A Haven of Spiritual Healing
In 1993, Charlie Sharpe was driving in a Ford Pickup by the lake on the property, which is now known as Heartland, when God grabbed his attention. Charlie had long been disturbed about the fact that America was losing her youth. Now God challenged Charlie to do something about it.
In May of 1995, Heartland was born from that earlier encounter in the middle of Northeast Missouri cornfields. Today, the growing ministry includes recovery centers and group homes for men, women, and children. It is a place where people can experience the restoration of their broken lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ. 
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A Will to Work
Heartland is dedicated to helping people experience peace through Christ and to help them become assets to their communities through education, work programs, and vocational training. Staff members stress a high standard of spiritual excellence expressed through the kind of strong work ethic the Bible describes.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as work for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24
Our desire for all who come to Heartland is a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We want to see people develop lifelong wholeness and Christ-esteem, with a strong work ethic. The program is guaranteed to work under the condition that you take the medicine required: hard work, Biblical teaching and an open heart to Jesus Christ. back to top
Work Ethic
The students at Heartland follow a routine and schedule of daily chores, which teaches them the responsibility of a Christian lifestyle. Some students also hold part- time jobs, and the money they earn goes into a savings account, which they receive when they graduate high school. back to top
Education
Students who have not yet graduated from high school are provided with a Christ-centered education at Heartland Christian Academy. The school has also been providing this service to people in the Northeast Missouri area since 1996. The majority of the children in the pre-K through grade twelve school are students in the recovery program.
The Academy strives for educational excellence in all areas of study, including Bible, and the curriculum covers all fundamentals required by the Missouri Department of Education. The school also offers special classes made possible by the latest in technology, including various computer classes for all ages. Heartland Christian Academy also strives to meet the diverse needs of its student body through a variety of extracurricular activities.
A strong special education program at the Academy and an independent study program assist students who test below their academic level. With a low student-teacher ratio and an average class size of fifteen students, the academy staff can give each student the personal attention missing in many of America's classrooms today. back to top
After a student graduates from the Academy, they have the opportunity to further their education at Nations Harvest Bible College on the Heartland campus, or to stay in the community and give back to others some of what they have received.
Discipleship
Students and adults of all ages have a daily devotional time with their house parents or dormitory leaders. They attend Heartland Academy Community Church Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening. Youth group members also meet weekly for a special service. In every area of ministry, these students see living examples of what it means to follow Christ daily.back to top
FAQ's:
Q: What is CNS International Ministries, Inc?
A: Along with Heartland Academy Community Church, CNS International Ministries, Inc. is a not for profit ministry dedicated to helping people with broken lives experience peace through Christ. The ministry includes Heartland Christian Academy, Heartland Children and Youth Homes, and Heartland Recovery Programs for men and women.back to top
Q: What type of kids come to Heartland?
A: Any child who is struggling with life-controlling behavior, addictions, or actions is welcome at Heartland. Some of our young people struggle with a hurt from the past such as the death or rejection of a parent, divorce, neglect, or abuse. They have turned those hurts inward, which caused them to become filled with anger. Then they looked for anything to fill the emptiness. Drugs, alcohol, and sex are the common remedies they try, only to be left in a worse state. This vicious cycle sometimes causes young people to resort to violence, self-mutilation, or even attempted suicide.
Other kids come to Heartland from good family backgrounds. These teenagers simply started making bad choices as they moved into their teen years and eventually found themselves totally out of control.
All the teenagers who come to Heartland are crying out for stability and structure. That is what we offer at Heartland, all in the context of the One who can actually heal the past--Jesus Christ. back to top
Q: How much does it cost for a child to live at Heartland?
A: When children or teenagers come to the Heartland program, their parents or guardians are asked to pay whatever they can afford toward the actual cost involved. On an average, the cost of this ministry is $1000 per child each month. This includes the expense of staffed housing, meals, a Christian-based education, and any special needs. back to top
Q: How long does a child normally stay at Heartland?
A: It takes a considerable amount of time and focus to change behavior, which has become a lifestyle. Teenagers who come into the program are expected to stay until they graduate from high school. Since the state of Missouri designates children as adults at the age of seventeen, teenagers over the age of fifteen and a half are not admitted to the youth program. back to top
Q: Can Heartland help my child?
A: We are always eager to talk with parents and guardians about the difficulties they are facing. Please feel free to call us at the number listed here and let us talk and pray together. back to top
Contact Information
For more information and for scheduling an appointment for a program interview please contact:
Laurie Sharpe, Youth Administrator
Phone: 660-284-6212
