Some of you may be curious as to how the Lazarus Project works. I'll try to explain it. First you will need to understand the problem of the common drug/alcohol addicted ex-convict.
They get caught for something and are sent to jail and are charged with fines. Once they serve their time and get out of jail, it becomes very difficult to get a job because of their criminal history. If they do get a job, most all of their money goes to pay the rent of whatever place their staying, and their fines get left unpaid. They then get caught for not paying their fines, and are sent back to jail. Upon leaving jail they have even more fines. This cycle keeps on repeating itself over and over and becomes very difficult to break out of. (In my lack of understanding I may not be describing it just right, but its basically a escalating cycle of of more money due and fewer ways to make money.)
On top of all of this are the life controlling issues that take over their life as give themselves more and more into sin and the pattern of this world. Many of them have never seen a spirit filled life or any kind of good example to live like. Most importantly they don't know Christ and have been burnt out by the hypocrisy and lack of love in the modern church.
In steps the Lazarus Project. The only people that are accepted into the Transformation center are men who actually want to change their life around. It is not a mission. It is not a soup kitchen. It's purpose is to take the men and show them how to start and maintain a relationship with Jesus Christ. If the men are just wanting a bed and food, and aren't wanting to turn to Jesus let Him change their lives, they aren't accepted into the Transformation Center.
Once they arrive, it's free. The bed and food are free. Their fines to the government agencies are paid (the ones they never thought to escape). If they take medication, that is provided for free. If they need clothes or any thing else within reason, it is provided for free.
This free ticket continues for thirty days and gives freedom from the monstrous cycle of fines and jail time. During this time, they are not allowed to work a regular paying job so that they can focus on God and not focus on getting more money. They do work on other odd jobs fixing up the Lazarus house and doing community help. We try to keep them busy! At night there are classes and teaching sessions where they learn about God and how to rely on Him and have a relationship with Him. They also have a modified 12 step program they go through and a Health and Wellness class to teach them healthy eating and living.
After the 30 days are over, they often get day jobs or start going to school and even college. Some of the guys are so happy to pass their GED test! If they do get a job, they enter the 60/40 program. I think they keep 60% of the money and put 40% back into the program (it might be visa versa). They still attend the evening classes.
The Lazarus Project also owns about 20 rental homes (and counting) in walking distance that the Lazarus guys work on fixing up. The rent money goes to help fund the program. When the Lazarus guys "graduate", they often move into one of these rental homes. As you can imagine, the whole thing takes lots of money to give out so much for free. They do accept donations, and the directors have put a huge amount of their personal money into it (I mean a huge amount).
It may sound like the main focus is on money, jobs, etc. but it isn't. David, one of the directors, is constantly saying how its not a program or formula that is going to change these guys. He says how it's only God Himself that make a difference. Our job is show forth Christ, and to imitate Him by showing these men true Christlike love.
May Jesus receive all glory!
They get caught for something and are sent to jail and are charged with fines. Once they serve their time and get out of jail, it becomes very difficult to get a job because of their criminal history. If they do get a job, most all of their money goes to pay the rent of whatever place their staying, and their fines get left unpaid. They then get caught for not paying their fines, and are sent back to jail. Upon leaving jail they have even more fines. This cycle keeps on repeating itself over and over and becomes very difficult to break out of. (In my lack of understanding I may not be describing it just right, but its basically a escalating cycle of of more money due and fewer ways to make money.)
On top of all of this are the life controlling issues that take over their life as give themselves more and more into sin and the pattern of this world. Many of them have never seen a spirit filled life or any kind of good example to live like. Most importantly they don't know Christ and have been burnt out by the hypocrisy and lack of love in the modern church.
In steps the Lazarus Project. The only people that are accepted into the Transformation center are men who actually want to change their life around. It is not a mission. It is not a soup kitchen. It's purpose is to take the men and show them how to start and maintain a relationship with Jesus Christ. If the men are just wanting a bed and food, and aren't wanting to turn to Jesus let Him change their lives, they aren't accepted into the Transformation Center.
Once they arrive, it's free. The bed and food are free. Their fines to the government agencies are paid (the ones they never thought to escape). If they take medication, that is provided for free. If they need clothes or any thing else within reason, it is provided for free.
This free ticket continues for thirty days and gives freedom from the monstrous cycle of fines and jail time. During this time, they are not allowed to work a regular paying job so that they can focus on God and not focus on getting more money. They do work on other odd jobs fixing up the Lazarus house and doing community help. We try to keep them busy! At night there are classes and teaching sessions where they learn about God and how to rely on Him and have a relationship with Him. They also have a modified 12 step program they go through and a Health and Wellness class to teach them healthy eating and living.
After the 30 days are over, they often get day jobs or start going to school and even college. Some of the guys are so happy to pass their GED test! If they do get a job, they enter the 60/40 program. I think they keep 60% of the money and put 40% back into the program (it might be visa versa). They still attend the evening classes.
The Lazarus Project also owns about 20 rental homes (and counting) in walking distance that the Lazarus guys work on fixing up. The rent money goes to help fund the program. When the Lazarus guys "graduate", they often move into one of these rental homes. As you can imagine, the whole thing takes lots of money to give out so much for free. They do accept donations, and the directors have put a huge amount of their personal money into it (I mean a huge amount).
It may sound like the main focus is on money, jobs, etc. but it isn't. David, one of the directors, is constantly saying how its not a program or formula that is going to change these guys. He says how it's only God Himself that make a difference. Our job is show forth Christ, and to imitate Him by showing these men true Christlike love.
May Jesus receive all glory!
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