Reviews – Real Stories of Recovery & Faith

“21 years ago today, I entered Hot Springs Teen Challenge. Since then, it’s been an awesome journey and I will forever be thankful for the sacrifice everyone made. Thank you Tim and Sallie for your commitment to the ministry…”

“28 years ago I entered the Teen Challenge Springboard Home and my life was radically changed. I thank God for the ministry I received then and that He allows me to be a part of it now to minister to others…”

“38 years of being blessed!!! 7/7/75…I was dropped off at Teen Challenge, 1315 Main St Brockton MA. My Oldest Brother Glenn brought me there and later told me, 25 Drug Programs wouldn’t take you in because of your record, don’t mess up this chance. If you quit or run from TC you’ll be dead. The first days of my rehab were brutal beyond description. I was so depressed with facing the reality of being 18, homeless, friendless, and no options except Rehab. Today, I’m the President of the very same TC Ministry that opened its door to me when 25 other rehabs wouldn’t! A special thank you and prayer for Bob and Susie B.- The Directors who said yes while 25 others said no.”

“7 years ago I was hopeless junkie caught up in heroin addiction and alcoholism. I was so far from God. I lived my life as I wanted. I stole and cheated from everyone or I sold the junk to pay for my next fix. I lost everything in a cycle of selfish depravity. I have tried rehab programs, prison, probation, and various drug programs. They didnt work. Doctors could never help me, neither could the psychiatric nurses. The prescriptions never worked either. Then 6 years ago Jesus Christ stepped into my life. I mean literally stepped into my life. When no one else would help, Teen Challenge UK took me in. At Teen Challenge I was shown love and compassion. I was unlovable yet they still loved me. I was presented with the gospel, I was convicted and I prayed a simple prayer. I have never been the same since. In what can only be described as a Damascus Road experience, I was drastically changed. All the feelings of guilt and shame and unworthiness that had plagued me for so long went. And I was left with feelings of elation and freedom that I had not experienced for a long time due to all the drugs. I had an overwhelming sense of joy and a deep deep knowing that I was right with God and that He loved me and cherished me. And my cravings for drugs was gone in an instant. My soul and mind was flooded with joy and peace and I lay on the floor laughing and crying and praising God with hallelujahs. I had never said hallelujah in my life and now it was rolling off my tongue. And words were coming to my mouth in an unknown language. And they made sense. I knew that they were a heartfelt cry of thanks and praise to a great and glorious Saviour. From that moment on I was instantly in love with Jesus. The next day I dug out a Bible and started reading it. It was awesome. I loved the words and they made sense. From cover to cover I could understand Gods sovereign plan to redeem mankind. People who met me in the next few weeks said that I was so drastically different. I looked healthier and more alive. I was aglow with the Spirit of God. My time at Teen Challenge helped me to learn new life skills that were essential for my new drug free life. At Teen Challenge, Jesus gave me a brand new life. He rescued me from the pit. He redeemed my soul. Now my children are back in my life and I am a single parent to my 12 year old daughter. My mom died last year proud of her son. I have had so many opportunities since and I even trained and qualified as a drug worker and mentor. Now I am training as a minister. Thank you Jesus. And thank you Lord for you special ministry Teen Challenge.”

“9 yrs ago today l graduated Teen Challenge… Sunday the 22nd I have been clean & with my Jesus for 10yrs… 33 yrs of addiction had consumed my life almost to the point of death… I know the meaning of LIFE today & have a heart that remains grateful for these past 10 yrs… thank You Jesus!!”

“A friend told me recently after receiving his 1 year chip, that he was in \uncharted territory\”. He had not been sober for this long since he was 10 years old. He’s now 35. Many of us know this feeling; it can be a scary place.”

“A great school that offers so much more for the student and family than just basic education. This school has changed my daughter’s life and given her a second chance to succeed.”

“A great school that offers so much more for the student and family than just basic education. This school has changed my daughter’s life and given her a second chance to succeed.”

“A little over 3 yrs. ago I was facing jail due to probation violation. I had lost my driver’s license from DUI, and I was in trouble on several counts with the law in Tennessee and Kentucky. I had been an addict for the past 20 yrs. My life was in shambles. In June 2009 I enrolled in Chad’s Hope TC. After graduation on May 4th, 2010 I did a 3 month internship with my local pastor, Kevin Alexander of Faith Tabernacle A/G. That was necessary for my acceptance into Teen Challenge Ministry Institute in L.A. California. On Sept. 10, 2010 I was in California enrolled in TCMI and graduated one yr. later on Sept. 11th, 2011. While at Chad’s Hope I learned to face the truth of my sin and trust in Christ’s forgiveness. That was a very hard year. Then at TCMI I learned about serving others. That was a difficult year as well. Going from self absorbed to loving and helping others is something only God can do! AND HE DID IT FOR ME!! \SING”

“A little shyly, 17-year-old Emily displayed one stunning painting after another. Even through the mysteries of abstract art, the message leaped off the canvas she held. Shimmering colors created the backdrop for a series of connected rectangles that all looked alike. At the edge of the canvas was a purple circle, almost dropping out of sight like a setting sun. The purple circle was bold and beautiful, but it was separate, different and alone. Abstract art is now her voice a way to tell her story of the pain and isolation she experienced in the past. She is also finding the courage to share how Jesus Christ healed her heart and gave her hope for the future. In spite of growing up in a loving Christian home in Duluth, Minn., Emily said she felt rejected and alone at a young age. \My home life was very good”

“A women’s drug and alcohol program, Teen Challenge in Fort Worth, has a ladies choir that perform regularly for area churches. Most church members attend expecting only wonderful gospel music, but what they find is something much more powerful. It’s real life stories of self-destruction and redemption from a group of women that are much more than an amazing choir, or even personal success stories. They are missionaries spreading a message of faith and inspiration to their community. There are two big misconceptions about Teen Challenge. First, its not a traditional drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic per se. They are a Christian ministry that intentionally serve the addicted population. Second, Teen Challenge is not just for teens. They accept all ages 18 and over. The official Mission Statement of Teen Challenge is, To provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems. Teen Challenge was started 1958 in New York by the recently deceased Rev. David Wilkerson. It has grown to over 1000 centers across 82 countries. The Fort Worth center is for women only, begun 35 years ago by its current director Larry Adley. Men are referred to other Teen Challenge centers in Dallas, Azle and Midland. The Fort Worth facility houses 21 women, with a staff of 11. The ministry is self- sufficient and operates completely from private donations, receiving no federal or local government funding. With the exception of a small cost for a medical exam and booking fee, the women admitted are not charged for any living expenses or costs for their care during their stay at Fort Worth Teen Challenge. For those in desperate need, we even find ways to get that charge taken care of many times, according to Brenda Halley-Warren who handles public relations, among many other duties for the facility. The national organization of Teen Challenge USA posts an 86% success rate seven years after graduation from their program, citing a 1974 study. That success rate, much higher than traditional programs, has been scrutinized over the years by other studies and has been both criticized and supported by differing sources . The Fort Worth PR Coordinator admits it is hard to measure a true success rate and they avoid putting a figure on that. You cant know for certain how many do and don’t go back to drugs or alcohol, but seeds are planted here for everyone, Brenda stated. To witness the choir program, hear the women’s stories and tour the house in person, there can be little doubt that many women in need are being rescued from very dire straits. There are no stereotypes for addiction. Drug and alcohol dependency crosses all social, economic and racial lines and the ladies come from many different backgrounds. At their choir concert, attendees will hear first hand accounts of lives overcome by struggles, suffering and abuse, transformed in a nurturing environment and given a new capacity for hope and self worth. One can see in their faces where they have been and at what point in the recovery process they are in. Many show visible signs, scars and premature aging, effects of what living a hard life can bring. Some smile and sing with joy and exuberance, while others are unable to hide pain and sadness in their expression. From the testimony of one choir member during the concert: All my life I was searching for something. I couldn’t find whatever it was from my parents, or men or even my children. I tried finding it with drugs and I lost my children. Then drugs led me to the south side of Fort Worth. There I found prostitution and homelessness and I didn’t even know who was looking at me in the mirror. Finally, I found Teen Challenge and realized what I really was looking for and needed was love. They helped me realize I was loved by Christ, and he taught me how to love the woman I saw in the mirror. That was 10 years ago and today I have my children back in my life. The Fort Worth Teen Challenge center has two annual fundraisers, their Fall Banquet scheduled this year on October 8th, and spring Golf tournament at Bear Creek Golf Club in April. For information about the center, attending the banquet, donations or other inquiries, please contact Brenda Halley-Warren at bwarren@fwteenchallenge.com or visit the center online at http://www.fwteenchallenge.com/”

“A year ago I was lost. I had no direction in life, no meaning. The life I knew was failing me. The things I loved to do became useless. I had begun selling myself to support my addiction. Accepting nothing but abuse my whole life, I knew I was worthless. I was searching and experimenting and finding nothing but hurt and self-affliction. I went home and shortly after started the process of coming to Teen Challenge of Texas. Now I am filled with the joy of the Lord. I know my stains are wiped clean. Surrendering completely to Christ has been the best choice I’ve ever made. Everything I ask Him for help with and give over to Him is taken care of… He has restored me.”

“After 12 years of addiction and two felonies, I knew something had to change. In 2007 I entered Teen Challenge lost and hopeless. In the past I had tried to do it on my own and was never successful. After a year in Teen Challenge I now not only have hope, but I have new life as well. After completing Teen Challenge, God put it on my heart to stay on as staff. Today Justin is the Dean of Students and Teacher at Teen Challenge in Shreveport, LA”

“After 15 long years of addiction I can remember thinking that being an addict was all I would ever be. I had many negative labels on my life and believed what the enemy was trying to convince me. I was trapped in my own skin and had no purpose in life. In 2011 I finally got to the end of myself and came to teen challenge and was introduced to a man named Jesus who loved me anyways! I spent a year in the program renewing my mind as the Holy Spirit began to show me who I really am! Now I no longer have to walk around with my head down because I am a NEW creation. The Sarah I was for so long, no longer exists and the Lord has shown me my new purpose in life. Thank you Jesus!! Currently Sarah is the Community Relations Coordinator for Mt. Grace Teen Challenge Womens center in Winnfield, LA”

“After 20 years of struggling with alcohol addiction, I was beat down, tired and lost. By the grace of God I found Teen Challenge. I have been set free from the chains of addiction. My relationship with Jesus Christ has been restored. I now live with hope of eternal life with Jesus Christ my Savior.”

“After becoming addicted to painkillers and alcohol in my 20s, I struggled for years in my own strength to break free from the bondage of sin and shame. After years of struggling, God saw fit to rescue me from these chains and has literally renewed my mind, heart and spirit. I thank God for the freedom and restoration of life he has given me through Christ.”

“After graduating High School I went to Appalachian State University. While there I began having severe pains in my hip and joint. I went to the doctor and he prescribed me pain medication and this was the beginning of the end for me. The meds not only took away the physical pain they soothed the emotional anguish I had deep inside of me. I began to rely on them for everything and became opiate dependent. This led to a lifestyle of crime to support my addiction, which landed me in jail for bank robbery. While in jail I went through severe detox. I lost my wife, my son, my home, my car and my freedom. This was the lowest point in my life and when I thought I wanted to end it all, I cried out to Jesus. I asked Him to come into my life and help me. He did just that. He gave me a feeling of hope and enough strength to make it through that day. Jesus began to deliver me from the lies I had believed for so long. I would seek HIM and would find Him when I searched with my whole heart. When going before the judge for sentencing, the judge allowed me to go to Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge even though my lawyer told me there was no way the judge would allow it. While at Teen Challenge my walk was strengthened beyond belief. I was in the word every day, being built up so I now have the tools to witness to the world of the goodness of God and what He can do for a broken spirit. God has done for me what man said was impossible, but most of all He has brought peace to my heart and purpose to my life. No matter how low you feel, or how far away youve gone, He can do the same for you. I am now serving my time for bank robbery, but the Lord is with me each day. He is still real in my life and is using me in prison. – Jason”

“After I witnessed the death of my mother at age 14 my life began to spiral into binge drinking and rebellion. After two years of this decline, my father was able to enroll me into Teen Challenge Prayer Mountain Boys Academy. My counselor asked me one day why I had not accepted God into my life and I could not give him a good answer. I then decided to give God a chance and surrender everything to Him. As I began to repent, I finally realized all the things I’ve been going through didn’t have to be there anymore. Since then, my life has never been the same. I have a better relationship with my dad than I have ever had, and I now have a hope and a future. I was able to release all the anger and bitterness. To have Gods love and peace is the best thing that could ever come into my life.”

“After living a sinful life and being bound to drugs and alcohol for over 20 years, I came to Teen Challenge. Since my arrival, God has been fixing things I didn’t even know were broken and totally transforming me. He has given me more peace and joy than I have ever had in my entire life. He’s also teaching me how to love and trust others and myself. For the first time in my life I can look at myself in the mirror and be okay with the person looking back at me.”

“After my parents divorced and a moved, I rebelled and started partying. As soon as I was 18 I moved in with my Dad, but all I wanted to do was work and go to bars. My relationship with my Dad was broken because of my poor choices. I entered a 30 day treatment program, but soon discovered that treatment doesn’t work if you’re not ready to get help. I ended up in jail and had time to think about my life. I asked God for help, not to get me out of jail, but to help me with my addiction when I did get out of jail. A week after I got out of jail I headed home and picked out a church from the phone book. When I went in the music struck a chord with me and I cried uncontrollably. The pastor came over and at that moment I began a new journey. Within days I was in a Teen Challenge program and on my way to a new life. I have purpose and direction. God heard my prayer in that jail cell and gave me back my life at Teen Challenge. I’m now celebrating five years of sobriety. God works everything for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. God met me and restored my relationship with my dad before he passed away. Thank you for supporting Teen Challenge. It truly gives people a second chance!”

“After years of being hurt and used, I lost myself. I became numb to life and pushed everyone that loved me away. I did not care about myself, my family or my future. I felt like no one would ever love me. But then at Lakeland I came to know Christ and now I see myself from a whole new perspective. Life has a new meaning and my family means the world to me. I am so thankful for Gods forgiving grace and for a new life that I have found here.”

“All my life I was a two-faced Christian. My rebellion started around the age of 13 when I smoked my first cigarette, which led to alcohol, then pot, and then cocaine. I thank God for all He has done for me. He has restored my relationship with all my loved ones and has given me a second chance to live for Him. I also want to thank Teen Challenge for all they have done for me.”

“All of my life I have been running and searching for an answer to fill a void in my heart. I tried to fill that void through people, places, and things wanting so desperately to fill that void. One evening in January 2003, I had a dream that brought me to my knees, sobbing and crying out to the Lord with all I had left. I prayed to God to save me because I didn’t want to die like this. Within a matter of days, by His mercy, grace, and forgiveness He placed me at Teen Challenge with a plan and purpose for my life. My love for the Lord has His love for me puts a smile on my face and in my heart. All that I thought was lost forever because of my sin He is restoring, healing, redeeming, reconciling, revealing, and so much more. The best testimony I can give is what Christ is doing in my life now, wow and Amen!”

“Amber was raised in a Pastor’s home with a lot of love and support, but she got caught in a party lifestyle that led to an addiction to pills and alcohol. Life became miserable and out of control. Today, Amber loves her life! She has renewed her Cosmetology license, regained her health, restored her relationships with her family and begun a new relationship with a Christian man. Life is now something to be celebrated.”

“Approximately ten years ago, my life was a dismal valley of despair and selfishness due to unresolved hurts. As a teenager with no real purpose, other than partying weekends and every available moment in-between, I was angry at the world and felt empty with my life ahead of me. I rebelled at most authority figures out of disenchantment from a broken home life. At the final phase of my difficulties, I was given two basic choices. I could either allow the State to sentence me to their programs and systems until I attained the age of 18, or I could try a completely new way of life, cease from complaining about my parents’ problems, and trust the Teen Challenge Program. Teen Challenge believed in my potential and invited me to focus on who I was and how I could be a better person. They offered me a chance to contemplate what life was about in the desert (away from society) for nearly a year. I emerged a brand new adult with a strong enough character base to stay out of trouble and have a fulfilling life.”

“As a child, my parents made the hard choice to send me to live with my grandmother. Back and forth I went between two states, the many uprootings building high, protective walls. After graduation, worldly pleasures became daily habits. In 2012, I began to use crack. My dad urged me to attend Life Challenge. Foolishly, I thought I could do it on my own. It was only a matter of time before I was arrested. By the grace of God, I was sentenced to a rehab facility. After a month at Life Challenge, I felt a great burden lift. I was ready to allow God to heal the hurting child within. I know now how much God loves me, and how his plan brought me to this moment. The walls are coming down and the path is straight before me. With Gods grace, I will walk it with the spiritual armor provided by Life Challenge.”

“As a little girl your parents are your best friends . So when they separated and we moved from the West to the East coast, I held onto a fantasy that they would someday get back together. When the divorce was finalized my world shattered. I felt very unsure of myself and tried to suppress these feelings. My insecurities led me to an eating disorder, always striving for a standard that I could never meet. It wasn’t long before I was introduced to the drug scene and I began abusing pain killers to numb the feelings I couldn’t avoid. It soon became the very thing I lived for, an addiction I could not control. It ruined my relationship with my family and I craved that lost relationship with my father especially, so I looked to relationships as well. I found myself in the most miserable place of my life. Outpatient rehabilitation programs did nothing and it seemed my life was spiraling out of control. I had even influenced my younger sister in the same direction. Oxycontin and Ecstasy were the only two things that brought me any relief but the coming down was hard and I was so depressed many days I could not even get out of bed. The cycle I was stuck in seemed to have no escape until my parents found Teen Challenge. God met me here at Teen Challenge and began healing me from the inside out! I came angry and bitter and unwilling, but God began to wash away all the hurt I had carried for so long. God showed me He had a plan for my life – a good one, not one for destruction. My entire thinking about life has changed as God has renewed my mind and I know I am a new creation in Him. he has given me direction and purpose and restored my family relationships. I have a burning desire to serve Him and now as a graduate of the program I am a full time intern pouring that same hope and healing into lives like mine. Thank you for making this possible for me.”

“As an inmate in a maximum correctional facility, I have had my share of regrets, bitterness, and resentment about my life. One area of bitterness came as a result of feeling that a fellow inmate had lied while testifying in my trial which resulted in me getting 42 years and my wife seven. While in the county jail, I had vowed that I would get even someday! I would break his nose and maybe worse if given half a chance! With the department of corrections keeping us in different facilities the chances of my revenge being fulfilled was extremely distant.On, November 30, 2006, however that chance came in an unexpected moment! On November 30, 2006, I decided to turn in blankets that I had crocheted for the Jaycees life warming stitches program. Mr. Hughes of Freedom Challenge, which teaches life skills from a biblical perspective, of which I have completed the whole eight months and am now involved in their extended training program, wrote me a pass to pastoral care. When I was leaving pastoral care and rounding the corner to head back up to the educational department where Freedom Challenge operates, I came face to face with the man that had testified against me, even lied about me. As soon as I saw him, I dropped my sack of yarn and drew back to hit him, for now was my CHANCE! As I drew back to hit him bitterness and anger welled up in me, I wanted to hit him. To inflict my revenge! As Ron realized what was happening, and said, Dave, wait, wait and covered his face, I heard a voice say, I thought you forgave him? All the anger and hatred left and I realized he needed to forgive me. Instead of hitting him, I said, Ron forgive me for feeling like this, its wrong. He said, No Dave, I need you to forgive me, what I did was wrong! We got forgiveness, hugged and said goodbye. A correctional officer (C.O.) who had been standing in the rotunda and observed what had just transpired came over and asked, Is there a problem here? No, not anymore I stated. That evening, after returning from Freedom Challenge, I was sent to the clinic and the C.O.that had seen the whole incident called me over and said, good job. I told him, There’s no longer a problem. And he said, I saw that! God is still in control and will make an opportunity, a chance,for you to work out the things that stop you from growing too. I really thought I had worked through it already & God said, Oh, yeah, lets see! I stumbled, skinned my knees but didn’t fall! Thank God, I no longer harbor those feelings!”

“As far as my choice of charity to give to; the one I have found that has touched my heart as I watched lives changed and watched the heart of the staff is Teen Challenge, New Hope House. This program helps troubled teens head down a better path and encourages a life of service and giving to those in need. This organization takes broken lives and helps them heal so these girls can become strong, giving, loving adults.”

“As I was growing up, I had my first drink at 6 years of age. My childhood was filled with abuse and neglect. I was acting out by the time I was eight, and went through different schools and foster homes. I had legal troubles as well. It didn’t matter. . .no one seemed to care. At 16, I was adopted by a loving family and they wanted to take good care of me, but the pain and emptiness of my past continued to affect me. I tried getting involved with sports in high school, but I eventually found meth, and it made me feel invincible. By the age of 20, I was sitting in a jail cell with warrants from two counties. I knew I needed to make a change or I wouldn’t make it. I called my parents and they told be about Teen Challenge. I now have a real relationship with God, and my relationship with my family has been restored. At Teen Challenge I had an opportunity to work through all my childhood pains. I graduated from Teen Challenge and two years later married my best friend. I can’t wait for what God has for us!”

“As I was growing up, I had my first drink at 6 years of age. My childhood was filled with abuse and neglect. I was acting out by the time I was eight, and went through different schools and foster homes. I had legal troubles as well. It didn’t matter… no one seemed to care. At 16, I was adopted by a loving family and they wanted to take good care of me, but the pain and emptiness of my past continued to affect me. I tried getting involved with sports in high school, but I eventually found meth, and it made me feel invincible. By the age of 20, I was sitting in a jail cell with warrants from two counties. I knew I needed to make a change or I wouldn’t make it. I called my parents and they told be about Teen Challenge. I now have a real relationship with God, and my relationship with my family has been restored. At Teen Challenge I had an opportunity to work through all my childhood pains. I graduated from Teen Challenge and two years later married my best friend. I can’t wait for what God has for us!”

“As the Bible tells us, we should raise our children in the truth and it will never depart from us. So was I, Kyle K, raised in the truth, in Christ, and through the Lord’s grace and mercy I have been brought back to that truth. Through my pride and putting idols before Christ, I began drinking and smoking pot at 18, looking to substances to fill the hole I had inside. This began a downward cycle for almost 12 years that led to the destruction of my life and many who associated with me. Through college my addiction grew from recreational use to daily use with the addiction to prescription pain pills and cocaine. After college, I became physically dependent on pain pills, daily drinking, and regular cocaine use. I began dealing drugs heavily to support myself and habit. I stole from family and lost every close relationship I ever had. I was alone, lost, and powerless to the clutches of addiction, but I knew only Christ could heal me. Through courage I confessed to my family what was going on, and I sought help. I was not completely ready to change though. I found myself kicked out of secular rehab and out of Teen Challenge. Through the continued grace of Christ I submitted my life; pronouncing Christ as my leader, and I began a path of humility at Central Oregon Men’s Outreach. I have been here over 7 months, and Christ through discipline has changed me as a person. I look forward to completing this program and the opportunity to change peoples lives, that they might have the same freedom in Christ.”

“As we prepare to celebrate my sons 22nd birthday,I am reminded once again of how Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge has impacted his life, and in turn ours. As of February 2010, our son will have been clean for four years. Five years ago, we never could have dared hope we would be enjoying watching our son mature into a fine Christian man. When we sent him to you we were just hoping for a few months of rest knowing where he was and that he was safe. We are so thankful God used all of you to lead our son out of a life of addiction into a life serving Him.”

“At 15, I started using drugs and alcohol to distract myself from the problems of life. But in reality, drugs and alcohol only multiplied my problems. My twenties remain a blur to me today. When an abusive relationship left me in a coma, expected to die, for over a week, I woke up knowing that I was not only physically broken, but emotionally and spiritually bankrupt as well. My sister introduced me to North Dakota Teen Challenge, and as soon as I was able to walk, my mother and sister brought me here. Since coming to Teen Challenge last fall, I’ve experienced God’s love in ways I had never thought possible. My relationships with my mother and sister have been restored. I’m learning to face my life with truth and hope, rather than hide myself behind temporary relationships and addictions. By the time that I was 18 I had quit school and had been involved in selling meth for about 4 years. It just got worse from there. Car accidents, prison, I seemed bent on self destruction. But God did not want me to die He made me to be alive with Him. He brought me out of prison to NDTC. Now I have a future again, and I am actually excited to be a part of my family again! I now look forward to each new day and how I can serve God and my fellow man.”

“At an early age I developed feelings of inadequacy. I was adopted at the age of three. My life was full of rejection and despair. In 2006, I graduated from Life Challenge for the first time. I was given the knowledge and skills to do the right things but I didn’t choose to do them. It didn’t take long before I was back on drugs. This time it was harder and more destructive. I became a hopeless heroin addict. I hated who I was and feared being around the people who loved me. Once again, pride had a hold of me. I thought the only way out was suicide, but God intervened. God had never left me and I felt his presence. I re-entered Life Challenge in August 2011, humble and ready to let God heal me. I completed my restoration in May 2012. I am now serving as an intern, anxious to give back to the women who are hurting and broken.”

“At Gateway I prayed by my bunk for the first time. I confessed my sins and gave my life to Jesus in that prayer. I regained the relationship I once had with my parents. I developed respect for authority, a work ethic, and learned how to love myself and others. Now I strive to make God proud of me.”

“At Teen Challenge I learned there is no way to live life without Jesus Christ. The old Danny is dead, and all things are new. My chains of addiction, that so tightly entangled me, have been broken and I am now free from the bondage of drugs and Satan. Immediately after my decision to accept Jesus into my heart I began experiencing Gods love, mercy and miracles first hand. Relationships began to be reconciled. My Lord, Jesus has sanctified my heart and now my desire is to live a pure life, and be the best father I can be. Instead of waiting for the storms to pass, I’ve learned to dance in the rain. I serve an almighty God, who allows me to praise Him through the storm. I am obligated to speak what God has done for me and can do for all who call on Him.”

“At the age of 12, I began drinking. I started smoking pot at the age of 15. While at college I was introduced to crack. After 21 years of addiction, God opened the door of Teen Challenge to me. I now depend on Him for all of my peace, joy, and strength. I praise God for changing my life and giving me hope.”

“At the age of 7, my parents put me on Ritalin. From the age of 7 to 38, I had one year of sobriety. At the age of 19, like many boys, I married my high school sweetheart, Cheryl. Due to my addiction, my life was slowly spiraling out of control. After only five years of marriage, Cheryl took our daughter, Kaylee, and left and who could blame her? I had become a horrible person; she had no choice. So I moved back in with my parents and started doing more drugs. By this time I was hooked on speed and the speed lifestyle. I was associated with a rough bunch of people. A few years later I married Kelly and had two more kids. I owned and operated a very successful roofing company; however that business was short lived. My addiction worsened; smoking meth was getting old to me so I started shooting it up daily. It took complete control over every part of my life. I lost my business, the house, work vans, dump trucks, everything. My family and I moved to Texas and in order to start over. Not long into that venture the demons from my past caught up to me again. I got caught up in the Texas meth scene and those guys didn’t play around. My wife, Kelly, divorced me and I ended up in a Texas State jail. Upon my release I found more meth and more problems. I ran from God; I blamed God for all my problems. I hopped on a greyhound bus and came back to Tennessee. I got arrested on my first day back home on an out of state warrant. I was released a few months later. I started making meth again for myself and some so called friends. I was determined to cook meth and mock the law and I did. I got arrested again for simple possession of pot. However, two hours before I was arrested I had been in possession of a large amount of drugs. I was losing all control of life. Sanity was not an option. I heard voices and saw things all the time. The devil had control of me and he told me daily to just kill myself. On August 15, 2009 I took enough pills to kill 5 men. One day the police surrounded my parents house. In desperation I attempted suicide by cop. I tried to stab a law officer so he would shoot and kill me. Instead of shooting me he used a taser on me. Later, the cop told me he had permission to shoot me, but he chose not to. I went to a psyche ward and then to jail. I was facing several years in prison but the judge offered me Teen Challenge. I wanted to go to prison but I changed my mind and accepted the deal to go to Teen Challenge. I entered Chads Hope Nov 2 of that year; my oldest daughter, Kaylees, birthday. I was an undisciplined boy. They molded me into a man. I graduated in August 2010. From that day until now God has restored my life. I am remarried to my first wife, Cheryl. WOW, no one saw that coming. Especially Cheryl or myself! I had had hepatitis C for 16 years. Jesus has taken that away thru hepatitis treatments. My wife and I are youth pastors at our church now.”

“August 16, 2001, I was honored to be the first student at Teen Challenge New Hope House. I was sixteen years old and I was an absolute mess. Both of my parents were in prison, and I had dropped out of school and started working at a motel cleaning rooms. Immediately after arriving at New Hope House, God started healing my broken, mangled heart. When I arrived at NHH, I had tested at 4th grade reading and at 6th grade math levels, though I should have been a high school sophomore. Through the education I received at NHH, I learned how to study, how to learn. I learned endurance. In the summer of 2004 I graduated from high school and immediately inquired about college classes in nursing. Today I am a registered nurse, wife and mother, living in Sacramento, California. Looking back, Angel said, I always knew that God is able to work miracles, but before coming to New Hope House, I had lost hope that He was going to work miracles in MY life. Little did I know that My Mighty, Amazing God was planning a beautiful future for me and all I had to do was take the steps.”

“Bath salts is a deceiving name for what has become a deadly drug of choice, and now illegal in Virginia. State leaders have worked to curb the growing drug trend, concluding with Governor Bob McDonnell signing a bill banning synthetic drugs this past Wednesday. The new law includes those bath salts sold at convenience stores. The so-called bath salts mimic the effects of other high profile drugs. Teens like Katie C. used to think of bath salts as safe to use. \It’s just something to do”

“Because I watched my grandfather die, I felt justified not getting close enough to be hurt again. Because my dad left I was justified to hate him. Always being the poor kid, picked on in school, justified my feelings of worthlessness… which justified filling that deep dark hole with drugs, women, and fast living. My marriage failed, CPS nearly took my daughter, my mother couldn’t look at me, and my sister despised me. After six months at Teen Challenge of Texas, I know who my justifier is… Christ Jesus justified me with His precious blood and the Holy Spirit is moving mightily in my life today. I am no longer defined by my past, but by the blood of the Lamb. My family is being restored beyond my wildest imagination. Only Jesus Christ Himself could have taken my darkness and made it flee.”

“Because of Teen Challenge our son was healed from drug addiction. I am praying for the guys at Western Kentucky Teen Challenge who need this healing and for the leaders, staff and all involved in this great program! God is so good!!”

“Before coming to Teen Challenge I couldn’t imagine my life without alcohol. Through the love and support of my brothers here, I’ve experienced the glory, grace and mercy of Jesus.”

“Before coming to Teen Challenge I struggled to control of my life. For years I had fought against what I knew God wanted for my life. Coming to Teen Challenge has given me the opportunity to give up control to God, and further develop my relationship with Jesus. The decision to come to Teen Challenge has restored and strengthened the relationship with my family. Teen Challenge has also helped me gain the self-respect that was lacking in my former life. I’m a new creation in Christ!”

“Before coming to Teen Challenge I was in the trap of crack cocaine. God has set me free from the bondage of my addiction. I praise God for restoring the bridges I burned.”

“Before coming to Teen Challenge of the Dakotas, I hated living. Every morning was a new lesson in the futility of this thing called life. The bondages that I clung to kept me going; and my idols were numerous during this time in my life anesthetics for the soul as it were alcohol, drugs, sex, etc. I clung to these pleasures completely recognizing that they too were meaningless and hated it myself, others, the activities, everything. I had gone to school and had dreams at one time, had cohabited, and thought I was in love, with a single mother and her child. During the process of that relationship’s end, I had lost the last straw of hope for anything being worthwhile in this world. Okay, so I get my degree and get a job so what? Just to get put in another hamster wheel of a relationship just to wait for the axle to break on that one as well? Life lost all purpose and so I sold myself to the pleasures of the moment and degenerated quite rapidly turning to quick money by selling marijuana and selling my soul to the world for a momentary respite from the hatred and pain within. But something changed, God opened my eyes to the evils of the world by first exposing the evil within me; and I recognized that I was quite rapidly degenerating to something that was wicked to the core. After a very real awakening to the realities of Good and evil, God and Satan, I cried out to Jesus Christ to save me to change me from being the monster that I was; and to come into the lives of those that I have corrupted and to make something worthwhile out of me, to impart that which I have lacked for my whole life. To have purpose, truth, hope, love, and in one word, a REAL relationship with Jesus Christ, in spirit and in truth. Two weeks later, He (God) led me to Teen Challenge of the Dakotas and having been through what the program has to offer I have grown, I have life, I can love, I have Christ living in me… a Living Hope walking with me and guiding me. Where I once considered waking up to being a failure (that I hadn’t died during my slumber), I now look forward to God’s lesson for me today. Not every day is ‘peachy’, but EVERY day IS blessed by the One who made all there is, by God Himself. Praise God for the venue of Teen Challenge where I could be worked on and molded pruned and tended cleansed and discipled.”

“Before coming to Teen Challenge, I had died 4 times, and had been to 6 secular rehab programs. There was a hole in my heart, and no matter what I tried to fill it with, I still felt empty. Then God saved me! I have learned that no one is too far down for God’s loving hands to get a hold of!”

“Before I came here, I was a lost soul looking for love in all the wrong places and trying to get high every time I got out of school and off work. When I got here at Teen Challenge, I didn’t want people telling me what to do. Then I saw people that I knew in jail and lose everything they had. I did not want to end up like them. While in Teen Challenge, I found out that God was the only way to be happy. About five weeks into the program, I gave my life to God and I could not be happier. My family is happier than I have ever seen them. They know that I was in a place that I got the help I needed and got a better life with my savior Jesus Christ. I stand on the scripture in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone the new has come.”

“Before I came to know Christ: I consistently lived in sin, indulged in all the world had to offer, and promoted a self- serving attitude. Furthermore, I believed that this was the correct way to live my life and continued down this path of bondage and destruction blindly, empty and without hope. Then I met Jesus Christ! He is so beautiful, so merciful, so powerful, and so forgiving, that when He revealed a love to me that I could not comprehend and He offered a salvation I desperately needed. I bore witness as He took up my yoke as His own, so that I might be free! Since Jesus saved me: With the Holy Spirit, Jesus has helped me walk and at times carried me, He as broke me down and built me up again, He has allowed me to stray and held me close. In addition, whatever my weather is (good or bad), Jesus has always been, always is, and always be there with me, watching me, guiding me, protecting me, and loving me. I know the truth: With God all things are possible, even for a sinner like me! Glory to Jesus Christ!”

“Before I came to Teen Challenge I was addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol. Thanks to Teen Challenge I have learned how to put my trust in God and to stop giving up on Him. Praise God for what has been done.”

“Before I came to Teen Challenge of Texas – Magnolia Men’s Campus, my life was one big perpetual lie. I wasn’t living for the Lord and there was no truth in me. In 2005 I had back surgery, and got addicted to pain pills. My life very quickly got out of control and became a constant search for the numbing effects of the pills. In my selfish despair, I didn’t care who I hurt or used as long as I got what I wanted. Since I came to Teen Challenge and cried out to Jesus, I’ve learned how to rely on God for my needs to be met and how to look to Him for answers. I’ve learned a great deal from the group studies we do here at Teen Challenge. The Gospel and contract studies have been the pivot point of transforming my mind and life in Christ. Since I’ve been here, my family relationships have been restored and I must pass all that glory to my God. I plan to serve God with my life now by answering the call of youth minister. Praise God!”

“Before I came to Teen Challenge, I was bound by the streets, prison, and cocaine. God has restored my life from that and much more. I am so grateful for what He has done. Praise God!”

“Before I came to the program I lived a life of drug addiction, violence, and an overall disrespect of any authority. My view of a real man was twisted and I was headed down a path of sin and destruction. My parents had pleaded with me for years to heed their advice and obey them and used many forms of discipline but this world had a hold on my life and I simply would not listen. I was half way through my junior year of high school in January of 2008 when my parents made the decision to send me to Teen challenge. As you can imagine I wasn’t too happy to be there. For the first four months or so I wanted nothing to do with the program or the blessings it could offer me. My plan was to leave when I turned 18 in May (but God had different plans however). On April 25th, 2008 I gave my life to the Lord and decided to finish the program and the rest is history. From that point on I poured into the program and tried to learn all I could from the amazing men that ran it. I found myself reading my Bible constantly and marveled at the miraculous God that I was serving. I soon realized what a terrible life I had been leading as well as all the pain I had caused my family. I became desperate for God and His power to change my heart and heal my family, and our God is faithful. I graduated the program last April and I now live at home with my family. God has since blessed me with an amazing girlfriend and a great new set of friends. I try to stay involved in my church while I finish high school online. I plan to become a firefighter and should be starting school in January. My family and I try to visit the Teen Challenge campus as often as possible to give back to the students, families, and staff. I thank God everyday for this program and what its done for my family and I, and I encourage all of you to help support this program because its an amazing ministry and God truly does works miracles on its campus.”

“Before Teen Challenge of Baltimore, I was using drugs to live, and living to use drugs. I was homicidal, suicidal, and hopeless, having driven myself into delirium with drugs, alcohol, and a wicked lifestyle. By the grace of God I was admitted to the psych ward in Penn Regional Medical Center, September 19th. I was 180 pounds when I arrived and was 194 pounds by the time I left. I was broken down and tired; once again I had let my life fall into complete ruin. I knew it would take another visit to a rehab facility to get my life back in some kind of order. When the discharge coordinator at the hospital mentioned Teen Challenge, I knew that was where I wanted to go. She told me it was a Christian program. I had no plans of accepting God into my life or really changing, I just wanted to be free from drugs and alcohol. After Teen Challenge of Baltimore, I spent eight months at the Training Center in Rehrersburg, PA. I was involved in the Prayer Chain and the GED Room (as a tutor). I also was blessed to travel in ministry throughout the Mid-West and New England with the Teen Challenge National Choir, which draws from various TC locations. I desired to continue the discipleship I had begun at Teen Challenge of Baltimore. I was unsure about Gods direction after I graduated from the Rehrersburg program, and wanted to make the right decision. I didnt want to go back to my old pattern of getting clean for awhile, then falling back into my old habits. God removed any doubt as to where to go before I left Rehrersburg. I met several staff members of Pastor Meredith Paytons Christian Community Outreach Ministries of Danbury, CT, and was attracted to the ministry. I applied and was accepted into their 18-month Discipleship House re-entry program. I arrived here in early October, and have become involved with many of the community ministries of CCOM I presently work as an apprentice pressman for New Fairfield Press. I also work part time at Servpro, a janitorial service. I keep busy with Bible studies and fellowship throughout the week. I still enjoy working out, and find time to play basketball and lift weights at the gym. I am working daily to continue in the charge I received at Teen Challenge: to let Jesus truly be Lord of my life, and seek a stronger relationship with God. I want to thank all who prayed for me.”

“Before Teen Challenge, I felt alone, hopeless, and very much afraid. After 20 years of addiction to Vicodin, I came to Teen Challenge. I have found deliverance, love, forgiveness, hope, and acceptance at the cross of Christ. I stand complete in Christ alone.”

