Frequently Asked Questions

We made the decision to operate as a non profit corporation based on existing legal and tax considerations. If not a corporation our founders and board members would not have the ability to shield itself from those that would care to harm them through the legal system. The corporate status protects them from personal liability. We have had many threats regarding our published material on child training.

By being a 501(c)(3) we pay no federal income tax on our yearly operating surplus. We also do not have to pay state sales tax on our purchases. This allows about $150,000 a year on average to go back into the ministry, which would otherwise be spent on taxes.

We are not a church nor affiliated with any religious organization that may have reservations about being a 501(c)(3); we are a ministry, or in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service, a public charity. We follow our mission statement very closely.

The sale of our books and CDs are the provision the funds for us to support missionaries in several countries, have a military ministry, prison ministry, free Magazine, free ministry material on our website, the Good and Evil translation project, and more. This would be greatly diminished if we had to pay taxes by not taking advantage of the existing tax laws.

If you have any further questions, you may call or write to our General Manager, Mel Cohen, CFP, RFC. Mel is a Tax Accountant. His direct number is 931 593-2484

A child gets their self worth by BEING worthy. Doing things that they KNOW are a help to other people.

Many children live with terribly abusive fathers who constantly tell them they are no good but the children are aware they are greatly needed to help in the household, are good helping with the younger children, help with the neighborhood children, or grandparents, etc, etc, etc. No matter how bad the dad's screaming insults are, they bounce off the child who knows better. Sure, it is an ugly situation, but it is a recoverable situation.

When mothers respond to a child with broken pity at how cruel the daddy's insults are then there can be really scarring damage. This is of course a natural response but none the less damaging. It is time to stop pointing the finger and stop talking about forgiveness— as long as you focus on their hurt feelings, or trying to resolve their hurt, you will be adding to their damage. It is amazing but someday they will actually blame YOU not their dad. It would shock you to read our mail. It is crazy how life works out.

It is time to get your daughter off to the old folks home to volunteer to read to the old ladies or push wheelchair folks outside or sing to some old man as he dozes. She could get a job at a child care center or any place with she can see that see is a true helper. She needs to see results in other peoples' lives— she needs house cleaned— she needs to see the handy work of her own hands— something she does that NO one else can share in her success, so that it is she alone that makes the difference.

Your children need to EARN their self worth because that is the only way they will have any. SELF worth comes when self feels worthy based on what SELF does not what someone tells them, whether they are told how GOOD they are or how BAD they are. Many, many children that grow up hearing they are wonderful darlings have no self worth. Believe me we work with a LOT of different people.

I have not reinvented the wheel on this— it is the commonly known truth among all people who work with children or adults with low self esteem. Don't be mad— be smart.

My name is Rebekah Anast. I am the firstborn daughter of Michael and Debi Pearl, the authors of the best-selling book To Train Up a Child.

In every society there are “movers and shakers,” those people who call the media, make the stories (or the stink, as the case may be) and bring about changes that effect the thousands of ambivalent and, often clueless, masses. Some of these movers and shakers have the good of the masses in mind, others are simply angry, irrational people that need attention and like to make a scene. Unfortunately, the media thrives on these sensation-makers, and is quick to poison the waters of truth if the poison is offered on the silver platter of a “hot story.”

How do we combat the irrational and unfounded sensationalism that would poison the waters of our communities? With truth. If the media wants a story, give them the truth. Let them know that we are very aware of the lies and sensation being spread — but that we’re not afraid of it, because we know the truth.

These sensational story-tellers say that Michael and Debi Pearl teach child abuse, the subjection of women, and general injustice.

I would know (I am their daughter) whether their techniques are violent and unjust, or loving and temperate. I would know if the result is an emotionally damaged and fearful child, or a creative, successful, happy adult. I would know, yes, better than any one of these angry people, whether Michael and Debi Pearl are barbaric child abusers, or loving, successful parents.

Every type of abuse leaves evidence to prove its occurrence, whether it be a mark on the spirit or the body. Let me give you the evidence that is me:

I am 32 years old, married and the mother of three children. I am the happiest person I know, and my life is full of fruit; my own three very happy, balanced children who are completely sound in body and mind.

I have written articles, books, screenplays, and traveled the world for 4 years, meeting new people, eating new food, ministering to those in need, and loving life. I always returned to my favorite place and my favorite people... my family.

I married a wonderful man who is worth every moment of reverence and honor I give him; he is my best friend and only lover.

I have very few bad memories of childhood, all of which I can recall clearly; my dog dying, my hand getting cut on a fresh pine board, my brother being stung by bees, and my father’s grief over a friend’s suffering. That’s all that I can recall.

I remember only one spanking. I remember it because I laughed all the way through it, and so did my Dad. I had played a prank that was dangerous, but funny, and fully deserved a spanking for it, but my parents were unable to spank me without laughing. That is the only spanking I clearly remember. The others were so well-deserved my conscience was able to write off the memory once the deed was paid for.

