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Dr. Jerry Falwell established the Elim Home in 1959 as a place where men struggling with alchoholism could find spiritual help. The purpose of the Elim Home is not to provide medical or psychiatric help and requires that each man coming to Elim be sober, in his right mind and seeking permanent and spiritual deliverance.

 The Elim Home, first located in Appomattox county is now located in Amherst county, six miles north of Lynchburg. The home is located on property donated by Ray and Amanda Horsley who directed the ministry from 1964 until Ray’s death in 1984. Their son David joined his parents in 1979 and became director after the passing of his father. Horsley faithfully served as director until 2008 when he retired. Darryl Martin joined the ministry in 2000 and now serves as its current director. 

 

The Elim resident program involves an eight-week stay aimed at helping residents find spiritual regeneration resulting in permanent sobriety.

 Physical, psychological and emotional complications stemming from alcohol and drug addiction are usually alleviated or brought under control with spiritual regeneration. No medical or psychotherapeutic program is included. Spiritual help is offered by means of a self-Bible-study course, group meetings, group and individual counseling, scripture memorization and public worship services at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

 Participation in the Elim program is free. 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 Elim home is set on 10 acres of rural land. The men reside comfortably in two-person rooms and have access to a kitchen, dining room, 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 many of them leave to live new, happy and successful lives. 

 

Elim Home is a work of faith. Thomas Road Baptist Church has supported the Elim home through prayer and voluntary gifts for more than 38 years. 

 

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 the program itself cannot change a man's life. Only when one genuinely seeks the person of the program (Jesus Christ) will one 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 which requires looking up scripture verses and answering questions in a booklet to help lay a Biblical foundation to build life upon.

2. Group meetings are held every morning and evening. These are Bible centered and cover a variety of subjects.

3. Biblically based counseling provides an opportunity for specific needs to be met in the lives of the men and their families.

4. Each man memorizes weekly assigned scripture verses.

5. Attendance at all Thomas Road Baptist Church services is required.

6. Everyone is required to read “How to Say No to a Stubborn Habit: Even When You Feel Like Saying Yes.” Other reading assignments are given as needed.

7. Work assignments are made daily Monday through Friday.

We have not designed this program to be so regimented that we tell residents when and what to do every hour of the day. Ample free time is provided to accomplish assignments and establish daily personal devotions, Bible study and prayer time. There is also time allowed for recreation. We hope 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 to stay the entire eight-week duration of the program.

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, 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 before he can come of his own free will.

5. He must have a current HIV test with negative results.

 

 

Due to 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.

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.

 

 

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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
TRBC Contact Page

A Ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church

An oasis in the wilderness of sin since 1959

 

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