“Before Teen Challenge, life was really hopeless and empty. I was working full-time when someone tipped off the police that I had meth in my house. After searching my home and finding meth, I was looking at going back to prison for the fourth time – for 15 years. My family didn’t trust me; I was unreliable and continued to hide my drug abuse from them. I hated that I was a user and a felon – always running and hiding all the time. I knew I couldn’t save myself, so I decided to apply for Teen Challenge. After graduating from Teen Challenge, I am now living on my own, doing online schooling and working full-time in construction. My relationships with my family are so much stronger. . .they trust me now. Friends and family can tell that I am a very different person. I am free from always being on the run and feeling like I have to hide. God has given me a lot to look forward to – a second chance with Him!”

“Before, I only lived for every moment I could get high. I cared nothing about others, myself or my future. I knew I would not ever survive the world I was living in and knew I had to change. Lakeland Grace introduced to me true love, forgiveness and hope Jesus Christ had to offer. I have my life back and I am so grateful.”

“Being here has showed me that people can love me and care about me. God has opened up my eyes to the grace and mercy He gives me. Now that I am set free and He has broken my chains, I can run into His arms and accept His embrace.”

“Both my parents were heavy drug addicts and alcoholics. They were very abusive to each other as well as my baby sister and me. I became the caregiver to my sister and myself. I lived like this until I was ten years old when a man my mom occasionally dated molested my sister and me. At this point we were finally removed from my parents home and placed into state custody with my grandparents as our guardians. My grandparents had been a part of my life constantly taking us to church every time the doors were open. I knew who God was. I also knew that no matter what I was going through, He was with me. I had seen Him save my life too many times. My life from that moment on was seemingly perfect in comparison to what I had lived in before. I started singing in church and playing music. I began to learn where my place was in life. I started leading praise and worship at church at about 12 years old, and that’s where I knew I belonged. I have been doing that ever since. I made good grades in school and graduated with a full ride scholarship to a bible college in Alabama. I was married to my husband who was a youth pastor a couple of months after I graduated. We moved immediately so that I could begin my degree in music ministry. We found a church family and immediately began our work there. I loved it and so did he. Everything was great until I began to have some medical problems. I was having so issues with my head and jaws that I found out would require a surgery I could not afford. The dentist then decided to prescribe me pain medication until I could have this done. I was terrified to take the medicine because I knew what could happen. I didn’t want to live the way my parents did so I hardly took them. However, I found myself very quickly justifying my using. A few years after I moved, I lost a dear friend of mine and it killed me. Not even a month later I lost another friend and my four-month-old unborn child. A few months later I lost my second child and then a third. I quickly went from 1-2 pills a week to 20-30 per day. My life became a nightmare worse than anything I could imagine. Pain had consumed me, as well as hate and me. I knew what I needed, and that was a fresh touch from God. So I cried out to Him for help. He quickly took me from having everything I wanted to having nothing at all. My husband left me and I lost my home and the rest of my family. He brought me to Teen Challenge with nothing to build me back up and give me everything. I have a relationship with my God that I never thought possible. I don’t just speak with Him every day when I pray at certain times. I Pray at all times with all kinds of prayer and He talks back. He has guided my every step to this very moment to show me I am not worthless and dirty, but that I am His daughter and He has plans for me that are wilder than anything I can possibly imagine. I have been set free of religious bondage as well. I worship with passion and freedom because I know who I serve. My gifts and talents are being nurtured and used here in a way I really never thought possible. I have been able to heal from the wounds of losing my babies. I have honored them and named them because they were precious lives to me and to God. I know that I will be able to see them all again when I get to heaven. I have been able to speak to my family again and I know that they love me. They have accepted me back with open arms as if nothing has ever happened. I wake up every single morning with a hunger and desire to serve Him as best I can. He gave everything for me; I cant possibly give anything less than my life. While there are still some things I am waiting on God to work out, He has given me the peace to know that He has everything under control. I don’t worry about anything anymore. I just stand still and let God work it all out for His glory.”

“Brandon came to our one year Christ centered residential program in November of 2010. Brandon came to us a very broken and unhappy young man. As Brandon says, \I let drugs and alcohol gain almost total control of my…life. They helped me ruin and waste nearly 15 years of my life.\” After coming to our program”

“Brandon came to our Teen Challenge center in in November of 2010. As Brandon says, \I was raised right”

“Brandon’s family knew something was wrong when he ended up in the emergency room and he didn’t know how he got there. He had been using cocaine and meth. His life was out of control. His parents urged him to enter Teen Challenge. It was hard, but Brandon completed the program. Now, three years later, he’s still doing great. He’s chosen to live away from the crowd that contributed to his addiction. His father said, \He could be dead”

“Brooke came to the Montana Women’s Outreach in the summer of 2004. She wasn’t looking for a Savior but she was looking for hope. \Basically”

“By God’s grace I am delivered from an addiction to heroin. He’s patiently and lovingly teaching me to live a life that is centered on him!!”

“By the age of 16, I was already steeped in drugs and alcohol, and I had been banned by law from all public schools in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I had charges of gang violence, instigating a riot, and assault. Through the watchful eye of the sheriff’s department the violence was curbed in my life, but my drug use escalated. My friends, the group I hung with, couldn’t stand me anymore, and my family was afraid to be around me. For the next 17 years I wandered from crack den to crack den and nasty rotten motel rooms. I was involved in all sorts of vile filth all the while turning my back on Jesus and trying hard to forget Him. Yet Jesus never turned His back on me. Jesus tells me in Isaiah 49:16- He can never forget me, but that He has graven me upon the palms of His hands. I was heartless, unlovable, untouchable, and unwilling to want anything different. But Jesus had compassion on me and loved me. I know that Jesus loves me because He gave me more in one day than what the world and the devil had taken from me in 37 years. Today I’m in love with Jesus, born again, filled with the Holy Ghost and I’m homeward bound!”

“Cannot believe that it has been almost 9 years since I was at Sister’s Maternity Center. Graduated June 26th 2001. My Noah will be 10 in July. God is so faithful. Just encouraging all students of today to draw close to God and He will draw close to you. I have since gotten married to a Godly man who is preaching the word wherever he is called. He has taken my children as his own. It is possible. God only wants the very best for every person. Just remember the infamous words of Pastor Jeff (especially you ladies) He who finds a wife finds a good thing not she who finds a husband. God will be your husband until he brings the one to you that he has chosen for you… Miss you Pastor Jeff and Sister Shannon. God is GOOD!!!”

“Cannot believe that it has been almost 9 years since I was at Sisters Maternity Center. Graduated June 26th 2001. My Noah will be 10 in July. God is so faithful. Just encouraging all students of today to draw close to God and He will draw close to you. I have since gotten married to a Godly man who is preaching the word wherever he is called. He has taken my children as his own. It is possible. God only wants the very best for every person. Just remember the infamous words of Pastor Jeff (especially you ladies) He who finds a wife finds a good thing not she who finds a husband. God will be your husband until he brings the one to you that he has chosen for you… Miss you Pastor Jeff and Sister Shannon. God is GOOD!!!”

“Chad and Bryan, two men whose lives were interrupted by drug addiction, agree that had it not been for a place like Minnesota Teen Challenge, their lives would still revolve around illicit drug use. Minnesota Teen Challenge is a place for both teens and adults who are struggling with chemical dependency to get help in a city where the use of heroin has become an epidemic, as described by Chad. Chad, who started using marijuana at the age of 12, is now 40 and is in his 13th stint of drug rehabilitation since April. This time he is making his way through the long-term, faith-based program at Minnesota Teen Challenge. The center does not release the last names of those enrolled in its programs. He described his journey using drugs to not truly begin until the age of 16, when he began using cocaine, and said that he has dipped into various drugs, including heroin. Chad was born and raised in south Minneapolis, where he was said to have lived in a good home but was surrounded by drugs and peer pressure as a teen. \Since I wasn’t very educated – book smart – I tended to play a lot of sports”

“Chad was 15 years old that day when he stood before the judge. He had committed repeated offenses and was about to be sent to a state psychiatric hospital. His mother, however, asked the judge for permission to send Chad to Teen Challenge Ranch of NW Arkansas. He agreed and Chad soon found himself a student at Teen Challenge. Chad struggled at first during his time at Teen Challenge Ranch. He knew that there was a God, but he had serious doubts as to whether God would really do anything in his life. Chad still remembers the day and place where God broke through to his life. He was walking down the dirt road that runs in front of Teen Challenge. He cried out to God and the Holy Spirit began to speak into Chads heart and mind. Chad received Christ and God began to do an incredible work in his life. Chad graduated from Teen Challenge. He went through many struggles but never forgot what God had done in his life at Teen Challenge. Today, Chad is a student at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He teaches bible and intervention classes regularly at a Christian recovery program for men near his home. He plans on entering into full time ministry following his graduation. He and his wife Angela were married in July of 2007.”

“Chad’s Hope helped to make such a difference in my son Nathanael’s life. I will be forever grateful to God and for all of the ‘team’ there that loved and encouraged Nathanael. Bless ya’ll!”

“Chris did not get an easy start in life. He never knew his father, and his mother was a drug addict. He was in and out of foster homes throughout his young life. Eventually, his grandmother took custody of him. He said that at that time in his life, he was angry and getting into fights. He never felt like he fit in with others at school. Chris eventually got into more serious trouble and was sent to Teen Challenge Ranch. At first, he thought that it would be like any other placement he had been in before. He soon found that things were different. The staff really cared for him and spent time investing in his life. One of the staff actually became like a father figure to him and was someone he was able to confide in and turn to for counsel. Chris received Christ at a special youth event while at Teen Challenge, and life took on a new direction. After graduating Teen Challenge, Chris returned home and finished high school. He joined the Army National Guard in 2000 and has been on active duty since 2005. He spent two years in Iraq and carries the rank of sergeant. He is currently on active duty in the U.S. While stationed at home, Chris was able to attend college. He graduated with degrees in both criminal justice and psychology.”

“Churches in Manchester, Kentucky, used to fear drug addicts and did not want them in their places of worship. Often they were dirty and smelly and didn’t fit in. Now many churches welcome them. At Chad’s Hope Donald Sims, pastor of City of Hope Church, discloses that 70% of his church members are new converts and 50% of those are recovering addicts. He affirms, “God has given us a lot of the people that nobody wants. And we take ‘em. We love ‘em. And God’s transforming them into the kind of people that everybody wants. They’re faithful. They’re loyal. They love Jesus. And I’m honored to be their pastor.” Clay County has a 200-year history of violence and corruption, and corruption opened the door to substance abuse. Moonshine stills supplied alcohol to people living in hollows in the hills. Bootleg whiskey defied prohibition. Later, marijuana cultivation became widespread and cocaine appeared on the scene. High-grade marijuana from Eastern Kentucky supplied dealers across the U.S. Then came pain pills and others. Southeast Kentucky became known as the “Painkiller Capital” of the U.S. The latest scourge is methamphetamines. Businesses packed up and moved elsewhere because they could not rely on their workers, 80% of whom were on drugs (as reported by Paul Hays, Deputy Director of UNITE). Many good people moved away to find jobs. Young people saw no reason to flip hamburgers when they could earn two thousand dollars a week selling drugs. And many saw dealing as the only way to support their own habit. One recovered addict divulges she and her husband had a two-thousand-dollar-a-week habit. Drug dealing was so common and open that one bootlegger turned drug dealer had a drive-through window with more customers than Wendy’s, Hardees, Arby’s, and MacDonald’s combined, according to the FBI. He stayed in business for 30 years because he paid nine to twelve city and county officials every week. The honest policemen were frustrated when dealers they arrested were back on the street before the paperwork was completed. In the high school, students smoked pot, with impunity, during breaks, and occasionally in classes. Christians accepted the situation as an inevitable sign of the times that they could do nothing about. Churches worked to alleviate some of the problems of the 70% who were unemployed in their county. One church had a clothing warehouse. Another supplied furniture. Another had a food bank and a free medical clinic. The churches supported one another’s ministries to the community. When the food bank was low on food other churches raised money and collected food for it. But most churches had nothing to do with addicts. Pastor Doug Abner of Community Church states, “We almost made little country clubs out of our churches… and we didn’t want that kind of people in our churches… [they] kept getting worse and worse and we thought we were getting better and better, but really we were getting worse and worse.” Pastor Ken Bolin of Manchester Baptist Church adds, “We pursued people who could give a tithe… who could actually help our church. We pursued respectable people. But we weren’t pursuing the people that God really is interested in. Jesus said that the ‘well’ do not need a physician, but the sick do.” Drug addiction spread to children of upper class, wealthy families – no longer confined to the poor and the uneducated. Almost every family in the county was affected in some way, including families in the churches. Funerals followed drug overdoses and left grieving families. They thought they were losing one addict a week to overdoses. But Pastor Doug says they found out later that another one to two addicts died each week of such causes as car wrecks and seizures, however, people were not recording that the person was on drugs at the time. Pastor Ken Bolin had a wake-up call. After a young lady started attending his youth group, he reached out to her mother who was addicted. Before Christmas the mother collapsed and froze to death on her way home from a drug dealer’s house. He realized churches must change if they were going to reach those in need. Pastor Doug Abner (Pentecostal) and Pastor Ken Bolin (Baptist) had been friends for years, despite their divergent theologies. In 2000, they had worked together with some other pastors to raise the funds to bring the Power Team to Manchester. This laid the groundwork for interdenominational cooperation. Community Church members also spent several years “prayer walking” through the community and around other churches. In late 2003, realizing how desperate the situation had become, they invited six or eight other pastors to come for breakfast and a prayer meeting on Saturday mornings. Knowing only God could help; they asked Him what they should do. Viewing the “Transformations I” video encouraged them that God could transform desperate situations when Christians prayed. Pastor Ken reported that it gave them hope, and, from that point, the prayer meetings began to grow. As more pastors and church members became desperate they joined the weekly prayer meeting to cry out to God. Another major influence was the book “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby, which led to much repentance. One Saturday morning, a Methodist pastor said, “I believe we need to pray for God to expose the darkness.” A few months later the FBI did their first major drug bust, arresting 17 major drug dealers. God had begun exposing the pervasive corruption, and that eventually led to many officials going to prison – including the mayor, assistant police chief, county court clerk, city councilman, fiscal court members, the fire chief, the city manager, and the 911 director. This answer to prayer was difficult for many churches because many of these corrupt officials were church members. After one of the arrests, many friends and family members left Pastor Ken’s church – leaving the church with only half of its former members. As Pastor Ken prayed one afternoon he said that the Lord gave him a vision to have a march against drugs and corruption, just as churches had joined together to fight racism and segregation during the Civil Rights Movement. The group prayed and received confirmation that this was what God was telling them to do. After several months of preparation through prayer and fasting, they sent information to all 100 churches in Clay County, and ordered tee shirts for the march which said, “Taking back our county one life at a time.” Despite criticism and threats, they persevered in their plans. Judge Henria Baily-Lewis feared for Pastor Ken who was nearly assaulted one evening. The morning of the march a city official called Pastor Doug to tell him that if they marched their churches could be destroyed. Pastor Doug responded, “Listen, you probably don’t understand this. The church is not the building. The church is the people… We’ve prayed over our buildings. But if we come back and they’re burnt to the ground…the church will be stronger than it’s ever been.” Another warned them not to have children in the march because some people were going to drive into the marchers and the children would be killed. Undeterred, Pastor Doug marched at the front with his grandchildren so they could witness the day that God changed Manchester and could be emboldened for battles they might face as adults. The attendance at the Saturday morning prayer meetings had reached 150 the day before the march, but organizers had no idea how many people would show up for the march on Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2004. To make matters worse, it was cold and rainy that day. At least 3,500 came to march from 63 churches. As part of the march, in the park all 63 pastors knelt in the rain. The May 2004 Manchester March As Pastor Ken relates, “63 proud pastors set their pride aside and repented before thirty-five hundred people…we had to confess… we were responsible for our county’s condition because we stayed within the walls of our church. We stayed with our denominational programs who really did nothing in addressing the drug problem… we repented of the fortress mentality. And we covenanted together that we were going to fight together, shoulder to shoulder, side by side, to fight this drug problem.” Pastor Ken affirms, “Everything changed at that very moment, and, as Doug says, the heavens opened and good things were on its way.” Pastor Doug emphasizes the repentance of the pastors was the key. People who had never before felt the presence of the Lord still talk about how evident it was that day. The day after the march, the pastors divided up and went to each city and county official (including the corrupt ones). They gave each one a potted plant and asked forgiveness for being more concerned for their church and programs and building and not helping to solve the problems of the community. They asked forgiveness for grumbling and complaining instead of helping. They offered to help and to pray for the official and for their concerns. Since then officials call the pastors to ask for prayer and advice. The changes since the march have been profound. Many drug dealers and corrupt officials are now in prison. Manchester had its first clean election ever. Previously, many Christians did not vote, because they knew that large numbers of votes had been bought and they didn’t think their one vote would make a difference. This time churches sponsored forums where the candidates spoke and answered questions. Many Christians voted, and good, honest people were elected – a surprising number of whom are Christians themselves, who are working for the good of the community. After the mayor was elected, she became a Christian and she leads a prayer meeting every Monday morning to which the pastors are also invited. There is a new respect for the church in the community. The Sheriff finds people in trouble and brings them to one of the churches, trusting that they will help them. Churches are banding together in providing after-school programs for kids to teach them archery, soccer, or horseback riding. They also feed them a tasty meal and teach them how to stay drug free and make positive choices. Individual mentoring helps to fill a gap for youth whose parents are alcoholics or drug addicts or in prison. The churches now support a crisis pregnancy center. The churches cooperate with Operation UNITE, a coalition of law enforcement agencies, created by Congressman Hal Rogers to fight the drug problem in Eastern Kentucky through enforcement, treatment, and education. When they do drug raids they call the pastors to be available to talk with those who have been arrested. A pastor or counselor will sit down beside each detainee who is in handcuffs, put their arm around them, tell them they know this is a very difficult time for them, and offer to pray with them or send people to talk to them in jail if they desire it. They also offer help for their families, to care for their spouse or children. Operation UNITE provides vouchers for addicts to go through drug rehabilitation at Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge. (After Chad died of a drug overdose his father donated the land for this treatment center, and federal and state funds enabled the center to be built.) Karen Kelly, Executive Director of UNITE, explains, “We’re a government program, but we’re not ashamed of the church.” And Pastor Doug describes this unique partnership as a “dream team.” The part the church does is to pray and do the volunteer work. Non-violent offenders have the option of Drug Court instead of incarceration. It is a program with very rigorous requirements, one of which is to have a full-time job. Businesses in Manchester hire recovering addicts to give them a second chance. Judge Henria Bailey-Lewis, who presides over a Drug Court, affirms, “even five or six years ago, you would have had a very, very hard time having somebody with pending felony charges getting a job – anywhere in our community.” The 63 churches who marched now welcome recovering drug addicts to their churches. Where they were afraid before, they now think it’s cool to have addicts in their church. They provide Lifeline Courses (developed by Teen Challenge) to people working to overcome life-controlling problems, as well as support groups for the families of addicts. They are finding that recovering drug addicts are very high maintenance, but are well worth it. Some churches and individual church members have low-cost apartments for the recovering addicts to rent. They help them to find a job and get on their feet financially. Pastor Ken declares that drug addicts are no longer outcast. They are in his church every Sunday and they feel like they have a place in the churches now. After his release from prison, Steve Collett, once a violent drug addict and dealer, now returns to prison every week to preach One of the most radical conversions is Steve Collett – a former long-term meth addict, drug dealer, and bodyguard, who was a violent and dangerous man. After eluding capture for a year by living in the mountains, he was finally apprehended and served time. In jail a chaplain, obedient to God’s prompting, persisted in telling Steve about Jesus, even though Steve rebuffed him. The night of Steve’s release, he promised to serve God if He protected him from freezing to death in 18 degree weather in the only shelter he could find – a “Porta Potty”. Finding he was alive the next morning, he gave his life to the Lord. After some initial setbacks, the chaplain took him to Community Church, which he eventually joined. Church members provided Steve with an apartment. For two years, John and Lida Becknell took Steve wherever he needed to go, as he did not have a driver’s license. They drove him to court, doctor appointments, church, Walmart, and the grocery store. They let him use their washing machine, and invited him for meals. They loved him and supported him in every way they could. Pastor Doug affirms, “They just did incredible things, you know, just what we ought to be doin’.” Steve’s wife, Leslie, became a Christian in jail and they were reunited after her release. Steve and Leslie now have their own home, job, and vehicles. Steve returns to the regional detention center to preach every week. The detention center chaplain who first shared Jesus with him says that Steve now disciples him. The policeman who had arrested Steve multiple times says that now Steve has been “responsible for leading more people to Christ than any preacher in this county. He has…touched hundreds of people…he’s just an amazing guy. He knows more about the Bible than most preachers… today…he’ll do anything he can to help us. And I have great respect for him and appreciate him so much.” One of Steve’s brothers said Steve used to be a wild man, and added, “It’s like takin’ a grizzly bear and, and turnin’ it into a good preacher.” Pastor Doug says Steve has brought a hundred people to church who have gotten saved and baptized. And he has led many prisoners to the Lord. When inmates surrender their lives to Jesus as Lord and want to be baptized the jailor transports them (in orange jumpsuit, handcuffs, and shackles) to a local church to be baptized. Pastor Doug exclaims, “We baptize prisoners ‘til I’m wore out sometimes. Just, it’s amazing.” Other recovering addicts are active in ministry as well. Pastor Doug remarks that once drug addicts “get it” they make incredible church members. “Those folks are incredible. They come every day, ‘What can we do? Tell me somethin’ I can do in the church. I want to help people.’ And our … recovering addicts through our Lifeline program. They’re the ones that go to the jail. Well, I don’t have to do that any more. I’m there for ’em and help ’em, but they do that now.” Appalachian Dawn DVD Many of the drug addicts have never had a parent or relative tell them they love them. Many have parents who were addicts themselves or who spent time in jail. The church members who minister to the recovering addicts fill the role of the godly parents the addicts never had. John and Lida have had several who call them momma and daddy, and some who even asked if they would adopt them. The interdenominational prayer meetings continue every Saturday morning. There are still drug problems in Clay County, though the situation is much better. With the corrupt officials gone, many local people are no longer afraid to pass on tips to law enforcements. Drug raids continue. For many, their arrest is an occasion for an addict to become free of drugs and learn to live as a responsible citizen. The churches are playing a major role in holding services in the jails and in supporting and helping prisoners both practically and spiritually when they are released. Pastor Ken explains that revival in Manchester fits a new paradigm. Revival did not come through one church or through one speaker. Revival came to the whole church through a social issue that affected every family in their county. And the churches no longer reject drug addicts. They welcome them and know how to help them with their struggles. Instead of looking at them as high maintenance, they look at them as prospective members of the Kingdom of God, and they reach out to them in love. The latest Sentinel Group DVD, “An Appalachian Dawn”, documents the dramatic transformation in Manchester, Kentucky. It is available to purchase from Sentinel’s online store – www.RevivalWorks.org.”

“Coming here has made me the girl that I have always wanted to be. God is restoring every relationship with my family members. God is amazing and I am so thankful.”

“content”

“David R is the men’s facility supervisor at Teen Challenge. \The majority of people we deal with are very desperate. When I came here 18 years ago”

“Dear Pastor McClain, A week or two ago we were in church, it was when I first came here. You asked me how I liked the program. I put on a smile and said it was wonderful. When actually at that time I was battling with myself and I didn’t want to give God everything. I was fake, I lied, and I am very sorry. I have been in and out of quite a few facilities and always knew how to put on a front. I was a very good manipulator, but never admitted it. Anyways, a few days after that I was having a rough time. I was having serious thoughts about leaving, but I knew I had nowhere else to go. God really laid everything on me really hard until I gave it all to him. I promised to take it one day at a time. To be honest with myself and the people around me. Ill be honest, I don’t know lots of scripture. I only know as much as I’ve been taught here about the Bible. I can’t sing well to the songs and I have to work really hard to pay attention to comprehend and study. But since that night I have never felt so safe and so stable ever. I wake up every morning and say thank you instead of waking up in fear. I’m not far along at all. I haven’t even begun to learn anything except that I believe and I want to be obedient. I love people that I don’t even know and I’m now thankful for stuff I didn’t even know I had. Something has been really on my heart about making thinks right even when no one is around or its already over. I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for lying to you before. But I love where I’m headed now. Love, Erica”

“Deb – I am 45 years old and from West Virginia. I was raised in a great family. I knew of and believed in the Lord, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. At the age of 18, I started rebelling. I was full of pride spent many years drinking and caring about no one but myself. At the age of 35, my marriage of 10 years ended. I was devastated. Instead of turning to the Lord, I turned to drugs. I was prescribed Tylox, Percosets and eventually Oxycontin. Of course, I abused these drugs. When I didn’t get high from eating or snorting them, I started doing drugs by IV. I would lie, cheat, rob, steal and do anything to get more. My health deteriorated. I had grand mal seizures and was on two blood pressure pills a day. I had abscesses in both arms. But, all this did not make me quit. I continued to abuse drugs trying to fill the void and pain in my heart. By God’s grace I was arrested for selling drugs. While incarcerated, I gave my heart to Jesus. When I was released, I walked the Christian life for over a year. I had a job and was happier than I had ever been. But struggles came into the home. My younger brother went to prison on drug charges, and my older brother took his own life, also due to addiction. Through all the pain, I once again started compromising and fell harder than ever. Again I was arrested. I had failed my family, the court system, myself, and most of all God. I had even planned a way to end my life. But once more I cried out to the Lord, and once again He heard my cry. He worked through my probation officer and the judge, and I was sent to Teen Challenge. Today, I know that Jesus is all I need. My Lord has healed me. He has given me a peace and joy that floods my soul. He comforts me and fills that void in my heart. He has also healed my body. I am no longer on high blood pressure medication, antidepressants or nerve pills. Isaiah 40:31, For they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

“Derek, aged 15, graduated MATC in June; and his mother Tammy couldn’t be more relieved at the positive changes in her son’s life. Tammy is a single mother who paid the price of being without a positive father as a role model for her boys. Tammy did the best with what she had. She says, \I provided both of my boys with good morals and showed them a Christian life. Derek”

“Drew will tell you today that he was the one lost sheep that Jesus went after. At age 16, Drew was an intravenous meth user and meth cook. He says that he had given his life to drugs he would have done anything for them. His mind was full of confusion and chaos. He had been awake weeks at a time (a side effect of using meth). His mother cried nearly every night over the situation her son was in. She had tried to get him help, but Drew explains that he manipulated her to get out of having to go anywhere. After running away to a city nearly 8 hours from home, his mom decided to place him at Teen Challenge. Drew was out of control when he came to Teen Challenge Ranch. He rebelled against the staff and the rules and was in trouble a lot. It took months to break through to him; but as Drew would tell you, God still loved him. Drew refers to the parable of the shepherd who left his ninety-nine sheep in order to find the one sheep that was lost. He will tell you that he was the one lost sheep. When Drew tells his story, he says that he didn’t deserve it, but God still loved him. He is no longer a 16 year old meth cook. Today, he is drug free, saved, and loving Jesus. He has graduated from Teen Challenge and is working with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and preparing for the ministry. He is excited about the upcoming opportunity he has to do international missions work with YWAM. God has done a miracle in Drew’s life, and his mother who used to cry every night is now filled with pride and joy over her son.”

“Dustin H came into the Teen Challenge program in 2004 after several years of substance abuse and drug sales. After being sentenced to jail as a result of his lifestyle, Dustin came to Teen Challenge. Today he is married and in Bible school in Dallas, TX.”

“Elkhart Roger Bayak was at a church service a while back when a man stood up and gave his testimony. The man spoke of his battle with addiction and told of the help he received at North Central Indiana Teen Challenge, a faith-based rehabilitation program that opened in 2010 at the old Miles Laboratory/Bayer campus. Bayak, a veteran who is very much involved with Goshens Celebrate America committee and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 985, was moved by the testimony and later visited the program with other members of Celebrate America. The beauty of it is these guys want to get better, Bayak said of the Teen Challenge students. These are guys who were on the ropes and they want to be there. You go over there and you get wet with the Holy Spirit raining down on you. Its beautiful. Al Lane, president of Celebrate America which is best known for putting on the annual fireworks program each Fourth of July at Black Squirrel Golf Club in Goshen was so impressed with the program that he had a vision of teaming Celebrate America and Teen Challenge together for the good of the community. The first time we met (with the Teen Challenge leadership, Lane said, I just knew something would work out. What is Teen Challenge? Andy Collins, director of North Central Indiana Teen Challenge, admits that the name can be misleading. While it sounds a bit like some kind of youth obstacle course competition, Teen Challenge is certainly grown-up work. The program was founded in 1958 by the Rev. David Wilkerson as a way to reach out to drug addicts on the streets of New York City. Its focus is helping men ages 18 and up come clean of their addictions through a ridged program based mainly on faith in God and Bible study. Its a very structured program, Collins said. Its that way for a reason. An abundance of idle time has never been good for anybody. And we believe that the God factor is the X factor, so to speak. Teen Challenge is a 12- to 15-month residential program. The North Central Indiana chapter one of more than 1,000 worldwide opened in October 2010 in an old converted maintenance facility. With three dorm rooms, it has a residential capacity of about 20 students. Some members of the staff also live at the facility. We get them up at 6:30 in the morning, Collins said, and they stay busy until about 10:30 at night. The day starts with about an hour of devotions and prayer before the students go to work at about 8 a.m. The Teen Challenge program operates an auto detail business on the site, as well as landscaping business. Companies can also hire the men of Teen Challenge for other odd jobs, depending on the students skill set. After lunch the students settle down for Bible study class for the afternoon. Collins said that Teen Challenge has established a set curriculum for its students. In the evening the group attends different church services and visits a variety of Christian mens groups throughout the area, Collins said. On Friday nights the program hosts its own chapel service that is open to the public. Collins, himself a graduate of a Teen Challenge program less than five years ago, said the key to the programs positive outcomes is getting to the root of the addiction. That takes time, discipline, trust and, of course, faith, he said. Anybody can put a Band Aid on a gaping wound and say there you go, and send that person on their way Collins said. We try to go deeper and go after why they have become drug and alcohol dependent. We put on the gloves and go into those hard issues and try to get some healing established in that area and some self-esteem developed and allow them to move forward with their life in a whole new direction. We have a whole culture here that doesnt ignore problems, he continued. We tackle problems. We go after those dark secrets someone may have, talk about them and, through the grace of God, demolish the power of those secrets. While the faith portion of Teen Challenge is its foundation, the work aspect is also a vital tool in helping these men recover and move forward, Collins explained. What it does is re-instill a work ethic, Collins said. Some of them dont have that when they come to us, but its something that theyre going to need the rest of their lives. And its that work ethic where Lane can see lasting and mutually beneficial partnership between Teen Challenge and Celebrate America. The partnership Lanes vision is to use the manpower of Teen Challenge students to help aging veterans in Goshen, or widows of veterans, with whatever they may need help with. That could mean putting in a screen door, painting a couple of rooms or even general yard work. Celebrate America will be providing the leadership to put the program together and manage it after that, Lane said. Goshens VFW Post 985 will help by identifying the local veterans and verifying their status as a veteran or a widow(er) of a veteran. Well be very careful in the beginning, Lane said, of only doing jobs were sure we can handle at this point. Through contributions and donations, Celebrate America would pay Teen Challenge $11 per hour for providing the labor. That money would go toward the operational costs of running the Teen Challenge ministry. I think members of churches, once they understand, will respond, Lane said. I think well get good support. Collins feels the collaboration could also serve as a valuable lesson for his students. Some of our guys have been so consumed with me, me, me for most of their lives, he said. Its just neat to see our guys have the opportunity to give back and really alter their mindset. – See more at: http://goshennews.com/breakingnews/x609263219/Celebrate-America-picks-up-the-challenge#sthash.2kLneCEr.dpuf”

“First of all, I need and want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for being the head of my life. My journey began at an early age consisting of drugs and alcohol and living the worldly way. Living the way of the world caused me to go to jail and eventually I ended up in prison at the age of 19. After serving 10 years, with 9 years sobriety, I allowed myself to be used by the enemy of Gods people again. To make the long story short in 2009, I got married to a wonderful and beautiful woman by the name of Beverly Williams. My extreme drinking caused by life, my marriage, and my family a lot of embarrassment. With the encouragement of my wife, My father in law, and pastor Bill Garvin, I entered my first Teen Challenge in Michigan in which I thought I had it all together, and I also thought that I was ready to be a servant of God. How wrong was I! I allowed myself to be deceived and to fulfill the lust of the flesh. (drinking). I was not able to enroll in their Teen Challenge for a third time, but through the grace and mercy of God, I was able to enroll here at Tennessee Valley Teen Challenge. During my stay here, I have learned how to handle my anger and temptations. Also, learning how to grow through failure and how to remain a successful Christian though prayer and meditation on the word of God. I can truly say that I am a child of the most high God. I thank every board and staff members for accepting me and showing me love and respect. Thanks to every church ministry I have attended for their prayers and support. I want to thank Jim Forakis, Executive Director for pursuing his vision in starting Tennessee Valley Teen Challenge. Last but not least, I give great honors to a mighty man of God by the name of David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge. I thank our Lord God Almighty for Bro. Daves vision. Grace and peace be unto you, and peace, from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2”

“For most of my life I’ve been hiding my hurts and fears, while lying to myself and others about just what a perfect life I had. I was well-provided for and I had a loving home. In fact, I had always been told just how easy I had it by my older brothers and sisters- they are all ten years older than me. The truth was that I was sexually assaulted at the age of five by a neighbor and again by an uncle when I was eight. I never told anyone because I was confused, ashamed and afraid. At the age of fourteen, my mother told me that she had cancer. She was my best friend and the rock of my family. She seemed to be the glue that held us together. When she was really sick she asked me that when she died to not let another woman come into our home and take over. At that time I didn’t really understand what she was telling me. While she was dying in the hospital, I wasn’t allowed to see her until the very end. I was angry and hurt, and I began to drink to deal with all the pain and grief. Within one month of my mother’s death, my father had a woman move into our home, and later on he married her. The home I had thought was a happy and stable one was to be no more. I began to be mentally abused by my stepmother and within a year I moved out to live with my sister and her family. At sixteen while getting a ride home from school from a \friend”

“For the last 9 years I have been to 10 secular rehabs trying to break free from addiction to alcohol. By the grace of God I found Teen Challenge. I have been set free. My relationship with Jesus Christ has been restored. He has filled the void in my life. I am no longer consumed by alcohol. I am free from the bondage of sin, and I am filled with the hope of eternal life.”

“For the past 15 years I have been addicted to drugs and alcohol. But today, thank God, the addiction is broken and I stand here a blood-washed, born-again Christian. My only desire is to know more about my loving Savior and walk in His ways.”

“For the past 6 years I was deceived, believing I could live as a man, to the point where I went through psycho and hormone therapy, and was saving money for surgeries to make it legal. But, God had other plans! In 2008, I got saved and delivered from the drinking, witchcraft and immorality that I was drowning in. I thought I could still live as a man of God. But, God was faithful to show me the Truth of His Word, and waited patiently for me to answer His call. He ordered my steps to Teen Challenge, where I could become the woman of God He created me to be from the start. My mind is renewed and I truly am a new creation in Christ Jesus! Glory to God!”

“For years I was bound by pain pills, which eventually led me into a heroin addiction. But, today I’ve been set free! Teen Challenge has drastically changed my life over this past year. I will never be the same. I give all the glory to God.”

“Former resident begins with fresh start after Teen Challenge. Raymond Steadman officially started a new path in life Friday night, reversing course after years spent in corrections facilities on alcohol-related charges. The man with ties to Elkhart graduated from Teen Challenge International of Mid-America on Friday in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The graduation ceremony for Steadman and 16 others was attended by Pastor Michael Johnson of Trinity Holiness Tabernacle of Goshen and Sheriff Brad Rogers. \It was significant to see the results of what these types of organizations can do in lieu of incarceration”

“Four years ago today I went through Mt. Grace. I was addicted to drugs, diagnosed bipolar, and bound to homosexuality for 10 years. Today I am living free from all those things and have found more in Christ than I could have ever hoped for. Thank you to all of you who helped me along the way!”

“Four years ago today my family collected me at the airport in Grand Rapids and brought me to the place that God used to change me forever. When I walked through the doors of Western Michigan Teen Challenge for the first time I had no idea that my life would never be the same. But God did! He knew what He was doing, and I am forever grateful that my family was there for me then, and remains here for me now. A special thank you to Pastor McClain and the staff at WMTC for your obedience to your callings. And, most of all, Thank you, Jesus, for all you have done to restore my life over the last four years. I am excited for what He has in store for me as I continue this journey. God is so good. All the glory goes to Him!”

“From a student, my struggle from pain to hope I started using drugs as an adult. Life was full of pain and abuse. I was a wreck and had very little hope from my life. The drug use got really bad after my husband passed away. The drugs seemed to numb the pain, which felt unbearable at the time. Eventually, I got caught with meth and was facing 3 years in prison when my lawyer suggested Teen Challenge. While at Teen Challenge I was able to face life and deal with my past, instead of running from it. The Lord showed me that I had a reason to help and that He had a plan for me. Even if the plan wasn’t exactly what I thought I needed, I knew it was where God wanted me to be and that He has my best interests at heart. I’m now attending college and working full-time. God is good!”

“From Jesse I began to smoke weed when I was eight years old. Then at the age of nine I started to smoke crack cocaine up until I was sixteen. From 16 to 21 I was addicted to heroin. I was arrested and put in jail for numerous crimes I had committed. The District Attorney wanted me sentenced to 30 years in prison. I began to ask Jesus to please help me and this time I really meant it. I was tired of the way I was living and I began to cry out confessing my sins and accepting responsibility for my actions. When my court date came up they offered to give me eight years. Jesus was answering my prayers, but I really didn’t want to do eight years in prison. My court date was put off to the next day for sentencing, so that night I began to ask the Lord to please do a miracle and give me favor with the District Attorney and the judge – and He did. The judge said he did not know why he was going to do this but felt he should suspend the eight years and give me time served. That night I went home after eleven months in the county jail. This was how I was completely convinced that there is a God and that He is real. After I was released from jail my pastor told me I could be mentored at Teen Challenge. During my stay in Teen Challenge I began to discover gifts and talents I never thought I had. But most importantly, I was building a relationship with Jesus, my heavenly Father. I graduated from the program and it was the best thing I ever completed in my life. Since I’ve been out of the program God is still number- one in my life. He’s restored my marriage and my kids back to me. I used to be homeless and now I have a home. I used to be a thief and now I have a job. I used to be blind and now I see. Thank you Jesus, and thank you Teen Challenge family. From April My addiction started at age sixteen with alcohol and trying weed. By the time I was seventeen I was using meth. Then, I met a guy named Jesse and became pregnant. I had my first baby girl, Brianna, at eighteen years of age. Jesse and I were living with my mom, who also is an addict, and she kicked us out when Jesse decided to stop supporting her habit. Brianna was four months old at the time. So the three of us were living on the streets. Jesse got arrested and we decided to get married while he was in jail. When Jesse got out of jail we were both still addicted and I found myself pregnant again. I had a second girl, Miranda. Now we had two girls and were living on the streets. One morning we woke up and Brianna was hungry. She wanted to eat and I had no money but I had drugs. That was a breaking point for me. That day I gave my children to my aunt to take care of and I went back out into the streets again. At this time Jesse was regularly going in and out of jail and I got pregnant once again. At this time God must have been doing a work in my husband. When we attended the funeral of my nephew who had been shot, Jesse wanted to attend church. I reluctantly went to church with him. The pastor referred my husband to Teen Challenge. After he left, I went to stay with my mom. I continued to stay sober and was trying to find my way into a recovery program, but none felt right. I decided to call Teen Challenge in Yuba City. It turns out they already knew who I was! My husband had everyone praying for me and God was paving the way. I entered the discipleship program and gave my life over to the Lord. He’s forgiven me, delivered me and given me such peace and joy! I gave birth to my third daughter, Hannah, in the program. I have since graduated and Jesse and I live in a nice apartment – preparing to recover full custody of our girls. Jesse is now a warehouse supervisor at his job and I attend Junior College. I hope someday to be able to work in Teen Challenge where I can help other lost young women.”

