Roloff Homes

Programs it has run

7 on record, open ones first.

• New Beginnings Girls Academy La Russell, Missouri | 2001-2015 | Open
• Anchor Home for Boys Zapata, Texas | 1967-2000 | Closed
• Bethesda Home for Girls Forrest County, Mississippi | Closed
• Lighthouse for Boys Near Corpus Christi, Texas | Closed
• Marvelous Grace Girls Academy Pace, Florida | 2008-2022 | Closed
• Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy Patterson, Missouri | 1987-2004 | Closed
• Rebekah Home for Girls Corpus Christi, Texas | 1967-2001 | Closed

News coverage

• ALL IN THE NAME OF GOD: THE MULTIBILLION DOLLAR TROUBLED TEEN INDUSTRY AND THE CHRISTIANS WHO PROFIT FROM IT (2022-03-21) Killing the Buddha | Mar 21, 2022 | expose About one of its programs

  The article reports on allegations of physical, spiritual, and sexual abuse in several faith‑based residential programs for troubled teens. It cites survivor testimonies describing forced silence, beatings, and conversion therapy practices. The piece highlights legal challenges that have allowed some facilities to operate with limited oversight.

• The History of Lester Roloff's Faith-Based Youth Homes and State Oversight Battles Texas Monthly | Dec 1, 2001 | expose About one of its programs

  The article documents the history of the Rebekah Home for Girls, a faith‑based residential facility founded by evangelist Lester Roloff, and describes disciplinary practices such as corporal punishment, isolation, and restraints. It includes survivor accounts of physical and spiritual abuse and outlines the facility’s legal battles over state licensing and oversight.

Deaths on record

Young people who died at, or after being in, one of its programs.

• Connie Munson age 14 | Bethesda Home for Girls | August 1, 1980 | Died during escape attempt