Sexual Violence -- Early Age

The Center for Disease Control reported some recent findings on sexual violence.  The article states that 30% of rape victims are assaulted between the ages of 11-17.  Twelve percent were 10 or younger.  After the release of these findings it was stated that "prevention efforts should start early."  You can read the article here:

Click on the above image or click here to be redirected to the article.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault of any kind, feel free to join us for our weekly studies (times and locations).  We aren't group therapy.  We won't make you talk about anything.  Our objective?  For you to be set free from the pain, panic, and fear that plagues your everyday details.

Humbly,
Melissa Culver

Rape Has Long-Lasting Health Effects

USA Today recently reported some findings on the long-term health effects of rape.  The article went on to say that one in five women (in the study) reported that they had been raped.

Click the image to be redirected to the article or click here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these or other health issues--related to sexual assault or molestation--feel free to join us for our weekly studies (times and locations).  We aren't group therapy.  We won't make you talk about anything.  Our objective?  For you to be set free from the pain, panic, and fear that plagues your everyday details.

Humbly,
Melissa Culver

ACE Leadership Training Seminar Coming in January

Understand the science and scripture behind the ACE Overcomers program. January 27th & 28th. Learn how to lead this life-changing program in your church or ministry. Cost $100, includes leadership notebook and lunch. Location and how to register to be announced soon. Make plans to attend.

Seminar coming soon to Fresno. Tell your friends.

Feedback on Recent Training

Dave Lockridge and Jason Culver held a training recently.  Here are some words of feedback they received when the training was complete:

~ "I have a greater understanding of how to work with [the children I serve]."
~ "I have gained a greater understanding of my role/responsibility as a teacher."
~ "Thanks for all the quality information."
~ "All the information was insightful."
~ "Thanks a lot for this very interesting presentation.  I can't think of anything to improve.  You know how to talk about a very sensitive topic with insight, respect, and humor.  I thoroughly enjoyed today."
~ "Dave, you did a great job explaining how to overcome the cycle of adverse childhood experiences.  The presentation of the material was great."
~ "I absolutely love this training.  By far the best I've ever been to.  I like the mini-ACE survey.  I plan to go home and have my family fill one out.  All the information I have received is wonderful.  I feel blessed to have been able to participate in today's training.  I also enjoyed all your jokes."
~ "The information was well organized.  The comedic overtones made a serious topic much more palatable.  The intervention strategies are practical and useful.  Great use of real life examples to demonstrate the concepts."
~ "This would be a great training for all elementary, junior high, and senior high school teachers!"

If you would like to host a training in your area, please contact Dave directly
(209-617-4688 or dave.lockridge@sbcglobal.net).

Suicide Prevention

Under the larger umbrella of ACE, part of our mission is to see numbers like these decrease:

 (Click on images to view larger.)

By teaching people how to properly deal with past hurts, we pray that people will choose healthy ways to be set free from the pain of yesterday.

Partner with us today, and help make this a reality (use the Donate button on the right margin or email us using the contact tab above).

The entire health report can be viewed at this link.  It is the Health Status Report for Merced County 2010.

Humbly,
Jason and Melissa Culver

ACE Video -- Short

I revamped the video the other day.  I cut it in half.  Check it out:



Humbly,
Jason and Melissa Culver
Google Search Terms: ACE Overcomers, video, short, bible study

Training Seminar

TRAINING SEMINAR:

Understanding and Overcoming the Cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Speaker: Dave Lockridge, BA, BS

Executive Director of ACE Overcomers

Target Audience: Health Care and Social Service Providers, City and County Workers, Educators, Law Enforcement, Community Resource Persons.

Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011

Time: 1pm-5pm

Location: Rossotti Center 1045 W. 25th St, Merced 95340

Between Applegate Zoo and Kiddieland. Park Behind Zoo.

Cost: $85

Learning Objectives:

Participants will understand the:

       definitions of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

       physiological and emotional effects of abuse and dysfunction

       connection between ACEs and poor decision-making

Participants will learn how to:

       improve poor behavior of children and teens

       improve the emotional regulation of children and teens

       break the cycle of abuse and dysfunction

Please contact Dave Lockridge at aceovercomers@sbcglobal.net

or call (209) 617-4688 if you wish to attend.