“Gary B came into the Teen Challenge program in 1997 after 18 years of substance abuse and 4 secular rehabilitation centers. After losing everything because of his addictions, he was homeless on the streets of New Orleans. Today he is married to Sandy, who is the Director at Mount Grace Teen Challenge for women and Gary is Chief Operating Oficer for Louisiana Teen Challenge. Gary has also published a book \Rehab is not for the soul\” a journey out of addiction.””

“Gary Bentley, trim and focused at age 47, running the faith-based Mt. Grace organization in North Louisiana, wasn’t always the forward looking executive personality he projects today as on-site director of Teen Challenge, which operates a group of facilities for men and women age 17 and up in Louisiana and across the nation. His recent activities range from driving a truck to Saline, in Bienville Parish to collect a load of watermelons for re-sale, to worrying about the harvest from a six-acre outlay of purple hull peas at the Mt. Grace Center for Men, 564 Braxton Road, off Louisiana Highway 1235 (Transport Road) in a rural area north of Dodson, to scheduling work for a crew of student workers who staff the newly opened Dodson Roadside Cafe & Creamery. The individual whom colleagues call Brother Gary, today is a minister in the Teen Challenge organization, remembers well the day when at age 33 he was homeless in New Orleans, having blown away a marriage, a family, and a successful career in automotive sales with the life of drugs and alcohol–a life story that resonates with the people he is responsible for in Teen Challenge. He recalls standing at a pay phone on Lapalco Boulevard on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, talking to his mother in Alabama about his situation, and the prospect of getting his life back. She gave him a telephone number of the Teen Challenge organization in the area. He made the call, and then walked 15 miles to the center located in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, to in effect, turn himself in. Following the same program his charges now follow, he completed the training, then went for more training at the Challenge headquarters in Pennsylvania, and worked with the organization in New Orleans until 2002, when he was assigned to the Mt. Grace facility in Dodson, along with his wife, Sandra, whom he met during Teen Challenge training in New Orleans. He managed Mt. Grace until recently, when he named an assistant to allow him more time for overall supervision of the operation in North Louisiana, which includes opening of a Teen Challenge Re-entry House in Ruston, and a Teen Challenge Center in Shreveport. \Our flagship operation in Louisiana right now is Mr. Grace in Dodson”

“Gateway was the best decision we have made in our entire life. Our son’s life was saved from destruction on this earth and for eternity. The education at Gateway was the finest he could have received anywhere. He became a self-disciplined student with motivated study habits and finished with a 3.9 GPA. He now has the desire and compassion to serve in his community and church, as well as tutoring and mentoring younger kids.”

“God Changed my life through Teen Challenge and now I am amazingly blessed to be able to give back what God has given me. Praise the Lord for Teen Challenge!”

“God Changed my life through Teen Challenge and now I am amazingly blessed to be able to give back what God has given me. Praise the Lord for Teen Challenge!”

“God has been doing great things in my life. My name is Debra. I was raised in a Christian home by loving parents here in Muskegon, Michigan. At the age of seventeen, I became rebellious and left home. I moved to Florida. I started using marijuana and began to drink heavily. The alcohol took control of me and I slid into the dark shadows of the adult entertainment business. The nightclubs consumed me and I did not see the light of day for the next seventeen years. During this time, I started to use cocaine and then crack. I poured so much alcohol into my body that I nearly drowned the life right out of me. I started getting alcohol related charges and the destruction of my life was so complete that I thought suicide would be the only way out. But, like the prodigal, I turned and came back home to mom and dad’s house. They live two miles down the road from Teen Challenge! Two weeks later, I came through the doors of Teen Challenge. That is almost eight months ago. I lost a big part of my life back there in that dark twisted life style. But, today thank God, I no longer live in the dark shadows of sin. I have the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ shining in my soul, lighting up every part of my life and pathway. The darkness is gone, the light has come, and I am free.”

“God has completely set me free. He has opened my eyes to the truth. I came to Teen Challenge as a way out of jail; but now I am graduating, forever changed and living for Jesus Christ. Glory to God.”

“God has delivered me from the depths of depression and all of my self-absorbed misery. I praise God today for the ministry of Teen Challenge in helping me to find freedom through obedience to His word and His spirit.”

“God has his graciously loving arms wrapped around this place and everyone of you men! I have never felt the presence of Lord so strongly as I did the first day I stepped in this facility!!! What a peace he gave me, at that moment I knew my brother was going to be ok. I have seen a miracle occur in him in a short amount of time, I can only imagine what the Lord has planned for the end result. I know it will amazingly wonderful! I just wanted to thank Bro Bobby, Bro Mac, Bro Anthony, and everyone involved in this Awesome program for following the will God had for your lives. He gave you all an unbelievable talent in sharing the word of Christ and helping others! Thank you!!!!”

“God is amazing and without the help from Teen Challenge, my son Casey wouldn’t be the person he is becoming today! I am so proud of him and I cannot thank you enough Teen Challenge!!!!!!”

“God is doing miracles at Teen Challenge Ranch in Northwest Arkansas. We have so many reasons to be thankful. I want to share with you the story of a family that faced tragedy and brokenness, but is today rejoicing over what God has done to bring healing to their family. God used Teen Challenge to help restore a son that was lost in drugs and delinquency. Jorges life started spiraling downward after his father died. The stable loving family he had known was broken apart by tragedy. Jorge stopped caring about anything. He tried to fill the emptiness in his life with drugs and partying. The drugs soon began consuming more and more of his life. He began stealing from family and selling drugs in order to fund his drug habit. By the age of 16, Jorge found himself in jail and facing criminal charges. In a moment of desperation, he called out to God from his jail cell. He asked God to some how change his life and help him. His mother Maria was desperate to help her son. She knew that he needed help, but did not know where to turn. Thankfully, a friend told her about Teen Challenge. She hated the thought of being separated from her son for a year, but she loved her son enough to make the sacrifice and place him at Teen Challenge Ranch of NW Arkansas. Jorge came to Teen Challenge Ranch in 2008. Even though he had called out to God for help while in jail, he was not very happy about being sent away from home. This is actually pretty common. Many troubled boys are anxious for God to help them out of their mess, but they dont really want Him to change anything about their lives-at least not at first. Jorge held back for the first couple of months at Teen Challenge Ranch. He was slow to allow God to really work in his life. He spent several weeks watching the staff and other students. He really began to notice a difference in their lives. The staff seemed to have a deep sense of joy and peace in their lives, and the students around him were changing dramatically as they opened their lives up to God. The difference in their behavior convinced Jorge that Jesus Christ really does change lives. After two months of waiting and watching, Jorge finally surrendered his life to God. Day by day, he grew closer to the Lord. He developed an incredible passion for God and for other people. Jorge would spend time praying and fasting that God would use him as he went out with some of the staff and other students to share his faith. Jorge regularly gave up his free time on Saturday to participate in these voluntary outings. Jorges life is radically different today because of what God has done through the ministry of Teen Challenge. This young man who once did not care about others now actively shares his faith, and prays fervently that God would use him to impact other peoples lives. Today, he is in a missions training ministry called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). He hopes to go to South Africa soon and work with AIDS victims and their families. From drug dealer to missionary in just a year and a half.To God be the Glory. There is something I think you should know about Jorge and his family. Jorges father had been the main provider for his family. After he died, the family lost most of their income and Maria was forced to work 2 and 3 jobs at a time just to make ends meet. They would never have been able to afford what it costs to put Jorge through Teen Challenge. Jorges life is changed today, because friends like you gave to this ministry and helped to make his time at Teen Challenge possible. Jorge and his mother have much to be thankful for. God has forever changed their family through the ministry of Teen Challenge.”

“God used Gateway in a mighty way in my life. What this program did for me is something that I cannot put into simple words, but I can say that I met Jesus Christ at Gateway.”

“God used Mount Grace to turn my son’s life around! God is so good. And the Teen Challenge Ministry is incredible! God bless you and Gary in the good work that is being done there.”

“God used Teen Challenge to save and change my life! My name is Nate and I am twenty-eight years old. I grew up in South Jersey in a loving Christian, big, Italian family. I experienced Gods love, spirit, and power at a young age and had a wonderful childhood full of kids camps, church plays, youth groups, and Christian conventions. I was home schooled along with my two brothers and three sisters (God bless my mom for those wild but fun years!). I was born into a Christian family, but I didnt have a personal relationship with God. At the age of sixteen, sin mangled my family and my parents divorced. I stopped caring and turned to alcohol and drugs. It was the only thing that made me feel better; my escape became my prison. High school drinking parties turned into sinking into alleys and smoking crack and jamming a needle full of heroin in any vein that still worked. I should be dead. I deserve to be dead. I tried on my own to stop using by working hard and being positive, but instead I found myself committing crimes to support my addiction. Nothing I tried worked; I couldnt do it on my own. In January, 2011, I found myself lying in a hospital bed where God showed me if I would believe in Christ and turn from my sinful life and trust in Him with my whole life, I would be set free. He led me to Teen Challenge Fredericksburg, where I surrendered my life to Christ and started my personal relationship with Him. With the help of Teen Challenge, Ive learned so much about God and so much about myself. I have truly been transformed by the power of Christ and his love. I am especially grateful for Teen Challenge Fredericksburg where the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit are never absent. Upon completion of the fourteen month program, Ive returned to work at Teen Challenge Fredericksburg, helping young men find the same freedom and life transformation that I have found.”

“God, our loving and faithful Father, saved me through Teen Challenge Women’s Ministries. I am so grateful for all I’ve learned and for all the changes God has made in my life.”

“Greetings, my name is Don and I’m 26 years old. I was brought up in a great home with Christian values instilled in me by two loving parents so I had no excuse for my rebelliousness towards God. I excelled in academics and athletics all through my school years. For two years I even attended college with my life still in order and on the way to more opportunities. No one could have guessed I would put myself through so much trouble. After my 2 years of college I was offered a full time position at a Fire Department near home. I took the position and went on to attend Paramedic school and other various rescue/medical classes. Things were looking good on the outside, but my spiritual condition was slowly deteriorating. I enjoyed lifting weights as a hobby, and unfortunately I let the devil get a foothold in my life in that area. As a weight lifter I had goals that I wanted to reach and I found that Anabolic Steroids were the quickest path to my goals. I wasn’t really thinking of any consequences at the time, all I could see were results. The enemy seems to be good at downplaying consequences and emphasizing all the enjoyable aspects of sin. This started drawing me away from God to the point that I started saying yes to alcohol and club drugs, which in turn led me down a road of bondage to narcotics. Eventually I lost my girlfriend, career, and almost every material item I owned due to the illegal use of pain killers. I found myself with nothing but hopelessness and depression. I never thought I would end up like this when I started taking steroids. I was so ashamed that I tried to cover it up with heroin and ended up overdosing twice in the same day. My parents didn’t know what to do with me so they put me in a mental hospital. It was there that I became desperate for a change and my mother suggested Teen Challenge. At this point I was ready to try anything. It has been a slow process, but I know I am getting a real transformation. I’m here because I want a life long change, not a quick fix where I get cleaned up on the outside. I want to be changed on the inside, and I desire righteousness now. Now with less than a couple months until I graduate the year long program, God has restored my mind, body, and soul. I found the relationship with Jesus is what I needed all along. I love to spend time in His presence where He meets my every need! I have a close bond with my family like I’ve never had before. I have vision for the future so I am not bound to my past. Most of all, God has given me a new hope and a new identity in Christ Jesus. I am forever grateful! Bless His Name!”

“Growing up I was the good kidnon-smoker, against drugs and alcohol. I just wanted to be around good people and play sports. After four years of the Air Force, I had grown 2 inches and gained 30 pounds. I came home to East Lansing and made the Michigan State University football team as a walk-on. Soon after (March 19, 1983) I was saved. Doing very well academically and excelling on the field, life was far better than any dream I’ve ever had. But as I started to stand out in football, I began to fade from Christ and my academic responsibilities. By my junior year, Coach Saban announced at the start of camp that I had flunked out of school! You could have heard a pin drop among 120 men. My dream had officially died. With $27, I moved to Seattle Washington. There I landed a job at Boeing. I also found an old teammate who was now playing for the Seahawks of the NFL. For the next 6 months we tried to live out our pastto turn back the clock. We were at a who’s who party and a pipe came around. I didn’t care what was in it. I wanted to fit in. It was crack cocaine, and that’s the day I met the devil and began to serve him. I spent the next 5 years hiding during the day and walking the streets all night. I was the lowest of low. After time in prison, years of drug addiction, losing everything, and disappointing my family and especially my daughter, I finally hit bottom. It was grace from God that allowed me to have a moment of clarity. I remembered the God of my youth. He brought me to Teen Challenge. I have been seeking Him. I know He is the only answer. Today I have a meaningful relationship with Christ Jesus. The past memories of failure and condemnation are gone. Only love remains.”

“Growing up in a family of 12 children is something that most people dream about. I was raised in the church all of my life. I never had a father in my life. In fact, to this day, I’ve never seen his face. My mother gave birth to me at the age of 40. The responsibility of raising me was, for the most part, placed on my older brothers. I would go everywhere with them, and at a very young age, I would get a contact high from the smell of marijuana. In high school, I developed a love for sports and participated in football, basketball and track. I received a full-ride scholarship to attend college to play football. My freshman year, I came home to visit my family for Christmas and was introduced to crack cocaine. For the last 23 years, I have struggled on and off to overcome this addiction. I threw away a marriage of 7 years and let down two precious children. I’ve always felt a calling on my life to serve God. The Bible says that the calling that He places on our lives is irrevocable. Coming to Teen Challenge has re-ignited the fire in my life. I’ve always wanted to do something for God. The goal that I set for myself when I arrived at Teen Challenge was to win every day. By that, I mean, to live in victory for Jesus, knowing that the battle has been fought and the victory has been won. Coming to Teen Challenge is the best decision that I’ve made in my life other than accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior”

“Growing up, I became devoted to theatre and loved playing lacrosse, but soon after 6th grade I started hanging out with kids a lot older than me and got involved in the wrong crowd. By 7th grade my grades had dropped, I was being suspended often and using drugs regularly. I was completely apathetic about my family and by 8th grade, my depression was out of control. I had been taken advantage of by one of my closest friends and didn’t understand what was happening in my life. A suicide attempt landed me in the hospital all before my 14th birthday. My mom saw my life and what I was doing to myself and decided it was time to find a safe place for me to find a new way of happiness. I walked through the doors of New Hope House broken and in need of repair. I started to see changes in and around me that I could not write-off as coincidence. I saw God working around me and I couldn’t say no any longer. After 5 months at New Hope House I let God take the reigns in my life and I haven’t looked back since. Now after one year in Teen Challenge, I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. I think, feel, act, and even look like a different person. He has been the cornerstone in my transformation. Without Him, I don’t know where I would be, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be good. God has saved my life and has given me self worth and, most importantly, love.”

“Growing up, I became devoted to theatre and loved playing lacrosse, but soon after 6th grade I started hanging out with kids a lot older than me and got involved in the wrong crowd. By 7th grade my grades had dropped, I was being suspended often and using drugs regularly. I was completely apathetic about my family and by 8th grade, my depression was out of control. I had been taken advantage of by one of my closest friends and didn’t understand what was happening in my life. A suicide attempt landed me in the hospital all before my 14th birthday. My mom saw my life and what I was doing to myself and decided it was time to find a safe place for me to find a new way of happiness. I walked through the doors of New Hope House broken and in need of repair. I started to see changes in and around me that I could not write-off as coincidence. I saw God working around me and I couldnt say no any longer. After 5 months at New Hope House I let God take the reigns in my life and I havent looked back since. Now after one year in Teen Challenge, I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. I think, feel, act, and even look like a different person. He has been the cornerstone in my transformation. Without Him, I dont know where I would be, but Im sure it wouldnt be good. God has saved my life and has given me self worth and, most importantly, love.”

“Growing up, I had a loving family with parents who wanted nothing but the best for me. I went to church and knew about God, but I never had a real relationship with Him. Not knowing about His promises and love for me, I found it hard to cope with life. I began drinking and using drugs at a very young age, and as I got older the abuse only got worse. After hurting my family repeatedly, I felt like I had no one left to turn to. I found myself hopeless, and ready for a change. I went to Teen Challenge of Texas – Magnolia Men’s Campus to get my life back together, and graduated in December 2009. Since then my life has been filled with so many blessings. I met my beautiful wife, and now we are leading worship at our church in New York. I thank God for this program and all the wonderful things He has done for me.”

“Growing up, I was not the easiest child to raise. I was the rebellious one. I was ‘stuck up’ and always wanted the latest fashions for myself. I didn’t care who I hurt or manipulated in order to get what I wanted. Aderall was my drug of choice. I was able to lose weight on it and it made me stay awake and alert while working. I eventually realized I had an addiction to this drug and enrolled in the Teen Challenge in Missouri. After 2 weeks I left because I wasn’t ready for all that the Bible had to say. I was a a hard mirror to look into. Soon after I became very depressed from a break up and began drinking. I worked while intoxicated not thinking anyone would notice. I met my ex fiance, we moved in together and had our daughter, Gianna. For once I was sober. Yet, little by little I picked up the alcohol again and when my fiance left me, my drinking got worse. I drank so heavily that my liver was at the beginning stages of cirrhosis. I tried secular rehabs but nothing worked. Again my parents suggested Teen Challenge. I was eager to change my life and surrender and that’s just what I did. I’ve been here 11 months and learned how much God loves me. I’ve learned how to have respect for myself and others. God has protected my daughter and my health. I went to have my liver checked and found out it has been healed! God is good!”

“Have you ever woken up one day and thought: How did I get here? Where are all my real friends? Joy? The purpose of living? I felt confused and I didn’t know what to do. I was addicted to drugs and sin. I got arrested and went to jail. I got kicked out of school. And then my parents sent me to Teen Challenge of St. Louis. My name is Nicole F. Im 19 and Ive been at Teen Challenge for six months now. I fought changing, and pointed my finger at everyone around me. Then God showed me the three that were pointing back at me. I am beyond grateful for all the people that have lovingly showed me my wrong and restored me gently. I love it here at Teen Challenge and I also love the basic idea that I can learn just as I have my whole life, except this time, Ill learn the way of my Lord.”

“Helen came in at the age of 17. She had been a Meth addict for four years and weighed only about 90 pounds. Her hair, stringy and lifeless, indicated where she was both physically and spiritually. She had no interest in coming into our program and was not quiet about her disdain for anything related to God. Throughout the four months that she was at Springboard, we saw incredible change. Physically, she began to gain color in her cheeks, her hair became healthy and she began to gain much needed weight. Spiritually, she began to soften towards the Lord and she participated in all of the program activities. I even caught her worshipping at a church service on more than one occasion. She recognized that her drug use was a sinful behavior that she had allowed to control her life and that she needed a relationship with Christ to find complete freedom from drugs and alcohol. By the time Helen went home, we were all amazed at how much she had changed. Her hard demeanor had been replaced with a soft, kind-hearted tenderness. Her disdain for God had been replaced with a desire to pursue Him with reckless abandon. Despite the changes, we were prayerful about how she would respond once back in the environment she had come from. The answer to that came 8 months later when she returned to our graduation. She was not only still in pursuit of everything God had for her, she had already recognized the call of God on her life. Seven years later, she is married to a man that is involved in youth ministry and is living out the faith she first grabbed hold of at Springboard.”

“Hello my name is Savannah, I am 22 years old and the oldest of three. From the beginning I was raised in a broken home; my father was sent to prison when I was only four years old. Before I was five years old I had been sexually abused and my whole perception of life was altered. Growing up I was teased and put down. I felt as though I was never good enough. By the age of 17 I found myself entering into heavy drug abuse. My focus went from normal high school activities like playing basketball and singing in choir to a slew of bad relationships, drug deals, and a heavy heroin addiction. At 21 years old I believed that I was going to die a lonely, pathetic drug addict. I fell so hard, so quickly, that by the time I had hit rock bottom I had burnt every bridge I had ever built. I tore them down with my own hands. That’s when I couldn’t take life anymore; I was home alone one night, sick and desperate. I was done. I wanted to give up and die, and I was angry! I told God either take my life now or fix it because I cant go on living this way! Little did I know He was with me all along. God breathed His Holy Spirit into me that night, setting in motion my path to Teen Challenge. I entered Hannah’s House on October 3rd, 2011. That is where, for the first time, I experienced God’s love. My life has never been the same; it was altered the day I walked through the Hannah’s House doors. In Jesus I have discovered myself for the very first time. I have discovered my purpose, my hopes, my dreams, and a real life with Him! In May and June of 2012 I suffered the loss of my mother and grandmother. But telling you the truth, I find myself lucky! I have had the privilege of being carried and loved by God. I completed my program at Hannah’s House on November 4th, 2012. I chose to stay on and complete a year-long internship with Teen Challenge Ministry Institute, but this time I have been given the opportunity to help young women from the ages of 13-17, at the Teen Challenge Boise Girls Academy. In January, I arrived in Boise and I hit the ground running. The Lord has been faithful in all things; He has never left me, and He has always protected, provided, and blessed me with His love and mercy. In Proverbs 16:3 it says Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.\ The Lord is doing more than I could have ever hoped or imagined”

“Hello my name is Trenda. I live in Kentucky. I am a recovering drug and alcohol addict. I was using for fifteen years. I’ve tried different methods in the past to stop using but not one of my methods worked. I kept on relapsing. Little did I know that I needed to give it all over to God and let him take my life over and lead it for me. I found myself in and out of jails. On July of 06 I was looking at twelve months in Jail. I wanted to be free of the drug bondage so bad I did six months in Jail and I will complete twelve months at Teen Challenge. I am now working on my third month here. And God is doing great things in my life and in my family’s life. I’ve found a verse in the bible to be very helpful to me. Colossians 1:11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joy fullness.”

“Hello, my name is Amy And I am 37 years old. Have spent my entire life addicted to drugs and alcohol. This past year I found myself alone, exhausted, and with no self-respect or love in my heart. I was on empty in every way possible. My two young boys were now in DFS custody and my marriage was falling apart. Matthew 6:33 says, \But seek first His kingdom and righteousness”

“Hello, my name is Bobby M. I am 29 years old from Carmi, a small southern Illinois town. At the age of 18 I was as introduced to Crystal Meth. My Journey started with simple usage but soon developed into manufacturing and then selling the drug. The result – I have been in and out of jails and rehab centers. Last April I was given a chance to receive induction into the rehab program at Teen Challenge Peoria. While in the program I was introduced to Christ where I gave my life to Christ. Since then my life has turned around. The relationship I have with my family today is better then ever. At first, it seemed a little awkward and different and somewhat confusing. It came to me though that as long as I leave my life in God’s hands, He will direct my paths! I still mess up and know it will take time for me to correct the things I have done, but at least now with the help of Teen Challenge Peoria, I have started to live a clean and sober life! In closing, I would like to leave you with this scripture, Proverbs 3:12, For the Lord corrects those He loves just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”

“Hello, my name is Eric G, a 36 year old Peorian of IL. Having successfully completed the first phase of a wonderful but hard program I am about to continue my journey into the 2nd phase of Teen Challenge. It has been a long journey. I rarely attended church, read the Bible or praised God. My self esteem was extremely low. IN fact, I am surprised to still be alive from all the blackouts and alcohol poisoning that my body endured. The Lord, truly, was with me! He even worked through my family as they were trying to get me into this program at Teen Challenge. I thank God they did because today, after a long journey, I am free from the bondage of alcohol. I now read and understand the Bible, love going to church and I am closer to God. With much emotion I thank Teen Challenge Peoria for helping me. Just as a caterpillar changes into a beautiful butterfly, I am changing through the Grace of God from my old life to a beautiful new life.”

“Hello, my name is Jeff W.. I am 41 years old. I am from Chicago, Illinois. I was raised in a Christian home where I was taught good morals and strong work ethic. After graduating high school and attending college, I began to climb the corporate ladder of prestige, position, popularity, financial success, and security. I got married and had three children. I had the house, the cars, and everything you could possibly want. But I was unfulfilled, discontent and dissatisfied. I was introduced to the party life, high rollers, women, cocaine, and crack. Soon, I tumbled, and I hit hard. I lost everything, and I mean everything! I was reduced to a street level bum. A junkie. I robbed, cheated, and stole. I was empty, devastated, always looking for the next high, and would do whatever it took to get it. I couldn’t be trusted. Nobody wanted me around anymore. Everybody I encountered, I took advantage of. In my desperation, one of my relatives talked to me about Jesus and really committing my life to Him. He also introduced me to the idea of Teen Challenge. Finally, I was so low I decided to give Teen Challenge a try. Today, I’m glad I did! I am truly delivered from my years of addictions. Jesus Christ has forgiven me and He is my Lord. I love Him, and I want to serve Him the rest of my life. Slowly I’m rebuilding my reputation. Slowly people (family and relatives) are learning to trust me again. I don’t expect them to roll out the red carpet to me. I realize I’ll have to prove myself, but with Jesus’ help I plan to do just that! Until all that falls into place, I’ll just keep loving Jesus and live my life for His glory. I can truly say, today I am a Christian. A man of prayer, study, and integrity.”

“Hello, my name is Jeromy. I am a 2012 graduate of TCD. Before coming there in 2011, I was living a sinful life, consisting of using meth, lies and deceit. I was a liar, thief and manipulator. I took what I wanted, but God made ways in my desert for me to come back to Him. While in TCD, I came to learn that God bought my soul with the price of His son. I became filled with His love and Holy Spirit. With the help of TCD, God has molded me into a lover of Jesus. I cannot imagine going back to the life I used to live. Little did I know, but God was going to use me a light to my own family. On a visit home I was able to witness to my younger brother and plants seeds in his heart. Now he too is a TCD graduate and is in the Re-Entry part of the program! Praise God! I can’t begin to say in words what TCD has done for me and my family. All the glory goes to God. I hope my story inspires somebody out there to reach out to someone in need of Jesus. God bless everyone, Jeromy”

“Hello, my name is Jordan and I am a drug addict. That was the first sentence of this young man’s story that he sent to me. He went on to tell me how for years that was how he identified himself. A two-sport all star athlete in high school, Jordan received a college scholarship to run track and play football at a university in Kentucky. But during his sophomore season, Jordan broke his ankle. That is when he received his first prescription to Oxycontin. He wrote about how addiction quickly took a hold of his life and sent him spinning out of control. After two failed drug tests, the university kicked him out and removed his sports scholarships. Jordan had lost everything he had worked for. He landed at a place called Teen Challenge in North Carolina. Teen Challenge is a Christian rehabilitation center in the business of restoring lives with the hope of Jesus Christ. Jordan said it was during his time in Teen Challenge that he began to realize that God wasn’t done with him yet, and that all of those defeating titles like addict, didn’t have to be attached to his name the rest of his life. His story is far from over. He told me that in the years since his recovery, he went back and got his masters degree from the very college that kicked him out. Now, he is a teacher and a coach and a newlywed. And he has recently felt God calling him into full time ministry. He closed his story by saying, These days I introduce myself a little differently than I used to. Hello, my name is Jordan and I am a child of the one true king! What a powerful example of God at work in someone’s story. I read Jordan’s story and couldn’t help but wonder how many people in the world are walking around defined by the defeat and the regret of past mistakes, believing the lie that they will never be able to kick an old habit or move on from yesterdays mistakes. Jordan’s story is powerful proof that we are not defined by our past. God can restore, redeem, and renew our hearts and lives. He can set our feet on a new path that will lead our lives to a destination far greater than where we used to call home. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come! Jordan is standing in the light of a new beginning, forgetting what is behind and taking hold of his new name.”

“Hello, my name is T.J. B. I’m 23 years old and I’m from Whitehall, Michigan. I grew up with amazingly loving parents who taught me everything I needed to know to succeed in life. By the time I graduated high school I had excelled in everything from academics to the three sports I played. I was looking forward to pursuing my education and football at the collegiate level. I had also fallen into the trap of the devil. What started as recreational cocaine use had become a full-blown addiction. A month after graduation, I was convicted of numerous felonies and eventually found myself in a state prison. I was released at 21 years of age, and five months later convicted of yet another felony. By the grace of God I was allowed to come to Teen Challenge instead of another prison sentence. Since coming here, I’ve learned and experienced the true blessings of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Relationships are being restored, and my future is full of hope and opportunity. I stand on Colossians 1:13, 14-For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Glory to God!”

“Hello, my name is Tandra. Before I came to Teen Challenge my life was a complete disaster. I started using meth when I was 17 years old, right after my son Keiler was born. Once I started I just couldn’t stop. I loved this drug and what it did for me. It gave me confidence that I never had before. It made me lose weight fast when I have struggled with weight my entire life. It gave me energy to keep up with my son and then some. I was invincible. I could do anything and everything! But it also destroyed mine and my family’s life. Two years of using and going from just snorting it to injecting it led to my house getting raided by the police. My sons father ended up going to jail for 2 months, and my son was taken away by the state. I was completely devastated. Thankfully, my parents took on the task of raising my son when I was unable to. But I had nothing and no one, as much as it broke my heart, I kept using. A few months later I checked into a 90-day inpatient rehab, but I wasn’t ready. I kept using even while I was there and eventually got kicked out. I was so hopeless and so addicted. I used for a few more months until I just couldn’t handle it. I was homeless, jobless, and I didn’t have my son. So I checked into yet another rehab. But this time I was able to have my now 3 year old son there with me! All I had to do was complete this program and I would have my son back! I was overjoyed! And five and a half months later, we completed! We moved back home and got our own apartment. Kieler started Head Start. My family trusted me Life was finally on track. I had 10 months clean when one day I got a phone call. It was my son’s father. Within an hour we were both high again. That night my son’s father ended up in the hospital and almost died. When DHS found out, Kieler was taken again and stayed with my parents. A few weeks later I made the hardest decision of my entire life. I signed over all my rights and my parents became the legal guardians of my son. At the time I had lost everything all over again and had nowhere to go. I had left the state and stayed with family. I kept thinking that if I could just get away and start over I would do it the right way. But the truth is I was just running away. But there was no escaping myself. I used the entire time I was there and quickly got sent back home. I used for another year straight. I started doing things I never imagined myself ever doing. Lying, stealing, cheating. Anything to get more drugs. I was in a relationship with a man that abused me in every way. And I had stopped seeing my son all together. My life was consumed with getting high. I had no hope and I had no life. I was broken, beaten down, and tormented by guilt. Death became an appealing thought. But then my mother asked me to go out to breakfast and while there she asked me if I would go to Teen Challenge. I had nothing to lose. I didn’t think it would work since I’d already been to two other rehabs. But I said yes. Believing whole heartedly that it wouldn’t help. After just a few short weeks at Hannah’s House, being surrounded by all the love and support of the staff/students I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ and made a real commitment to walk in his will. Ever since that day my outlook on life has changed. I now have a hope for my future, for my son, and for my family. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. That is exactly what God has given me, real hope! This program is teaching me how to live without drugs. Its teaching me to lean on God through the good and the bad times. Although its hard and it hurts to actually deal with the hurt, the guilt, and the disappointments. Its not the same kind of hurt because I’m learning to overcome it instead of cover it up! It is giving me a joy and a peace that can’t be taken away. My faith in God and the confidence I have in Him and myself is growing more and more every day. God is good! He is restoring me and my family from the inside out! I am so thankful that Jesus died for my sins and gave me the opportunity to have eternal life with Him! Colossians 1:13-14 says: He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. I am truly set free from my addiction and from Satan’s grasp! I am free to live with Jesus! Thank you Lord!”

“Hello, my name is Thomas. I am 19 years old, and a student at Teen Challenge. I was born February 11, 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa. Here is the story that God has given me to tell. It started when I was 3 years old, and I was taken from my mom because of some of the choices she had made. I was put into the foster care system for a while, and then I moved into my aunt’s house. It wasn’t long before I was taken from there, and put into another foster home, from what I can remember from that time, it was a pretty good home to be in, but then I moved again. I know it was an emotional time for me, because I don’t remember much of it. After this home, I moved to my dad’s house. I don’t think he was ready for my brother Robert, and I. He favored my brother, so every time my brother did something wrong, I would get punished; from standing in a corner holding still for any length of time, to being spanked with a thorn bush branch. After a year of this, my brother moved to my aunt’s house, while I went to another foster home; the Wolf family. I was punished a whole lot while I lived there, and the punishment was always the same; writing sentences all day, every day for the 10 months I stayed there. I was never told what I was being punished for. My next foster home was one of my favorites, and I was there for almost three years. They invested a lot of time into me, and when I was disciplined, I could tell it was done out of love. It was during this time that we started looking for a family to adopt me. I wasn’t adopted. Instead, I moved to yet another family, but ended up staying there for only three weeks. Following that brief stay, I moved to another foster home where I was mentally scarred. To this day I have bad memories from that home. I asked them to move me to a boys home, but instead I was moved to my favorite place I have ever lived. The family was small, but full of love. I caused a lot of trouble there, and I didn’t know how to receive the love they poured out upon me, nor did I know how to give it back to them. When I was 15, I moved to my aunts house again. During this time, I had illegal contact with my mom (the court had forced her to give up her parental rights when I was 3 years old). Sadly, I only knew my mom for a year and a half before she died in 2009. She was just 38 years old. Before she died, my aunt and I had planned a special birthday present for her. I was going to be adopted back into the family that year. My mom died before this could happen. I found out later that her heart had failed, due to all the drugs she had done throughout her life. I was a big trouble maker wherever I went. I got into serious trouble my senior year of high school, for stealing a CCAD program from the school. The police waited until I turned 18 to charge me. At my sentencing (by a miracle of God), my fines were reduced from $30,000.00 to $975.00. I was also sentenced to 50 hours of community work, and was sent to Teen Challenge of the Midlands. When I arrived at Teen Challenge, I was amazed by how everyone there were (and still are), some of most loving and compassionate people you will ever meet. They taught me how to live out a mature Christian life. Being a Christian isn’t about doing your best to follow a standard of do this, and don’t do that. It is about having a personal relationship with God, and taking the love that God has showed us, and showing it to other people; no matter what happens! I have proudly been at Teen Challenge for 19 months, and thanks to God, Im still going strong. I love being a re-entry student in Omaha, NE. God has truly changed me, and I’m really excited to see what God is going to do in my life, and the lives around me. \For I know the plans I have for you”

“Hey TC Family!!!! Just wanted to say hello and tell you guys that I love and miss ya’ll!!!! Life in Winfield is Great and my wife and I have almost 4 years clean living for the Lord. I want to thank all of you that prayed for me while I battled cancer.. Three wks ago the DR’s released me from chemo saying they could not find any more cancer!!! God is so faithful and good. I have been accepted into the Jefferson County Police Academy and start Mar 20th.. Just another testimony of God’s Grace and Mercy to let me fullfill a life long dream..Has their ever been a TC graduate become a cop b/f??? Well I love ya’ll and pray the Lord blesses each of you.”

“Hi I’m Nathan. It’s been two and a half years since I graduated from Teen Challenge, and my life is a walking miracle. I was abusing alcohol since junior high school and I was a full blown alcoholic by the time I was 19. I went the full gammet of this addiction. The blackouts, the DWIs, the rollovers, the depression, the suicidal thoughts. I’ve been to psych wards, treatment centers and support groups, but my addiction only got worse. The freedom I was searching for only came when I came to Teen Challenge and found God. And that has made all the difference. He has given me my life back. I now hold a steady job. I’m active in my local church. I’m living out my Christian faith every day. I’m a walking miracle.”

“Hi my name is Amanda A and I’m proud to say I am a Teen Challenge grad from Russleville Arkansas. Please don’t wait or think about how you’re gonna get clean and stay that way whenever you have been to other rehabs and failed because there is a place called Teen Challenge that will welcome you with open arms and lots of love. This is a new year and you can become a new person in Jesus Christ and learn a new way to live, I did and today I’ve been clean for 3 years. All it takes is the word and accepting God into your life and Teen Challenge can and will show you how to do that! Please don’t wait another year to decide, become a new creation and find a new and better way to live. Teen Challenge works and I am living proof along with many, many others who have walked in your shoes.”

“Hi my name is Niki and I am 21 years old. I am from Newark, Ohio and I have been at Teen Challenge since November of 2006. I grew up in a very loving, Christian home and was saved at the early age of 7. I lived a good life, but had a lot of inner struggles in spite of the wonderful family God had given me. I for years just buried emotion and took it out on my family. When I was 19 I finally fell and began living a lifestyle of manipulation, lies, self-medication and an eating disorder for control, and lack of self worth. I hurt everyone around me that I loved or that loved me, mostly my parents. Finally, a wonderful man of God and his wife helped me see what I could be and who I had once been. Since Ive been at Teen Challenge the Lord has opened up my eyes to so much more, and promised me a life full of satisfaction if I would only surrender and submit to him. God is so good!”

“Hi, I’m Liane. Having my baby die from SIDS was my worst nightmare. Then add all that to a psychotic husband’s abuse and what was left in the wake of that was many years of drug addiction. I can’t tell you how broken my heart was. But after going through the Teen Challenge program, Jesus has truly set me free from my addictions and has healed my wounded heart. Now I have no desire to use any drug. My parents now have complete trust in me again and the broken pieces in my life are fixed! I am actively involved in a women’s bible study at church. I’m also working full time and getting my masters – and I’m getting married to a wonderful man who treats me like gold. Teen Challenge has completely restored my life.”

“Hi, my name is April. I am 35 years old. I grew up in Crossville, Tennessee where I had been physically, verbally, and emotionally abused at the hands of my stepfather until he died seven years ago. I left home at the age of 15 to find love and acceptance – only to find myself in relationship after relationship. After the failure of a second marriage, the feelings of hopelessness and loneliness only got worse. I was introduced to methamphetamine nine years ago. It was after a four-month binge on this drug, that I found myself near death, as my organs began to shut down and a stroke was predicted for my near future. During this disastrous time I was divorced, angry and seriously depressed. In order to shut off these feelings, I increased the amount of drugs I was using and began experimenting with different techniques to increase my high. Through all of this, it was always my intention to do right for my children; but due to the hold these drugs had on my life, I lost custody of them in August 2008. This was my rock bottom. Knowing from experience that my best efforts only made things worse, I cried out to God. Things began to change quickly. I was delivered from the desire to get high almost immediately and found myself seeking the purpose for my life. Through the reading of Gods Word, I have asked for the forgiveness of my sins and asked Christ to be the leader of my life. I can honestly say, I love Jesus, and I’m glad He saved me. I believe the Lord will raise me up to be the strong mother and woman of God He has called me to be. I stand on Isaiah 40:31, Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. I owe God all the glory and honor for all He is doing in my life.”

