Christian Life Skills, Inc.

Our mission is to equip children, youth, adults and families to live spiritually healthy and productive lives through teaching, training, mentoring, nurturing, modeling and networking in the context of churches, educational institutions and community settings.

PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION:

Christian Life Skills seeks to empower families and youth to live spiritually healthy and productive lives through the practical application of the Word of God by providing:

~Christian Life Skills
~Training

Various models of ministry and resources including:

~Mentoring
~Nurturing, and
~Networking with churches and community groups.

Christian Life Skills offers a curriculum, training, and additional materials that help parents, children and youth address today's most pressing issues and overcome obstacles to success. Families and members of congregations are encouraged to embrace their role in providing effective spiritual nurture and support to participants. Appropriate training and screening contribute to the preparation that promotes good outcomes.

Christian Life Skills (CLS) began with the convening of a city-wide group of ministers and community leaders who recognized the need for the model and materials designed by Founder and Director Barbara W. Rogers. The ministry was launched from her vision for CLS that emerged after an extended period of prayer and fasting and the viewing of the Bill Moyers Documentary , "The Vanishing Black Families (1986)"

The biblical-based life-skills resources have proven effective across ethnic and racial groups. They have the flexibility to be used in the home with families, in the church, and in outreach to the community. Results include:

~improved academics
~increased self-esteem
~decreased repeat offences
~spiritual growth
~enhanced family well-being
~ job readiness skills
~improved self-discipline
~greater accomplishments
~a sense of hope and a positive attitude
~a desire to live for Christ and settle into ongoing participation in congregational life

These attributes have lead to stable employment, higher education, and wholesome living for youth and families who had previously known failure, discouragement and, in some instances serious trouble.

Participants develop the capacity to begin living into their God-given potential and purpose in life, while experiencing:

~loving, supportive relationships
~a variety of activities in the church and community
~motivation to move away from drugs, teen pregnancy, crime, violence, and school failure, and toward healthy living.
~a sense of their own worth to God and His world,
~encouragement to live into their potential, unique gifts, and abilities

Christian Life Skills has been blessed with help from many who have assisted the ministry in various ways. We thank God for each and everyone! We invite you to explore our website, become aquainted with our ministry and contact us if you would like to become involved!

Testimonials

Participants
Reflections of Christian Life Skills Participants-

"It really helped me out in living my life as a teenager"

"Chrisitan Life Skills taught me a lot about life and having a relationship with God."

"Christian Life Skills helped me improve my concentration skills."

"I like knowing that they take time out to spend more time with you."

"Christian Life Skills helped me keep my cool."

"I was lucky to be a part of Christian Life Skills. It made my teen years fun, and I learned so much from it. One of the things I really appreciated was knowing there were peers who were trying to live their lives the way I was trying to live mine. They were friends who encouraged me to put God first in my life. We were all trying to do that."

"I am trying every day to apply the lessons from PAEP (Positive Alternative Entrepreneurial Program) and CLS to daily life."

"Christian Life Skills was a good experience. It helped me a lot. It helped me to do positive things with my life rather than being out in the street doing negative things."

Mentors
Expressions from mentors who have served in Christian Life Skills-

"Mentoring helps bring out these problems that children face, before the turn their feelings into action which, most of the time are bad."

"You're never too old to learn. I learned a lot from the kids… and it was rewarding to know that you are teaching a child biblical principles."

Expression from Parent involved in Christian Life Skills-

"Christian Life Skills was a great help when I needed help as a single parent."

Leaders
Expressions from Community Leaders-

"CLS …met or exceeded target outcomes in working with high risk youth and their families."- Allegheny County Department of Human Services

"Award for Excellence in Faith-Based Mentoring" - Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania

CLS "…a well managed community asset, serving unmet needs among underserved disenfranchised populations...