christ) will he find true deliverance from the bondage of alcohol and drug addiction. It is with this in mind that we have outlined the following:
1. A self bible study course; this requires looking up scripture verses and answering questions in a booklet each week, this is to help in laying a biblical foundation to build upon for the rest of his life.
2. Group meetings are held each day; morning and evening. These are Bible centered and cover a variety of subjects.
3. Group and individual counseling; we do not believe in counseling for the sake of counseling. We provide counseling when we see a specific need that can be met in the lives of the men or their families. All counseling is Bible based.
4. We ask each man to memorize weekly assigned scripture.
5. Attendance is required at all services of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
6. Reading assignments are given as we see the need. Everyone is required to
read How to Say no to a stubborn habit: even when you feel like saying yes. This
book provides help in looking inwardly at where the responsibility for our
behavior lies, and a step by step route to freedom Christ has brought to us.
7. Work assignments are made daily Monday through Friday. The work assignments include grounds maintenance, cleaning facilities and hand work sitting at tables in the workroom.
We have not designed this program to be so regimented that we tell a man when and what to do every hour of the day. Ample free time is provided to accomplish assignments and to establish daily personal devotions, bible study, and prayer time. There is also time allowed for recreation. We hope that each man will develop a Godly lifestyle that he will follow when he leaves Elim Home.
A man must conform explicitly to the following requirements to be admitted into Elim Home.
1. The main requirement for admission is that a man be sincere and earnest in his desire to be helped and willing to cooperate with those who will show him the way to a new life of freedom and peace.
2. He must commit himself to stay the duration of the program, a minimum of 8 weeks.
3. He must be willing to commit himself to abstaining completely from all forms of alcohol and drugs. Only life-controlling medications prescribed by physicians are allowed (medications for blood pressure, seizures or diabetes control, etc.).
4. Elim Home will not accept a man who is being sentenced in any way to the program in order to satisfy the dictates of a court in fulfilling a legal obligation. This matter must be resolved completely, and he then must come of his own free will.
Because of the great number of appeals for help there is usually a waiting list. Therefore it is necessary to make inquiry by letter or telephone in advance. An application questionnaire must be completed by telephone before placing a person on the waiting list. We do require a HIV test, results must be negative.
It is expected that each man furnish his own clothing, towels and toilet articles whenever possible.
Rules for acceptance and participation in this program are the same for everyone regardless of race, or religion.
Elim Home is located in the central part of Virginia, in the foothills of the
Blue Ridge Mountains. We are approximately 6 miles North of Lynchburg, just off
of highway 29.
For further information call or write:
Elim Home
PO Box 69
Madison Heights, VA 24572
Phone: (434) 846-1422
elimhome@trbc.org
A Ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church
An oasis in the wilderness of sin since 1959
"AND THEY CAME TO ELIM" EXODUS 15:27
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