“Hi, my name is Caleb. Im 19 years old, and Im from Blair, Nebraska. Teen Challenge, by the grace of God, has given me hope. I am the youngest of four; with two brothers and one sister. Our parents divorced when I was five, and at the time it seemed normal. Due to my mothers alcoholism, my father received custody of all of us. However, diagnosed as a Paranoid Schizophrenic, my father has problems of his own, and lives on disability income. As a result, my grandparents were mostly responsible for me and my siblings. I began experimenting with drugs and alcohol at the age of 12. Less than a year later, I had my first encounter with the law, being charged with an MIP (minor in possession), after my best friend almost died from alcohol poisoning. Despite the severity of that, I was only grounded for two days. Looking back, I was searching for structure, guidance and stability, yet any foundation I had, was crumbling. After attending church with my grandparents for four years on a regular basis, I stopped attending completely. I had no relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ.I began using drugs and drinking daily. I quit any extra-curricular activities, and started hanging out with the wrong people. My brother, who I looked to for strength while growing up, had problems of his own. He went to treatment for drugs, alcohol, and depression when I was 15, and I lost another stabilizing force in my life. The pattern of depression and abuse continued.By the time I was 18, I was using cocaine, alcohol and opiates regularly, and was out of control. I had been in a number of psych wards, ICUs and treatment centers, due to multiple suicide attempts, DUIs and other incidents. The downward spiral continued, and on January 18, 2012, I found my best friend dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. After that, I had no care for life whatsoever. I was hopeless. Another perceived source of stability in my life was now gone. Not long after, I was jailed once again for multiple charges, and I began to cry out to God for help. While I didnt even know if God was real, I began to see my sins as an act of desperation rather than conscious disobedience. How could I still be alive after multiple suicide attempts, while my best friend was dead? Gods plans were already in motion. My aunt, who I had not heard from in 10 years, contacted my family while I was in jail. She was the first to mention Teen Challenge to me, and it was clearly Gods will. In less than two weeks, I was released from jail, and entered Teen Challenge of the Midlands in Colfax, Iowa.When I first got to Teen Challenge, I was a hurting little boy. Everything I had learned since I was 5 years old, and my parents got divorced, was backwards. Before coming to Teen Challenge, and meeting the Lord, I thought it was all normal. But these were strongholds and lies that I believed. Proverbs 14:12 says, There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Even though I went to church when I was younger, I was never saved, or knew anything about the Lord until I came to Teen Challenge. I didn’t know there was another way to live. I thought all Christians were hypocrites who lied, and did everything behind closed doors. I didn’t know that God is a living, breathing God who is all around you. You can talk to Him, and He talks back to you. He has showed me things in my past that I didn’t even know were causing me pain. He spoke truth to me about those situations, and instantly, lies I had believed for years that caused me lots of pain, were gone. Thats truly amazing to me!Teen Challenge is a great place, and I can honestly say I love it here, but we all know, it would be nothing without God! I strongly believe every Christian needs 3 things to grow; somebody ministering to him, somebody growing/ walking it out with him, and somebody to minister to. I now know who I am, and whose I am. I came from being a very hurt individual who had no self-worth or care for anything, to a man of God, and a man of integrity. I’m truly the happiest I’ve ever been! Thank you to everyone who has helped me. Thank you to Teen Challenge. But thank you most of all, to God.”

“Hi, my name is Carrie and I’m 22 years old and I grew up in Missouri. My stand on scripture is Romans 12:2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. I’ve been in Teen Challenge right under five months and in that time I’ve started a transformation myself. Addiction for me started very early on. My mother was stuck in her own addiction when she found out that she was pregnant. She was unable to break this so at the time of my birth I to tested positive for the substance. The state picked up on the charges and the day I got to leave the hospital it was in the arms of a social worker. My mom tried to get me back and would for a period of time but it never lasted. She just couldn’t break free. She lost two of my other siblings and then got the news. Her rights to me as a mother were terminated. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11 I internalized all this, at this age I didn’t understand what was going on around me, but I felt as though I had done something wrong, I felt unloved, unwanted. So I started putting up walls and not feeling I could get close to anyone. Really that’s all I wanted, was to feel loved! I was placed into a loving foster home and felt love there; I felt wanted. Then another change came and I was adopted out and placed into another family. They are amazing and wonderful people. They are my parents. Life was great! I moved out to the country, I could play in the dirt, I had brothers around me at all times, and I really never had to do without. As I started getting older, however, I was still hurt on the inside. I still felt as though I was unloved. I started having questions Why was I adopted? Why didn’t my own mother want me? What did I do wrong? Why would she choose drugs over her own daughter? I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol to see what the hype was about, to see what the big deal was. I soon started using them to numb the pain and to feel accepted, to fit in. Then it just became part of my life, to the point where I was unable to stop. I started getting into legal trouble, in and out of jail, distancing myself from my family, and facing time in prison. I found myself pregnant, and unable to stop. It seemed as though it would be so easy, to just give it up. I lost that baby because of my drug use. I now understood addiction first hand; I needed a miracle. I went to prison and knew it was time to change! This is when God stepped in! I got out and spent Easter at home with my family we had talked about me finding a program to get into. So the following Tuesday I came into Teen Challenge, and haven’t looked back! God has softened my life and filled that void, hole, hurt, and pain that I’ve carried for so long. He is my Savior and also my friend. Teen Challenge is the foot hold, the foundation that I needed! I am so thankful to be alive and hope that one day I could help someone else find their way and their Savior. God has restored my families. I now have a relationship with my adopted family as well as my biological family. God has only started to bless me. I can’t wait to see the surprises hes got in store!”

“Hi, my name is Jenifer and I am 25 years old. I am from Roanoke Virginia and I have been in Teen Challenge for 8 months. My entire life I have been very rebellious. I experimented with many different drugs and sought comfort and fulfillment through relationships with others. I received salvation and was baptized on August 1, 2004. Even after I was saved I was still struggling with bondages because I had been living in the world for so long. I wasnt sure how to give God control and turn away from my old life. I was very discouraged because I lacked the joy that is supposed to characterize the Christian life. Since being at Teen Challenge I have learned how to surrender to God and die to my self. I now understand the true freedom of living Gods way!”

“Hi, my name is Kay-C and I am a 26 years old and I have been set free. I actually came into this world as a drug addict, I dont know much about my real mother except you name it and she did it. I was adopted into a wonderful loving family. My drug use started when I was about 16 by smoking marijuana but eventually grew to pain killers which took over my life. In October 2011, I found out I was pregnant. I continued to go to the doctor and abuse my prescriptions. On May 9th, 2012 I had my son. I asked the nurse if he was going through any withdrawals, she looked at me and said your son is not going through any. I know now that had nothing to do with me, it was God who did it. God had already started breaking the chains of my past. A week after having my son I lost custody of Him. I went completely downhill for two months. My family kept reaching out to me for them to help me. I looked at my beautiful son and said, ok lets do this, Im not going to be that hopeless drug addict my biological mother was. Within a week I was on a plane on my way to Long Island Teen Challenge. I have been here for six months now and so many wonderful things have happened. Upon completion of this program I will receive the custody of my son back, God is restoring my family back to me. I am so excited to be the mother God has called me to be. I may have come in this world addicted to drugs, but because of God I am not going to go out that way. The scripture I stand on is Job 33: 27-28 You will sing Gods praises to everyone you meet testifying, I messed up my life and let me tell you it wasnt worth it. But God saved me from certain death. I am alive again; once more I see the light.”

“Hi, my name is Mandi and I am 24 years old. My family and I moved to California at the beginning of my grade school when my grandfather was dying. After his death we found comfort in a local church but I never completely surrendered my life to Jesus or had a personal relationship with Him. At a young age I started dancing and playing soccer. By junior high I was playing soccer at a very competitive level. When I got into junior high I began to go out on the weekends with my two older sisters, and that is when I began to drink. By high school I was well known in my community for soccer, but I had a routine party schedule on the weekends. When I was sixteen I got a DUI in a stolen vehicle. This shocked my community, my coach, and it shamed my family. I was let off with just a little probation because the judge didn’t want to hinder my future with my soccer and schooling. My senior year my coach opened up an opportunity for me to play against high-ranked teams and universities. This was a time to be scouted and to experience soccer at a higher level. But inside I had a huge fear of failure so when I was introduced to meth by a friend of mine, I found my escape in it. I started using quite a bit and people saw a change in me on and off the field. I ended up barely walking with my class because of so many days missed, and my personal coach and scouts were fed-up with no-shows and un-returned phone calls. After graduation I crashed my friends car while drinking and driving and ended up In a 30 day rehab. Here is where I realized I had ruined everything I had been working my whole life towards. When I got out of rehab I quickly got back into my addiction. I worked and tried to go to junior college but I couldn’t do either without being high. My addiction had spiraled out of control and because of being untrustworthy I wasn’t allowed in my family’s home or allowed to see my niece who I love dearly, and I lost my job of two years. Without many options open to me I moved in with a guy friend not realizing the severity of his drug addiction. It was here that I saw things I wouldn’t imagine in my worst nightmare and I met the kind of people I didn’t know existed. I remember being up in my room crying. It wasn’t like a normal night of crying feeling sorry for myself. Something within me was crying out. For the first time in my life I felt the presence of God. In my complete broken state God spoke to my heart and I knew that He loved me and somehow my life was going to change. Right after that I ended up in jail for 45 days. In jail I reunited with my family and I dedicated my life to Christ. My parents heard about Teen Challenge and by the grace of God I was granted my release to go to the program. People always ask me what it was like in Teen Challenge. I tell them it was a year of getting to sit at the feet of Jesus. In the presence of Jesus there is healing, hope, restoration, and one can begin to dream again. At the end of my program God began to speak to me about missions. I heard about Y-WAM (Youth-With-A-Mission) and knew that I knew this was where God wanted me. It seemed impossible because I was on felony probation and had pretty much no money. However, God opened up door after door and did miracle after miracle. Shortly after I was done with my program I found myself on an airplane to Hawaii, where I would train for three months before going overseas. I ended up going with an amazing team to Australia and American Samoa. I came home after my time overseas was up and began to seek God for what he had for me next. I currently am an intern at my church at Calvary Christian Center. I work under our Youth Pastor with student ministries and oversee evangelism. I was privileged to help lead a group of our students to Ecuador this past summer in South America. I am also currently getting certified as a chemical dependency counselor. For me it is extremely humbling to look back at what God has done in my life from that time he spoke to my heart when I was completely broken in my room crying, up until now. I have been so blessed to see different parts of our world and God’s unchanging heart for the nations. No matter where I am I am a missionary, because people are everywhere that need to know the love of Christ. I love Jesus and can’t do justice with words for all he has done for me. God Bless and dream big!!!”

“Hi! I am Candace from Cullman, Alabama. I came from a drug addicted family. I grew up to be a drug dealing, junkie, and a thief. I was at my bottom and hopeless, when my dad was arrested on drug charges that lead him to Teen Challenge. Seeing him free gave me hope and I reached out for help. I came to Teen Challenge of Mississippi and gave my heart to Jesus and began to follow hard after him. He has changed me from the inside out and I will never be the same. I am now staff at Teen Challenge and an honor student in college. God has taken my mess and turned it into my message! I stand on the scripture Philippians 1:6 – \being confident of this”

“Hi. I’m Brianna. High school was a lonely time for me. I looked for acceptance with a group of friends who introduced me to drugs. I started cutting my wrists and overdosing on drugs. I ended up in the emergency room for suicide, and was sent to a crisis center twice. After being sent to various alternative schools, my drug use only escalated, and my whole life started to revolve around it. My parents intervened and sent me to Teen Challenge. And since then, I have really changed. My drug use has been gone for two years now. I’m studying studio art at Northwestern College, and I have a passion for missions. When I look back on my life, I am convinced of God’s faithfulness. That’s why I’m going to serve Him for the rest of my life.”

“Hi. My name is Lisa, and I am 41 years old. I am originally from Chicago, but moved to Grand Rapids at the age of 5 to live with my great aunt, due to my mothers heroin addiction. I was then placed in a Catholic School where I first heard of God. I moved back to Chicago with my mother at the age of 13, and at 15 my older brother introduced me to Jesus Christ and I was saved. Because of my family’s heroin addiction, I soon became hooked and fell away from God. My first overdose occurred at 17. The paramedics worked on me for 20 minutes before leaving the scene and called my overdose in as a possible DOA (Dead On Arrival). I ended up in a coma and only by God’s grace and mercy did I survive the night. Over the years, I went back and forth serving God; but the Bible clearly states, no man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), so I continued in my life of deep sin and darkness. Over the next 15 years I tried to quit using heroin. I believed if I got on methadone it would help me to stop shooting up heroin and keep me from committing crimes. But, I was deceived! Heroin took the life of my mother in 1991. In 1994, my brother and the father of my two oldest children died from a methadone overdose. This lifestyle had me so bound it lead me to four overdoses, two suicide attempts, several secular rehabs, and a life spent in and out of jail. My breaking point came when my boyfriend of seven years died from the abuse of alcohol. That’s when I realized if I didn’t surrender to God, my three most precious children and grand children would be burying me next. I then made the call to Teen Challenge, and the doors opened up for me on March 18, 2008. Even though it has been a very painful road, I can testify this day that God has delivered me and has healed my pain. I am so grateful and thankful today for all He has done for me. I am no longer a dead man walking but a new creation now walking in victory. Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)”

“http://dianeshousestl.com/about-us/testimonies/”

“http://tallahassee.teenchallenge.cc/plaintext/theprogram/thetestimonies.aspx”

“http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/09/strict_discipline_christian_te.html”

“http://www.tvteenchallenge.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=30”

“http://www.tvteenchallenge.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=30”

“I accepted Christ as my Savior in 2004, at the age of 37. I continued to live with a severe alcohol and sin addiction. After losing my business and most of my possessions in 2009, I came to Teen Challenge in January of 2010. I was within a month of graduating when my own pride allowed me to leave before graduation. I fell right back into alcohol and sin. Thanks be to God that He brought me back to finish the work He started in me. I know now that I can never go back to my old sin life again. I thank God for Teen Challenge and the staff.”

“I accepted Jesus into my heart at a summer youth camp in the mountains of Virginia. I was 14 years old. I grew for a couple of years but like many teenagers I rebelled and spent some time away from the Lord. When I was 21 I rededicated my life to God and promised to serve him in any way He would like. Almost immediately God opened up doors for me to enter the Music Ministry and I spent the better part of my adult life in various ministry positions, including the role of pastor. Unfortunately, I found myself in a situation where a church I was serving just up and dumped me. I was extremely angry at God and decided to find my peace elsewhere. Naturally I turned back to patterns of behavior that I had learned during my teen age years and I made the tragic mistake of trying crack cocaine. Like most people that ever try it I was hooked immediately and my ongoing use led to my eventual arrest for possession. After my arrest I was able to stay clean for a while but whenever any major event would happen in my life I would relapse. One of my relapses landed me back in jail on a probation violation and I agreed to go to a long-term program. Fortunately, for me, my probation officer decided to send me to Teen Challenge. I arrived here a broken man with little hope (in my deceived mind set) for any kind of future. Through this ministry I have been reminded not only of God’s unfailing and unstoppable love for me but of the truth that He has a plan for me. A plan filled with hope and a bright future. Check out Jeremiah 29:11 and get it straight from His mouth. God is healing me mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. I’ve lost over 50 pounds and have a goal of loosing even more by the time I graduate. God is also helping heal relationships with my children and as I am more and more obedient to His word, He blesses me over and over again. I give Him the glory and thank Him for the Teen Challenge program.”

“I always believed in God. However, from an early age my life was defined by an endless cycle of domestic violence, alcohol and narcotics abuse which lead to a life of crime, loneliness and the brink of suicide. I was at the end of my rope. I came to Teen Challenge and found in Jesus Christ the only love that satisfied my soul. Fear, loneliness and drugs no longer rule my life. The love of Jesus set me free. -Shane”

“I always considered myself to be a thinker. I can remember researching theories that tried to describe the origin, constitution, and meaning of existence. I would approach subjects like science, spirituality and religion with an open mind, though I never looked into Christianity. I was adamantly against the idea of Jesus Christ; I had every excuse in the book to walk away from the subject. At the age of fourteen I gave in to drugs and alcohol after testing the waters for a few years. Then by the age of fifteen I was partying with marijuana, LSD, alcohol, or opium every day. Between the ages of fifteen and twenty I was arrested a few times, which destroyed the trust in my relationships. I was always on the move, never living in one place for more than three months. On many occasions I ended up relying on a tent in state forests for shelter. In October 2010 I moved to my aunts house, but within three weeks she said I had to go. She suggested Life Challenge. Much to both of our surprise I blindly accepted. Upon arriving, I felt I had made an enormous mistake. Being flooded with Christianity I felt like a fish out of water. Yet again to my surprise, within the first six weeks I gave Jesus a chance. At Life Challenge, the historicity of Jesus was presented to me. I also saw the passion the staff and students had for Christ; and I heard testimonies of healings and deliverance. With that, I prayed for the first time with these words: If you are the real deal, you are going to have to slap me upside the head to prove it to me. No more than a week later, I fell ill. As I laid in my bed feeling dreadful, I called out again, Here is a great opportunity God. When I breathed that sentence I instantaneously felt like a million dollars. Ever since, I have been seeking the God of Israel and His Son Jesus Christ. I have developed a very real relationship with Jesus, and I cant wait to see what He has in store.”

“I am 23 years old, and I am from New Jersey. Being brought up in the church, yet chasing the lusts of this world, I was bound for failure. An addiction to oxycontin left me poor, broken, and full of shameleaving a trail of destruction behind me. Through this ministry, Jesus Christ has given me freedom from addiction and an inexpressible joy as He continues to restore and renew all that was lost and destroyed in my life.”

“I am 27 years old and was blessed to be raised in a loving Christian environment that provided everything I needed to succeed and excel in life. They taught me how to live for Christ through their example. Once I graduated from high school, I chose to hang with the wrong set of friends. I started drinking and it began to consume me. I went to college, but still continued to party. Eventually my addiction led me to drop out of college and to quit working. I had met a young lady, who encouraged me to be a better person, but I was too caught up in my addiction to change. We had a son, but even he wasnt enough to make me want to change. I eventually lost everything and everyone that ever mattered to me. After trying unsuccessfully to get help on my own, my grandfather encouraged me to try Teen Challenge. Since coming into the program, God has given me an overwhelming sense of peace, love, hope, and happiness. He has forgiven me and shown me His true grace and mercy. God has begun to restore the relationship with my family and my son as well as teaching me the principles that lead to a joyous and prosperous life. I know that through God, there is always hope!”

“I am 31 years old and from Cookeville, Tennessee. Before coming to Teen Challenge I was bound by a drug called meth. Sin has no boundaries. This drug took everything from me. But, God has set me free! I am no longer a slave to sin. I have a freedom in Christ I never knew existed. I now have a future and desire to serve the Lord all the days of my life. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old has gone, the new has come. I give God all the glory for changing me from the inside out!”

“I am 31 years old. My father was my hero, but he introduced me to smoking pot. Drinking and drug use soon became my focus in life. By the age of 23, I had married and had two children. I soon began using cocaine, and spent less time with my family. Even though my marriage ended, I still continued my drug and alcohol use. I started using oxycontin along with my dad who had suffered from an injury and was taking it for pain management. Together we would get high. In 2007, I suffered a serious injury that required surgery. The pain medication I was given only kept me deep into my addiction. On Feb 8, 2008, I walked into my dads house where he had a 12 gauge shotgun and wanted to end his life. I pleaded with him to stop, but he took his life while I was helpless to stop him. Addiction had stolen everything from me. I was quickly engulfed in depression and total despair. After being incarcerated in a mental institution, I had hit rock bottom. Two weeks later I was arrested for a crime I did not commit and sent to prison. I reached out to my uncle to see if he could get me help, instead of spending the next 30 years incarcerated. He was able to get me into Teen Challenge. I have since surrendered my life to God. He has blessed me beyond belief. I am completely free from the bondage of addiction. I have joy in my heart and God is restoring the lost years with my family.”

“I am 33 years old from Cookeville, Tennessee. Psalm 18:6, He reached down from on high and took hold of me, He drew me out of deep waters. An addiction to opiates and meth consumed my life. I was drowning in my sin, but the Lord is faithful and heard my cry. I came to Teen Challenge completely broken and hopeless from my path of destruction. God got a hold of my life and changed my heart completely! Today I have abundant life and a close intimate relationship with Christ. I am forever changed. Praise be to God.”

“I am 35 years old and I am from Muskegon Heights. I was facing time in prison, but God has given me a new beginning and a change of heart. Now I love God and people. Thank God for what he has done for me. Psalm 13:5&6, But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

“I am an Alumni of Teen Challenge and am presently an Executive Pastor and worship leader in Middletown NJ. I thank God for the ministry of Teen Challenge. It is the perfect place to develop a strong relationship with God within the boundaries of sound doctrine and spiritual emphasis. Overcoming addictions and life controlling issues are only the bi-product of the total life transformation that takes place through the power of Jesus Christ.”

“I am Chris, 26 yrs old, was raised in a Christian home and I had a personal relationship with Jesus. I was very active in our youth group and went on two missions trips to Mexico. I knew that I wanted to spend my life serving the Lord, and I assumed that following God meant that life would be easy. So at the age of 15, when I went through some really tough times, I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t a God and if there was, He was a cruel and mean God. I turned away from everything I was raised to believe and went my own way. This led me to a 10 year addiction to pain killers and heroin. While in my addiction I lost 9 of my closest friends to their addictions and I always wondered why it wasn’t me instead. Yet, nothing really sunk in until my brother died in 2009. As I stood and spoke at his funeral I knew that I would be next if I didn’t make a major change in my life. Seeing the pain in the eyes of my family was a major motivation for me. I didn’t want to put them through any more pain. I began to reach out for help and the ladies at my church began to fast and pray for me. They took me in and had someone sit with me around the clock as they detoxed me from all the drugs. After two weeks they brought me to Teen Challenge. This program has changed my life. I came in here with no hope…I was 24 and knew that I had ruined my life. Now I am excited for what God has done, is doing and is going to do! My family is proud of me and want to be part of my life again. I am going to Bible college in January. I can see now that everyling I have been through I will be used to help bring someone else out of that life I was trapped in. I have peace now where before I was full of anger and resentment. I have learned how to allow Jesus to lead me and once I’ve learned to follow, He will use me to lead others.”

“I am from Cleveland, Ohio. My mom raised my two brothers and I in the way of the Lord by herself. When I was 15 years old, she was involved in a car accident and died. We moved in with my Dad who was not serving the Lord. For the next 16 years, I lived a worldly lifestyle of drinking, smoking weed, and snorting cocaine. I always heard the Holy Spirit speaking to my conscience every time I would do wrong, but I would ignore Him. But in 1997, a verse that my mother applied to my life began to work; Proverbs 22:6,train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it. As a professional boxer, I was in the ring for the King, God allowed me to use my talent to build His kingdom. I fought on ESPN Sports, knocked out the champion to become the new Light Heavyweight champion of the world, and fought for three other world titles. This put me in a position to take 200 Bibles to persecuted Christians in Beijing, China in March of 2000. In 2002, I took my eyes off Jesus and went back to living the worldly lifestyle I had turned from five years earlier. I made crack cocaine my god, and within 18 months, I lost everything I owned, but God spared my life by letting me go to prison for a year. After prison, crack cocaine still had a hook in my flesh, as well as my wife Susan’s. Our pastor introduced us to Teen Challenge, a one-year training camp that would teach us Gods word and how to apply it to our lives in order to live victorious over a sinful and addictive lifestyle. Together, my wife and I are learning what it means to live and walk by faith under any circumstance as well as the importance of family, work, church attendance, and biblical training. We thank God for Teen Challenge. We used to be hopeless dope addicts, but today, we are dopeless hope addicts.”

“I am from Muskegon, Michigan. I used to be a drug addict that did not have Jesus. Now I’ve come to Teen Challenge, and I walk in victory with Jesus. Praise the Lord!”

“I am so thankful for Teen Challenge! May God continue to bless this awesome program! I miss you, my sisters, at the San Antonio Campus!!!”

“I am so thankful for the attention and love that was poured out on me while I was in the Teen Challenge Program. I could never fully put into words the impact that God has allowed it to have upon my life. Since completion, I have re-established a relationship with my nine year old son, married a wonderful woman, and rejoiced in the birth of our beautiful daughter.”

“I am truly inspired by the accomplishments and the support that Teen Challenge gives to everyone in the program. There is someone in the program now whom I care for deeply as a person, and even though it has been months since I have talked to her, I know that God has truly blessed her and is touching her heart. It would be my one wish to let her know truly how proud I am of her, that she has found her healing through God. I pray for Heather and for all the others whom are seeking the light, and of course for the staff and administrators for leading the way….thank you for everything you have done for her.”

“I became a fan of Teen Challenge because this program changed my son’s life. Thank you. and Thank you Lord for everything you have done in his life. and for the things that you are going to do in Mark’s future…”

“I became bored in church, and felt I had to make everybody think I was perfect when I was really miserable on the inside. I started running away, looking for excitement. I fell in love with alcohol and drugs and started getting in trouble with the police. Sometimes my parents wouldn’t hear from me for days, weeks, or even months. I got into witchcraft and thought it was awesome. I played on Ouija boards and had seances. I wanted to be a witch. I decided to have a child and sacrifice it to the devil. I got pregnant with my first child, Zachary. The only place I could go to get away from the torture and torment of the demons was my parents’ house. I knew I had gone too far. Several years later I received 5 years felony probation. I left the state and got into even more trouble. When I went home to turn myself in, my attorney had me sent to a secular treatment center for 18 months. Soon after my release I began to drink and use drugs again. I kept hearing God telling me to change before it was too late. Finally I listened, and my family brought me to Teen Challenge of Texas – San Antonio Women’s campus. Here God has totally changed my life! I have learned how to have a relationship with Him, not just know of Him. God makes me a lot happier than any drug ever could. He has restored my relationship with my family and both of my children. He has even restored my brain cells! Before coming here I couldn’t remember anything. God laid it on my heart to memorize the entire book of James, and with His help I did it! My aunt has given me a scholarship to an online Bible college. God is leading me to open a re-entry center for women who graduate from Teen Challenge. I’m really excited to do things the right way and to be the Christian woman God intended for me to be!”

“I began my rebellion shortly after high school, looking for acceptance and a need to be popular. This led me to selling drugs and eventually a four-year addiction to methadone. Although I was raised in a very good Christian home, when I entered the doors of Teen Challenge, I fell in love with Jesus in a new way. I am very thankful for my stay here and for the new creation I am in Christ.”

“I began using drugs at age 9 and by age 15 I was using I.V. drugs. Then it was on to crack cocaine. Since coming to TeenLife Challenge, I have come to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ! With God’s help, I have won the battle! I’d like to thank everyone at TeenLife Challenge Ranch.”

“I believe in transformation and restoration with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I visited my son this past weekend and I see a change…..Praise to God and Teen Challenge. Praying for God’s Grace to cover the student’s, staff and entire campus at San Antonio. It is so important to lead by example. Amen.”

“I came to Teen Challenge August 25, 2003. I am 39 years old and on my 40th birthday the Lord my God gave me a gift I will never forget! He delivered me from an evil spirit. To this day I know I am a child of God. He sealed me with His Holy Spirit, since then I’ve been baptized in water. I am learning the word of God, applying it to my daily life, preparing for life outside of Teen Challenge. Here at Teen Challenge we have a choir that sings at different churches. We recently went to Austin to sing praises to the Lord! I also assisted at a church camp for inner-city children. I was a dorm leader and we interacted with the children playing games, swimming, and had church services. I actually helped a little girl receive Jesus Christ as her savior – What a blessing for me. I now know what I missed in my childhood and young adult life was a relationship with God and his son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for all of my sins. I now have a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. I could not have gotten to this season in my life without the help of Teen Challenge.”

“I came to Teen Challenge broken and desperate for a change in my life. The ministry surrounded me with a love and hope that I hadn’t felt in many years. I have found forgiveness of my sin through a relationship with Jesus, and that has brought peace and joy back into my life. Thank you Jesus for saving my life.”

“I came to Teen Challenge on a drug called meth. I was broken, hopeless, angry and in despair. But God has taken me out of my mess. 1 Corinthians 15:10, By the grace of God I am what I am and His grace to me was not without effect. God’s grace and mercy saved me. I have an inexpressible joy. I have a hope and a future. In Christ I am complete. Hallelujah!”

“I can actually say I love the person I see in the mirror today, though this wasn’t always the case. I was bound to heroin for three years and felt no way of escape, but I praise God He never gave up on me and pursued me when I wanted nothing to do with Him. He has truly changed my life and has given me hope and a future I can look forward to. All praise, honor, and glory go to God, my Savior.”

“I can still remember walking through the doors of Teen Challenge almost three years ago like it was yesterday. I was a lost soul trying to find happiness in all the wrong things such as drugs and alcohol. All I ever wanted was to be normal. The feeling of hopelessness that I had experienced for 15 long years which included sleeping in my car, willing to do anything to support my addiction. I had become my own worst nightmare. I kept trying to accomplish things in life that would define me, only to find myself just as miserable as before. My family had always been supportive, loving, and great providers, so no one was to blame for my miserable lifestyle but myself. I can remember my mom saying \there is nothing worse than having a child addicted to drugs”

“I cant thank you enough for giving me the greatest gift – You have helped turn my sister’s life around! I finally have the sister I’ve been praying for and without you that wouldn’t have happened. She is nowhere near the same person she was 14 months ago. You saved her life. She has this love for God that she never would have found without the help of Teen Challenge. You not only changed her life but you changed mine. She gets to teach me all the things you taught her… which is a lot! I love all of you and Teen Challenge will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“I chose to live a life of rebellion, which led to a heroin addiction. It was far beyond my control, and it destroyed everything good in my life. I was hopeless. After coming to Teen Challenge, Jesus has turned my life around. Now I’m filled with joy, hope and a future. Praise the Lord!”

“I come from a rough past including a lot of drug and alcohol abuse. I spent the last 15 years of my life in and out of jail and high and drunk on anything that I could get my hands on. In August of 2010 I was facing a 10 year sentence. But instead of going to the penitentiary I was sent to Teen Challenge of Texas – Azle Men’s Campus. Here I have learned a lot. One of the best things about Teen Challenge for me has been the extensive class time I get from our education department. I have learned how to read the word and apply it to my life. The group studies that we do helped me to identify things in myself that I didn’t know were there. We had a class on managing money that has been a great help to improve the way I look at my finances. Now we’re involved in a study called the Ultimate Journey. This class helps me identify the lies that I believed about myself as a kid growing up and how to deal with them now in a more positive and Godly way. I have spent my whole life doing wrong for selfish reasons; now I am learning through a new kind of spiritual education to do things for others and for Gods kingdom.”

“I didn’t realize at the age of fourteen that I would be in a battle for my life. I loved living life on the edge. It was then I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol In 1983, my father was murdered. That was the pivotal moment that threw me into the pit of hopelessness. The battle waged on with eight DWI’s and numerous years in jail, two failed marriages and a grand jury indictment. Trying to fill the void in my life with everything but Jesus, I started attending chapel in jail. There I learned how to pray. I asked the Lord to show me what He wanted me to do. Within a week, I heard about Teen Challenge. That was the beginning of victory! I completed the program successfully in March of 1997 and began working full time in the heavy duty truck industry where I am still employed today. I am now celebrating a life of hope with my children, Tyler and Leslea. I thank God and all who are affiliated with Teen Challenge for laying down the blueprints to the foundation of a life of hope. I give our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all the praise and glory! Matthew 6:33 \But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”

“I enjoyed Family Day at the center today with my son. If was great to visit and I know he appreciated having his family around him. I look forward to the next one. I really miss him. All of you are in my prayers. I truly believe Teen Challenge is an awesome ministry!”

“I fell into a deep state of depression and rebellion shortly after my parents divorced. I began to struggle with my identity because I was adopted and didn’t know my nationality. This led me into an eight-year cycle of drug abuse and crime. Thanks to Jesus, for the first time in my life, I can say I am truly happy.”

“I got to help open the Boise Girls Academy which was the first adolescent girls therapeutic academy in the Pacific Northwest region of Teen Challenge. I worked there with a team of volunteers and staff to build the program from the ground up. Since the Academy has opened, It has been my goal to give back to the students there, what had been given to me in my program. I have been able to witness to girls with hurting hearts, speak truth into their lives and share the love of Christ with them. It has been the most rewarding experience and I pray that God will continue to glorify himself through the lives changed at the Boise Girls Academy.”

“I graduated from TCD on July 21, 2012. I was really messed up and lived like a thief, liar, and a severe drug addict. I was really lost in the world and had no concern for anyone who was around me–not even my family or my daughter. I was on a path of self-destruction and was lost with no direction where I was going in life. During my time at TCD, God showed me who I really am and how much He loves me. Choosing to come to TCD was the best choice I’ve ever made in my life. I was broken hearted and God totally healed me from all my pain and restored my relationships with my family; and most of all, my relationship with my daughter. God has taught me how to be a Christian man. Thank you, Jesus! I can’t say enough how much Teen Challenge and God mean to me. I had to many problems in my life and God took them all. I’d never take back my old nasty life I used to live. I made a commitment to Christ to live for Him, and to live in His glory. Now I’m a staff member at TCD, and am giving back to the ministry doing God’s will for my life. I get to help other men that are just like I was before I came to TCD–broken, lost and in pain, needing Jesus. Helping others brings joy to my heart. It is amazing to see the doors God will open to those who are faithful to Him.”

“I graduated in 2007 from Teen Challenge of Texas – San Antonio Women’s Campus. I remember my first day there. My younger sister (who would later complete the program herself) dropped me off at the office. All I could do was sob. My life was broken after 10 years of addiction, prostitution, prison, and heart surgery. For years I tried to run my life, but the truth is I only ruined my life. Because of Christ I am FREE, and he who the Son sets free is free indeed! I have been clean and sober since the day I arrived at TC. One of the coolest things is I have no desire for the old life. What Paul wrote to the Corinthians is so true, \those who are in Christ are new creations”

“I graduated in October of 2009 and I still miss that beautiful place today. Is one of the greatest places I ever been in my life. Is a place where God molds you and speaks to you. You want to get close to God and shear good spiritual moments you have to go to Teen Challenge TC.”

“I grew up in a Christian home and somewhere along the way, I had confused religion and the relationship that God had truly wanted. I thought if I did good, then God would love me; if I didn’t, He wouldn’t. I also ran hard and fast from God’s call on my life into drugs, a life of crime, despair and aloneness. Through a series of miracles and a desperate surrender to Christ, I found myself in the Teen Challenge Program. The week I finished the program, I went on a mission trip to the Middle East with a church, and I now serve full time on staff for Global and Urban Outreach. I also pastor a growing congregation and outreach center in the heart of the city where I live. Teen Challenge was an instrument in the hand of God to equip me for the ministries where I now serve. Thank you Jesus, for using Teen Challenge.”

“I grew up in a Christian home and went to church weekly, but I was living as though God did not exist. My choices were selfish, using drugs, alcohol, and relationships to relieve deep seated anger from my past. Exhausted from my rebellious behavior, my parents brought me to Life Challenge. Many changes have occurred since my arrival at Life Challenge. I am now willing to listen to those who want to help me, including my parents. In addition, I have found that I have a great love to serve others. God has begun to heal that anger from past hurts. A Bible verse I learned in class spoke directly to my need: Do not repay evil with evil, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (IPet.3:9) Most importantly, I have a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Im learning to trust him and to know that He will never leave me.”

“I grew up in a Christian home being taught right from wrong and going to church. At the age of 16 I started using alcohol, smoking pot, LSD and snorting cocaine. This lasted for nine years, and at the age of 25, I gave my life to the Lord and walked with him for eight years. I went through a divorce and turned to drinking instead of Jesus. This was the beginning of a long 5 years, where I went from job to job trying to keep people from knowing I was drinking again. Before I knew it, I was smoking pot again, then finally smoking crack cocaine. This only led me to a lonely dead end road. I was gone two or three days at a time with no one knowing if I was dead or alive. God spared my life through these years and kept me from the enemy in many ways. I finally got to the point of stealing, lying, pawning things and could not hold a job. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I was having very depressing thoughts of death. Since coming to Teen Challenge, God has restored to me a sound mind. He has also restored a relationship with Him that I wasn’t sure He would do because of how much wrong I had done. I had been called to preach at an earlier age. The enemy had destroyed the vision God had given me, but now that has been restored also. God has been gracious to me in my life, and I am looking forward now instead of seeing all my past failure. It has taken some time but Teen Challenge has helped me with some of the areas of my life where I needed help. God mainly has made me strong where I was weak, given me life where I was dead and health where I was sick.”

“I grew up in a Christian home knowing Christ. However, later in life I turned away from God and began living a sinful life involving alcohol and drugs. For more than a decade an alcohol addiction gradually destroyed all I had-my friends, my job, my future, and was soon to take my life. The grace of God led me to Teen Challenge’s doors through the prayer and help of my family. Since then the Lord has been at work in my life restoring my health, healing my heart, and reestablishing a relationship with Jesus Christ. He has given me hope for my future and a desire to serve Him the rest of my life.”

“I grew up in a family full of expectations and consumed with outside appearances. I could never measure up and always found myself in trouble at school with poor grades and disciplinary problems. At the age of five, my mother began abusing me physically and emotionally. I remember vivid instances where I often had bruises and red marks on my body. I spent my entire childhood depressed, with no friends and unable to feel emotions. At age 13, a 25-year old man raped me. He tortured me with death threats at least twice a week for five years. It was during this time that I began to cut myself without anyone knowing. At age 23, I was abused physically by my mother for the last time. I became pregnant and forcefully told my mother that those days were now over. I decided to return to college shortly after my son was born. I visited a psychiatrist who diagnosed me as bipolar and placed me on heavy anti-depressants. Over time, I began going to different doctors getting sleeping pills, pain medications, etc. I had quickly become addicted. I received my masters degree and entered the corporate world as an administrator. I managed to keep things together on the outside for several years, but I was eventually terminated due to poor work performance. I soon lost my car, my home, and my son. Everything was gone! I was in and out of mental hospitals for suicide attempts, only to be put on heavier medications. I entered a total of five secular treatment facilities only to become a better prescription addict. At one of the programs I was introduced to crack cocaine. One hit and I was consumed. I began manufacturing the selling crack. I had become so addicted I could no longer think rationally and made many poor decisions. I began selling my body, getting into fights, lying, cheating, and engaging in activities I said I would never do. I came to the end of myself living in a closet, cutting on myself, and all alone. I learned about the Lord from a group on the streets. They spoke of a merciful God that loved them. They had hope that he was going to help and change their circumstances. I listened and was overcome with thanks that the Lord could also help me. I received Christ in my heart and I knew at that point my life would be different. I had discovered Teen Challenge on the internet and elected to attempt one more program. The Lord totally transformed my life and I was no longer tossed about by the storms of life. I have been completely delivered from depression and drugs. The Lord fills me with peace and joy as I learn about a merciful and loving God. He’s proven Himself faithful, showing me that He has always had great plans to prosper me. I’ve learned to trust other people around me and my heart ha softened. My relationship with my son has blossomed. I’ve now completed the program and have elected to work as an inter to impart to other women the freedom they too can experience through Christ.”

