It's an intense military style Christian retreat that promises to transform lives and inspire a greater love for God…and for thousands - it did just that.
But Gina Silva reports some teens say they were traumatized, and accuse "Teen Mania" of being a cult. Check out the FOX 11 News Investigative video report
Teens marching day and night...Crawling through mud and pushing their bodies to the limit.
All in the name of Jesus...
We have video of a program called "E.S.O.A.L." -- it stands for Emotionally Stretching Opportunity Of A Lifetime.
This bootcamp-style Christian retreat...offered by the "teen mania" ministries. Teens here are called interns. They're given a number and assigned to a group with a captain as their leader. This camp is located two hours east of Dallas, Texas.
The E.S.O.A.L. retreat is just one part of a full-year of Christian leadership training. Thousands have gone through it.
Many say this is a life-changing experience...A spiritual awakening...
Young people are growing with their relationship with Christ they're growing with their relationship with each other attaining spiritual maturity, building strong friendships.
But others call teen mania the worst thing they've even been through...
Friday, May 24 2013 12:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:50:33 GMT
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:43:54 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:12 AM EDT2013-05-24 15:12:21 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:33 GMT
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
