ANNUAL REPORT/990
Shield Ministries was co-founded by David and Melodie Truluck in 2007. David's life journey of healing and restoration from childhood sexual and physical abuse ignited a passion to serve men who were living in the devastation of their past. David witnessed many men who had allowed the lost of hope to keep them from experiencing true freedom. Many men were able to modify behaviors but still desperately needed to transform their thinking, choosing, and building patterns to move from living life devastated to thriving.
Through accountability and healing with spiritual mentor Chaplain David Golden and Dr. William Burke, specialized sex offender treatment counselor, along with applying the Biblically and evidence based truth of how to think, feel, and choose, (neuroplasticity) David learned to change his brain with his thoughts. Dr. Caroline Leaf, one of the first to begin to study neuroplasticity in the 1980's shares,
"So we’ve got to recognize that neuroplasticity, which was only accepted in the — It was discovered in the 80’s and there were about 50 of us scientists who were working concurrently on neuroplasticity. By the mid 90’s it was accepted with the FMRI technology where you can see the movement in the brain. But now, yes, it is accepted and two, if your brain is always changing, which it is, and it’s being changed by something, which is your mind, so we should discuss the mind-brain difference. That means that if the mind is always changing, and the mind is always changing the brain, which is neuroplasticity, the brain cannot change itself. If you’re dead, your brain does nothing. You’re alive, you are doing the changing. Your brain is doing the responding, and it responds by changing. That is happening all day long and all night long. Then the question that I’ve been asking, which is what I’ve been researching is: If that’s the case, can we direct the mind to direct the change? And the answer is yes. That’s what my book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess is. It’s kind of a summary of 38 years of research, even though this is my 19th book, it’s the most succinct way of understanding with the clinical trials summarized in a way that anyone can understand it. I’ve taken science and I’ve said “This is what it means for you.”
https://www.drbeurkens.com/podcast/how-to-change-your-brain-by-changing-your-mind
Philippians 4:8 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Proverbs 23:7a (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
2 Timothy 1:7 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
David often shares that he has experienced the most success after he was charged and convicted with a felony and is required to register as a sex offender, but only through the power of redemption through Christ Jesus who worked through a life changing, comprehensive educational and collaborative effort which designed the blueprint for our current evidence based practices.
The Program Model was developed through collaborative community relationships which are key contributors to successful re-entry. SHIELD ministries works closely in communication with the SC Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services in Charleston County and the Charleston County Sheriff's Office along with the participants to ensure regulatory compliance for men to successfully completed their Probation Supervision period as well as to mitigate potential safety concerns.