“I grew up in a loving Christian home, but never had a personal relationship with God. I made good grades, did my chores, and obeyed my parents. Everything shifted during the summer before 9th grade. I gravitated toward the wrong group of friends, tasted my first sip of alcohol and smoked my first cigarette. Unhealthy habits slowly progressed. I got kicked out of school, rebelled against authority, and started spiraling violently out of control. I began abusing alcohol and prescription pills. To ease the expensive habit, I began taking a cheaper, but much more potent drug called black tar heroin. In November 2011 God changed my life forever. I was arrested and put in jail for two counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. I began reading the Bible and had a desire to do good and not evil. I wanted to change. By the grace of God, I was sent to Teen Challenge. I now have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. God has filled the void that I had previously filled with drugs, alcohol, and women. The Lord is restoring relationships with my parents and brothers. I am slowly earning their trust back. I now have the peace of God in my heart, and I hunger and thirst to know Him more each day.”

“I grew up in a loving Christian home. At the age of 14, I started using drugs and alcohol. For 18 years, instead of trusting God, I ran from Him. I thank God for His grace and mercy and for bringing me to Teen Challenge so I could start my life over again.”

“I grew up in a loving family who gave me all the love and opportunity a child could want. But when I came to an age where I was free to make my own decisions I chose to start using drugs. Even though my grades dropped and I lost interest in things I loved. I continued to use because it was what I thought kids did to have fun. My drug use escalated in college, quitting school and getting a DUI shortly after. By the time I was approaching 30 I had added narcotics to my menu of drugs. I lied, cheated, and stole to get what I wanted. My mom found me in a dirty hotel where I had been for 10 days trying to drink myself to death. I was afraid to live, afraid to die. My grandpa, who had experienced addiction in his past, had enough and demanded I come to Teen Challenge. I came in on 9-9-09 and began the slow, arduous process of change. I gave my life to Christ and began to surrender parts of myself to God: my addiction, my past hurts, my future anxieties and as I did this He changed my heart. I am a new person, the person God made me to be: caring, trustworthy, hopeful, silly, a person of integrity. I now work for Teen Challenge as an intern, helping with grant writing and marketing projects. I am back in school to finish my 4 year degree. I have been playing music again and never enjoyed it more. My family and I are closer than ever and God has kept good friends in my life. Mostly, I now have peace and optimism because I believe in Gods promises and rely completely on His love.”

“I grew up in a very blessed home, with parents who loved and supported me. When I left for college I rebelled. I wanted to be accepted so badly that I did anything to fit in. My priorities went down the drain and I failed my freshman year. I joined the Coast Guard to escape my problems. I got arrested twice and fell harder into my addiction. I moved back to Delaware and got into a toxic relationship; two months later I found out I was pregnant with my son Carson, and his father fled. I was so lonely and lost and never thought I could have joy again. But I was wrong. I came to Teen Challenge of Texas and now I have a relationship with God. He has shown me His faithfulness, and is restoring my relationship with my family. I can now say that I have hope for the future!”

“I grew up in an ordinary Christian home. I was always in church and Sunday School and I never had any trouble when it came to school. When I turned 18, I went on Myspace and a girl said that I was her half-brother. I showed my mom and that is when my downfall began. She broke down and told me that she was raped at 15 and I was the product of that attack. After learning the gruesome details my world fell apart. I started using drugs from marijuana to cocaine. I lost everything and got arrested twice in one year for theft. My parents kicked me out and I was living on my own. My mom told me about Teen Challenge of Texas and at first I was reluctant to come, but then the courts gave me no choice. My first day here I broke down and got on my knees and asked God to save me from this pain. Now I’m six months into the program and I have never been as joyful as I am today. It is by the grace of God that I know I have a future and I finally have my loving family back, too.”

“I grew up in church but never had a relationship with Christ. After a failed marriage and losing really good jobs, friends, and family to drugs, I came to Teen Challenge broken. In October 2012 Teen Challenge took me in and introduced me to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Life is great and now I have hope!”

“I grew up in church, but at the age of 15, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. I was trying to be cool with the other kids and I started smoking pot. At the age of 16, I tried cocaine for the first time and by the age of 17, I was highly addicted to pot and cocaine. My lifelong dream was to drive a truck and at the age of 18 that dream came true. That life took me down another road, and by the age of 20, I was a full blown meth addict. My drug habit got to the point that I could not afford them and at that point I began to manufacture them. In May 2009, My drug habit caused me to end up in trouble with the law once again. During this time I realized that I truly had hit rock bottom and I cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord worked through the court system to send me to Teen Challenge in Savannah, TN. In November 2009, approximately 2 weeks after I entered the doors of Teen Challenge, The Lord convicted me of my sins and I surrendered my life to Christ. During my 12 months stay at Teen Challenge, I grew as a Christian in my daily walk with the Lord. After leaving Teen Challenge at Savannah, I entered the six months out-patient program at Lexington, TN. On May 12, 2011, I successfully completed the outpatient program. My future plans are to help as a facilitator, if the Lord directs, and to help anyway I can to keep others from making the same mistakes I did.”

“I grew up in Collinwood, TN. Growing up I had the most loving and caring family that taught the right moral values. But as I got older, I started separating myself from what I knew was right and solely devoted myself to sports and the things this world had to offer. After high school, I got married and started a wonderful family, but still had a giant hole in my heart. The bigger it got, I started filling it with more drugs until I separated myself from those I love most and loved me. But thank God for his saving grace and Teen Challenge. [At Teen Challenge] I was able to see how important I am to God and gain the proper tools to live a successful life as a Christian and truly find joy in all situations I face in life and grow from then. Thank God for the hard times because he uses those to save lives. Just like has mine. The words says in Phillipans 1:6: \Being confident of this very thing”

“I grew up in Iowa in a Christian home. My parents divorced when I was eleven, and I started to rebel against everything. Since my mom was basically raising me and my sister alone, she had to get a job and I was left to do more and more of whatever I wanted. I ended up smoking, drinking, and doing drugs. By age 13, I was smoking pot every day and doing other drugs when I got the chance. I got into trouble living with my mom so I would move in with my dad. For a couple of years I went back and forth until I decided to run away. I got caught and was ordered to attend Tarkio Academy. I was there for eight months. I got out shortly after my sixteenth birthday and the court emancipated me. I continued to get high and move around a lot. I would stay somewhere until I didn’t like it anymore or until I wore out my welcome, then I would go somewhere else. I supported myself mainly by selling drugs. In 2001, I met my wife but continued to smoke pot and do drugs. In 2003, my wife and I were arrested for growing pot. I went to rehab and stayed clean for one year thinking I had it whipped. I started smoking pot again which led me into the meth scene more than ever before. I got sent to prison for 120-day drug treatment. Needless to say, it didn’t work. I got out and was worse. My life was more of a mess than ever before. I started cooking meth full-time and got busted a few months later. Now I was in jail thinking that this was the end of my life. Thats when the jailer, who I had gone to school with, started talking to me about God. She gave me a bible and asked her pastor to come see me. I started reading the Bible and praying. Even with all these negative things happening to me, I had a sense of hope that I never had before. The pastor led me to the Lord while I was in jail and mentioned Teen Challenge. He brought me the rules and the application. I filled them out and was accepted. I went to court facing ten years, but the judge told me that I could go to Teen Challenge. I’m still facing sentencing on two other felonies, but Im not worried. God has changed me in a lot of ways and continues to show me areas in my life that need work. Im learning to trust in God and know that He will do what is right for me whether I understand it or not. My goal is to complete Teen Challenge and be the best father and husband I can be. I would also like to help others who struggle with drugs and that lifestyle come to Christ.”

“I grew up in Pennsylvania in a Christian home. For ten years I was enslaved by alcohol. My life was pure destruction and my fifteen years of marriage was full of chaos. My life was hopeless. Then I came to Teen Challenge! Now my life is complete in God’s love. I am so thankful for His unfailing, abundant grace and mercy. I stand on Mark 12:30-And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Now I can truly say I love my Lord Jesus! I am a new creation! Praise God!”

“I grew up living two separate lives — half of my time was occupied with sports, school & living a very structured live. The other half of the time I was partying with friends and keeping my own agenda. I went on to college and got a really good job but it was all a facade. I was always putting on a show — smiling, laughing, and acting like I had it together. In reality, I was dying inside and covering the pain with a mix of heavy drinking and drug use. When my stepmom discovered me overdosed on drugs — ice cold, she rushed me to the hospital and three days later I entered Teen Challenge. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am. I actually want to be a better person today. I’ve been humbled and can’t truly explain how thankful I am that I don’t have to be a slave to an addiction anymore. Praise God!”

“I grew up living two separate lives — half of my time was occupied with sports, school & living a very structured live. The other half of the time I was partying with friends and keeping my own agenda. I went on to college and got a really good job but it was all a facade. I was always putting on a show — smiling, laughing, and acting like I had it together. In reality, I was dying inside and covering the pain with a mix of heavy drinking and drug use. When my stepmom discovered me overdosed on drugs — ice cold, she rushed me to the hospital and three days later I entered Teen Challenge. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am. I actually want to be a better person today. I’ve been humbled and can’t truly explain how thankful I am that I don’t have to be a slave to an addiction anymore. Praise God!”

“I had a good childhood when I was growing up. Unfortunately, I was an angry child and didn’t really follow the rules. I was in trouble a lot at school and had a hard time keeping friends. In middle school I started taking my mom’s psychiatric medication and it just went absolutely nuts from there. High school was a blur of parties, drinking and drugs. I found myself graduating from an alternative school. In college I continued to drink and take drugs and was never able to settle down enough to focus on school. It was difficult to balance a job, school, and drugs all at once. I quit school and continued to work and do drugs. This went on all the way up until I got arrested for a DWI. While on probation, I continued to use drugs and eventually I got caught. After getting out of jail, I went into a rehab, finished the program, and then found myself right back where I started. This time my life felt like it was at rock bottom. I found the Lord and began to pray. However, my life was still out of control and I got fired from my job. Later, I found out about Teen Challenge of Texas and knew I had to go. So, here I am, praise the Lord! Teen Challenge has changed my life.”

“I had a good childhood. All of my material needs were met. Growing up, I thought I knew everything, had everything and needed nothing. I believed in science, in materialism. I called religious people crazy. By the age of 16, I was sexually active. I used drugs and alcohol casually. It was my world, my life. I didn’t think anything of it. I entered the Navy when I graduated and I was introduced to harder drugs, the kind of drugs that I vowed I would never use. I liked the experience, a lot ecstasy, acid, special K, mushrooms, marijuana, and meth. I believed I was more powerful because of the drugs. They fueled my large ego. My world came crashing down when I was hauled off to the DEA office by the Master at Arms. I spent the next year of my life waiting for my Court Martial and during that time I stopped caring about everything but meth. I knew I was in big trouble. What I didn’t know was that I had family praying for me. I was finally sentenced to just over four months in the brig. God had me where I needed to be. Within the first couple of weeks I was a born again believer in Jesus Christ, but I was not truly broken. So, once my zeal for God started to wane, I slowly returned to my old self, my old self-reliance. Then, about six years ago, I met the woman I would marry. Soon after we married, I felt something was missing. There was no joy. I thought maybe it was because we had had a child too soon and we were struggling financially. I know now that I was relying on myself and not leaning on God. I injured my knee and became angry and bitter. I blamed everything, including God, for the things I was going through. At work, they didn’t take my injury seriously. I soon began taking narcotics to kill the pain. It took the edge off. I knew it wasn’t right and didn’t honor God, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to numb myself. The more I did, the farther I got from God, my wife and my family. I began to steal the drugs I desperately wanted. My addiction affected everyone I knew and loved. I was self-destructive, angry and bitter. I finally surrendered all to God. I thought that I had given enough to God when I was saved but he doesn’t want just a part of us, he wants everything. I had been holding back, trying to keep a secret place, a selfish place, from God. That was enough for the enemy to slip in and devour me. Thank God He gave me a godly wife and family that would intercede and know when to say enough is enough. They surrounded me with the love of Christ. It was a hard love at times, but it was what I needed. I am in Life Challenge by the grace of my Lord and Savior and I am truly grateful for it. In the time I have been at Life Challenge I have been delivered from my anger and bitterness. These were my true issues. The drugs were just a way to hide from them. God has blessed my wife and me with a better marriage than we have ever had. It is amazing how God can restore and improve our lives when we let him. This doesn’t necessarily mean our lives have gotten easier, but it does mean we can be happy because we have the hope of glory. Even now while my wife struggles as a single mother of two boys, we can have peace through this temporary storm. We know victory and we can walk it out with the assurance of Gods promises.”

“I had a three-year addiction to pain pills and alcohol as a result of a painful, broken marriage. I came to Teen Challenge and God has taught me that whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content. I am so thankful to God that He has given me a hope and a future and that I can now go home and be the Godly mother He has called me to be.”

“I had struggled with depression and anxiety for years. To escape, I was using narcotic painkillers intravenously to numb myself from reality. I came to Teen Challenge and gave my life to Jesus. God has given me the strength I needed to face life and all of the things I had been running from.”

“I have a son at Teen Challenge in Syracuse, NY, it is giving him a new path in life. I can’t think of a better path to follow! Hang in there son, I love you and believe in you.”

“I have been coming to Teen Challenge and it has helped me begin a new start for my life. I have learned what is right and have learned how to do God’s will, and learn to do the right thing in my life. I want my life to please God; To read my Bible, study it every day and learn from it. And to pray everyday and walk with Him. Thank you to all at Teen Challenge for helping me begin again in Christ. \Therefore”

“I have been down a long road with drug addiction. I started out smoking pot like usual, but that lead to much bigger and deeper things. Before I knew it I was taking pain pills every day. If I could not get those I would get heroin because it was cheaper. It started out to be fun, then it got really deep; so much that I lost my first house that I only owed 11 years on. I also lost my business and really hurt my family more than I will ever fully know. In order for me to get up and function in the morning, I had to take something. It grew to all throughout the day, and to go to sleep. This was the pattern. In between that I needed to find the drugs, money, and try to run a business. What a life I had. I knew something was wrong and I knew I was an addict, but I didn’t know how to stop. I went to 2 other rehabs – God was not involved in either. Then after another year went by I started getting in more trouble and still on drugs, trying to hide it (not possible). I have been in Teen Challenge for about 2 months now and I have learned so much since I have been here. I am learning who God is now and what a loving, awesome God He is. I did not know God before but I am slowly learning more and more. He has many things in store for me. I don’t know what they are yet, but I trust that the Lord will guide and take me where I am supposed to be.”

“I have struggled for over ten years with addiction, life controlling depression and anxiety, among other issues. Soon after my first attempt at sobriety in 2008, I found myself lost and broken with little hope or direction. It wasn’t until an unexpected turn in events, that only now can I say was a definite divine intervention, that I decided to embark on this 12 month discipleship program at Teen Challenge. That decision has forever changed the course of mine and my daughters lives. After seven short weeks later I can assuredly say I have been completely delivered from depression and anxiety. I am so amazed and excited. It is NOTHING short of a miracle. Before coming here, I had a doctor for every ailment and a prescription for every problem, but nothing seemed to help. I needed something that modern medicine couldn’t fix. In coming to this program, I have learned that God IS the ultimate healer and I am proud to say I’m off of all medication and I am happier than ever. Like the Bible says in the Book of Mark 5:34: \Jesus says”

“I heard about Teen Challenge House of Promise from a friend of my sister. She told me it was a place that offered treatment for my addiction. By this time I had already been through numerous outpatient and inpatient treatments none of them had worked for me. I called and the person on the other end of the line sounded like an angel. She said something that made my head spin. She said that I could be delivered and set free from addiction. I was thinking to myself, Is this lady for real? I had always been told that once an addict always an addict, but everything she said made me feel like I still had a chance to be a good mom and have my daughter back. She gave me hope that wasnt there before.”

“I just called to let you know I am approaching 14 months clean; I can hardly believe what God is doing in my life. Thank you, Teen Challenge, for believing in me and helping me grow in my faith.”

“I just want to tell you all at Life Challenge how happy and impressed I am with your program. I talked to my son today and I just can’t get over how good he sounds, like a totally different person. I know that God can do all things, even what has seemed impossible for years and years. I want to thank all the wonderful people who run the program and all the great guys who are working there now. As my son says….you can feel the love and peace of God when your there and that he is exactly where he needs to be. Praise God~~~Thank you all!!!!”

“I just want to thank you staff for being wonderful to all these guys… Especially when my husband David was in the program. I have seen him grow alot in the Lord and I really appreciate the hard work and love that you put in his life… Keep up the awesome work for the Lord and I’m so glad we are around you wonderful people:) God bless each and everyone of you”

“I just wanted to hang out with the cool people in my class, but I was dragged down a road of drinking, smoking pot and crack until I overdosed. Twenty years later, my sister found Teen Challenge where I began a relationship with God, but would not give my all. Eventually, I was dismissed. I went to a church just to get food, and Pastor Dan was there for a rally. Instead of food, I got a relationship with Jesus, and I have never been the same.”

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU to Dustin and Janel for rolling out the red carpet for me when i went up to visit the college… There staff was AMAZING made me feel very welcome… I got to spend sometime with ALL the new students on there day off… They have the BEST STUDENTS IN TEEN CHALLENGE… I’M just SAYING!!!!! It was nice to see how well they all get along and work together. But the BEST part was to see HOW much they ALL LOVE JESUS!!!! AMEN….”

“I just wanted to share that my dad came to Teen Challenge Middle Georgia in 2008-2009. I came to visit during Christmas time and it was the first time I had ever seen my dad at the alter, crying, and praying to God. I am so thankful that he found the Lord here at your organization. My dad passed away Tuesday January 31, 2012 at the age of 50. He was way to young to go, but I am at peace, because you and all that you do to help people find our Lord and Savior. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

“I learned how to study, how to learn. I learned endurance.”

“I lived my life the only way I knew how which was to deny my problems and pretend to be happy. Now, I realize how much I am worth and nothing can take that away from me. I am so blessed for the amazing and powerful opportunity to change my life and live for God. I am so excited to go out and start living for Him.”

“I love Springboard! I wasn’t sure about it because it’s faith-based and about God or given Him much thought my whole life. Now, I am a believer! During my stay, I had a breaking point where I ran away, came back, refused to eat so I could leave. I was so sad and miserable. All of a sudden this unbelievable feeling came over me. Just complete peace. It was amazing! I knew it was Him! I ended up completing the program!”

“I love teen challenge. It has changed my life. Thank y’all so much. God bless Teen Challenge.”

“I love the December newsletter with the article on the graduation and the numbers from the year! It is so exciting to see how many lives have been changed this year because of the ministry at Teen Challenge. I am proud to have been a part of it and proud of every single one of the boys who came through the program. God bless you all and I pray you have a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!”

“I love the December newsletter with the article on the graduation and the numbers from the year! It is so exciting to see how many lives have been changed this year because of the ministry at Teen Challenge. I am proud to have been a part of it and proud of every single one of the boys who came through the program. God bless you all and I pray you have a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!”

“I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Psalm 116:1. I cried out and the Lord heard and sent me to Teen Challenge. I was depressed and without hope because I didn’t know Jesus Christ. Through this ministry the love of Jesus Christ has been made manifest in my life. Now I have hope, faith, love, and a future. Thanks be to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!”

“I love this place and I thank God every day for give me the opportunity to served Him (worked), at Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge. I thank God for all staff and students there! :~)”

“I love this place and I thank God every day for giving me the opportunity to serve Him. I worked at Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge. I thank God for all staff and students there!”

“I love your work and what you do. God has changed my life, my family and most importantly my son through TC. For the rest of my life I will support and pray for all of you. All my love. I can do anything with God, He strengthens me.”

“I never knew God was all I needed until He was all I had. I thought I’d always be bound to drugs until I experienced His resurrection power at the altar one day. Today I stand on the word, plead the blood and run to the cross in times of trouble. Praise God I’ll never be the same and I hope to share this hope with as many people as possible.”

“I praise God every day for TC of the Dakotas — I truly believe they saved my son’s life. And now not only has he been delivered from gangs & drugs & violence, but the Lord is using him to reach out to many others and help them find their deliverance through the Lord. Out of the Teen Challenge programs I’ve heard about, TC of D ranks highest in my opinion. The integrity and love of the leadership is what makes this TC #1. I pray for the Lord to continue to provide for their every need, and for others to see what an outstanding ministry this is – especially in our world today. We need many more just like this one.”

“I praise God that My Mom and My Pastor got together and decided to send me here! When I was 18, this is what truly planted seeds in me. God’s Word says it won’t return void, and it totally didn’t.. Thank You Brother Mcklane, Brother Jimmy, Brother Brody, and all the blessed staff for doing what the Lord called you to do, today I am a leader at my Celebrate Recovery group, staying sober, saved, and sanctified in Jesus Name!”

“I pray and believe that God will allow me to have many opportunities to minister, doing stuff I never thought I would be able to do. This is all hinging on my obedience and devotion to Him, and I am very aware of that.”

“I pray that anyone out there that has loved ones with addictions do what you can to get them to Teen Challenge. I have seen the amazing work God has done with two of my cousins thanks to Teen Challenge. I pray God delivers my unnamed loved ones that so desperately need Him. In the name of Jesus, Amen”

“I provided both of my boys with good morals and showed them a Christian life. Derek, being the youngest, has been the most vulnerable to society and peer pressure. Derek became friends with his older brothers negative friends, and that’s when the trouble with the law started 13 felonies in less than 6 months. I pleaded with the court to allow Derek to come to MATC. By the grace of God, Teen Challenge worked! Derek knows that no matter what is lacking in his life, he’s got God and his family at Teen Challenge. Derek has a whole new outlook on life.one of hope.no longer disrespectful.no longer doing drugs or alcohol. Derek stands with pride and joy!”

“I really pushed my parents over the edge when I overdosed on pills not once, not twice, but three times with 35 pills. They had enough and did not know where to turn. Thats when they brought me to Lakeland. Two months later, Jesus Christ intervened and said, Get ready family! I am the Great Physician and I will heal your daughter and bind up her wounds! God changed me from the inside out that day and has set me free from all the bondage that I was enslaved in.”

“I really want to thank teen challenge for what, they did in my life. Never thought I’d say that. I love you guys. You do great work. We don’t see that while its going on, but when you look back clean and sober with a clear head you realize that it does work. You just have to let it into your heart. I found Jesus Christ in Teen Challenge and owe them my life. You keep on trucking. Keep doing good work and remember that from this former student, you guys really make life more beautiful with your lessons and your love. I pray for you all every night and still get Teary when I think of all of us playing music together. God bless you all.”

“I really want to thank Teen Challenge for what, they did in my life. Never thought I’d say that. I love you guys. You do great work. We don’t see that while its going on, but when you look back clean and sober with a clear head you realize that it does work. You just have to let it into your heart. I found Jesus Christ in Teen Challenge and owe them my life. You keep on trucking. Keep doing good work and remember that from this former student, you guys really make life more beautiful with your lessons and your love. I pray for you all every night and still get teary when I think of all of us playing music together. God bless you all.”

“I remember one day when I woke up in a crack house with the electricity turned off and people crashed out everywhere and wondered how I got there. How in my journey through life, with all the talents I had, with all of the community support and all of the family love I had, how I could be at this place and think that it was normal? Throughout my childhood, I was raised in a solid Christian household and blessed with a wonderful family, even with the shortcomings of my stepfather. My own father died of a heart attack when I was four and the youngest of five children. My mother married a few years later, but unfortunately my stepfathers ex-wife came back to him behind the scenes, and I lost my stepfather to divorce. Still, with the strength of my mom, we made it through. I had wonderful teachers who helped me graduate with honors from Eastwood High School. I had wonderful coaches who helped me become all-city in swimming for three years straight. And I had wonderful youth directors in church and Young Life who helped me grow in the Lord. I left for Texas Tech in 1981 and moved out of the structured, disciplined environment where I thrived. I no longer had a coach for a daily training program. I didn’t have professors that cared about my grades and attendance. I had no youth director that I was spiritually accountable to. It was a gradual thing, but once I got unplugged, my batteries only lasted so long. I met a beautiful co-ed. We drank, we got into drugs, we dropped out of college together and we had an abortion together. When that relationship ended, I moved from Lubbock to California to start over. But unfortunately I moved out there with myself. Everything that brought me down at Texas Tech followed me to California. I met a lovely lady out there. We drank and did drugs, but this lady decided to keep the baby. I ended up moving to Austin, Texas and spent the next nine years drinking and drugging myself, moving from job to job and woman to woman. In November of 1998 I finally checked into a 30-day secular rehab program. They taught me everything I ever wanted to know about drugs and addictions and introduced me to their Higher Power. But they wouldn’t let me have a Bible because it was a government-funded program. I graduated from rehab and moved into a transition home. My suite mate was Chris, a close friend from rehab. He was a smart, sharp-looking 21-year-old kid who had gotten strung out on crack. That January I found his corpse in his room, hanging from an exposed pipe by his twisted bed sheets. His suicide note told of his dark journey back into addiction and said that he was handling it the only way he knew how. That experience shocked me out of my sobriety. I didn’t see any more hope. It took me another ten years to hit bottom and realize it was Teen Challenge (a Christian rehab ministry) or the streets. My mother had been pushing Teen Challenge at me forever, but she is in the recovery ministry and I was embarrassed about myself for her. Here she was trying to help others get sober, and yet her own son was an addict. I didn’t realize that she had turned me over into Gods hands a long time ago. Teen Challenge in El Paso helped me develop a one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ. Finally I had restoration. I know that Ive been forgiven, although that doesn’t mean God has removed the consequences of all my poor choices. The most important part of my recovery is letting God use me to help give back to others what he has given back to me. Celebrate Recovery has given me a Band of Brothers, connected and accountable to each other.”

“I remember reporting to my parole officer last year. She was very hard and calloused, and treated me like the ex-convict that I am. This morning she came to visit me at Teen Challenge of Texas. From the time our visit started she was all smiles and repeatedly told me how good I looked, not just on the outside but from the inside. She went on and on about the visible transformation she was seeing that has taken place in less than two weeks. As our meeting ended she teared up and gave me a huge hug. I have witnessed the true workings of God! Thank you Teen Challenge for my new life and walk with Christ.”

“I spent most of my childhood extremely depressed as a result of many years of emotional abuse. My sisters and I were involved in a car accident when I was twelve years old and I was left with a closed head injury. Deep depression set in leaving me feeling like a prisoner in my own mind. I attempted suicide twice in my teen years. I began seeking my acceptance in people. I started using drugs at the age of nineteen. My addiction continued over a span of about five years. I knew Jesus Christ was the answer, so I came to Alabama Teen Challenge for a life change. The love and acceptance I searched for I have found in the Lord. He has delivered me from depression and fear. He’s restored my mind as well as my relationship with my daughter. Most importantly, my relationship with Him has been restored. Today I no longer see myself as a victim but the victor in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“I started down a path of sin at a young age. I was asked to leave the youth group at my church because of my sinful lifestyle. I’m a changed person because of the grace and mercy of God. Thank you Teen Challenge for all that you have done for me.”

“I started drinking alcohol at the age of thirteen. At one point I found myself homeless. I ended up in prison by the time I was twenty-one. While in prison, I began to read my Bible. When I got out of prison a friend told me about Teen Challenge. I came into the program and received hope. Now, I am alive in Christ. I now know who I am. I am a son of the most high God!”

“I started drinking at age 14. As years went by and life got harder, my dependency on alcohol became so intense that I could no longer face the day without a drink. By the time I reached Teen Challenge, I was drinking a bottle of vodka a day and dabbling in other drugs as well. That’s when Jesus stepped in and literally restored my mind, heart, and soul and has given me a hope for the future and a peace that is truly not of this world. I will be forever grateful.”

“I started drinking when I was 5 years old. My mother and father died and I was sent to my Grandfather’s. He was German and made his own wine and he let me drink all I wanted. I was then sent to live with my aunt and uncle because they had other children; but I would still sneak and drink. In 1941, I joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor and still kept drinking. I got married in 1948 and had 3 daughters. I had only two jobs my whole life; one for 16 years and the other for 26 years. I still drank all the time, but thank God I never got in trouble. After I retired I started to drink heavily and my daughter and son-in-law (who is a pastor) suggested I go to Teen Challenge. I knew of Teen Challenge for 20 years because they would always come to my church. I came into the program in August 1999 but had to leave for cataract surgery and came back in January 2000. Jesus knew what He was doing in my life. You see, my wife died at the end of January. We were married for 52 years. I now thank God I was in Teen Challenge at the time, otherwise I would have killed myself drinking. I graduated Teen Challenge in March 2001 as the oldest Teen Chalenge graduate in the world. I stayed on as staff and worked in the administration and intake department. At 84 years old, Teen Challenge launched me out to Rio Maria, Para, Brazil as a missionary with another Teen Challenge pastor to start a program there. So at 85 years old I am still being used as a servant of Jesus Christ on the mission field.”

“I started experimenting with drugs at the age of 12, and by 15, I was using meth, acid, and cocaine. By age 18, I was manufacturing and using meth which earned as time in prison. I cycled through the system a couple of times but always returned to the drugs. At my third arrest, I was facing 30 years in a federal prison. I was bailed out of jail and while waiting another year and a half for sentencing, I was hopeless and suicidal. I attempted suicide on my wedding night. I just wanted to be free of the depression and hopelessness I felt. My mother heard about Teen Challenge an I filled out an application for the program. I graduated from Teen Challenge and one month later I was standing in front of a judge waiting for my sentence. I received five years probation and started my new life with my husband. I’m currently pursuing my Social Work degree and I lead a women’s Bible Study at the jail. God turned my mess into a message!”

“I started getting into trouble at an early age. I grew up in an abused home. My father got saved and he was a very strict Christian. I was physically abused by him for a long time. When my son committed suicide at the age of 22, I lost it and started drinking, and smoking crack rock. Something I said I would never do, I did. I lied, stole, and did whatever I had to do to get that next hit. I would sleep in dumpsters, not eating for days and using the ones that loved me. I gave my life to Christ at the age of 52. I owe my life to God and the Teen Challenge. There I found love, peace, joy, happiness in that hole in my heart that I thought I could never have. I will never forget what I learned in the nine months at Teen Challenge. I graduated the Lifeline Program on July 3rd. Without God and Teen Challenge, I couldn’t have made it. God is my life now and forever. Thank you Teen Challenge and my Lord for my new life. Try it. I know you will become a different person. I did.”

“I started my life of crime at the age of 17 and now I am 34. I’ve done almost every kind of drug you could name. About a year ago, I got into some trouble again and was put on probation. As part of my probation, I had to start coming to Teen Challenge. I was brought up in church. When I got in trouble this time, God was already dealing with me. One day, I was outside, and my neighbor came by and talked to me about the Lord. She started to cry and so did I. Since then, I have been going to church and attending Teen Challenge meetings. As a result I have gotten close to the Lord than ever before. I have met new friends, Lisa B., Shannon, Will and many others. If it wasn’t for the Lord and Teen Challenge, I don’t believe I would be clean today. I want to thank the Lord and my friends at Teen Challenge for a staying by my side and helping me through this. I know its not over, but its a good start. The advice I have for anyone going through the things I’ve gone through, is to stay in the Bible and find good Christian friends, pray and attend church. Come to these Teen Challenge Lifeline Meetings, because they helped me stay strong. I am trying to live out my testimony. I started in the Henderson Co. Teen Challenge Jail Ministry with Mr. Bobby M. I am sharing with others how the Lord changed my life.”

“I started partying at a young age, and was lost in a world of alcoholism and addiction by my early 20’s. I straightened up for a bit, met a girl, and started a family. But after a couple of years she realized she could not fix me, and left with our daughter. That’s when my life became hell on earth. My family wanted nothing to do with me and I was homeless. A friend’s father let me stay with him for a few days. Rummaging through couch cushions in his house, I hit my knees and asked God \Why? I don’t want to live like this anymore.\” That’s when I found a number my mom had stuck in my pocket when she packed by bags…the number for a man who could help me. This messenger from God drove 45 minutes to pray with me.”

“I started smoking marijuana with my uncle at the age of 15. I had a hard time finding acceptance and fell into a drug-using crowd at school. Upon graduation, I went into military service and started using cocaine, hallucinogenics, and crack. The whole time I maintained a Christian front, even playing in the church band. I became deeply depressed. God in his mercy reached down and led me to Life Challenge. While in the program I was able to see how deceived I had actually been and at the same time experience his joy and peace. It was at Life Challenge that I felt Gods special call on my life. I plan on becoming a worship leader and assistant pastor. At present, I am happily serving as an intern at Life Challenge in the Mens Division. I hope to assist others in finding Christ and know their own callings to the glory of God forever, amen!”

“I started using drugs as an adult. My life was full of pain and abuse. I was a wreck and had very little hope for my life. The drug use got really bad after my husband died. The drugs seemed to numb the pain, which at the time felt unbearable. Eventually, I got caught with meth and was facing 3 years in prison when my attorney suggested Teen Challenge. While at Teen Challenge, I was able to face life and learn to deal with my past, instead of running from it. The Lord showed me that I had a reason to hope and that He had a plan for me. Even if the plan wasn’t exactly what I thought I needed, I knew it was where God wanted me to be and that He had my best interests at heart. I’m now working full time and in my second year of college. I’m enjoying my new life, praise God.”

“I started using drugs as an adult. My life was full of pain and abuse. I was a wreck and had very little hope for my life. The drug use got really bad after my husband died. The drugs seemed to numb the pain, which at the time felt unbearable. Eventually, I got caught with meth and was facing 3 years in prison when my attorney suggested Teen Challenge. While at Teen Challenge, I was able to face life and learn to deal with my past, instead of running from it. The Lord showed me that I had a reason to hope and that He had a plan for me. Even if the plan wasn’t exactly what I thought I needed, I knew it was where God wanted me to be and that He had my best interests at heart. I’m now working full time and in my second year of college. I’m enjoying my new life, praise God.”

“I thank and praise God today for His marvelous redeeming grace in my life. He rescued me from a life of rebellion and deceit. He now leads me into green pastures and beside still waters. Thank God for Teen Challenge.”

“I thank God and give Him all the praise, honor, and glory for what he has done in my life. I was so wrapped up in deceit, rebellion, and substance abuse, yet was released when I found the power of God’s love. Always remember-God’s power is greater than any storm we face.”

“I thank God for delivering me from a 7-year painkiller addiction, for my new life in Christ, and for being my ever present help in troubling times.”

“I thank God for His mercy and grace. I struggled with drug addiction since High School, but I was a rather high-functioning addict even graduating with my M.A. in Guidance & Counseling, and receiving my 2LT Commission through ROTC at NMSU. While attending a Christian Businessmen’s Dinner meeting in 1985, I was super-naturally delivered from my Life-Controlling addictions. I was Drug-Free for 17 years, until an Army Training accident required long-term pain meds. My addiction soon spiraled out of control, and I made some poor decisions resulting in a Court-Martial Trial. I lost, and served 22 months at the United States Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth. Being confined, and once again drug-free, I was able to come to my senses again much like the Prodigal son. I repented of my sins, re-dedicated my life to God, and grew in-Christ while incarcerated. I was accepted into Chad’s Hope TC, a requirement of my release and Parole, and thrived in the Christian discipleship of CHTC. I found the work-therapy program of clearing hiking trails and landscaping very beneficial to my mind, body, and soul. The leadership of the CHTC Staff poured themselves into my life, helping me to become truly grounded in-Christ. I graduated May 22, 2009. I have continued to serve in the Chicago Teen Challenge as both Teacher and Counselor, and I look forward to assisting in future Fund-Raising, and Leadership Development / Team-Building events. I also serve as an Independent Health & Fitness Promoter with VISALUS SCIENCES, promoting The 90-Day Body By Vi Challenge. Like the Holiday movie classic: Its a Wonderful Life, I am living a full and fruitful life and I owe a huge Thank You to the Grace of God, and the ministry of Chads Hope TC. Blessings to All!”

“I thank God for TCOTX. The amazing work He did in my life and the lives of so many others. Since graduating from the Houston campus a year ago this month He has opened so many doors of ministry and restored my family and continues to work in my life daily. Thank y’all for bein that vessel.”

“I think that Chad’s Hope is a wonderful place, they can change lives and the men in it are amazing, the Lord has a purpose for each and every man in Chad’s Hope and they will all do great because they have a amazing person in their lives (God)”

“I thought I had everything. I was playing college football and making money, but I was truly empty inside. Even though I had the fame that came with playing football, I began using drugs and found myself facing a possible prison term for drug distribution and various auto theft charges. In a jail cell, I got on my knees and prayed for a way out, and God provided Teen Challenge. Here God has saved me from a horrible life of sin and has given me the foundation and knowledge to be the Christian man He wants me to be. I give Him all the glory for my new life.”

“I thought no one could ever understand and bring me out of the endless suffering I was in. At Lakeland, God showed me His amazing grace and opened up my heart to let others in to help. I now know it is not all about me, but helping others, showing love, forgiveness and accepting others for who they are.”

“I too was in Teen Challenge in El Paso. Due to MEDICAL reasons I was dismissed on Friday. I was only there for two months but I gained so much from the teachings and the teachers there that I will carry with me for a LIFETIME!! My life and destiny are in the hand’s of the Lord and I KNOW I WILL RECIEVE HEALING AS PROMISED IN ISAIAH 53:5-4. Thank you for all the love, encouragement and teachings from TEEN CHALLENGE, EL PASO!! God is good!!!!”

“I understood growing up that my family did not have much. I had feelings of abandonment from my father who I really never knew. I was angry, disappointed and resentful. I started selling drugs and quit school. I learned how to survive on the streets. Unhappy, I headed to the only other person I knew who would take me in, my grandmother. She begged me to go to church but I wouldn’t go until she told me about a girl she wanted me to meet. I still didn’t put down the drugs so my Grandma told me I had to leave. I reached out to my youth pastor for help. I arrived at Life Challenge feeling out of place. Slowly, I began to understand what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus. I found hope and love. God even healed me of a rare blood disease. At Life Challenge I completed my GED and graduated in May. I plan to attend college in the fall. To God be the glory!”

“I used to have a front desk job answering phones. I started to have an ache in my head. Doctors told me that I had a brain tumor, so I had surgery the next day. When they tried to wake me up, I was incoherent. Then they found an aneurysm in the back of my brain and I remained in ICU for a month. My daughter was only 8 years old at the time. Afterwards, I started using drugs and became addicted. I lost my apartment, borrowed money from family and friends, and stayed at different places. Finally someone helped me come to Teen Challenge of Texas. Now I look forward to a new change in my life!”

“I was a crack head, junkie, and alcoholic. Freedom tastes good and so does finding out who I am in Christ. Thank God for His Word and His all-powerful, everlasting, unfailing love.”

“I was a drug addict for 4 years. I came to TeenLife Challenge Ranch to change my life and to get to know the Lord again. I have now rededicated my life to Jesus Christ and He shows me His grace every day. Thank you for your support so that I am able to change my life. You have made a difference for me!”

“I was addicted to crystal-meth, marijuana, alcohol and anything that made me feel good. I had been pushed into the pit, fallen into the pit, and willfully, rebelliously leaped into the pit on my own; before, during and after Life Challenge. At Life Challenge and since I returned home, I learned that the Lord Jesus is the only source of true satisfaction. When I fall, He gives me the gift of Godly sorrow and the power and desire to turn away from sin and back towards Him. When I stand, it’s in His power and love. When my church family offered to send me to Life Challenge (in Detroit? Really?), I could make no sense of it. Life Challenge taught me how to study God’s word. Because of that foundation, I am able to face the challenges of life. Today I live in Charleston, Illinois, with my husband and four children. I am an active member of Charleston Community Church and minister to women and children. \When I cried out to the Lord”

“I was addicted to money and sex. I forgot how to tell the truth. When God came into my heart at Lakeland He softened my heart and gave me emotion. I have learned how to love. He has restored my relationship with my family. I am a new creation because of His grace.”

