Serving Parents of Troubled Teens – Introducing Craig & Wendy Rogers

Craig and Wendy Rogers, co-founders of Abundant Life Academy, a Christian boarding school for troubled teens, turning the rebellious teen into a powerful leader.  As Christian boarding schools go, Abundant Life Academy stands alone.  ALA is one of a few top boarding schools with a premier leadership program.  Parents of troubled boys and girls find Abundant Life Academy to be a powerful restoration experience for the entire family.

Below is the latest update from Craig & Wendy Rogers.

“Today is a new day, a new time, a new chance, a new opportunity for all; yet, we all have the same unchangeable choice. The choice to follow Jesus, or not. Period!

Follow the flesh, or follow the Holy Spirit, that’s all there is. The choice is to put into reality the practice of my “faith” in Jesus, as my Lord, Savior, Master, and Friend! Meaning, the choice is to believe in the truth, Jesus as described in the Holy Bible, or not!

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (the promise) to give us ALL what we need to act as children of God, in his Kingdom. He gave us His nature, His word! His plan! He gave us His power! My choice today is to either honor my Heavenly Father and follow Jesus ( more than ever before, and go to the next level of faith), or follow my own will, doing things my way (flesh).

To serve the Kingdom of God, and teach others about HIS greatness (Grace and Mercy) glorifying the Father in all that I do is my daily choice. This is my cross to bare, to be less of me and be a living testimony of His generous Spirit.”  Craig Rogers A small caption from a recent sermon given by Craig & Wendy Rogers at Sunday chapel service at Abundant Life Academy…

Craig Rogers Recent update by Wendy Rogers

I must state that through the last couple of weeks of pain and suffering I became a renewed man, more humble and thankful for all that has been given to me. There is no way I could have received a new heart through this ordeal if it wasn’t for Wendy. My beautiful wife Wendy was there with me, supporting me with every twist and turn, advocating for me, praying, and serving! I am so blessed to have this beautiful woman in my life, advocating physically, emotionally, and spiritually! A true partner! I also want to thank all those who took on my responsibilities. Donna, Rod, Kim, Wendy H., Todd, Paul K and Paul L , and many many more! Their support and love was the sweet aroma of God’s love!

In mid August there was a unique opportunity for myself as it relates to faith (real faith). After eating a meal I found myself in a state of physical pain that is simply impossible to describe. The pain was so severe that I had no other choice than to go to the emergency room of Kane County Hospital. The pain was so severe I went to the emergency room for immediate medical help. Right away the medical staff of Kane County hospital recognized my state of pain to be caused by something extraordinary, so they arranged for an ambulance to transport me to St George for immediate surgery.

The med staff concluded that I had a severe Gall Bladder problem, and it was more than what they (Kane County hospital) could deal with. So, off to Dixie Medical Center I went. At DMC I received emergency Gall Bladder surgery, They did remove my Gall Bladder, and in doing so they found that my Large Intestine twisted around on itself, cutting off the blood supply, causing real ugly problems. A great deal of my intestine had died, and they needed to remove the dead portion.. Another few hours, or perhaps days without medical intervention ( without knowing about the intestine thing) I could have died. The discovery of the dead Colon was a miracle… Pure miracle.

I don’t remember anything from the first 14 days of pure torture, and I don’t remember a single thing that transpired. The major issue is the fact the sutures did not hold, and the “stuff” in my colon leaked out into my stomach cavity and more. There also was a great deal of blood loss. it took 5 days for the Doctor’s to decide that something was desperately wrong, so they operated again, draining the bad stuff, and re-suturing my colon. Infection was everywhere. Extreme pain, high fever, white blood cell count went thru the roof! I had a staph infection in my lung (aspirated some of the stuff I was throwing up), and my stomach cavity had other infections. I had severe whole body cramps.

There was a team of five Doctors from different disciplines working together designing our assault on the infections. The fight was on, and I don’t remember a single thing, Praise God! Wendy was there every single moment (8 days of hell), and “boy-o-boy” does she have a story to tell!

Once the medical treatment to fight the infections started to work I woke up and was told what had happened. It was all a medical miracle that I survived at all. And, I don’t remember any of the pain or discomfort. I have been told specifics of the struggle, but I don’t remember any of it. Unfortunately, I had to stay in the hospital longer to allow my body and the meds to fight off the infections.

I remember the last few days of my hospital stay. For all those who came to visit, please don’t be offended if I don’t remember. I don’t even remember celebrating my daughter’s Birthday.

Today I’m laying low, fighting the infections, and feel like I have the worst flu you could imagine. I can’t sleep, have no appetite, and ache everywhere. I’m fighting off anxiety and deep depression also. Crazy weakness, feeling very emotional, as if I have no hope. Again, my wife Wendy, the angel from God, has been there every day, every minute, ministering God’s love as I struggle. God has blessed me beyond imagination with the loving Spirit of God thru my beautiful bride! I’m so thankful!

This whole ordeal has brought me to the foot of the cross, crying out to God for relief. And you know what? He has shown up big and mighty. He has lifted the heavy darkness and has inspired me to look forward to greater effectiveness in ministry. I have been humbled, and have become dependent on Him and those he has brought into my life.! I can say all of this is very different. But through it all I have drawn closer to Jesus. What an amazing experience. I hope the mantle of humility stays with me, keeping me focused, thankful, humbled, and effective for His kingdom (and not mine)…

Well, I hope to return to work in the next two weeks. I have not taken a day off for months and months. I was forced this time to take a break. I’m thankful for this whole experience. All the pain and suffering has been worth it, because I have had another powerful encounter with Jesus! I experienced an encounter with Jesus like Paul had on the road to Damascus.

I am thankful!I only ask one thing from you! Pray! Pray for all our families, the students, and the staff! Pray for revival, pray for anointing, pray for restoration, pray for the new birth! New mind! New heart! Your prayers mean something, and it is significant!

Pray for me and my family. We are always under attack! Pray for total restoration for each and every student and family! Pray for more humility, more power, and more effectiveness. Pray for the staff, asking God to bless them with every Spiritual gifts to become “change-agents!” Recruit others to pray also!

Through this whole ugly medical situation I have been blessed with so much more! Many staff have been blessed. More importantly, the students and families have been blessed. Pray for MORE!

God bless,

Craig & Wendy Rogers

ALA, a tremendously blessed Christian boarding schools serving troubled teens and struggling parents in Alabama (AL), Arkansas (AR), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), California CA), Colorado (CO), Delaware (DE), District of Columbia (DC), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NA), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico, (NM) New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY), Canada, Mexico, Cayman Islands.

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