You Are Beautiful

In the ugliness of abuse the after-effects are long-lasting.  They are like the searing sting of a branding.  ACE seeks to rewrite that damage with a new future--something beautiful.

I found this video to be profoundly beautiful.  Enjoy this brief video.  Maybe it can bring healing to a seared spot in your heart.



Humbly,
Jason and Melissa Culver

Dinner 2011 Update

Our first ever ACE Overcomers Fundraiser Dinner was a huge success.  Thank you to everyone who came, everyone who volunteered, everyone who donated something.  We could not have put this together without you.  The food was wonderful, the conversation was excellent, the presentation was profound, the testimonies were amazing.  The whole event was just plain spectacular.  Thank you, again.  I will leave you with just a few images of the event:

Because of His love,
Jason and Melissa Culver

CDC - ACE Study

In the link below (the image) you can find the ACE Study located on the Center for Disease Control website. Using the links to the left (in the blue area) you can maneuver through the data, the statistics, the demographics, and more.

The bible study that we facilitate was developed after these findings were discovered.

Humbly,
Jason and Melissa Culver
Google Search Terms: ACE Study, Center for Disease Control, ACE Overcomers

Local Studies

Here is the two-sided brochure announcing a new bible study at First Baptist Church of Merced.  If you or someone you know would benefit from attending this study, please share this link with them.  This study meets during the first hour of worship at 9:00am.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jason or Melissa (contact information).

(Click on the images above to view them larger.

Click Back on your browser to return here.)

More local studies are starting soon.  Check back for more times and dates.

Rejoicing in His abundant grace,
Jason and Melissa Culver

Posters 2011

Here are the posters for the up-coming banquet/dinner.  When you see one around town, pause and tell someone about ACE.  Get the word out.  Let others know what ACE is about.

(Click image to view larger.  Click "back" on your browser to return here.)

Humbly,
Jason and Melissa Culver
Google Search Terms: ACE Overcomers, fundraiser dinner, posters

ACE Promo Video 2011

Here is a quick video that showcases the vision for ACE.


Leave a comment.  Let us know what you think.

Joyfully,
Jason and Melissa Culver
Google Search Terms: promo video, ACE Overcomers, child abuse prevention, ministry vision, Bible study, discipleship, counseling, missions work, local, missions

Radio program features ACE Overcomers

I was interviewed on VoiceAmerica Radio. The program was a 1 hour interview that covers the essence of the ACE Overcomers program. Find it here:

ACE Overcomer Fundraiser Banquet

Please save the date for the ACE Overcomers Fundraiser Dinner 2011. Here are the details:

DATE: Thursday, October 20, 2011
TIME: Doors open at 6:00pm
LOCATION: First Baptist Church of Merced, 500 Buena Vista Dr., Merced, (209) 383-PRAY
TICKETS: Just $25.00/ea. Contact Jason (below) to purchase tickets.
DETAILS: Silent auction, ministry vision, and dinner
CONTACT: Jason Culver (209) 777-9182

If you would like to be a part of the prayer team, pass out posters to local business, be a part of the set up team, or help where you are gifted, please contact Jason or Melissa Culver. Or, if you have something to donate for the silent auction, please let us know. We are actively taking donations at this time.

The blueprint of a child's life begins at home.

Children do not come with an understanding of who they are, how they should behave, or what is their potential. A child looks to parents and adults to tell them who they are. If a parent tells a child, "You are a bad kid. You never listen to me." That parent has just provided a blueprint for their child's behavior.

Speak positive, encouraging words to your children. Tell them they are loved. Tell them you are proud of them. Tell them you you are confident in their abilities. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Overcoming Addiction

ACE Overcomers Foundational Truths for Overcoming Addiction

1.I recognize the destructive nature of addiction to my mental, physical, spiritual well-being and the damage it brings to my family and loved ones.

2.I realize that the major factor underlying addiction is my reaction to the adverse childhood experiences of life.

3.I realize that addiction is not a brain disease, nor is it caused by chemical imbalances or genetics, it is the result of a series of decisions based on false perceptions.

4.I realize that seeking chemical relief from past abuse is futile. Using illicit drugs just will not work.

5.I realize that addiction is not due to the molecular structure of the drug, but my attempts to cope with the stress of past abuse and current self-image.