“I was born and raised in a loving pastors home in Baltimore, with both parents and an older brother so I have no excuses. At thirteen I started drinking and smoking weed. I continued this throughout my teenage years until I dropped out of school and got a full-time job to support my habits. At seventeen we moved from Baltimore to Frederick, MD, a real hick town to me, and I hated it. I got in lots of trouble, both dealing and consuming drugs as much as I could. I had a lung collapse from smoking too much weed when I was 19. After this I made an effort to get clean and sober. I met a girl who loved God, but I corrupted her and led her astray for my own selfish reasons. We were together for a few years, fighting all the time, but I didn’t care about the pain I caused in her life because I was so consumed with alcohol and cocaine. I moved to Ocean City by the time I was twenty-one, when it became legal for me to hit the clubs and bars. I partied hard, spending everything I made. Within a year I got two DUIs, and the police were looking for me, so I moved back to Frederick. Soon I was busted for distribution of cocaine, and I tried to get back to God, but instead ended up back with my ex-girlfriend. After I violated my probation and went to jail, I applied to get help through Teen Challenge, and was accepted into the Baltimore program February 3, 2010. I am learning how to live the life God intended me to live. I am completing the TCB program, and have enrolled in Global University Online. I also plan to attend Bible College full-time this fall. Jeremiah 29:11-14 explains that God has a good plan for me, and is fulfilling it as I put my full trust in Him. Thank you for your support and encouragement. – Tim”

“I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Before I came to Teen Challenge I was living a life of sin. I was a puppet for the devil. Drugs had totally consumed me and all the relationships with the people I love. I had become a different person. I thought there was no hope for me and I remember thinking one morning, Wow, this is what I have become, a drug addict. I thought that is what I was going to be. I knew there had to be hope somewhere. I was arrested and put in jail. It allowed my mind to clear and I cried out to God. I made the decision to come to Teen Challenge. I no longer consider myself the black sheep of the family, or the outcast of society. God has given me a new name and I am singing a new song. Hallelujah!”

“I was born in Houston, TX in 1991. I was raised in an awesome Christian family. I was practically born with a basketball in my hand, playing every day since I was 5 years old. Multiple injuries caused me to develop plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis which made it impossible to compete at the level I wanted. Devastated, I turned to everything but God, which caused my life to spiral out of control. I was numb emotionally with faith in nothing except for drugs and alcohol. I went through a lot of trouble to get to Teen Challenge, and it was definitely a life-changing decision. God is restoring everything I had and more. He is at work even as I write this. I now have faith in God, feelings, and a restored family. I never imagined I would ever have such an amazing relationship with God and my family.”

“I was born in Port Huron, Michigan and I am 20 years old. Growing up I was rebellious and undisciplined. Sin, drugs, and the party lifestyle captivated my heart, mind, and will. I was lost, broken, and depressed. At the age of 17 I was locked up, not only physically, but on the inside too. Jesus Christ willingly gave His life for my failures and shortcomings. Because He was sinless and perfect, death had no power over Him. He rose from the tomb making a way for all who would commit their lives to Him. With Christ is freedom, forgiveness, direction, and recovery. Teen Challenge has been a tool in the hand of God to discipline my life. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

“I was born with a generational curse. My dad was a full-blown alcoholic. He didn’t make it out of his addiction: he died when I was nine years old. Everyone told me I looked just like my dad and was going to be just like him! I did grow up in church thanks to my maternal grandmother; but when she died, my mom stopped taking me. I do believe that, because my grandmother was such a Christian woman, God’s promises to her rescued me out of my addiction. My mom raised me and my sisters with no direction or foundation in life. I looked for love in men; after constantly being hurt by everyone I loved, I found that I could escape the pain through drugs and alcohol. I became so addicted that I could not even function. Every time a problem arose in my life I turned to drugs. They had a stronghold on me for seven years. Everyone told me to just quit, but I couldn’t. I was in true bondage; every demon in hell was on me. I tried going to church but as soon as I left I would go back in sin. My mom told me to go to rehab but I knew 30 days wasn’t enough. I remember telling her, \I need to go to church 24/7!\””

“I was close to total despair in my life. Out of utter desperation I cried out to God, and He heard my cry. Today I am grateful to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a better understanding of how to walk with God. Now I can take up my cross and follow Him.”

“I was completely broken and in desperate need for change. Drugs and alcohol consumed my life. God led me here to Teen Challenge where I experienced complete deliverance and the love of God like I never knew before. Glory be to God for saving my life and opening my spiritual eyes.”

“I was drinking booze one hot summer evening and stuck at a low rent motel where prostitutes and drug users hung out. I could not afford anything better because my credit was shot, my bank account drained, and most of my bridges burned. I was medicated by the booze and dealing with what I called my life. Then a group of guys, who did not look like they belonged here, came up and wanted to talk about Jesus. We started arguing and they quickly left. A minute or so later, the leader of the group came back around the corner and said that he wanted to apologize for what he had said. At that moment, I knew they were not phony. He asked if they could pray for me. We all gathered in a circle with arms around each other and prayed together. I felt such relief. The tears rolled down my face and I realized I was totally on the wrong path. The guys said they were from Teen Challenge and it wasn’t long ago they were just like me. I looked at these bright eyed, God fearing men with admiration and knew what I needed. I needed Jesus. I remained in the world for about two more years trying to do it on my own, to live for me. It didn’t work. I lost my job and became homeless. I lost everything except that memory of Pastor Sam and those men that night. I decided to call Teen Challenge. They took me in with welcome arms and together we pray every day and strive for a better relationship with Jesus. Today I live my life the way Jesus wants it, not the way I want it. And it works!”

“I was full of anger, despair and hopelessness. Alcohol and depression robbed me of my joy. Now I have hope, peace and a song in my heart. It’s not about me anymore. Thank you, Lord.”

“I was in jail once again with no where to run to. There were no more drugs to take, just the sobering reality of where my choices had brought me. I have to admit that what came to mind first was not repentance; my heart was hardened after many years of backsliding into a lifestyle of sin. I told myself that this situation was not very unlike others that I had found myself in and that I could easily wait for this whole thing to go away. That is when the Lord spoke clearly into my spirit, he said that my heart could get me through jail once again, but where would I be when I get out? He told me to be the exact same person that got me there and asked me how much longer did I want to resist His love and trade the calling he had placed on my life for pain and destruction? I knew the Lord was right and the truth He spoke breathed new life into me. He told me to go to Teen Challenge and lifted the weight of condemnation. Within just a few days God opened the doors for me to come into Long Island Teen Challenge. God is so good! I dont deserve to be where I am, so blessed and looked after by God, but thats what grace is and to Him be all the glory. I hope to further my ministry and discipleship training at Brooklyn Teen Challenge School of Ministry so that I can take the eternal power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ into all the earth. Hosea 2: 19-20 reads, I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In loving kindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.”

“I was in Teen Challenge and it was the best time of my life. Don’t get me wrong it was hard work but man I’ll never have an experience like that again. I took with me so many good memories and friends. Thanks Teen Challenge!”

“I was introduced to drugs at the age of fourteen. For the next few years, I was constantly in trouble with the law and sin consumed my life. By my senior year of high school, I’d been completely sucked into the fast and easy life of drug dealing. When the police raided my house, I was charged with two felony drug distribution charges. Thank God, the judge had mercy on me and at the age of eighteen, I was on my way to Teen Challenge. I have been given a new life and victory over those old desires through the shed blood of Christ and my position in Him. I praise God; He can use any seemingly disastrous event in our lives to fulfill the plan and purpose He has for us.”

“I was introduced to marijuana at the age of 14 and it slowly progressed to cocaine and pills by age 18. I barely graduated high school and then moved out of my home and moved in with a friend. I quit my job and at this point I started robbing people to get what I wanted. I was put on probation and soon after violated and went to jail. When I finally decided to come to Teen Challenge and through the love that everyone showed me, in which none of the people I have never meet before, on the second day here I gave my life to the Lord. I know that the Lord does love me and that through Christ I have been forgiven. Since I have got saved the Lord has blessed me a lot. He has given me even better relationships with my family. Through the Teen Challenge program, I have learned a lot about how to be more Christ like and be a better leader and have learned a lot about how to experience God and stay in Gods will. I want to thank the staff and the other leaders because they have presented me with what I needed to build the right foundation.”

“I was lost and lonely, in search of a family where I could feel like I belonged. Since I have found Jesus and His hope in jail, I finally have that feeling of belonging I had been looking for.”

“I was mastered by drug addiction, mostly meth, for 14 years of my life. When I got saved and delivered from my addiction, I had been clean for a year through the AA program. I had slowly slipped back into addiction again, and though I was not completely destroyed by my addiction, I was well on my way. I tried it all to get clean, but I never could stay clean for long. I always believed in God, but I would never completely give myself to him. I was so sick and tired of living the way I was, and I longed to be free from the chains that weighed me down. I got down on my knees and invited God into my life. I also begged him to remove the chains of addiction from me. It didn’t come right away, but when I was ready God relieved my addiction, saved my soul, and gave me a whole new life, like nothing I had ever known. I had been relieved from my addiction and saved for 2 years when I joined Teen Challenge, I was clean and free of the life which held me down. I was not truly living though, not really. I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. I joined Teen Challenge because I wanted to help others. I came into the program, but I was not willing to change. I did not want to do the things that the program required, like go to church and read the bible. I wanted to go on living the way I was, after all I was not using drugs anymore, or did I any longer have a desire to do drugs. The coordinator of Teen Challenge, Lisa Brown, told me I could not teach the program if I wasn’t going to work the program. I did a lot of praying because I felt as if this was something I was supposed to do. God showed me shortly that this is what he wanted me to do, so I surrendered completely to the program. God has revealed so much to me since I made the commitment to Him and Teen Challenge. He has gave me more peace and understanding, than I ever knew I could have. I am attending church regularly and reading my bible daily. Teen Challenge is an awesome program that truly works. God saved me and took my desire to do drugs away from me. Teen Challenge taught me how to live, truly live a good Christian life. There have been so many positive changes in me through working this program, and I am proud to call myself a Christian. I am teaching my son about God and how to follow him. I am also teaching the women at the Henderson County Jail about God. I want everyone that is addicted to drugs to have the freedom that I have, and Teen Challenge gives me the opportunity to show them. I believe in this program so much, because of the peace and freedom that I have today. This program truly is changing lives! I want to think everyone who supports this program; you are giving people like me a second chance at a good life.”

“I was not brought up as a Christian. Intelligence and education were stressed as the most important things in life, so I became a very good student and had aspirations for myself. At age 13 I was sexually assaulted. I then became rebellious and started experimenting with drugs, which became a lifestyle for me. By age 24 I started using heroin, which led to a 20-year-addiction and a lot of psychological problems. All of my dreams faded away and I was dying in my addiction. I lost my will to live and was completely broken. I decided to go to Teen Challenge and after a few months I turned over everything to the Lord Jesus Christ. My life has permanently changed. I finally felt God’s presence. I never wake up sad or depressed anymore. I’m happy to be alive and I dedicate my life to Christ. The following scripture is the most profound thing I have ever read: He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that gave us peace was upon him. By His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4”

“I was numb, dirty and selfish before coming here. I was constantly running from every problem I faced and I was fazed by nothing. Thankfully, God snatched me out of that dead-end life and brought me here. Through His mercy and love I was spared. I thank God for my life. I thank God for the staff at Lakeland for opening my eyes.”

“I was raised in a broken home. Many things happened to me and I felt unwanted and very hurt. I filled the void with anything I could. I had hit rock bottom going in and out of jail. I felt very unwanted. My grandparents were Christians and were and still are regular church attendees. I went to my first Christian based program and accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. After leaving that program, I fell back into my old ways. After entering TN Valley Teen Challenge, Inc. as a Men of Excellence Student, I rededicated my life to the Lord. I realized I needed to change. I give God all the credit for my graduating this program. The Lord gave me the strength to complete this. Romans 8:1 states that I am not condemned by my past, and I am a new man and completely free. I would like to thank the staff of Teen Challenge and my Christian family for supporting me and for their many prayers. Thank you and God bless!”

“I was raised in a Christian family, going to church every time the doors were open. As I got older I started rebelling against God, which led me to selling drugs, clubbing, and ultimately to cocaine addiction. I deserved prison or death. But God was gracious and had mercy on me. Now I am back in His arms praising and giving Him all the glory. Thank God! Hallelujah!”

“I was raised in a Christian home all my life, my mom always took us, my sister and me to church on Sundays and Wednesdays. I was active in youth camps and helping in the community. My parents were divorced, but I still had a good relationship with my father and mother. All the years of my youth I still never knew what being a Christian was all about. I had accepted Jesus into my heart, but was young and didn’t know what it really meant. When I was 13 years old I woke up one morning and my mom had passed away from an aneurism. That was the day my world fell apart. My mom was my best friend, and now she was gone. That day I gave up on life and on myself. After my mom passed away I moved in with my dad, which meant I had to move to another town, Valley Mill, Tx. and change schools. By the time I was 15 I had made new friends and started doing drugs to fill the void, the hole in my heart. By the age of 16 I was a full blown alcoholic and addict and was in and out of jail. Doing everything I could to run from God. I was hurting! I couldn’t understand why I had to loose my mom. When I was 20 years old I got into more trouble, and the D.A. and judge gave me the option to come to Teen Challenge. Since I’ve been in Teen Challenge, 10 months now, God has done amazing things in my life. He has completely restored the trust and love back in my family, and turned my world upside down. I actually like who Im becoming now. I can talk to my family without hiding who I am and what Im feeling. My grand-mother told me that through seeing me grow, she is becoming a stronger Christian. God has answered prayer and opened doors for a cousin to make her way to Teen Challenge as well. God has also put a desire in me to become a youth pastor and that is something I intend to pursue. God is and has done amazing in my life and I cant wait to see what else He is going to do. Thanks be to God!”

“I was raised in Angleton, TX. In high school I gave in to the pressures of trying to be cool by joining the crowd passing pills in the halls and skipping school to get high. I quickly lost interest in sports, church, and real friends, and turned my back on my family. I was running the streets and stealing from stores. I had lost my focus on what mattered in life. I wanted to do right, but I couldn’t let go of my \fast\” easy lifestyle.”

“I was raised in the church and attended a Christian school. Jesus was my first love. I remember studying the fascinating stories of the bible, singing praise and worship songs during chapel, and being surrounded by kind and loving people. Well, life at home was much different. My mother was the only one going to church with us while dad ran his own program. He became violent towards her throughout the years and I would beg God to remove him from our home. One day he finally left. By that time I was so emotionally damaged that I started to rebel and sin against God. This went on for about 20 years. Thanks to the radio program, K-Love, I heard about Teen Challenge and my wife and I came to an agreement that our family is worth saving. I came to Teen Challenge and established a true solid relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Now I am able to be the peaceful, attentive, and courageous Christian husband and father for my wife and our three children.”

“I was raised in the church when I was young. When I got to high school I began smoking pot and running the other way from God. At the age of sixteen I started using meth. I tried to stop using in 2008 when I got married. In February, I had a massive car wreck that nearly took my life. When I came to Teen Challenge God began to get a hold of my heart and gave me Salvation and his love. He has showed me how great his love and mercy is. Jesus has taken me from a lost and broken soul to having grace, and finding my true identity in him. I have found self worth in him and my faith in him has opened many doors for me in ministry. I’m getting to go on a mission trip, that any other time I would never been able to have done, as a felon. I thank God for all he has done in my life. My favorite Scripture is 1 John 4:4”

“I was sexually abused as a child and my parents were unaware. I grew up feeling shameful, disgusting, alone, and unworthy of love. I hated myself. I blamed my dad and felt he should have been there for me to protect me. I went to church but never had a relationship with Jesus. Suffering with severe anxiety, I lived in fear and it held me back from everything. I felt extremely disconnected from the world. I began using drugs to reduce the feelings of fear and anxiety that overwhelmed my daily thoughts. It held me prisoner for years. I have a three year old daughter who is the love of my life and deserves a mommy who serves the Lord. Praise God she has that now. My family is being restored and my mind is renewed. Jesus has set me free from drug addiction. Since giving my life to the Lord I am now able to share my testimony. Before coming to Teen Challenge my anxiety was unbearable, but God has given me strength and calmed my spirit. He has also given me a boldness that allows me to spread his good news. Kendall, Student”

“I was the young girl who sat next to you in church. I gave JESUS my heart at age nine. I never gave Him my life until I was 21. I was in a youth group and went to summer camp all through my teenage years. Even through all this, I still lost HOPE. I couldn’t hear God’s voice because of the hurt and sin in my life. For years I had emotional and mental problems. The more I tried to help myself, the deeper I fell into my own pit of depression. I lost hope and wanted to die. But GOD IS FAITHFUL! I entered Teen Challenge February 6, 1989. The Lord restored my mind. He healed me of a chemical imbalance. \For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or fear but a spirit of power”

“I went from being in church every time the doors were open to an atheist overnight. I cursed and hated God I didn’t believe in. I started using drugs like pot and I ended up shooting up a legal form of meth called MDPV multiple times a day, I should have died and tried several times. I had lost everything even my two year old son, and my father had to see me strung out with blood coming out of my arms. It was at that point I realized I needed help. My family got me into a medical detox, and then I had to spend 24 hours in a psych ward, to a non-medical detox, to Teen Challenge. Within my first week I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Joel 2:25 says that God will restore the years the locust have eaten and since the day I accepted Him into my life He has restored everything I had and more. I have my family back, my son back, and his mother and I are engaged. When she visited me the first time she accepted Christ as her Savior. To sum it up the devil is a loser and a liar. My daddy (God) loves me and even with a thousand sheets of paper I couldn’t tell you how good He has been to me.”

“I went through Bakersfield/Ventura Teen Challenge on April 19th, 1989. Then I went on to TCMI. God is awesome. I have raised two beautiful God-fearing women and they have blessed me with 4 grand daughters and 1 grandson. I am involved at my church and am going to be going into the women’s prison here in WA to minister freedom in Christ. God has very recently put on my heart to pray for a women’s home in Milton, WA. I am very excited to see the hand of God moving in my life in a new way. God told me twenty years ago I was a new creation in Christ Jesus and that newness has never worn off!!!! Everyday in Jesus has been a new day. Surrendering my life to Jesus and walking through the doors of Teen Challenge back in 89′ was the best year of my life. Then TCMI was awesome! I love reconnecting with everyone from those years! Thank you!!”

“I went through the Columbus Teen Challenge Program in the mid 90’s. It was a life changing experience. I now work in Human Resources at a deliverance ministry. We are in the process of sending someone through your program now. I am excited for them because teen challenge was where I found out what my destiny/purpose was in Christ! Awesome program and may God continue to yield the increase!”

“I went to Teen Challenge when I was 17. It was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life. I went there with a broken heart and came out a new man. Only God can do that. I felt so clean inside. From that point on I knew there was only one true God. Life goes on, God cleans you up as you go through different things as long as you ask forgiveness and keep him first. I love God, Jesus, Holy Spirit with all my heart and soul and always will. Teen Challenge is a great program and God has Blessed it very much. Thank you for caring for the lonely, hungry, addict, drunk, homeless, and the people who think they got it all together.”

“I went to Western Michigan Teen Challenge and I will have to say it made an impact on my life and helped me become who I am today. Since I left there in July of 2009 I’ve gotten full custody of my boys, a home, job and the respect of my mom and church family. I’m so blessed and thankful that I was given the opportunity to learn about my Savior. A special thanks goes out to Sister Dawn, Sister Jessica, Sister Christy, Sister Rachel and also to my pastors. Thank you Pastor Mcclain and Pastor Dave and Pastor Sam. 2 Corintians 5:17 Therefore if anyone be in Christ he is a new creation old things have passed away and behold all things are to become new. God promised me there that I would get it all back and plus more and he has and I’m still being blessed. Thank you Jesus.”

“I, Luke L, lived among the saints until the uproar of rebellion in adolescence. It was the only way to break free to do my own thing or so I thought. So as a loose renegade governed by the physical senses, I gorged myself silly on those deceitful things, so vaunted by worldly standards, especially erotic drugs. However, those things, which I thought would liberate, did only enslave. Therefore I found myself caught up in mine own net, snared by the work of mine own hands, destined for death. \But God who is rich in mercy”

“I’d like to say thank you to all the students, staff members, and pastors for helping me find Jesus..I’d like to think that I would’ve found Jesus on my own. I just don’t know if that’s true though. Teen Challenge is filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus is everywhere in that place. Thank you all so much! I love you all and miss you. My prayers are continuously with all of you.”

“I’m 24 years old from Muskegon. Throughout my teens I struggled with alcohol and marijuana. By the age of 21, I had 7 minor-in-possession of alcohol charges, a DUI and a very long list of misdemeanors. At the age of 22 I tried heroin and became so deceived by it that I chased that drug for what seemed like forever. Drugs and alcohol have taken so much from my family and me. They took my father’s life. I came to Teen Challenge with nothing. I’m leaving with everything!”

“I’m Megan and I am 21 years old. I grew up in an awesome family, but I was always the rebellious one. I always felt lonely, insecure and unhappy. I tried to fill my emptiness with competitive cheerleading, friends and having fun but I never found what I was looking for. After high school I rebelled against everything I knew and soon after found myself addicted to heroin, xanax and coke. The ‘needle’ robbed me of everything that ever mattered. It made me into a lying manipulating and angry person, someone I never wanted to be. I was hopeless and broken. When I was in jail for drug charges, my mom suggested Teen Challenge. Since coming to Teen Challenge my life has changed completely. I don’t have that empty spot inside of me anymore because JESUS has filled it! For the first time in years I am free of the things that held me captive for so long. My family is being restored and is proud of me again. I have hopes and dreams for my life and I’ve found peace and joy that I’ve never known before. I’ve learned that all of my pain has purpose and God is going to use me to be a light in this dark world. God has brought me so far and I can’t wait to see where He’s going to take me next!”

“I’m nineteen years old from Amory, MIssissippi. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I was living a life of sin. Doing drugs and drinking alcohol was the relief to my pain. The pain came from the loss of my father at twelve. He committed suicide, leaving me, my brother, my sister and mom. Losing him brought anger into my life. I didn’t know how to control the anger, therefore I began to user drugs to ease the pain. Eventually I began stealing in order to support my addiction. I was on a path of destruction. In the last two years, I’ve done seven months prison boot camp and five months in jail. I’ve put my family through a lot of hurt and pain. God blessed me on May 31, 2013. I was in court on probation violation, and the judge sentenced me to a year in Teen Challenge. I came in lost, broken and ready to change. A verse I now stand on is Romans 12:2, \Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world”

“I’m very thankful for this program, as I have seen the good works it produces for individuals with addiction. A loved one of mine entered your program nearly a year ago & has finally, after years of struggle, gotten his life straightened out along with his heart & mind. I’ll be forever grateful for the positive change that has come about from him being a student at Life Challenge!! God is good! Thank you All for all that you do!”

“I’ve been in Teen Challenge 10 1/2 months, and God has completely transformed me. I’m not the same young lady who walked through the doors of this program. I was adopted literally and figuratively. First at the age of 3, into a family that I felt never really accepted or approved of me. I felt different, unwanted, unloved, and unimportant. I thought of myself as a mistake and never good enough. My mother was never really happy with who I was. Everything she tried to force me to be or do, I did totally the opposite. My road trip to hell started when she spoke curses over my life. I started making bad decisions, and fell into a life of partying and drugs. I let in hatred, anger, pain, and despair. I allowed my emotions to control the choices that I made, feeling sorry for myself. That led to self-injury, which is a form of addiction along with the abuse of drugs. All I really wanted was the approval of others, someone to love me. I found that to be another addiction, because I was looking for it in all the wrong places and from all the wrong people. I felt so alone in the world. Then one night as I was crying in my bed feeling sorry for myself I heard the Lord speak to my heart telling me that I am more than this. An overwhelming presence of peace took over as I submitted all that was left of me to HIM. Since then, I have welcomed the Lord into my heart to take total control of me. He is the lover of my soul. I’m not who I once was. I have a relationship with HIM who lets me know how loved I am, how important I am, how wanted I am. And nothing compares to the knowledge of being a new creation, not a mistake; a child of the most high God, found and forgiven by HIS amazing grace; a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people set apart for God that I might declare HIS praise of HIM who called me out of darkness and into HIS wonderful light. I live and breathe for God. I have a reason to get up in the mornings. Now I am a young lady with a purpose, and that purpose is to live for HIM. His approval is all I need because on Christ the solid rock I stand.”

“I’ve been in the program 9 months, and the verse I choose to share is Proverbs 3:5,6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path straight. I look back and see how God has had his hand on me all through my life all he ask is to trust him, obey him, live for him. I knew right from wrong, growing up. I was raised in church. My father wasn’t very affectionate towards me so at an early age I went looking for love in all the wrong places, which lead up to a very improper situation or experience with the leadership at my church that caused me to doubt the church and God, so I turned away from both. I very quickly started on my downward spiral. I got married, had my son and divorced as a young adult, then I found myself involved in drugs. It got so deep, and consumed me, I was doing things I never thought I would do especially, after I lost of my son and all the while God had His hand on me because He loves me and never did forsake me although I turned away from Him. I realized sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay. My experience has taught me that our God is a jealous God. He allowed me to see right in front of me my friend killed in a motorcycle accident. That was it for me, I had to make some changes, but that wasn’t enough. God wants all of us the total person an I wasn’t ready to do that, so I ended up in trouble with law. Then I knew it had to be all or nothing, I can’t do this half way. I have to be totally surrendered. Thank God for praying mom’s that never give up on their children. I’ve been here as I stated 9 months, my relationships have grown, with my mother, my sister, my father, and especially my Heavenly Father. He is restoring to me custody of my son. God is just so good, I have experience \The Most High\” and that’s all I need”

“I’ve got a quick story. Back in the mid-1980’s in Quincy, MA I had to testify in court against a young man, as I was a witness to a robbery that he was involved with. He stared at me through the courtroom door with an evil look that I wasn’t very pleased with. I began to silently pray for him, as I had been attending Brockton Assembly of God with Rev. Bob W. A couple of years after the court case, I attended an outdoor worship service at Brockton Assembly of God, where the Teen Challenge Choir was singing. And who was singing? Yes, the young man that I had to testify against. He gave his testimony that day and I was ASTOUNDED at the total transformation. Years afterward I witnessed this SAME young man, probably 26 or 27 years old by then, kneeling down on a supermarket floor and praying for an elderly woman who had trouble walking and was in need of a healing. I don’t have very much money, but I just committed today to help you out with your year-ending fundraising effort, because I have been a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit working through your organization. May God bless you all and your work in helping these young men and women come to a saving knowledge of the Healer and to kiss the feet of His mercy at the foot of the cross.”

“I’ve never seen a ministry that glorifies Christ and His power; taking lives back from the brink as much as Teen Challenge.”

“I’ve visited the campus – awesome – talked to the staff – the best – and even talked to the kids who have been there – powerful testimonies of how their lives have been changed. This is a first class program with lower than expected fees. Don’t miss checking them out. You’ll see the difference right away on their website. I’ve also talked to parents who have had their girl there, and that feeling of being impressed with the program continues, right through graduation and beyond.”

“I’ve written about three times lately because of running into Teen Challenge here in Waco. It’s just such a blessing to run into the great guys who are not the least bit shy about witnessing and praying with anyone!! But after all this, I come into our office and notice a cross made from nails hanging on our CEO’s wall. I think to myself, I recognize that. Sure enough, I turned it over and it had the Teen Challenge seal on the back. Praise God, Teen Challenge, and the Cross of Jesus Christ are still alive and well!!!!”

“If you want to change and dont know how or where to begin I suggest you try Teen Challenge My life has never been better. I am a graduate and I could not have done it without my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I have never found more love any where, I was loved until I learned to love myself. I have learned so much about who the Lord has created me to be. I can not praise him enough. Former Student”

“Im 41 years of age. I started drinking around the age of 14, and continued for many, many years after. At first, alcohol was a means of enjoyment. As I grew older, alcohol became what I thought was a necessity. It brought legal issues into my life such as DUIs, jail and financial problems. I would begin drinking in the morning and not quit until Id pass out. It wasn’t until 2003 that I was at my end with alcohol. God began to deal with my heart and I finally realized that I was going to lose my wife, children, and my life if I didn’t listen to him. Through hearing mens’ testimonies in church that had graduated from Teen Challenge after their one year commitment, I knew then Teen Challenge would work for me. I knew Christ was at work through Teen Challenge and that my life could be restored. I had to turn away for one year total and trust in God and step out in faith knowing that God would provide for my wife and children. Because I did, I am an alcohol free man of God and he is available to anyone that calls on him. Thank you Father God and thank you Teen Challenge.”

“In 1977 I was 15, doing drugs and rebellious – I was interviewed for Teen Challenge at Clinton Ave. Brooklyn TC – I ended up going to B’ham Alabama Teen Challenge – I stayed at the induction center for the whole year- the director moved me into his own home for the last 6 months. I was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. I went on to college, met my wife, have 3 children and even went to grad school. I was ordained and started the South Florida Teen Challenge – I have also started two churches – Calvary Church & Rich Valley Church – these ministries are all thriving! None of this would have been possible without the beautiful mercy and grace of God…….and Teen Challenge!”

“In 1999 I walked through the doors of Teen Challenge and my life has never been the same.The power of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the word of God transformed me inside and out. I am eternally indebted to TC of the Dakotas and the staff who poured into me have become life long friends. If God directed your path to this site and your asking yourself should I make that call, can Jesus change me, or should I make that donation, as the Nike slogan says just do it. My life has been filled with plenty of ups and downs but never have I been alone or without hope. Jesus is faithfull to complete the good work he began in me over a decade ago. I love this ministry and with Christ in my life all things are possible. May God bless you and be with you whether you are visitor or staff in Jesus name.”

“In August of 2009 Teen Challenge hosted a free weekly concert series dubbed \Concerts on the Castle Green\” at the castle”

“In high school I acquired an addiction to painkillers. After four years of ruining my life with drugs and running from the Lord, I realized my life was miserable, and nothing I could do could make my life meaningful. I came to Teen Challenge 180 Ministries to find healing for my life and to pursue a relationship with the Lord. Since being at 180, I’ve rededicated my life to the Lord and have found a meaning for my once meaningless life. I hope to live out every day on fire for the Lord and fulfill His will.”

“In only 4 months you guys have turned my son into a guy who loves to pray with/for complete strangers! Thank you thank you thank you & praise God:-D”

“In search of acceptance, I put myself on a pathway of destruction. My name is Bryan, I am 25 and I am from Ogden, Utah. I started using drugs at age 13. I came to North Dakota Teen Challenge because I needed a geographical change to replace the person I used to be. Since making that decision, God has done miraculous things and has set me free from the bondage of my old life.”

“In search of acceptance, I put myself on a pathway of destruction. My name is Bryan. I am 25 and I am from Ogden, Utah. I started using drugs at age 13. I came to North Dakota Teen Challenge because I needed a geographical change to replace the person I used to be. Since making that decision, God has done miraculous things and has set me free from the bondage of my old life.”

“In times of trouble I turned to alcohol. When things went good, I rewarded myself with a drink. With this thinking I lost my wife of 20 plus years and my five children. Teen Challenge taught me to pray, to worship and trust God’s faithfulness. I am saved! He has restored my family! Psalm 62:5-8 NIV Amen!”

“It feels like family here.”

“It seems just like yesterday that I was riding out that curvy road to Chad’s Hope. A few days before I came to CHTC, I was released, yet again, from jail. While I was to getting a few things taken care of in preparation for my stay at Chad’s Hope; I laughed to myself at the thought that God would do anything with my life. My view of God at that time was not very pleasant, nor did I want anything from Him. I had one goal in mind and that was to beat the system again. This was the third time that I was being sent for help. So by then, I was prepared to blend in and play the games they wanted to play. But as you read this today, I am here to tell you that God didn’t allow that to happen. I walked in the door at Chad’s Hope utterly broken inside. I was completely numb to any emotion or feelings. You could have run me over with anything of your choosing and I would have thanked you. I only wanted death to come and come quickly. After 10 years of being a heavy IV drug user, I saw no hope for myself. My family had mostly given up on me and some of them never wanted me to return. After about a month of being at CHTC, after seeing all the changes going on in the lives of those around me; I could feel something happening inside of me. It was the Holy Spirit working on me from the inside out, and I just couldn’t resist, I surrendered my life over to Jesus Christ. Since that day, I have been pressing forward non-stop. I consider myself a warrior for Christ and I will go wherever He leads me. I used to live a meaningless, sinful, crooked life. Now I live a life full of purpose. I am working full time at Blackboard Student Services and have made several friends that are believers. I also recently started going back to college to finish my degree in Computer Programming/Networking. Never in the past 10 years could I see my life free from the bondage of addiction, but by the unfailing love of Christ I have been SET FREE! I know that I have nothing to worry about in the future because He has it all planned out. I now attend Campground Baptist Church in Somerset Kentucky. The Lord has placed Pastor Brian T. in my life and he has become a great friend to me. He sees something in me that I do not see and because of this, he is helping me to find God’s calling for my life. It feels good to know that God is working in and all around my life, and that He is going to allow me to share the Good News with all.”

“It was my best friend’s bachelor party and was supposed to be the weekend of fun. Instead, I found myself sitting in a hotel room with a needle in my arm. The thought that kept spinning in my head was \How did my life end up this way?\””

“It was the best decision we have made in our entire life. Our sons life was saved from destruction on this earth and for eternity. The education was the finest he could have gotten anywhere. He became a self-disciplined student with motivated study habits and finished with a 3.9 GPA. He now has the desire and compassion to serve in his community and church, as well as tutoring and mentoring younger kids.”

“It was three years ago today that I walked through the doors of Western Michigan Teen Challenge after many years of being in chains to drug addiction, and Jesus Christ set me free! I count my many blessings and thank Him for giving me life! I am so grateful to now be in chains for Christ. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! Thank you, Pastor McClain and to all my brothers and sisters at WMTC for your continued ministry and service to our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“It’s a good thing I was involved with sports at such a young age, because it kept me out of a lot of trouble. In fact, all I could ever think about was being a professional athlete. I moved to Alabama at the age of 9, and it always seemed as if I was trying so desperately to fit in. I was from a small country town, and had to face the cultural shock of moving to a big city. I made many friends, but it seemed as if I was always alone. These lonely feelings caused much resentment and anger. My resentment and anger got worse when my life-long dream of going to the next level in sports was not fulfilled. I became a full-fledged alcoholic by the age of 18. Drinking and partying with my friends seemed to be the only thing that filled up the empty feelings I had. I voluntarily chose this horrible way to deal with all my problems. I withdrew from my first year of junior college and was removed from my parent’s insurance. That meant that I had to get a real job. While working for a moving company in Birmingham, I tried my first pain pill. I was immediately hooked. My habit rapidly increased to the point of almost 30 pills. I used cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy, and eventually crack cocaine. Not only was I destroying myself mentally and physically, but my parents were being put through pure misery. My mother couldn’t sleep at night for wondering where I was. She was being crushed emotionally. I thought my father owed me much more than putting a roof over my head, so I started stealing money from him to buy drugs. I continued to work, getting a paycheck on Friday and being broke on Monday. I had reached the point of hopelessness. I overdosed and almost died in my mothers arms. One week later, I entered the Alabama Teen Challenge discipleship program. One day before being inducted there, I surrendered to God, and my life was radically transformed. I finally found the only One who can fill the voids of my life.”

“Jamie F, 27, of Warren, Ohio graduated in August. \I started to smoke marijuana and drink alcohol at 11”

“Jessica came to Teen Challenge in 2011 to learn to \deal\” with her addictions. While at Teen Challenge she had a supernatural encounter with Jesus! Today Jessica is completely free from all addiction! She is working in the ministry to help other women find the same freedom!”

“Jessie was adopted and struggled with finding her identity as a young woman. Her life declined quickly as she began experimenting with alcohol and pills. She had been raised in the church, but she didn’t know how to let God help her. Today, Jessie is a new creation in Christ and she has discovered that her identity and purpose is found in God. She is currently attending Masters Commission Ministry School in Florida. \Since I have been in Teen Challenge God has done a complete 180 degree change with me. He has given me such a thirst and hunger to get into His word and to get to know Him. He has given me a desire to serve Him and to give Him praise. My eyes have been opened to His glorious creation and it makes me wonder how I could ever not serve Him. For the first time I have a real relationship with Jesus Christ!\”””

“Jesus Christ cured my \incurable\” mental illness and rebuilt the life I brought to ruin. Teen Challenge provided me with the structure”

“Jesus told of the prodigal son. Prodigal: \Recklessly wasteful or a person who wastes his means.\” This has been the reoccurring theme of my life.”

“Jesus was my last resort and turned out to be everything I’d been searching for. Hallelujah!”

“Joe was adopted at age two by loving parents who sought to raise him with Christian values, but that didnt stop him from turning to drugs and delinquency. Joe was in the 7th grade when he started using drugs. It was at this point that his life started going downhill quickly. As his drug use continued, he grew more and more out of control and frequently ran away from home. Even a near-death accident was not enough to cause him to change his life. His drug usage and running away continued. Once while staying with his grandfather, Joe ran away to a large city. His grandfather later picked him up at the police station and took him back home. Joe threatened to kill his grandfather. The threat was taken seriously and Joe soon found himself standing before a judge facing charges. Joe’s parents asked that he be sent to Teen Challenge. The order was given and Joe was brought to Teen Challenge Ranch of NW Arkansas. It took a while for Joe to embrace the Teen Challenge help. In fact, he ran away his very first week in the program. Joe tells the story of sitting in the chapel about a week after he was returned to Teen Challenge. Conviction was heavy on his heart and he knew that something had to change. By the end of that chapel, he was pouring out his heart to God with tears coming down his cheeks. Although Joe’s journey has been filled with difficulty and struggles, he openly shares that God is the only option worth choosing for his life. He knows that he no longer wants the destructive life of drugs that he once had. He wants to follow God with all of his heart. God has done a transforming work in Joe’s life. With Gods help he has learned greater patience and self-control. He recently began playing the guitar and is already leading public worship and singing praises to God. After completing Teen Challenge, Joe re-entered public school and has joined the soccer team. He continues a drug-free and full life. This young mans life has been forever changed by Gods incredible grace.”

