Theotherapy Seminars, Inc.



HISTORY
PRISON MINISTRY
OUR FINANCIAL POLICY

HISTORY	go to top
In the spring of 1981, Luena Darr was asked to be a hostess to Dr Mario E Rivera Mendez of San Juan Puerto Rico. He was one of the guest speakers at the Charismatic Conference being held at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms Darr accepted the invitation and met Dr Rivera Mendez the day before the conference began. After visiting with him for an hour or so, she sensed that this man was somehow different than most of the men she had encountered during the previous seven years in her walk with the Lord. Ms Darr attended all of the conferences by Dr Rivera Mendez that week and realized from his teachings that he knew something she felt sure she needed. He seemed to hold the key to the inner emotional healing that, not only she, but most Christians she had encountered needed. After the conference and before Dr Rivera Mendez left town, Dr Nancy Ellen Law, and Ms Darr prayed with Dr Rivera Mendez for God's leading if they were to have Theotherapy come to Pittsburgh. Ms Law has been involved in the ministry from that point on. During the summer months following the conference, Ms Darr spent much time each day with the Lord praying for his will. The Lord spoke to her about how he longed for a healed church. She read from the scriptures how God's people suffered because there was no one to bring healing to them. She sensed that the Lord wanted Theotherapy to be a vessel of healing to his broken church. Because Ms Darr needed healing herself, she prayed God would give her all the tools, wisdom, understanding and knowledge to bring Theotherapy to Pittsburgh. She also wanted to see Theotherapy spread to the church throughout the country. The Lord began to give Ms Darr scriptures to confirm that she was following his leading. By the fall Ms Darr was ready to host the first seminar at St. Joseph's in Greensburg, PA. Thirty eight persons attended that seminar. Six of them were pastors and their wives who went on to work alongside Theotherapy for the next year. They held a seminar every month during 1982 and the numbers jumped from the 38 they began with to over 150. Those who came received much healing and were really excited about the ministry. Many went back to their pastors and insisted they too attend one of our seminars. In August 1982, a seminar was held just for pastors and their wives. In that group there were three pastors who felt pressured by their congregation to attend. They appeared to take issue with much of what Dr Rivera Mendez was teaching and the dynamics and exercises he used. From there they began to discredit the ministry with false statements and distortions about the work being done. In the spring of 1983 Ms Darr closed down the ministry since there was so much conflict. She decided she must have missed the Lord somehow. Then in the fall of 1984 the Lord told her he wanted her to pick it up again. Ms Darr struggled with that for a time and finally went to her pastor. He encouraged her to begin again but to go softly and quietly this time. She took his advice and invited Dr Rivera Mendez to come back to Pittsburgh. From 1985 until 1990 they held no more than three seminars a year. They also trained some facilitators to minister, using Theotherapy principles. In 1991, after some prodding, Dr Rivera Mendez agreed to come to Pittsburgh for a 10 day period once a month. During that time he would help build upon the small work that was being conducted. He continued for a year but then became ill and could no longer continue. At that time a dear friend of Dr Rivera Mendez', Dr Beryl Rosenberger of Anderson, SC took over the leadership of the ministry. In 1992 the ministry purchased a piece of property in Murrysville, PA on the east side of Pittsburgh. An adjacent piece of property was optioned for purchase within 2 years. Combined, these two properties seemed ideal for the needs of the ministry at that time. In 1994 the property was dedicated. An old church on the property had been remodeled into a center with a large meeting room and several offices. At that time Dr Rosenberger felt the Lord was leading him to resign from the ministry and that Luena Darr should take the position of leadership. The Board of Directors agreed and appointed Ms Darr the President and Director of Theotherapy Seminars Inc. The ministry began to grow significantly during the years that followed. One of the key connections came in 1995 when Belmont Church, a 3,500 member congregation in Nashville, TN, began hosting seminars. They stepped forward to partner with Theotherapy. Since then they have encouraged their staff and cell group leaders, as well as the general congregation, to attend seminars and be trained as facilitators. Stephen Mansfield, former senior pastor of Belmont, remarked about the significant cultural change in the entire church as God's healing permeated their members. Many other churches have sent their leadership to Theotherapy since then. They have also sent others in their congregations who needed specialized help. In the spring of 2001, Theotherapy Seminars entered into a relationship with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the largest privately owned prison management company in the nation. With headquarters based in Nashville, TN, CCA oversees over 60 correctional facilities across the United States. In January of 2002, Theotherapy launched a one-year pilot program at the Metro Davidson County Detention Facility in Nashville. This faith-based initiative involves a comprehensive Theotherapy program for over 160 inmates (80 males, 80 females) designed to strengthen the inmate's spiritual foundation and faith in God, stimulate spiritual and emotional growth, and to give the inmate the tools needed to live a productive and fulfilling life. It has been extended beyond the initial pilot program. A special study is being conducted by mental health and corrections professionals to determine Theotherapy's influence on reducing recidivism. A reduction in the rate of recidivism is expected to open doors to prisons around the country. Theotherapy's work with prison inmates is beginning to be noticed in the community, and was the subject of an article featured in the July 22, 2002 edition of The Tennessean. Theotherapy continues to conduct seminars throughout the eastern United States, bringing healing to the body of Christ, training facilitators to minister in seminars and their churches and taking the healing into the incarcerated body of Christ. We currently partner with churches in the following denominations: Mennonite, Independent Charismatic, United Methodist, Evangelical Presbyterian and soon to join them, the Christian Church. We have partnered with an Episcopalian congregation and hosted many others from Baptist, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of Christ and Seventh Day Adventist congregations. We are currently doing significant work in several areas in PA, northeastern OH, Winston-Salem, NC, Nashville and Jackson, TN. It is our vision to continue to partner with churches wherever the doors open. We want to see God bring his healing to the broken body of Christ so that they can return to their churches and function as leaders and lay ministers bringing healing to all those they touch.

FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE	go to top
Introduction
In January of 2002, Theotherapy Seminars Incorporated and Corrections Corporation of America partnered together to provide a comprehensive faith-based initiative at the Metro Davidson County Detention Facility in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its small beginnings over five years ago, the “Facing Unresolved Conflicts – Faith Based Initiative” has spread out to include three other prisons and has provided intensive faith-based treatment to well over 1000 inmates. Of that number of inmate participants, 40% have graduated from the program at least once. A large percentage of those graduates have been released back into society and have become responsible citizens. Many of those who remain incarcerated are taking advantage of their more long term sentencing by either retaking the course or by participating in Theotherapy’s more advanced facilitator training course. A number of inmate graduates now function in teaching/facilitating roles as interns, giving back into the corrections community in an effort to impact the inmate populations. In the spring of 2005, after retaining the female inmate population formerly contracted out to CCA, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Development Center-Female (CDC-F) invited Theotherapy to continue its program in its new female facility. Due to the initiative’s overall success, the State of Pennsylvania also approached Theotherapy that year with an invitation to begin a six-month pilot program at the SCI Greensburg Detention Facility near Pittsburgh. These pilot programs evolved into long term initiatives at each prison. Theotherapy currently has initiatives at two state penitentiaries (TN and PA), one county prison (Davidson County) and one privatized prison (CCA Metro in Nashville). Theotherapy’s most recent initiative is completing its first year at Turney Center Industrial Prison, a Tennessee state penitentiary. In March of 2006, a study was conducted to determine the affect on the rate of recidivism for those Tennessee inmates who have completed the program and were released back into society. Utilizing the Tennessee Department of Corrections Felony Offender Information Lookup service (FOIL) website, statistics indicated a 14% recidivism rate as opposed to a national average of approximately 70%. Efforts are underway to obtain information from the state of Pennsylvania in determining Theotherapy’s continued impact on recidivism in that state.

Background of the Program and Qualifications
Theotherapy Seminars, Inc., is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) non-denominational ministry organization dedicated to helping individuals identify and resolve personal conflicts which adversely affect their personal lives as well as their interpersonal relationships. Theotherapy primarily utilizes biblical principles as well as psychological principles where they are represented in or not in conflict with the Holy Bible. Theotherapy seeks to bring about integration of spirit, soul and body within an individual whereby the individual is able to resolve present-day conflicts in healthier, more responsible ways. Theotherapy Seminars has a long history of helping individuals deal with their emotional conflicts. Founded in 1956 by Dr. Mario Rivera Mendez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Theotherapy has since established a credible and growing ministry within the United States. Dr. Rivera received degrees in Psychology, Theology and Physical Therapy. He utilized his knowledge in those areas to develop a modality of ministry, which positively affects the intellect, emotions and will of individuals involved in the program. Theotherapy has an eclectic approach to ministry and utilizes biblical principles as well as many of the principles contained in the counseling and psychological milieus. While Theotherapy mainly utilizes trained “lay ministers” as facilitators, we have the input and expertise of many trained counselors and therapists within the mental health community, many of whom are involved with Theotherapy in either staff positions or as volunteers. Facilitators working as volunteers with Theotherapy are required to undergo a comprehensive 75-hour training program and must meet specific ministry requirements. A number of former inmates are currently taking the facilitator training course with the goal of returning to their former prison environment as teachers, facilitators and mentors. Since 1982, Theotherapy has worked with individuals, church congregations and inner city groups in the United States, Puerto Rico, Europe, Australia and South America. Within the United States, Theotherapy currently has centers in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas.