6.I realize that a right relationship with God is my only source for the power to overcome.

7.I take responsibility to overcome starting today.
Copyright ACE Overcomers, 2009

The blueprint of your life begins at home.

I taught a class of ladies this morning and spoke on self-image. I encouraged them to understand how words affect their children's self-image. One of the ladies shared how her father constantly called her stupid and told her she would never amount to anything.

Parents provide the blueprint from which a child builds their life.

Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

Provide positive words which a child can build upon. Encourage them, assure them of your love and support. Tell them they can achieve great things with hard work and perseverance.

"Let your speech be alway with grace" Colossians 4:6.

The Weaving of Body, Soul & Spirit

We are complex beings, a combination of body, soul, and spirit. This interweaving is so complex, that only the word of God can finely divide the parts (Hebrews 4:12). Many are the stories of men and women whose bodies were broken, but who endured, yea, triumphed, because their faith and spirit would not be broken. Unfortunately, many are the stories of those whose spirits were broken, resulting in lost health and premature death.

Spiritual health is directly tied to emotional and physical health. If you do not have a healthy relationship with God you open the door to become nervous and full of anxiety. That, in turn, can stress the body and psyche.

Your emotional health can be affected by your childhood environment. If you grew up being abused, neglected or witnessing domestic violence, these adverse childhood experiences can have an affect upon the physical wiring of your brain and how you process emotions. Your resting heartrate and your body temperature can be affected by the stress experienced during the formative years of childhood. You can become overly sensitized to physical pain or emotional discomfort so that you lose the ability to sooth yourself in difficult or stressful situations.

Be assured, there is hope. You can retrain your brain and spirit to improve how you react to stress and uncertainty. Among the life-changing principles taught at ACE Overcomer meeetings, we teach strategies to strengthen your emotional and physical processing of stress and panic.

Come to ACE Overcomers Tuesday Nights 7pm 1510 Winton Way, Atwater CA. Call (209) 617-4688 for details.

New Addition to Staff.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Jason and Melissa Culver to ACE Overcomers. They are a couple with a heart for God and a desire to help the hurting. Both Jason and Melissa are studying for their masters degree in Biblical Counseling. They are planning to begin an ACE Overcomers program in the Merced area.
Last night at the ACE meeting, Jason gave his testimony and shared the work God has done in his life. Afterwards, many attendees spoke with Jason and Melissa and welcomed them to the program.
Pray for Jason and Melissa as they seek support and begin a new ACE chapter.

Exciting Things Are Going On

Last night we had our highest attendance ever (38). The spirit is great and more people are becoming involved and bringing friends. Some are coming from as far as Modesto and Chowchilla. I teach 10 ladies- five in a recovery home and five at a maternity home. In addition there are people referred to us from local Health and Human Services and local high schools for counseling and advice.

There is a great need for this ministry. I need your help to expand the outreach of ACE Overcomers. We have done very little advertising and we have seen strong growth. Think how many we could help if we had additional resources.

Would you please consider giving to ACE Overcomers? Your gift would enable us to break the cycle of abuse and dysfunction in many families.

WOW. As I was writing this blog I recieved a phone call about additional men and women coming to our Tuesday evening meeting. We may soon be busting out at the seams.

If you can, please send a check to: Community Foundation of Merced- (ACE Overcomers Fund) PO Box 3846 Merced, CA 95344

Your generous gift will give life and hope to a dysfunctional family, and change the future of a child.

Lesson Book in production

I'll soon complete the production of 26 lessons designed to help you overcome the effects of abuse, neglect and household dysfunction.

Over 130 pages of lessons and worksheets covering such topics as:
Understanding the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Self-Image and Past Adversity
Overcoming Poor Self-Talk
Emotional Impotence (This has nothing to do with Viagra)
The Interaction of Body, Soul, and Spirit
Strategies to Strengthen Your Soul and Spirit
Building the Capacity to Connect

You will learn biblical insights and psychologically sound principles that will change how you view your past, your self-image, and how you view your future.

The book is spiral bound and 8.5 x 11.
Cost is $25 which includes free shipping in the U.S.

You may send check to:
ACE Overcomers
PO Box 457
Atwater, CA 95301