“Jolie was fighting a losing battle with crack and bad relationships. She loved her family and her precious children, but the addiction had imprisoned her in a self-destructive pattern. She was ready to give up all hope. Today, Jolie’s relationship with her family and children has been restored. She is working full time and enjoying life. Most importantly she knows that God has a great purpose for her life. \Since being here at Teen Challenge my whole life has changed. God has been so good to me. He has restored my family and He has given me another chance. I prayed to God to save me from my addiction. He did it! He answered my prayers. Teen challenge has taught me to surrender my life into Gods keeping. I trust and depend on God now and my life has changed. I am drug free and life is worth living!\”””

“Josh was 7 years old when his parents divorced. He remembers that he started getting into trouble. He was filled with anger at his father after the divorce, and he did everything he could to get back at his father and to make his father angry. It was in middle school that Josh got into drugs and alcohol. He was known to everyone as the party kid. Things were out of control and not getting better. Even the times he spent in a juvenile cell or on house arrest did not cause him to change his behavior. His parents finally made the decision to send him to Teen Challenge. Josh had no intention of changing his life at Teen Challenge. He was determined to just get through the program and go back to his old life style. But when Josh entered Teen Challenge, he found a very powerful presence of God that he did not expect. It was at a special impromptu prayer service that his life was dramatically changed. The prayer service took place after a daily morning chapel service. It was optional for students to attend this extra event. He remembers feeling God tugging on his heart to go. He finally went and he said that he received prayer after prayer after prayer. It was there that he realized, \I need God in my life.\””

“Josh was 7 years old when his parents divorced. He remembers this as the time that he started getting into trouble. He was filled with anger at his father after the divorce, and he did everything he could to get back at his father and to make his father angry. It was in middle school that Josh got into drugs and alcohol. He was known to everyone as the party kid. Things were out of control and not getting better. Even the times he spent in a Juvenile cell or on house arrest did not cause him to change his behavior. His parents finally made the decision to send him to Teen Challenge. Josh shared that when he found this out, he was mad. He had no intention of changing his life at Teen Challenge. He was determined to just get through the program and go back to his old life style. When Josh entered Teen Challenge, he found a very powerful presence of God that he did not expect. It was at a special impromptu prayer service that Josh’s life was dramatically changed. The prayer service took place after one of our daily morning chapel services. It was optional for students to attend this extra event. He remembers feeling God tugging on his heart to go. He finally went and he said that he received prayer after prayer after prayer. It was there that he realized, I need God in my life. Josh committed his life to the Lord that morning. He shares that he felt a huge weight lift off of his shoulders. Since that time God has instilled a deep confidence into Josh’s life. Instead of being filled with hate and worry, he says he is now filled with love for others. He has a heart for helping other people and even feels a call into ministry. God has taken Josh from troubled partier to future preacher. What a difference the Lord has made in Josh’s life.”

“Julie faced the destructive forces of a severe eating disorder that had wounded her marriage and stolen her hope for a good future. Today, she is enjoying a restored relationship with God and her family. Recently, she was very excited to share the news of giving birth to a very healthy baby boy. She enjoys life and being a Mom again. Her days are full of hope now instead of despair.”

“Just a little over a year ago, we drove our son to Teen Challenge of El Paso. I remember having mixed feelings and being full of various emotions. On one hand I was reluctant to leave my son in the hands of strangers. But mostly I felt so proud of the decision he had made and I felt he was totally safe in God’s hands. I recall having the most restful sleep that first night. I experienced the peace that passes all understanding. I didn’t go to bed worrying about his safety for the first time in several years. Dear Shelby, A few months before you made the decision to go to Teen Challenge, God promised our family restoration. I’m so overwhelmed with the goodness of God. He never fails us. I am so proud of you for making a stand to change your life and serve God. I am a very blessed Mama! I know this has been a hard year, but growing pains are never easy. I am blessed to have a son who can stand up and do hard things. It is amazing to be a witness to the power of God. With God, all things are possible! I Love You!”

“Just prior to entering Teen Challenge, I attempted to end my life, feeling helpless after years of an oxycontin (synthetic heroin) addiction. He has saved me, delivered me, and restored a call to serve Him the rest of my life.”

“Just wanted to say god is amazing! Its been so long since I was a student at tc a lot has happened since I left but I just want to say that I am connected to a really good church that is showing me the way! I have taken what I’ve learned from there and have slowly been putting it to use after all these years and wow god can do amazing things! I’m happy for what you guys do! Keep doing the good work…god bless”

“Life Challenge has been a blessing to me and has graduated the son of a friend of mine who has turned his life around seeking to serve our Lord. Praises to God for the ministry and mission of Life Challenge.”

“Life without a purpose, is not a life at all. Most of my life I had no direction always picking the wrong things to make me happy. I started using drugs when I was 15 years old. It progressed all through high school into my freshman year in college. At this time I was selling and using all types of drugs. The consequences finally caught up with me and I went to jail for my first time. After spending several months in jail I was released on house arrest. I was living in Florida at the time when I decided that life on supervision wasnt for me, so I packed up and ran away to California. My life on the run became so crazy. Everything revolved around buying and selling drugs. From Tijuana to San Diego to LA, I was distributing drugs to fund my new life style. The money quickly consumed me and evil ruled my life. This went on for a couple years until I was arrested for drug trafficking. I found myself in one of the toughest places in the world, LA County Jail; I started to miss my family that I hadn’t spoken to since I disappeared. I finally wrote home after asking God not to let them hate me. One day my parents wrote back and told me they loved and forgave me. God had answered my prayers, but I wasnt ready to surrender to Him. After almost a year I was released and returned to Florida to serve more jail time for violating house arrest. When I finished I went home to stay with my parents. I had good intentions to stay clean but a few wrong choices lead me back to my old ways. I started moving around again, from Wilmington NC, to Atlanta GA, to Palm Beach FL, and on to Jacksonville FL. I was running from myself. Every attempt ended the same, jail or rehab. It became a vicious circle. I thought I would never get clean. I hated myself and thought I was better off dead. One day when the pain was too great for me to bear, I cried out to God. I asked God to forgive me for all I had done and asked Jesus to come into my life. I also said no matter what it took, I needed to get off the drugs. At first I didnt know how to live as a Christian. Less than a week later I was arrested on a drug charge. I was mad and confused, but after I detoxed I saw it as a blessing. A peace came over me that surpassed all understanding. Even though I was facing prison time, I didn’t worry because I knew God was watching over me. I began to seek God by reading His word. As I did my trust grew and finally the Lord revealed to me He was in control, not the courts or the judge. After 8 months in jail I was ordered to a residential program for not less than one year. This is when I found Teen Challenge. After entering T.C. I felt The Lords presence and a strong sense of brotherhood. I started to learn what it meant to live a Christ centered life. The relationship with my family was restored beyond what I thought was possible. I now have a purpose and identity that is in Christ. Thank God for Teen Challenge!”

“Living in sin for twenty years! I landed in jail three times and rehab twice. After that, I lost my job. But, there is hope because of Teen Challenge. What a change in my life living for Jesus! It’s the best decision I’ve made in my life! I am now bound for Heaven.”

“Looking back on my early beginnings in my walk with the Lord, I am extremely thankful for the ministry of Teen Challenge, which provided an integral part of my spiritual foundation. The daily schedule of godly activities in a loving environment ministered to me during a critical time in my life. Thank you so much for your support of this ministry, which has been the springboard of so many who are in other vital ministries today. My husband and I work with Wycliffe Bible Translators helping a language group numbering about 6500. We are excited about what God is doing among the people there. I am a Testimony At Work!”

“Lord knows this placed has saved the lives of two of my children. how do you thank you enough. Theres no way. Just keep saving these lives and making parents like me watch in complete amazement. It has taken Teen Challenge one year to do something I have tried so hard for 20 years to do. Thank you gracious Lord for Alabama Teen Challenge”

“Lord, please continue to change my heart. Break my heart for what breaks yours.”

“Loving the Alabama Teen Challenge! I donate everytime they come to town! Amazing work guys!”

“Main Place has done many great things in my life. The staff has been so inspirational and they have had my back and supported me. While at Main Place Youth I have found the meaning of God’s grace and that he died on the cross to save me. I learned how to modify negative behaviors and I treat my family with respect. I am not perfect, I am a work in a progress. I Thank God for Main Place Youth.”

“Main Place Youth has helped me to be a better person inside and out. I have a better relationship with my parents. Main Place Youth has helped me forgive others and look at my life and to become more productive. I am thankful for being here and I thank my parents for sending me here and I want to thank you.”

“Many of you are aware that my dad and I were blessed to attend the graduation ceremony from the Freedom Challenge Program for five prisoners at the Hutchison Correctional Facility. You have heard my dad’s experience from the newsletter that followed our visit. Now, after having a month to dwell on my personal experience, I would like to share with you what I saw and what I learned while I was in prison. Just the walk up to the front door of the prison, I suddenly felt like I had been placed in the movie Shawshank Redemption. I began to wonder what in the world my dad had gotten us into by accepting this invitation. We waited very patiently (I learned that prison time has this motto, It will happen when it happens.) to be escorted into the prison. The nerves began to kick in. I had no idea what to expect. We were escorted into the auditorium where the ceremony was to be held. I took my seat as I watched around 40 men dressed in all-blue denim walked passed me, two by two, and found their seat. Once the last prisoner got into his place, the worship band began playing. The cool part about this band was that it was led by the five guys that were graduating and a man named Jack Jackson (this man was a legend within the minds of these prisoners their mindset was if Jesus played guitar, it would probably sound like Jack). I had three moments during this ceremony that I was really blessed by this was the first one. The band led the men in about 45 minutes of worship songs. I did not sing a note. I was incapable. I watched as these men worshiped. I began to compare this situation with the one I see every Sunday morning at my home church. I see people raising their hands and singing the words. I hear some notes hit with elegance and beauty and others that aren’t even close. The difference between the two worship services is that one group goes home to their family and freedom and the other group goes home to their bunk and sentence. What did not change between the prison and my church is that both are equally and desperately in need of a Savior. For some of those men in that prison, they have done no worse than some in that church these men just got caught. What brings the two very different places together is that God still accepts and deserves their worship. He does not care if they are wearing a new suit and tie or denim jeans and denim shirt. The second blessing came after the ceremony was finished and dad got them excited about his Fight Like a Man Conference (these guys were stoked about the possibilities!), there was a table with sugar cookies and punch for the guys to eat. I collected my cookie and looked up to see Clay, one of the five who had just graduated. He was huge, bald and had a goatee. I think I could have taken him but anyways. No, I saw him in the corner and knew exactly where the Holy Spirit was leading. I went over and, stumbling all over myself, I somehow started a conversation with him. It turned out that the reason he got into the program was because he wanted to learn how to play the guitar. Jack J. told him the only way he could was if he went through the Freedom Challenge. What he said next left me speechless. He said, I came into this program with learning guitar as #1. I am leaving this program with it as #2. When I asked him what replaced it he said \Even though learning how to play guitar was an incredible part of his 8-month experience”

“Melanie entered Columbus, GA Teen Challenge Women’s Center in 2009 after a 15 year addiction as well as being arrested 37 times. God has brought healing, deliverance and restoration to her life. After completing she stayed and did a 1 year internship. In 2011 she felt God calling her to Louisiana Teen Challenge. Melanie is currently Assistant Director at Mt Grace Teen Challenge Women’s Center in Winnfield, LA.”

“Mike T came into the Teen Challenge program in 2004 after 15 years of substance abuse. After graduating from Teen Challenge, Mike finished his internship and began working as a staff member at Ruston Teen Challenge before leaving for a year of Bible school. Today Mike is married to his lovely wife, Jenny.”

“Most of my life has been spent living as a victim and a slave to sin. Just like so many others, I came from a dysfunctional family. My lineage consists of addicts and alcoholics. I was sexually abused throughout my childhood years. I grew into a very angry and depressed young woman. Needless to say, after two failed marriages and four children, I still felt empty inside. My depression became so severe that I became suicidal. It didnt take long for my life to fall apart. The turning point was when I rode in the back of a police car locked in handcuffs on my way to the state hospital. As I sat in the cop car pale and lifeless, I wondered, Why me God? When they placed me in my room, I hit my knees and cried out to God to take my life or do something with me because I could not live this way anymore. From that moment on my life has not been the same. God is using Teen Challenge to transform me into a new creation. The desires of my heart are to bring my Father glory in all I do and to invite others to join in on this awesome journey.”

“My brother and I were selling heroin and cocaine. We had a lot of money and were living a thrilling high-paced lifestyle. This came to an abrupt end when my brother and I were arrested. I opted for Teen Challenge instead of prison. I graduated, but never submitted myself fully to God. Four months after graduating I began the slide back into my addiction. I fell hard and began using IV cocaine. Two friends died of overdose, but it didn’t sink in until I overdosed on two different occasions and ended up in the emergency room. I realized if I kept living this way I would die. The only reason I’m alive today is I believe God has a plan for my life. Teen Challenge is the vessel God used to restore my life through a relationship with Him. \Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them”

“My childhood was filled with sports, almost every sport that was offered. As a young boy I attended church regularly. But by the time I was 10, I only went to church on holidays and special occasions. Church became more of a chore or punishment than anything else. My parents were great at showing me the difference between right and wrong; they just were not avid church goers. I was a popular athletic kid who was unsure if God was real or just another Easter Bunny. I took my first drink when I was 15. By the time I was 17, I was an atheist. Alcohol had created a lot of problems in my family tree. But it quickly became second to marijuana. Since I was under 21, drugs were easier to get than alcohol. I remember trying cocaine when I was 17. Methamphetamines were also a part of my appetite. All of my fun became congruent with my drug habits. Then my drug habit began to drown my happiness. Before I knew it I was incomplete spiritually, mentally, and even physically. I had somehow skipped becoming a man. Drugs and alcohol were responsible for four or five charged but not convicted DWIs, two drug convictions, three totaled vehicles, family deterioration, and a mangled soul. It was time to change. My Aunt and Uncle knew that I wanted help. They referred me to Teen Challenge in November of 2009, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around staying a full year. I made another commitment to God but only stayed sober for two months. I had developed a bad pattern of lying to God. He would get me out of the hole that I dug and then I would dig new one. I made one really big mistake, then I made another and another, and it kept getting easier to do the wrong thing. I felt like the Holy Spirit was leaving my body. Evil spirits took hold of me and then it seemed like I was capable of doing the unimaginable. It was a very scary scenario. I finally came to Teen Challenge of Texas – San Antonio Men’s Campus in August 2010 and graduated in September 2011. It feels like I was never sick. God restored me so completely that I feel better than ever. I have several job opportunities waiting for me. Some are out of state. This is because I have a friend in Jesus. He is now my companion. I consult with Him about every problem I have. He is my hero. He has taken my mess and turned it into a message. (I cant take credit for that, it came from Cowboys linebacker Brady James.) But its true. I will be able to reach many people that are unreachable. Like Paul writes to Timothy, Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is given to you. This means to use your testimony. I plan to use mine to send warnings to other lost souls, so they can experience His grace as well.”

“My dad introduced me to alcohol at the age of eight with sips from his glass. By fourteen he was handing me my own. It made me feel confident. I started drinking with friends. By nineteen I got the first of four drunk driving tickets. I realized then that I was an alcoholic, just like my Dad. By age 30, after hospitalizations, torn relationships, and a near-death resuscitation during an alcoholic seizure, I found myself broken, hopeless and depressed. I had lost the will to live. I finally cried out to God in desperation. He graciously rescued me from hell’s gates and brought me to Life Challenge the best thing that has ever happened to me. I now have a personal relationship with him and he is restoring my relationship with my 16-year-old son and the rest of my family. I am now an Intern in the Marketing Department. I wake up in the morning with a purpose. I’ve found joy and peace in Christ. Many have prayed for me. I am living proof that God answers prayers.”

“My daughter ashlynn melted my heart today. She needed to take an article to school to share with her class. She choose 2 articles the first one was the teen Teen Challenge of the Dakotas newsletter off are fridge and a article about sea otters out of her ranger rick. I asked her what she was going to share about the newsletter she said this is where my daddy found god its called tc:) love her!”

“My daughter, Jessica graduated from Teen Challenge of KY in July 2012. She had been a resident since November of 2011. Jessie had been involved with drugs for several years and became addicted to cocaine when she was 21 years old. Prior to her moving into Priscilla’s Place, our lives were torn apart with Jessie’s irrational behavior and her never wanting to be around her family. During her residency, Teen Challenge has taught Jessie to not only love Jesus, but to love herself again. Through the support of staff, volunteers and other wonderful people, our Faith and our family has been restored. Jessie is now living in the Graduate Home and working in Louisville. She will also be attending classes at JCC this fall. Teen Challenge of KY has been a true blessing in our lives.”

“My family prayed for me for 15 years to go to Teen Challenge. I remember Teen Challenge coming to our church many times! In 2007 I finally entered the program and I graduated in 2008! When I arrived at TC, I felt like I had come home. I had a peace that surpassed all understanding. Jesus Christ restored my life from the pit of hell. I had suffered from meth addiction for 15 years. I had a broken life and family. I have had several very violent relationships and suffered many extremely hard and lonely times; been in secular TX centers 4 times; lost my children to CPS, experienced divorce in 2004; shot myself in 2005; and nearly drowned in the ocean in 2006. I had been in jails, lived in half-way houses, been on the streets, in homeless shelters, and existed in drab dark hotel rooms. On February 1, 2005 I was ready to take my life! I got a .357 revolver and went up a logging road. Even though I love my children and family I was angry at myself and on a road of destruction! I was screaming inside to the Lord as I cocked the gun and was getting ready to take my life when a car pulled up behind me. I was startled and jumped out of the car as the gun bumped the steering wheel and fired a bullet through the back of my left leg, shattering the tibia bone! This was a real blessing in disguise as I realized later God had saved my life again by this accident. Needless to say God put this bad girl in a major time-out. The next year of my life was spent in wheelchairs, in and out of hospitals, having 12 major surgeries, taking pain meds constantly and learning to walk all over again. After I graduated from Teen Challenge I did not know where I would go in my life or how things would work out. I attended Clatsop Community college to continue working on a nursing career. Praise the Lord for his provisions! I got good grades and became a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I also volunteered in a juvenile prison ministry through my church. Then God opened the door to attend Northwest University. I applied to the Buntain School of Nursing in 2009. I knew God had called me there for a purpose. I decided to follow Gods will, honor Him and follow hard after Him no matter how bad it was! God provided all my needs. While I was in Teen Challenge I felt the Lord had called me to go on a medical missions trip to Africa. In 2010 I went on a mission trip to the jungles of the south Sudan for two weeks with a team of students from NU. We worked in schools, did Bible devotions with children and provided medical care and first aid 3-4 hours every day. God provided all the funds and medical supplies for the trip and helped me fulfill the calling he had shown me while I was in Teen Challenge. God was faithful to help me excel in my studies in the nursing program. My senior year I was awarded a full year scholarship from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. There were 300 scholarships given out in America that year and mine was one of them. God is so amazing and so faithful to provide. All of my tuition and living arrangement were paid in full with the agreement that when I graduate, I would agree to work in a critical nursing shortage area. I graduated from the Buntain School of Nursing at Northwest University with honors and a GPA of 3.9 in May of 2012. I am now a BSN-RN working at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska. As I fulfill my contract in two years my student loans will be $40K less through a special repayment program! What a blessing! Jesus loves each of us and He is calling us constantly! My message for you is this: don’t be foolish and follow the influences of the world like I once did FOLLOW CHRIST!”

“My family prayed for me for 15 years to go to Teen Challenge. I remember Teen Challenge coming to our church many times! In 2007 I finally entered the program and I graduated in 2008! When I arrived at TC, I felt like I had come home. I had a peace that surpassed all understanding. Jesus Christ restored my life from the pit of hell. I had suffered from meth addiction for 15 years. I had a broken life and family. I have had several very violent relationships and suffered many extremely hard and lonely times; been in secular TX centers 4 times; lost my children to CPS, experienced divorce in 2004; shot myself in 2005; and nearly drowned in the ocean in 2006. I had been in jails, lived in half-way houses, been on the streets, in homeless shelters, and existed in drab dark hotel rooms. On February 1, 2005 I was ready to take my life! I got a .357 revolver and went up a logging road. Even though I love my children and family I was angry at myself and on a road of destruction! I was screaming inside to the Lord as I cocked the gun and was getting ready to take my life when a car pulled up behind me. I was startled and jumped out of the car as the gun bumped the steering wheel and fired a bullet through the back of my left leg, shattering the tibia bone! This was a real blessing in disguise as I realized later God had saved my life again by this accident. Needless to say God put this bad girl in a major time-out. The next year of my life was spent in wheelchairs, in and out of hospitals, having 12 major surgeries, taking pain meds constantly and learning to walk all over again. After I graduated from Teen Challenge I did not know where I would go in my life or how things would work out. I attended Clatsop Community college to continue working on a nursing career. Praise the Lord for his provisions! I got good grades and became a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. I also volunteered in a juvenile prison ministry through my church. Then God opened the door to attend Northwest University. I applied to the Buntain School of Nursing in 2009. I knew God had called me there for a purpose. I decided to follow Gods will, honor Him and follow hard after Him no matter how bad it was! God provided all my needs. While I was in Teen Challenge I felt the Lord had called me to go on a medical missions trip to Africa. In 2010 I went on a mission trip to the jungles of the south Sudan for two weeks with a team of students from NU. We worked in schools, did Bible devotions with children and provided medical care and first aid 3-4 hours every day. God provided all the funds and medical supplies for the trip and helped me fulfill the calling he had shown me while I was in Teen Challenge. God was faithful to help me excel in my studies in the nursing program. My senior year I was awarded a full year scholarship from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. There were 300 scholarships given out in America that year and mine was one of them. God is so amazing and so faithful to provide. All of my tuition and living arrangement were paid in full with the agreement that when I graduate, I would agree to work in a critical nursing shortage area. I graduated from the Buntain School of Nursing at Northwest University with honors and a GPA of 3.9 in May of 2012. I am now a BSN-RN working at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska. As I fulfill my contract in two years my student loans will be $40K less through a special repayment program! What a blessing! Jesus loves each of us and He is calling us constantly! My message for you is this don’t be foolish and follow the influences of the world like I once did – FOLLOW CHRIST!”

“My husband, Jimmy H, has been home from Teen Challenge for 8 months today! It has truly been the best 8 months of my life! It is SOOO amazing to be living with a man who loves the Lord with all of his heart and soul! THANK YOU Jesus for restoration!! and THANK YOU Teen Challenge for being there for him and for our family!!”

“My husband, Kenneth, is in one of your Freedom Challenge groups. I wanted to take some time and say thank you. I don’t know how many families have told you how much your work means to them. You may feel that these men are the only ones you are teaching and reaching, but in effect, you are touching all of us in their lives. I personally want to thank you for what you have done for our family. My husband is truly a changed man because of you. I see it every time we talk, he totally lights up. He is very happy and at peace inside, and that makes me very happy. I have never seen him this way. When we were first married, we were attending church regularly and we were very happy together. That was something I never had in my previous relationships. I would attend church, but never with my significant other. When I was a younger single mother, I taught my sons Sunday school class. When Ken and I moved to Newton, he got too wrapped up in work and other things, and we never found our way back to church. Our family left and our relationship fell apart, and that is when he ended up back in there. You and your ministry have given me back the man I married, the man I love. He speaks to me with more conviction, more hope, more love, than he ever has! He gives all the credit to God and to your and the good work you do. He wants to dedicate his work to your Freedom Challenge ministry, and I am behind him whole-heartedly! I cant believe that we are the only family that you have touched in such a way. I feel as if you are ministering to me and my family, as much as you are my husband. I am learning so much from him. I am trying to get him to send me lessons that he has already been through, so that I too can grow along with him. Mr. Hughes, is there anything I can do to help you in all that you do? I want to show my support in some way. I want to give back to your program that has given so much to us. Please, let me know if I can do anything to be of assistance. I want to thank all of you for keeping us in your prayers. That means so much to me. All of you are most definitely in my prayers. I pray that God gives you everything you need to continue in your good work. I know this started our as a trial program, but the work you do is so needed, I hope you continue. I hope to someday be able to meet with you and thank you in person for all of this, but until that day comes, I hope this letter conveys what I am trying to say. God bless you, Mr. Hughes, and all of your good works.”

“My life growing up was one that some could only dream of loving parents, strong bonds with 7 siblings, and lots of relatives and friends. But somewhere down the line, my dream life turned into a nightmare. The enemy came in the form of a bottle of vodka. He convinced me he could make my life better than it already was. As the days turned into years, I worshipped and craved the enemy even more. I became distant, shameful, guilt-ridden and depressed. My hope was gone. I felt unloved, alone and worthless. On Easter Sunday of 2012, I fell head first down a flight of stairs. My roommate found me lying unconscious in a pool of blood. God used her to save my life! Now, with a broken spirit and a broken jaw, Christ led me into His forgiving and loving arms. On June 12, I came to Life Challenge. I accepted Christ as my Savior. The Word is now my weapon to overcome the devils disguise.”

“My life struggles began with my parents divorce when I was 11. My dad worked so much, and it left such an emptiness in me. When the divorce was complete, my mother attempted suicide and I felt like my world had ended. My need for attention became so great that I began seeking this attention through promiscuous relationships. This behavior almost destroyed my family. My parents desired to pour what was needed into my life so they enrolled me into Teen Challenge. During my tenure, my father died, and this was crushing, however now I am more determined than ever to finish what God has begun in me.”

“My life was quickly coming to an end, I was so miserable I just wanted it to be over. In 2011 I entered Teen Challenge, I came in broken and quickly surrendered my life to Jesus. My mind has been completely transformed! Mark is currently the Choir Director and Community Relations Coordinator at Mt. Grace Teen Challenge for Men in Dodson, La”

“My mother and father had me in church at a young age, and I always knew that there was a God. However, I did not truly have a personal relationship with the Lord. When I turned 18 my life started getting out of control. I made the decision to live my life as I saw fit, and it soon lead me down the pathway of destruction. I was an alcoholic, drug addict and most of all I was spiritually dead. I wandered through life seeking and trying to find out who I really was. I was so lost and desperate that my desperation caused me to do things unthinkable and to hurt the people who loved me the most. I became my own worst nightmare. My own family did not even want to be around me. My life was so out of control that I never believed it was possible for it to get any better. However, the Lord made Himself so real to me. I was literally on my hands and knees crying out to God to say my life because I was about to die. The Lord touched me that night and my life has never been the same. The next day my father brought me to Alabama Teen Challenge. It was during this intense one-year discipleship program that the Lord began to clean me up from the inside out, and deal with all the issues that drove me to use drugs and alcohol. I found the love and acceptance in Jesus Christ that I was so desperately trying to find in the world, and that was what truly changed my life. I completed the ATC program and went to the Teen Challenge International Ministry Institute in Jacksonville, Florida. It was there that the Lord really began to do a deep work in my life. He brought me to a place of true brokenness and surrender. I then returned to Alabama to serve as a staff member of Teen Challenge, giving back to the very ministry that the Lord used to save my life. The Lord has restored my relationship with my family. To complement all these blessings, the Lord gave me a wonderful Godly woman (a Florida Teen Challenge staff member) to share the rest of my life with in marriage. The Lord has also placed a strong desire in my heart to further my education. I am attending Southeastern Bible University in Lakeland, Florida. The Lord has restored my life to me and done exceedingly far more than I could have ever imagined. The scripture that has impacted my life is John 10:10 – \The thief cometh only to kill”

“My mother served the Lord with all her heart. My father served the Lord halfheartedly because of alcoholism and smoking. Now I realize that God had His hand on me, even then. I left my home state at age 18 to go to college and play football. After four years of education and sports, I settled in and started a family and began working in the construction industry. As I began to succeed at my job, upper level positions came with upper level pay. Slowly, I began using drugs and alcohol, and began to neglect my family. The secular world with its quick fixes didn’t help give my life back. I clearly see now that only Jesus could do that. Through the support of a very special friend, the Lord opened the doors of Teen Challenge to me. This was the beginning of my brand new life. God, using Teen Challenge as a tool, changed my life. As the Lord promised through His word, He restored to me all that I had lost, my family, my job and a life full of ministry.”

“My name is Adrian. I grew up in a great home where I was taught right from wrong. My needs and wants were all provided for but somehow something was still missing. On the outside my life looked great; I made good grades and excelled in golf. I was offered a scholarship to play golf at ETSU but my life was still lacking something. My junior year of high school I began experimenting with marijuana and alcohol. This seemed to be any easy fix to the emptiness I felt inside me. I soon started experimenting with other drugs and by my senior year I was addicted. Near the end of my senior year I was caught with drugs in my possession and that cost me my scholarship. I felt like a complete failure. I began using even heavier; trying any drug I could get my hands on. Then one day I tried oxycontin and I was overtaken. The oxycontin and xanax had me bound with no hope. For three years I continued to use rampantly. I was in and out of secular rehabs, psychiatric facilities, and acquired numerous legal charges. My family was fed up with me and I was sleeping in my truck because I had nowhere else to go. I was dependent on the drugs physically to the point that I had to have at least 300 mg of oxycontin just to function. My life was being completely destroyed by my addiction but nothing was stopping me. Through all of the madness and drugs my mother never ceased to pray for me. Then finally in September of 2010 I agreed to give Teen Challenge a try, and that was the best decision I ever made. The Lord has set me free from the bondage in which I was so tightly wrapped and that emptiness I once felt is gone. Because of God and his love I am a new man, full of joy and hope.”

“My name is Alyona R and I am 20 years old. I was born in Russia and was given up by my birth mother at age 5, while my father was already in jail. Both of my birth parents were drug addicts and alcoholics. My sister Masha, at age 11 and I at age 5, were taken away into an orphanage where I had lived for eight years. January 19th I was adopted into an amazing Christian family. Now I had a mama, papa, and a little sister Brittany, for the first time I felt like I belonged. Living in a family setting ended up being too much because I just did not know how to be a kid or how to obey. After years went by I started running from things and from my family. I became distant. Shortly after graduating High School I fell apart, lost, depressed and filled my emptiness with anything I could find. On October 4, 2012 my mom had called Teen Challenge and within that day I was there. All I know is that waking up the next morning I felt free. I wasn’t worried and it just felt right. Being at Teen Challenge has been the best, full of restoration, miracles, freedom, grace and mercy. My life is so joyous and free of pain. The verse that I stand on is Colossians 1:17 He is before all things and in Him all things are held together. God is so good.”

“My name is Andrea; I was raised in a loving Christian home. My parents both worked very hard to provide for my sisters and I and with their hard work came lots of hours. Because of this we were often left alone or with other family members. At a young age I was sexually abused, this caused a multitude of emotions. I was so ashamed and I somehow felt as though I was at fault and that I deserved the things that had been done to me. I was eleven years old, overwhelmed and confused. I just wanted the pain that I felt to go away. Looking for acceptance and security, I began dating older men. I felt as though I had no reason to wait so I gave myself away. It was not long before one of the guys that I dated introduced me to marijuana and LSD. The pot numbed my body and the LSD took me to another world, and through these two drugs I was able to escape the madness of my life. I became reckless and self consumed. I decided that I had finally found what I had been searching for all along, and it was drugs. I began to experiment with any drug I could find, anything that would keep me from having to face reality. As time passed my drug use just accelerated and my life spiraled out of control. At eighteen I found myself in a place that I never imagined I would be. I quit high school with only three months until graduation and soon after lost my best friend to suicide. Everything was crumbling around me and I decided to end it all. I attempted to take my life and woke up in the hospital with tubes and wires all over me. As they stood around my hospital bed my family pleaded with me to get help. I gave in to my family and attempted to get off drugs, but because I was just trying to please them my attempt was not successful. I began to use secretly and my addiction was bigger than before. I started dating someone and soon became pregnant. I was scared; I was not ready to quit using or to be a mom so I had an abortion. The moment the procedure was over I knew I had made a huge mistake. I started using more and more to mask the shame and pain that I felt. I was so overwhelmed with guilt; I couldn’t face myself or my family. I continued to work trying to maintain my crazy lifestyle and hurt my back. I had to have back surgery. I then began manipulating my doctors to get my drugs. My tolerance had grown so much that I started injecting the drugs because that was the only way I could get high. I got to the point that I could no longer support my habit so I started selling drugs. I did anything I could to feed my addiction. I was miserable and hopeless. I felt the only way I would ever be free of the bondage that had me wrapped so tightly was to die. God had other plans for my life! I attended church one Sunday and the Teen Challenge Choir was there and I gave my heart to the Lord. I knew that God was my only hope and I decided to go to Teen Challenge. I began to prepare to go to Teen Challenge and my past caught up with me; I was arrested for 5 drug delivery charges. I was facing five to sixty years in prison but I still was determined that Teen Challenge was where I needed to be. It took eight months but the judge released me to come to Appalachian Teen Challenge. I wake up each morning looking forward to what it holds and full of hope for what will be next. The life that I once thought was over, God has shown me has just begun.”

“My name is Andrea; I was raised in a loving Christian home. My parents both worked very hard to provide for my sisters and I and with their hard work came lots of hours. Because of this we were often left alone or with other family members. At a young age I was sexually abused, this caused a multitude of emotions. I was so ashamed and I somehow felt as though I was at fault and that I deserved the things that had been done to me. I was eleven years old, overwhelmed and confused. I just wanted the pain that I felt to go away. Looking for acceptance and security, I began dating older men. I felt as though I had no reason to wait so I gave myself away. It was not long before one of the guys that I dated introduced me to marijuana and LSD. The pot numbed my body and the LSD took me to another world, and through these two drugs I was able to escape the madness of my life. I became reckless and self consumed. I decided that I had finally found what I had been searching for all along, and it was drugs. I began to experiment with any drug I could find, anything that would keep me from having to face reality. As time passed my drug use just accelerated and my life spiraled out of control. At eighteen I found myself in a place that I never imagined it would be. I quit high school with only three months until graduation, and soon after lost my best friend to suicide. Everything was crumbling around me and I decided to end it all. I attempted to take my life and woke up in the hospital with tubes and wires all over me. As they stood around my hospital bed my family pleaded with me to get help. I gave in to my family and attempted to get off drugs, but because I was just trying to please them my attempt was not successful. I began to use secretly and my addiction was bigger than before. I started dating someone and soon became pregnant. I was scared; I was not ready to quit using or to be a mom so I had an abortion. The moment the procedure was over I knew I had made a huge mistake. I started using more and more to mask the shame and pain that I felt. I was so overwhelmed with guilt; I couldn’t face myself or my family. I continued to work trying to maintain my crazy lifestyle and hurt my back. I had to have back surgery. I then began manipulating my doctors to get my drugs. My tolerance had grown so much that I started injecting the drugs because that was the only way I could get high. I got to the point that I could no longer support my habit so I started selling drugs. I did anything I could to feed my addiction. I was miserable and hopeless. I felt the only way I would ever be free of the bondage that had me wrapped so tightly was to die. God had other plans for my life! I attended church one Sunday and the Teen Challenge Choir was there and I gave my heart to the Lord. I knew that God was my only hope and I decided to go to Teen Challenge. I began to prepare to go to Teen Challenge and my past caught up with me; I was arrested for 5 drug delivery charges. I was facing five to sixty years in prison but I still was determined that Teen Challenge was where I needed to be. It took eight months but the judge released me to come to Appalachian Teen Challenge. I wake up each morning looking forward to what it holds and full of hope for what will be next. The life that I once thought was over, God has shown me has just begun.”

“My name is Angel and I’m 39 yrs old. Since I was 8, I knew my life wasn’t going in the right direction. My mother was a drinker and my father was never around. I was one of 8 children but I was the one that always got beaten. When I was fourteen, I decided to leave and do things on my own. I had no idea what I was getting into. I was drinking, smoking and selling drugs – I thought I was cool and important. During my addiction I had two daughters, as well as one son who passed away. I didn’t know how to handle that so I went out and did whatever drugs I could get my hands on. My addiction got much worse and eventually I was charged with a serious crime. I thought I would be going away for a long time. Knowing I needed to change, I asked God for help. I went to court and the Judge dropped my charges. Coming into Teen Challenge has turned my life around. My marriage is being restored and relationships with my family are being built up again. My old life has passed like the winter season and I am stepping into a fresh season of new beginnings. Praise the Lord!”

“My name is Angelo Vega and Im from New Jersey. At the age of 13, I started running with the wrong crowds and started getting into trouble with the law, in and out of institutions was a way of life for me. My drug addiction got so out of control that I would rob and steal to support my habit to the point that I would stick a needle in my arm. Then I had an overdose that almost took my life. At the hospital the doctor said that the amount of drugs found in my system should have killed me, but that was not enough for me. I still continued with a life of gang and drugs, until I ended up in Tennessee doing the same things. Finally it all came to an end when I was arrested for home invasion at gun point. In court, the judge sentenced me to 8 years in prison and one night I went to a church service where the preacher challenged us to invite Jesus into our heart and after the service, I went up to the preacher and he told me three years ago you almost died but God kept you alive. That shook me to my very core because I never knew this preacher and how could he know that about me. Thats when I started my journey with Christ. I ended up in South Central State Prison where I got involved with Teen Challenge and got discipled even further in my walk with Christ. Today God has blessed me beyond and above what I deserve. God has blessed me with a wonderful woman who I love and a place of ministry here at TN Valley Teen Challenge as one of the leaders helping others see their need for Jesus,…changing our community one life at a time.”

“My name is Ashley, I’m from Pittsburgh and I’m 23 years old. I fell into the wrong crowd when I was 14 and I started drinking and smoking weed and cigarettes. I ran away a lot and my parents didn’t really know how to control me. I was put into shelters, foster homes, detention centers, and I ended up in boot camp for juvenile delinquents. When I came home 7 1/2 months later I was still rebellious I just hid it for a while and then one day I thought that I was old enough to make my own decisions so I moved out. I really didn’t have much money so I got a job stripping because I got paid the same night I worked and I made money. That’s when I started to experiment with many other drugs. Four years went by quickly. I had an abusive boyfriend of four years and that was all I had. Reality started sinking in slowly and I called my mom for help, that’s when I first learned about Teen Challenge. My mom and dad asked me to move back in so I could do everything that I needed to do in order to get to Teen Challenge. I’ve now been here for six months and God has taught me to hate the things He hates. I now have a wonderful relationship with my family and God is still opening many doors.”

“My name is Autumn Savage and I am 27 years old. I am the oldest of five children, and grew up in a divorced home with parents that struggled with sin and addiction. At the age of 8, I was sexually abused by a babysitter and physically abused by my stepfather. My mother remarried a man that sexually abused me until I was 11. I matured quickly, seeking love and attention through prostituting myself to different gang members. Finding ways to escape my sins and pain, I began experiencing marijuana, alcohol and cocaine. My anger and hatred toward others and myself became fierce and I would cut myself, becoming suicidal, and aborting a blameless baby. My siblings were placed in foster care, and I moved in with my father and stepmother. Being very rebellious I became pregnant at 16, moved into an abusive relationship, and my drug use escalated from crystal meth to heroin. I became a walking dead person. Weighing a little over 100 pounds, I dropped to my knees out of desperation. I couldn’t bear to hear the evil voices any longer. God answered my prayer, I was in intensive care on a heart monitor for 7 days; this was a crucial time of physical withdrawal. Shortly after I was released, I fell back into drugs and continued in my sin. God got my attention through the suicide of my 16 year old brother. As I stood looking at my brother, I saw myself lying in the casket. I heard God’s voice say gently in my ear, life or death. Thank God for the Holy Spirit bringing me to Teen Challenge a place that has taught me to seek God and pray. God has been patient with me throughout my life; he has brought me to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. God is doing miracles of restoration and healing in my mind, childhood, and health. I have been born again. Psalm 34:4, I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Jesus is walking with me on this journey, teaching and guiding me, preparing me to be a witness to the brokenhearted. His promises I will always hold dear to my heart. Joshua 1:5, As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Isaiah 40:31, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not grow weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

“My name is Becky and I was born in Hermiston Oregon as a result of an affair. I’ve never felt like I was wanted. I felt like as I entered the world I destroyed my dad’s family. So my whole life I’ve striven for meaning, belonging and love. All I’ve wanted is to be accepted. My parents loved me but were very busy with a huge restaurant business that felt like it was more important than me. The words I don’t have time for this and you don’t understand were driven into my soul. I know my parents loved me but that were both hurt as children coming from very broken homes. They did the best they could do with what they had. They lavished me with expensive gifts and trips but this never met the needs of my soul for unconditional love and acceptance. As I grew into adulthood I continued to search for that emptiness to be filled. The easy route was to look for someone who was more broken than me. This lead to a life filled with negative choices. These life choices lead to dysfunctional relationships, separation from my family because of lifestyle choices, depression and a life of substance abuse. Not finding what I was looking for lead to a deeply frustrated life, which led to anger and violence, which lead to being guilt ridden for all that happened and all that I had done. I finally reached out to my sister because I hoped shed be willing to forgive me. God lead me to her. I heard Him say, let it fall apart, give in you don’t have to cling on to your home and this broken life any longer. I realized if I didn’t let go of the life I had I wouldn’t make it and neither would my children. I just had to follow Gods leading and trust. This is where I found Hannah’s House. My sister said she would take care of my son Luke for a year and I brought my daughter Leah with me. While at Hannah’s House, I am finding a sense of relief not having to live my life in fear. God is here with me and has his hands wrapped around me. I am able to breath and sleep with a feeling of safety. The staff here is always a good source of guidance that I never could find before. Teaching me that Jesus is my savior and my life of depression is forgiven. I have learned that the bad things I have gone through are just a way for God to bring me closer to Him. My sins are forgiven. I have also learned to forgive first, without question, to love always, and to be like Christ. I am anxious to find more ways to grow and make my life full of the Lord’s ways.”

