John G. Lewis

Review of American keswick

An outstanding place for the Christian to go for r...

An outstanding place for the Christian to go for rehabilitation and recovery from Drug or Alcohol addiction. I was there 21 years ago... and then it was a three month program - which I found to be about the correct length one wants. Other facilities have programs of 1 year, which is probably excessive, seeing that it will take too much out of one's adult life. But merely a month is far too short. I therefore thought this length of time, of 1/4 a year, to be about on target with what is necessary and desirable.

Further, besides drugs, there are obviously often other problems in a young man's life, and when I attended, Keswick was a facility merely for men. I did enjoy the camaraderie present ... and there were some middle age gentlemen about, too. The time, of a period of months, gives the individual space to sort things out, and, above all, to relax: which is often sorely needed. Keswick lies in the beautiful, and under-appreciated Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey. So then this is very close to New York City, but secluded in its own way, and therefore providing easy access to millions in the NYC-Philadelphia metropolitan area, while also offering peaceful and comforting environs of a forest. The location is superb.

The staff of Keswick is theologically well trained, in the Protestant, even Reformed, tradition, and are consoling as well as understanding. Upon entrance they try to move all along in the Faith, while recognizing that the goal is not to graduate theologians, but at minimum, to save people from a path of ruin, and confirm those in the Church - or those entering it - of their position in the Faith. Superb in fulfilling both latter objectives, and while all ultimately rests with God and the individual himself, the staff does all it can to shepherd the stray sheep. Attendance at Church is required.