New Direction Ministries, a 501c3 non-profit, nondenominational ministry was founded by Bridget and David Walls. The vision and mission of New Direction was birthed from insight they received while a family in crisis with situations in their own home with teenagers. They became aware of the reality that most adolescent and family care was cost prohibitive for many families. In 1996 David (a stock broker) and Bridget ( a licensed professional counselor) heard the call from the Lord to find a place set-apart in which teens and families could come and receive restoration. Stepping out on faith, both quit their jobs and opened a counseling center with the policy that no one would ever be turned away for inability to pay.

New Direction Farm opened in 1998 in Madison County, NC, offering professional Christian counseling and treatment for teenagers who are experiencing relational difficulties (failure in school, oppositional defiance, Attention Deficit Disorder, depression, running away, truancy, drug and alcohol abuse). The 400 acres of New Direction Farm contain four homes for youth, as well as a school , carpentry shop, lodge, gathering place, barns and chapel. Over 160 youth have resided on New Direction Farm, receiving full time schooling (taught with a Christian world-view), residential care and counseling. Maximum population on the farm is 16 youth. Staff to student ratio: 1:2. Length of residence is between 6 months and 4 years, determined by a number of factors. The goal is to walk with the youth and family until there is a sense of success once the youth leaves the mountain.