I was never injured in body or spirit by the training I received. I was never “struck” in anger. I did receive non-injurous spankings on my fully clothed backside with a willow switch when I had clearly transgressed a known “law” of the house. These spankings did not leave bruises or abrasions, or emotional distress.

I learned by the gentlest way possible that foolishness has consequences and wise choices make life comfortable. This training has literally saved my life and I am eternally grateful to both my parents for using a literal rod to train my flesh to make wise choices.

My brothers and sisters were my best friends growing up. We did everything together; swimming, playing, working. We usually got in trouble together too, and when spankings were due, they were due all around. However, trouble was hard to find, as either Mom or Dad was almost always with us, joining in the fun, the projects, and the learning. From dancing in the rain, to building forts, to learning to ride a bike; they were there, so much a part of my life.

A person is innocent until proven guilty. I have proof that Michael and Debi Pearl are wise and loving parents: I am the proof, and every one of my siblings would agree with me.

Almost everything we (my parents) have ever written is available online for FREE on nogreaterjoy.org; and everything else is as inexpensive as possible while still allowing No Greater Joy to operate as a non-profit organization, geared toward helping thousands of parents and children.

A lot of information about the Pearl’s on the internet is simply taken out of context or completely misquoted. Look up the quotes on nogreaterjoy.org for yourself and make sure your source isn’t lying or misconstruing the truth. It’s important to the homeschool movement that we be accountable for our views, instead of blindly following the loudest sensationalist, or giving them credibility of any kind.

Our teachings are very clear as to proper use of the rod and the whole concept of proper training. Christian Law Association has gone over our materials at our request. CLA, as well as the State of Tennessee DCS, has given a clear OK that they do not contain anything that might be construed as teaching abusive use of the rod.

We wish we could guarantee that all who read our materials would understand the proper teaching, but we cannot. We have addressed the whole scope of the issue in the To Train Up A Child book — the heart of the parent towards the child, parental anger, abuse of the rod, etc. Our publications and website contain materials that fully describe what we teach.

Training is teaching the child early in life what to do and how to respond, using gentle, positive reinforcement. That is the whole scope of our ministry.

All we like sheep have gone astray (baa, baa, baa)
We’ve turned everyone to his own way (baa, baa, baa)
Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 53:6

Believe on the Lord (Who?)
The Lord Jesus Christ (that’s Who!)
And thou shalt be saved, and thy house
Acts 16:31

Children obey your parents in the Lord:
For this is right.
Ephesians 6:1

Draw nigh to God and He will
Draw nigh to you. James 4:8 A

Even a child is known by his doings
whether his work be pure
and whether it be right. Proverbs 20:11

For the wages of sin is death, is death!
For the wages of sin is death, is death!
But the gift of God is eternal life
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

God is our refuge and strength
A very present help trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Ho, every one that thirsteth,
Come ye to the waters,
And he that hath no money;
Come ye buy, and eat;
Come ye to the waters,
He that hath no money
Isaiah 55:1
Come ye, buy and eat.

If ye shall ask anything in my name
I will do it. John 14:14

Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today
And for ever. Hebrews 13:8

Keep thy tongue from evil, evil, evil
And thy lips from speaking guile. Psalm 34:13

Look unto me and be ye saved
Be ye saved all the ends of the earth
For I am God and there is none else.
Isaiah 45: verse 22

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,
All ye lands; Psalm 100:1
Make joyful noise unto the LORD. Psalm 100:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews, Hebrews, Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

O, give thanks unto the Lord for he is good (praise God!)
O, give thanks unto the Lord for is good (praise God!)
Because his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 118:1

Put on the whole armour of God
That ye may be able to stand against the whiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6 - Ephesians 6:11

First! First Thessalonians - Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit - the Spirit of God.
Quench not the Spirit - the Spirit of God.
First! First Thessalonians - Thessalonians 5:19

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.
Ecclesiastes 12:1

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead and your life is hid
Your life is hid with Christ in God.
Christ in God, Christ in God
Your life is hid with Christ in God
Colossians 3:2 and 3
Your life is hid with Christ in God.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
And lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverb 3:5

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:
Psalm 112, verse 4

Verily, verily, I say unto you,
John 6:47, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me - on me!
Hath everlasting life.

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost
Which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
I Corinthians 6:19

Except the LORD build the house,
Except the LORD build the house they labour in vain
Labour in vain!?
Them that build it, labour in vain, except the LORD
Except the LORD keep the city,
Who, the LORD?
The watchman waketh, oh he waketh but in vain
Waketh but in vain?!
Except the Lord, Except the Lord , Psalm 127:1
Except the Lord, Except the Lord, Psalm 127:1

Ye are the light of the world
A city that is set on a hill
Cannot be hid.
Matthew 5:14

Zion heard and was glad;
Zion heard
And the daughters of Judah rejoiced
Because of thy judgements, O LORD.
Psalm 97:8