Purpose and Nature of the Project
The mission of Theotherapy is to be an instrument of healing, restoration, and reconciliation. The goal is to bring healing to emotionally broken people in the community. This ministry is provided to individuals who are currently incarcerated and who will be released back into the local community. Participation in the program is strictly voluntary. The broad purpose and nature of the project is to re-connect the prison and the community, specifically by providing a well-organized, faith-based rehabilitative program. Furthermore, the purpose of the program is to help strengthen the participant’s ability to live responsibly and to make appropriate choices by helping them to identify and diffuse their unresolved conflicts. The Theotherapy faith-based initiative helps the participants to develop a more healthy approach to dealing with areas of conflict inside or outside prison walls and to reflect core values as represented in the world’s major faith traditions. This program aims to strengthen inmates’ capacity to live responsibly in mutual support, trust and respect, inside or outside the walls (i.e. living from the core values present in the Judeo/Christian faith tradition). Theotherapy seeks funding from donors and outside organizations to provide this program. Outside funding strengthens the infrastructure of Theotherapy in order to provide the oversight and the essential elements required to establish and run the referenced program and also to expand the general ministry.

How the Project Addresses Relevant Issues
The program offers weekend seminars and support group meetings for participants. Upon release from incarceration, continued support groups and seminars are available in the Nashville area. The goal of the program and its follow up is to: Strengthen the foundation of what they are learning at seminars Stimulate spiritual and emotional growth Encourage behavior modification Afford another level of accountability Reinforce the goals needed to put what they are learning to practical use both within and without the prison walls.
Program Description
The program runs for a period of six months. Each six-month program typically involves approximately 50 inmate participants. Each inmate is provided a total of six intensive one-day seminars (one weekend day per month) over the six-month period as well as weekly support groups led by trained Theotherapy facilitators and teachers. Teaching materials and textbooks are provided for each inmate participant. Some slight modifications are made to the schedule depending on the logistics of the particular location. During the six one-day seminars offered over the course of six months, the following topics are addressed: conflict resolution, anger, fear, rejection, guilt, grief resolution, family systems, forgiveness and transition planning. Each weekend seminar involves large group teachings, large group dynamics and small groups for more individualized counseling and ministry. During the weekly support group meetings, inmates continue to “process” the information they have received and learned at the one-day seminars. In addition, they receive further teaching designed to augment their emotional and spiritual growth. Homework assignments are given at the support group meetings and are designed to further develop what they are learning in practical ways.

Impact of the Program Within the Judiciary
In Davidson County (Metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee), many criminal court judges, individuals in the Public Defender's Office and the District Attorney's Office are noticing the impact of Theotherapy in the lives of prison inmates. Because of the initiative's success, completion of the Theotherapy program has become a requirement for suspended sentencing, parole and early release in many situations. Recently, the Theotherapy initiative was introduced at the Federal court level.

Aftercare Opportunities
Theotherapy Seminars believes strongly in the concept of continuing support for those individuals who have participated in the program while incarcerated and have been subsequently released back into society. Every former inmate is offered weekly support group meetings, free seminars and facilitator training for two full years following their release from incarceration. Currently, Theotherapy offers aftercare programs in Nashville, Tennessee and in Murrysville, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh area). In an effort to help reinforce the former inmate's marriage and/or family situation, we also provide the opportunity for the former inmate's spouse or one adult family member to attend the Theotherapy events mentioned above free of charge for a period of two years following the former inmate's release from incarceration. Mark A. West Director of Prison Programs Theotherapy Seminars, Inc Email: theonash@bellsouth.net

OUR FINANCIAL POLICY	go to top
The Lord has always provided for Theotherapy since its beginnings here in the United States in 1981. We have survived through income from registration fees for seminars, book and tape sales, offerings and donations of many different kinds. We have purposively kept our seminar registration fees low to enable as many persons to come as possible. These fees do not cover the costs of maintaining the ministry but God has never failed us. We have found that many who experience emotional brokenness also struggle financially. We offer scholarships where needed and when possible. However, we have never turned anyone away from receiving help. We offer discounts to the host church for persons from their congregation. We have a very small staff that is paid for full time work. There are many being paid part time who donate many more hours. Some are raising their own support. They have received and they want to give in return. The facilitators who travel with us are volunteers and in most cases travel using their own resources. We provide their meals at the seminars and lodge them in host homes to eliminate motel costs. We encourage our seminar participants to tithe to their local church. We are seeking funding from local congregations, foundations and individuals whose hearts are open and resources are available to see the body of Christ healed. This allows us to continue to minister. With additional funding we would be able to expand our Prison Program. This program, unlike the regular seminars generates no registration fees. On top of that we supply the manuals for the inmates at no cost to them. We also need to expand our support staff to handle the administrative load in the main office and the director's offices around the country. We need persons to answer inquiries from churches, to write grants and proposals and to solicit funding to continue the ministry. Any donations will be put to fruitful use. We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. We are led by a Board of Directors. We have belonged to the American Association of Christian Counselors for many years. Our books are examined annually by an accounting firm since our receipts aren't large enough to require auditing. We are happy to discuss our financial status with you at any time.