“My name is Brad and this is my testimony about how I thought that the real world would never get the best of me and that I could do anything and everything on my own. I am 35 years old and I grew up spending most of my life in Martinsburg, WV. I came from a strong Christian family which allowed me to accept the Lord as my Savior at 8 years old. I attended church every Sunday, I was involved in youth group until the Teenage year when I began to get very busy with friends, girls, and playing sports. I was always very responsible and respected the authority of those around me. I followed all of the rules and tried to do the right thing because thats how I was raise. I didn’t smoke, drink, or even go to parties. I kept to myself and spent most for my free time playing sports. Immediately after high school I was blessed with a wonderful job, working in the law enforcement field with a government agency. I started to grow up very quickly and at this time, I felt as if I never had a true identity, at least in my eyes. I just wanted to be accepted so I started searching out into the world on my own. Only wanting to fit in and in an effort to be cool I found myself fading further away from God and putting church and religion on the back burner. With the new job I noticed that all of my new friends were smoking and drinking so I occasionally began to do this with them to fit in. By 21 I was beginning to move up the employment ladder at work and began to travel a lot, as time passed my occasional drinking turned into a regular habit for the next for years. By 2001 I started to drink daily and was introduced to cocaine. I has also began gambling heavily. To support my habits I started selling drugs while also using credit cards, both personal and government to sustain the addiction. Pretty soon this debt turned into a mountain of around $100,000. I was simply going through the motions during the day and trying to make it through the turmoil of work while living the \Street Life\” at night.”

“My name is Brandi. I was addicted to methamphetamines and heroin for a very long time. I was prescribed Ritalin and Xanax back in college that I took for twelve years. My son was removed from my care three months after he was born because of my drug addiction. The life I was living was nothing short of a nightmare. I was so depressed for so many years because of choices I made along the way. Finding the will to get out of bed, at times, seemed almost impossible. The thought of it would literally torment me. In my mind there was nothing worse than having to get up and actually face the life I had created for myself. I lived in misery and despair every minute of every day. The worst of it was all the racing thoughts I had all the time about what a miserable drugged out failure I was. I believed I wasn’t worth anything to anyone and I certainly wasn’t worth anything to God!!! I came to the end of the line. If I didn’t change the way I was living there is no question that I would surly die. I checked into Hannah’s House on Sept 4th, 2011 high on drugs. I was informed before my arrival that this program was a year long. Not a chance in this world was I going to stay in a program for a year. I was going to stay long enough to satisfy DHS, get my son back, and be on my way. That was my plan anyway. It turned out God had a very different plan. The day came six months after I got to Hannah’s House where Wyatt, my son, was returned to my care. My caseworker told me the state of Oregon was satisfied with the progress I had made and if I wanted I could choose to leave Hannah’s House. My plan, Gods Plan, my plan, Gods Plan??? God had begun a work in me all those months ago and I knew it. And I knew He wasn’t done yet. This wasn’t just about satisfying my caseworker, Wyatts attorney, my family, or myself anymore. I knew there was something much bigger going on here. God used my precious son as a catalyst for bringing me into a right relationship with Him. My life has been redeemed. God took me out of the nightmare I was living, dusted me off, and placed me on a solid foundation. His solid foundation. On this journey I learned about the forgiveness of Christ, His power to heal the wounded, and His life giving grace! Well I ended up going with Gods plan. I decided to stay the course and see this journey through to the end. It turns out my end didn’t come on September 4th, 2012. I didn’t complete my program until November 4th, 2012. God saw it fit to throw in a couple extra months at the end. Gods timing is a funny thing sometimes. Now to answer the question, what are you doing now Brandi? I decided after completing my program that I would stay at Hannah’s House for another year as an intern. I believe so fervently in the healing power of Jesus Christ that moves through this program I couldn’t see not continuing to be a part of it. I have been given such a tremendous opportunity to serve God by choosing to stay on and intern. I get to watch God do miracles in the lives of the women at Hannah’s House every day. I thank God for choosing me to walk beside the girls at Hannah’s House as they walk out of the unwholesome things that have been controlling their lives. I get to watch them walk out of addictions and life choices that have plagued them for so long. I have such a unique opportunity to be mentored by the greatest people I have ever met in my life. The staff at Hannah’s House is a group of people that God uses to aid Him in saving the lives of the women He brings there. I know this because I am one of those women. They are people that believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. When I didn’t believe in anything God used them to show me the way back home. I get to learn invaluable life lessons from them every day. The staff at Hannah’s House is just one of the countless blessings that God has poured into my life. Each and every day I wake up with a marvelous purpose. I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I get to be used by Him every day in the lives of struggling woman. Through this program I have learned how to overcome because I know with all my heart that God is with me every step of the way. I don’t wake up in a state of misery and despair anymore. I wake up focused on God and the call He has placed on my life. I wake up with a heart full of gratitude. I wake up with a desire to serve the one true God. And I wake up with a smile on my face!!! All the glory to God!”

“My name is Brandon K. and I am eighteen years old. Growing up I had a mother and a father who both loved me, but my father was an alcoholic. At fourteen years old it started to bother me that my father never really called me or tried to see me and mom was drinking every weekend. I started gaining more friends and started drinking and smoking weed. I joined the football team and became very well known. I tried to gain as many friends as possible to cover for my emptiness at home. By my sophomore year of high school I had tried every drug, but eventually found opiates which took over my life. I stole everything I came into contact with, ended up getting off the football team and kicked out of school. I started plotting armed robberies, home invasions, stealing from my best friends and family and the ones who meant the most to me with no remorse. I was in the darkest place of my life and there was no way out. My mom was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and I was hopeless. I lost everything, all my friends, family, jobs, and my girlfriend. My mom told me I needed rehab so I came to Long Island Teen Challenge. Since Ive been here I cant even believe who I am. I found the love of Jesus Christ. A love I have been searching for my who life, Ive accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and the first two weeks I was here I received a phone call from my mom crying saying that she has no more cancer in her body! I prayed and God answered. I am a walking, breathing miracle that God is amazing and He does save lives, and that we all have a purpose and destiny. He has called upon us to rise up an army and to use us to bring others to Christ so they can be changed as much as God has changed me. God is great and I cant get enough of Him!”

“My name is Charles WallowingBull Jr. and I graduated from Teen Challenge of the Dakotas in November of 2011. Before Teen Challenge I was a wreck. I used drugs, alcohol, family members and others to get what I wanted. I had the mindset that I could do whatever I wanted, and do whatever it took to get what I wanted. I was driven to reach worldly success through any means necessary. I was however; completely blind to the fact that drug and alcohol use was dragging me down in a hurry. I was in and out of jail from 2007-2010. I had 3 DUI’s and a number of drug and alcohol related convictions. I grew up in the church so I knew from a young age God was the answer to all my current problems with the law and myself. I always thought it depended on my efforts to \get right with Him.\” After many failed attempts to \”get right with God”

“My name is Chris J. I am 20 years old. I came from a good Christian home. At the age of 16, my grandmother died; and instead of turning to Christ, I turned to sin. I became very rebellious and very prideful. Pot and alcohol took over my life. I wouldn’t come home for days because at that time the party life was my desire. I finally came to the end of myself. At my point of desperation, I came to Teen Challenge and made a full surrender of my life to Jesus Christ. It’s now my desire to know Him, serve Him, praise and worship Him who saved me.”

“My name is Daniel and Im twenty-two years old. I’ve been saved by the grace of God, but I haven’t always walked this path. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I was addicted to pain pills and alcohol. My life was going nowhere fast. Between incarcerations and rehabs, I was wrapped up in a life of sin. Teen Challenge opened my eyes and my heart up to Jesus Christ who came and died for my sins, so that I may live in eternity with Him. I recently gave my life over to Him after returning to Teen Challenge. Initially, I was unwilling to change my ways and was ultimately kicked out of the program. Now I’m back with a new outlook on life and living for my Savior, who rescued me from a deep, dark place. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. My future is looking bright and Im happy to say, I am redeemed!”

“My name is Danielle D. I am 34 years old, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Alcohol and the lusts of this world consumed my life for the past 12 years. My life of sin brought me down many paths of destruction, causing hurt and pain to loved ones around me. Sin has no boundaries and it is never satisfied. Anything good in my life, I eventually lost because of wrong decisions and putting my trust in the lusts of this world. (John 10:10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. By the grace of God I am alive today. Since coming to Teen Challenge I have found love, peace and joy through Jesus Christ. I know the truth and I am set free from the bondage to sin. I have a personal relationship with the Lord, and I no longer have to fight this old world alone. Hallelujah!”

“My name is Danny. I am 22 years old, and from Marion, Iowa. I want to tell you what Teen Challenge has done for my life. Shortly after I was born in Chicago, Illinois, my family moved to Marion, Iowa. My parents divorced when I was five, and my mother raised me as a single mother. She did the best she could, and I am grateful for that. There was a generational curse of addiction in my family, and it fell on me. When I was 12, I started smoking marijuana, and when I was 15, I had my first overdose on painkillers. This is also the first time I attended a secular rehab program, where they said I would be a drug addict for the rest of my life. By the time I was 16, I had tried every drug, but was becoming dependent on opiates, and had just started using heroin. At the age of 17, I started injecting heroin, and from then on, I lost everything to that drug. I sold all of my belongings, and lost all respect for myself, and from my family. I would do anything to get my fix. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I died 4 times, and had been to 6 secular rehab programs to try to get clean, but failed every time. There was a hole in my heart, and no matter what I tried to fill it with, I still felt empty inside. I ran from state to state trying to outrun my addiction. Little did I know, I wasnt running from my addiction; I was running from myself. I had just been kicked out of my uncles house in Maryland for falling back into heroin, and returned to Iowa, when my mom suggested Teen Challenge. I had absolutely no interest in spending a year of my life at a place called Teen Challenge, but after more months of hopelessness, I figured I would give myself one last chance to live free from addiction. So, I went to Teen Challenge. I made it one day, and then had to go to the hospital to detox. I had no intention of going back to the program, but something inside told me I had to give it a chance. When I first got back, I had a problem with disobedience, but I soon realized how important obedience is in this life, and to following God. Teen Challenge has taught me how to recognize Gods voice, and how to become a real man of God. When I first heard Gods voice, He told me to stop believing all the lies that I had been believing throughout my life. He said that He died for me, and that I am not worthless, but that I am an heir to the throne! By God saving me, I have learned that no one is too far down for Gods loving hands to get a hold of. I knew a little bit about God before coming to Teen Challenge, but now I seek His face daily. I want to truly know God. I know this walk will not be easy, and perseverance and faith are absolutely key in our walk with Christ. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4. Christ has broken the chains that once held me down. Whats more, He has also destroyed the generational curse of addiction, so that when I have children, they will grow up free in our Lord Jesus Christ. I am here today because of what Teen Challenge has taught me. I guess the doctors were right about something; I will be an addict forever. No longer an addict of heroin, but an addict of seeking the Lord, and following Him in all that I do. Thank you for your time, and I pray that God shines His love on you, and lets you know of His amazing love, as He has done for me.”

“My name is Dianne. I came to Hannah’s House in 2011 completely broken and desperately wanting to be loved. This is my story of what God has done in my life through the Teen Challenge program, and what He is continuing to do after. I grew up in a normal family and I was active in church from a young age. Around age 12, I began to question my self-worth and went through that awkward stage many pre-teens do. My awkward stage didn’t come and go as it does for many though. Instead it turned into a life controlling obsession with weight, food, and exercise which lasted over ten years of my life. My eating disorder was my best friend, but also my worst enemy which kept me a slave to my body and outward appearance. I was running myself into the ground, literally. My obsession with being thin became insatiable. I could never reach my own standards, and there was no low enough number on the scale. My quest for perfection left me desperate and exhausted for any relief I could find. I turned to drugs and alcohol, experimenting with whatever I could find to take away my appetite and my feelings; I just wanted to be numb and escape the pain inside of me. I was tired of failing, not being good enough, and not feeling worthy of even my familys love. I began excessively drinking and justifying my alcohol abuse because it was legal. I reached a breaking point in 2011 when I crashed my car driving intoxicated at 5 times the legal limit. As if my car accident wasn’t bad enough, the amount of alcohol I had in my system alone was considered lethal. By the grace of God I didn’t injure anyone else on the road that night other than myself, and the Lord saved my life that night. I woke up not sure why I was still alive, but I was mad that I did. I knew couldn’t pull it together anymore on my own. I was convinced that alcohol had a death grip on my life and I saw no way out other than trying to take my own life. But God had other plans for my life, and didn’t allow me to take the easy way out. I began to cry out to God at this point, saying God you wont let me die, so help me live. I had been in introduced to the Teen Challenge program many times before but laughed at the idea of a one year program. However, at this point in my life I knew I had nowhere else to go and out of despair I applied to come to Hannah’s House. On July 18, 2011 I came into the program. When I arrived, my heart was so hard I would barely speak to anyone. I was just going through the motions until God allowed me to experience his discipline and show me that I was strong enough to face my past if I allowed him to carry me. God changed my life at Hannah’s House. Having a relationship with Jesus was such a foreign concept to me because I was so far removed from him. The staff and students at Hannah’s House showed me love and accepted me at my lowest point ever, which was tangible proof of the love of God. I learned what it meant to truly walk with Christ, and was given the tools I needed to find my way back to Jesus. He faithfully showed me that He could break the chains that kept me in the bondage of sin and the obsession with my weight. I learned to love myself again and I learned that I love life sober because He brings me joy that surpasses all understanding. I know that I don’t have to try to be perfect because He created me in his image. After months of facing my issues, renewing my mind with the word of God and replacing the lies with His truth I graduated Teen Challenge July 2012. I felt the Lord calling me to doing the TCMI Student Internship with Teen Challenge. It was a prompting on my heart that I could not ignore even though I kept asking God if he was sure thats what he wanted me to do. I had a desire to continue to follow Him, so I stepped out in faith knowing I needed to walk in obedience. Staying to do TCMI was the best decision of my life, and as a result I am stronger in my firm foundation of Christ than ever. In November, God showed me how big he really is by taking me to Uganda with a team of Teen Challenge Staff members. Who was I that he would choose me? God moved in my life in supernatural ways through this trip, and I was truly blessed by the people and my experience in Uganda. It put a burden on my heart for international missions I hope to follow if that is Gods will for my life. I moved to Boise, Idaho where I have had amazing opportunities to serve God. I got to help open the Boise Girls Academy which the first adolescent in the Pacific Northwest region of Teen Challenge. I worked there with a team of volunteers and staff to build the program from the ground up. Since the Academy has opened, It has been my goal to give back to the students there what had been given to me in my program. I have been able to witness to girls with hurting hearts, speak truth into their lives and share the love of Christ with them. It has been the most rewarding experience and I pray that God will continue to glorify himself through the lives changed at the Boise Girls Academy. Hannah’s House and Teen Challenge has served as a mediator that brought me back to God, back to my family, and back to the person Jesus Christ intended me to be. I am now walking in freedom and sometimes I still cant believe that this is my life. It is so much more than I could have ever dreamed for. I am genuinely happy and my smile is real. He took my bad choices and all my pain and used them for good! Romans 8:28 says We know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to his purposes. The Lord can do that for any of us who come to Him, which is why I tell my story. I hope to inspire others, and help those stuck in the cycle of addiction see that there is a way out. For me, it was not a 12 step program; it was a 1 step program right into the arms of Jesus Christ. I thank God for saving my life over and over again, and for the Teen Challenge Program. I know that I would not be alive today if it had not been for Him leading me here. Today I have dreams, a promising future, the security of eternal life, and I am ready to go wherever God tells me to go. There is nothing more that I could ask for. Thank you Jesus!”

“My name is Dirk D. I am 46 years old and I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grew up in a very loving, Christian family. We spent a lot of time together, a lot of time in church, thankfully. Because of this, I knew about God and that Jesus Christ was the way to salvation. But, in my early 20’s, I rebelled. Instead of seeking God and His will for my life, I fell into sin and began to drink. It started with a few beers on the weekend in college. But as years progressed, my drinking grew out of control. Despite my sin, God blessed me with a wonderful, Christian wife, three beautiful boys, and a great job. From society’s perspective, I had everything. I was a youth group leader, a deacon in my church – but, I had a hole in my heart I believed only alcohol could fill. I drank even more. Eventually, I lost my job. I lost my friends and much of my family. I was in my second detox center and on the phone with the only people who really wanted to talk to me anymore- my children. My 12-year old son Parker said, Dad I think you should try Teen Challenge. I asked him why. Because, he replied, their rally team came to my school yesterday, and I want you to go there. I believe God spoke to me through my son that day, and I came to Teen Challenge. The love and the peace of Christ was so evident in the faces of those around me. The staff and the students loved me when I couldn’t love myself. It was at the altar in the Teen Challenge Chapel that I truly submitted my will and my life to the Lord. But, I’m very stubborn and hardheaded. I need to submit to God daily and pray, Lord, Thy will be done. James 4:7 & 8 are verses that truly speak to me. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and He will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. I’m so grateful to Teen Challenge for introducing me to what I consider a 3-step program that truly fills that hole in my heart. I know that if I submit, draw near to God, and resist the devil, that God will never leave me. God will give me the desire to serve Him in any circumstance.”

“My name is Doreco C. I am 39 years old from Muskegon. Thanks be to the Lord for saving my life! I started dealing crack cocaine at the age of fifteen. By the age of eighteen I was indicted by the grand jury and sentenced to prison for 5 years. After prison, I fell victim again to dealing crack cocaine and was once again convicted and sentenced to prison for 7 more years. During those years I learned about Jesus, but never accepted Him into my heart. After prison I ended up with 3 DUI’s and was sent to jail. While in jail the chaplain introduced me to Teen Challenge. Since coming here I have finally accepted Jesus into my heart. Having this opportunity has given me a new outlook and chance at life. I no longer talk the same, think the same, or feel the same. Thank God for His hand on my life the whole time! The verse I stand on is Psalm 37:23-24-The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delightest in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

“My name is Dr. Steven A and I am 51 years old. I started drinking at the age of 14, smoking marijuana at 18, and when I was 18 and in college I eloped with my high school sweetheart. On our honeymoon, the plane crashed and she was killed. I survived: however, I had lost the one good thing in my life. It was at this point in my life that I turned my back on the Lord. I was committing almost every sin: drinking, doing drugs, dealing drugs, stealing, and acting out violently. While in human anatomy lab, dissecting a human body, I heard a voice say, I am your Lord. I paid no attention to this warning and I kept on living a life of sin. I continued in this lifestyle until six years ago when a Christian woman came into my life. The Lord blessed me with this woman as my wife and I half-heartedly began to serve God. I continued to drink and my new life and marriage began to fall apart, my children ran away from home, and my medical practice began to fall apart. It was the prayers of my wife, Linda, and our Christian friends that led me to Teen Challenge. I was completely broken when I walked through the doors. The pastors and staff have showered me with God’s love and I am learning to have a relationship with Christ. I was touched by Luke 6:21, Blessed are ye that hunger now, for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep for ye shall laugh. I have accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and through Him I have become a new creature. I have been cured from diabetes, my marriage has been restored, and I am praying for the salvation of my children. The most important change is that I have a new best friend in Jesus Christ and I will spend the rest of my life spreading His Word. I am so very grateful for the change He has made in my life through Teen Challenge.”

“My name is Fallon. I am 19 years old from Southern Illinois. I was raised in a very abusive, unstable, and dysfunctional home. I do not know my father and ever since I can remember my mom has been an addict; whether it was pills, alcohol, or hard drugs, she always had a problem. Most of the time, my mom was either too high or not high enough to take care of her children, so the responsibility of taking care of my four younger siblings and myself fell on me. On top of that, my mom was very abusive, both mentally and physically. I lived in fear and every single day was a struggle. But thank God for an aunt who took me to church with her every chance she got, I did not realize it at the time, but now I understand that the seed of the gospel was being planted in me. When I was about 11, I lost touch with my aunt. By the time I was 14 years old I had quit school and my mom had introduced me to methamphetamine. At the age of 15, my mom shot me up for the first time. From there, things progressively got worse. When I was barely 17. I ran away from my mom, all the abuse, and the drugs. However, I ran into more abuse and more drugs. I met a man, much older than me who dealt and manufactured methamphetamine. We became very close and at the age of 17, I was a full-blown junky. One night last September, after I had been hiding out from the law for several months, I was sitting alone in my boyfriend’s apartment I weighed 79 pounds. I had not eaten or slept in days, and I was so miserable. I did not want to die, but l knew that I could not keep living the way I was living for very much longer. I knew that something was going to have to give. So sitting there in that apartment by myself with no one to turn to, my mind went back to when I was a little girl in church with my aunt I remembered all the love and peace I felt in the presence of God Almighty. My heart longed for that again. I began to cry, and I said. \God”

“My name is Gabriel. I’m 21 years old. I am from Lansing, Michigan. As far as I can remember, my mother was an alcoholic and drug addict. Life for me as a child was very stressful. When I was eight years old, my parents divorced and things continually got worse. At the age of 12, I began to experiment with alcohol and drugs. At the age of 16, my mother introduced me to crack cocaine. Then my life really fell apart. I began robbing my family to support my habit. I continued to use more and more crack cocaine to fill the void I felt deep inside me. I began stealing credit cards from my dad. I would send money transfers to myself on my dad’s credit cards and even ordered more credit cards in my dad’s name until the credit card company called my dad. He gave me a choice to enroll in Teen Challenge or live on the streets. I came to Teen Challenge, stayed for one week and then my dad let me go back home. I still didn’t get what God had for me. I started doing the same things again. More crack cocaine, more stealing, more robbing, more pain, and more loneliness. I just wanted to be loved. This time, I ran up over $12,000 on credit cards, and once again my dad found out. This time he threatened me with prosecution or Teen Challenge. Again I entered Teen Challenge and stayed for one week. Again I went back home. Again I still didn’t get what God had for me and again I began smoking crack cocaine. Then I spent my college funds of $15,000 on crack cocaine. After this, I became depressed and thought about suicide. I hated the person I had become. For the first time in my life, I knew I needed to change, and deep down inside I wanted to change. Once again I decided to come to Teen Challenge. My father bought my ticket and put me on the bus. As soon as he drove away I got off the bus and told the bus driver I wanted my bags. But at the last minute something inside of me told me to get back on the bus. I did. I had a pocket full of crack, and I smoked it all the way here. Immediately God began to work in my life. I’ve been here for seven months now, and for the first time in my life I feel the love I so much desired. I am now learning the peace of God. I now have hope and faith that God has a wonderful plan for my life. I am so thankful God never gave up on me even when I gave up on myself.”

“My name is Gabriele. I am 33 years old and Iam from Delaware. I was brought up in a strict military home. I was emotionally and physically abused. My parents divorced when I was 13 and this is when I went from all rules to no rules. Boys, pot, alcohol, and tobacco began in my life. Like any other teenager I just wanted to be loved. Looking for acceptance I fell into the wrong group. Before I knew what I had gotten myself into, I was surrounded by darkness. I maintained this self-mutilating lifestyle for years. The epitome of dysfunction. When I was 25, I was the sole survivor in a horrific car accident. My boyfriend and my mom’s boyfriend burned to death and I was pulled to safety and medevacd to the hospital. This is when my drug addiction went to crack and heroin, anything under the sun. I met a man, married him and got pregnant. I had a beautiful little girl. I had no idea what to do with her or how to love her consistently. I was so selfish and addicted. I didn’t even love myself. My husband and I separated and I began dating another man. We turned an innocent one-day trip to the zoo with my daughter into a five-hour crack binge. I never dreamed I would ever expose my daughter to such evil. My mind was so messed up. I couldn’t figure out how this happened. To protect my daughter I had to be stopped. I called 911 to turn myself in, and handed my beautiful angel over to my sister. I wanted to put a gun in my mouth and be done with life. But God had another plan. I searched the internet for a drug rehab program. The only program with any type of success rate was Teen Challenge (86%). I didn’t want God; I just wanted to figure out what was wrong with me. Well, that’s what was wrong. I didn’t have God. When I walked through the doors of Teen challenge that first day, 17 years of addiction and darkness fell from me. Jesus delivered me and set me free. The Lord knew it would take the dearest thing to my heart, my daughter, to draw me to Him. Today, the Bible is my guide to life. I am truly alive for the first time. I had been so close to death, but now I am bursting with LIFE. I want to be an instrument of God to lead other sinners out of darkness. There is away out. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. My daughter now has the best mom… a spirit-filled, Jesus loving Christian. Revelation 12:11 \And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb”

“My name is Glenn and I am 30 years old from West Palm Beach, Florida. I grew up in a divided home with an alcoholic, atheistic father and a loving, supportive, Christian mother. Needless to say, I was a confused child and sought the world for answers to all of life’s questions. I believed that worldly success, money and material things would satisfy and fulfill my deepest needs and provide happiness. I began to experiment with alcohol and drugs as a means of escape in high school, but still managed to graduate with honors. By the age of 22, I had a successful sales career with one of the world’s leading internet companies. I was making the money, driving the car and living the lifestyle that the world said I needed to be happy; but I was utterly miserable inside. I returned again to the drugs and alcohol I found comfort in as a youth. By the age of 25, I had lost everything, overdosed several times, and was addicted to heroin and cocaine. I became suicidal at this time and overdosed on three large bottles of Phenobarbital. The enormous quantity of pills shut down my liver, kidneys and ate nine large holes in the lining of my stomach then I died. But God had other plans for me and raised me from the dead! The doctors said I would be permanently damaged from the effects of the overdose. I would have severe ulcers and my organs would never again function normally. But I prayed and the Lord heard me from Heaven! Today, I am completely healed and restored back to health with no effects remaining from the overdose. I immediately knew that God was real and that He loved me. Teen Challenge has helped me to capture that love in my heart. The Bible study program here is very nurturing and stabilizing. Today, I have a personal relationship with the Lord that saved me. He’s given me a peace I’ve never known and joy inexpressible. My only desire is to worship and serve Him for the rest of my life.”

“My name is Glenn J. I grew up attending church. I remember getting excited when hearing the Pastor and being motivated by his sermons. So, I was introduced to God at an early age. I graduated from high school and went to college; however, I rarely went to church and found myself starting to drift into the worlds’ seductive party lifestyle. I started drinking and club hopping, trying to fit in. That led to cocaine usage, which began to lock its tight grip on me. As a result, I dropped out of college and lost a potential minor league basketball career. With the drug usage and the disappointment of my college career – sadness, bitterness and hopelessness set in. Since I entered Teen Challenge I’ve come back to Jesus and made Him Lord of my life. Now I can honestly say that I truly have peace and I’m happy again. Today I have a hope and desire to be a blessing to those I come in contact with. Thank God for His holy spirit that guides me.”

“My name is Greg M. I’m 46 years old from Detroit, Michigan. I came out of a very good Christian family and learned who Jesus was at an early age. I knew right from wrong and was taught to respect my elders, as well as others. I got involved in playing the trumpet at the age of 9, by the time I was 14, I was playing professionally. I started a second career as an account executive in the computer and information technology industry upon obtaining a business degree. It seemed as though I was just blessed in everything I did. Needless to say, sin became very prevalent in my lifestyle, and at the age of 30, I was introduced to crack cocaine. This started a 16-year descent to total darkness. I became a person that I hated and lost my desire to live. I ended up jobless, homeless, and penniless living in the midst of a world of violence behind crack house doors. I turned into the type of person I despised. One day a tragic event occurred which turned my head towards Teen Challenge, a seed that had been planted by a friend 4 years ago. Since coming to Teen Challenge, my hope and confidence has been restored. I now have a personal relationship with Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I am learning how to love again and reach out to others. My relationships with family are slowly being restored and new desires are being put in my heart. I recently began to play my horn again at Teen Challenge, a desire the devil had stripped from me. I look forward to my next few months in the program, which will strengthen my relationship with the Lord. I thank God for my life today, and I give Him all the glory.”

“My name is Greg. I am 44 years old. I was born into a very strong Christian family from Kentucky. My parents made certain that I was in church every time the doors were opened, especially since I was the preacher’s son. I received Jesus Christ as my personal savior at the age of 14. I worked with the youth, I sang in the choir, and I taught Sunday school. But peer pressure and the lusts of the world drew me away from my faith. By the time I graduated from high school, I had experimented with every drug that I knew of. Little did I know that one of those drugs would enslave me for nearly 20 years. That drug was cocaine. Cocaine became my life. At the age of 25, I was a full-blown cocaine addict. Then I tried crack cocaine for the first time, becoming an even worse addict. I had a beautiful wife, two wonderful sons and everything materially that I had ever dreamed of having. My wife and I formed a corporation consisting of a restaurant and a distributorship. We had 27 franchises doing TV commercials and co-op advertising with Delta Airlines. During our last year of marriage, we made nearly $500.000. Yet I was a complete mess and the most miserable person in the world. When my wife and I divorced, I walked away from my family, my businesses, and everything materially that I had acquired in my life. For the last 12 years I’ve battled this cocaine addiction still sitting in the church my father pastors; praying weekly for God to let me die, all the time refusing to submit to the Holy Spirit. The conviction was so intense and overwhelming that I could not fellowship or converse with my family, my friends, or the church members. I couldn’t even sit through a salvation invitation. Every week, I would leave church weeping month after month, for the last 12 years. I just wanted to end this insanity and die. I’ve been arrested several times. I’ve been in four secular rehabs and attempted suicide four times. The last suicide attempt nearly took my life. I was in critical condition for seven days, I received 17 liver treatments, and I was hospitalized for 27 days. Yet four weeks after being released, I was doing cocaine again still praying to die. My father came to me and asked me to come to church to hear some students from Teen Challenge. A girl was there from my church who had been a cocaine addict too, and I saw the transformation in her life. She had exactly what I had been searching for all my life. A month later, I came to Teen Challenge here in Muskegon, Michigan. When I walked through the doors, the presence of the Almighty God fell on me. I turned around and walked out telling my parents. \I can’t do this. With tears in their eyes”

“My name is Harrison Williams, Im 24 years old, and from a small town called Umatilla, FL. I started using marijuana at an early age. I said I would never use anything else. But when pot wasnt enough to satisfy my flesh, I started using heavier drugs including pain medication, which led to needles. Then the pain meds controlled my life so much that I was stealing from my own family, the people that brought me into this world and raised me. I got arrested and was facing 10 years in prison and my family turned their backs on me. I was told about Teen Challenge by a family friend who went, graduated, and was now a staff member at the Long Island program. So as tears ran down my face and I had lost all hope for life, I told God that I’ve tried on my own and look where I ended up! I submit to You, do with me what You will! So I showed up and suddenly remembered a Scripture my mother told many times growing up, Philippians 4:13 All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me. Now everyday God is blessing me. He has restored my relationship with my family. Im now allowed to see my 2 year old nephew, and my father has told me he’s proud of me for the first time since I was a child. Ive learned that the path of light is hard but the gifts are infinite and stored in heaven for eternity. Thank you God for giving me life!”

“My name is Heather M. I am 33 years old, from Traverse City, Michigan. I was very young when a member of my family sexually abused me. This abuse destroyed my image of self, love, and others. I lived my life through that hurt and confused emotions. Eventually I turned to drugs, doing whatever I felt necessary to stay high. I completed several secular rehab programs and counseling trying to get my life together. But each time I just returned to the drugs, worse than before. Finally, desperate and hopeless I found myself in a hospital, wishing for death. My ex-husband and father of my two children told me about Teen Challenge. Since I have been here, God has restored hope to my family, and me and given me peace in my mind. I’m learning to see myself as pure and innocent. I no longer need to yield myself to sin and wickedness. I am a daughter of the utmost high King and yield myself to pleasing Him. I want to help others who have gone through similar things to experience this love. I am redeemed, washed clean, made whole, and forgiven! Romans 8:1-2, So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus, and because you belong to Him the power of the life giving spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

“My name is Henry G.; I am 26 years old. When I graduated high school, I went to Bible College hoping to become a pastor. After a failed relationship and a broken heart, I sought to heal myself by masking my pain with another attempt at love. The girl I became involved with was a crack addict and soon I was one as well. This bondage continued for two years, not a long time, but enough to destroy any remnant of hope I had left. I lost my family, my desire for life, any identity I had, and my will to live all at the end of a crack pipe. One night, I came to my senses and found my way back home. My mother was praying for me as I knocked on the door, praying that I would change my life. When I entered Teen Challenge I was an angry heartbroken man, but God still met me. He didn’t care who I had been. He cared about what He could make me. Even though I had made a mess of my life, He took the broken pieces of a broken heart and is mending them into something beautiful. I can now live knowing that my past is forgiven and forgotten. My new life began at the cross when I gave my life to Him. Because of that, I can live a life of no regrets, knowing that He holds my future. I have a new and living hope in Jesus.”

“My name is Isaac and I’m from the central Kentucky area. I mostly grew up in the small town of Winchester just outside of Lexington. I was blessed with loving, Christian parents and a unique childhood. I am the oldest of seven children (all from the same two parents). We all were home schooled and grew up with a strong biblical background. From an early age I knew that God had gifted me in the areas of creativity and music and that I was to use those gifts to serve Him wholeheartedly. However, in my later teenage years I started holding on to a lot of un-forgiveness and resentment towards my parents and I became extremely angry and bitter towards them. I began to see the way I was raised as boring, controlling, and overly conservative. When I was eighteen my family moved to Kansas City in response to the direction that God gave them to be involved with the International House of Prayer. Instead of going with them, I chose to ignore God and follow my own path. I began heavily using drugs and alcohol on a daily basis and partying became my life, it was all I did. My whole life became a hellish roller coaster ride of drugs, alcohol, and jail. I got to the point where dealing drugs and shooting up consumed all my time and energy. In 2008, just after my 23rd birthday, I found out that my girlfriend Bethany was pregnant and I knew that the way we were living would have to change if we were to raise a child; instead, I ignored the reality check and continued down the path I was on. I started making counterfeit money in November which was the final straw. I was picked up by the police and charged with trafficking narcotics and forgery. I was looking at 18 years in prison. Overwhelmed by that thought, I cried out to God while I was in jail and asked Him for mercy. Two months later, despite what everyone expected, I was sentenced to only 360 days with no felonies which shocked even my own lawyer. After 3 months in jail I transferred to Chad’s Hope Teen Challenge where I began to develop a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. My time at Chad’s Hope was a God ordained mixture of personal refreshment and absolute emotional turmoil. Jesus used that time to show me that I mattered enough to Him that he would rake me over the coals of His cleansing fire just so that I could have a relationship with him (Hebrews 12:6) and be a co-heir with Him in heaven. Through a complicated set of circumstances God brought me to the place where I saw that I could either completely surrender to Him and his love or I could continue to resist and completely miss out on what He had for me. Thankfully, I chose to surrender everything regardless of the cost. I cannot emphasize enough how critical that decision was. I have been blessed so far beyond what I anticipated because of that choice. After graduation in 2010, I obeyed the Lord’s direction and moved to Kansas City to be a part of the IHOP-KC community. The Lord has continued what he started in me when I entered Chads Hope by guiding us (my wife Bethany and I…yes, we got married!) into a \Sermon on the Mount\” lifestyle of humility”

“My name is Jake H. I’m 20 years old from Byron Center, Michigan. I grew up in a loving Christian home, but in high school I got into the party scene. After high school, I continued that life style and ended up in a lot of trouble. I landed in court 5 times, jail 2 times, and put on probation twice in 8 months. After being lost for so long and becoming so tired of the path I was on, I turned to Teen Challenge. Since being here, my life has completely changed. I have a natural joy, hope, and happiness that I haven’t felt for years. I’m so thankful for Teen Challenge, and I can’t wait to see what God has for me in my future. The verse I stand on is Philippians 3:13, Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

“My name is James and I am 27. I grew up in Brookings, SD. I was raised to basically worship money and worldly things; and I pretty much got what I wanted. It all came to and end in 2009, when I got arrested for writting about $25,000.00 in bad checks. I spent 13 months in jail in 4 different counties and two states. I was getting slaps on the wrist up until the last jail i was in. My probation officer said maybe I should try getting into Teen Challenage so I talked to brother Mike over the phone and he gave me an induction date. I thought it would be easy and I thought I could just go through the motions, but boy was I wrong. It took me two months before I started to let go of my pride and start seeking God. I now have been out of Teen Challenge for almost a year. The best part is that I have a relationship with God and I have a realionship with my two boys. I know how to be a father now because I follow what God says and I know there is more to life than living for myself. Since being out of Teen Challenage I got married and now we have 5 kids between the two of us; and come July, we will have 6. Needless to say we stay busy! This summer I will be starting Liberty University and I’ve been doing Global University course also, so i can sow God’s word and dedicate the rest of my life serving Him and helping change people’s lives like my life was changed. There is no other cure for selfishness, pride and a heart of stone than the love of God and the love that the TCD staff show. I’m thankful every day that I went through Teen Challenge and that they didn’t give up on a sinner like me. God bless, James”

“My name is Jennifer and I am 35 years old. I was raised in a Christian Reformed home with very godly parents. Every time the church was open we were there. When I graduated from High School I went off to college and stopped going to church. I got away from God and started doing the selfish things of the world. Whatever was exciting, entertaining and popular is what I was into. After college I landed a very successful sales position. However, I was diagnosed with a medical condition and was prescribed the pain medication vicodin. I loved it! I took it every day. When that doctor stopped prescribing it, I went to another doctor. When that doctor stopped I went to another, and soon I was doctor hopping all over the State of Michigan. I would take any prescribed narcotic that I could get and this continued for the next eight years. Through all of this I was miserable and empty inside, so I started going to therapists and psychiatrists to find out what was wrong with me. They diagnosed me with ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety and bi-polar and started prescribing me medications for these conditions on top of what I was already taking. In January of 2004, a doctor busted me for doctor hopping and sent me to my first secular rehab. This is where I met people who introduced me to the drugs heroine and crack cocaine and my life fell apart. Over the next two years, I was in and out of seven different rehabs and detox centers and I was locked up in a state mental institution. I totally lost my sales career. This past January I was alone in a sleeze-bag motel in Grand Rapids doing whatever I had to do to get the drugs. I had no car, no job, and was homeless. I had no contact with my family, they were done with me. I was in complete darkness. That’s when I cried out to God. He brought back to my remembrance Teen Challenge and for the first time I felt a sense of hope. He gave me the strength to call my mother, and she will testify today that she had been praying and an hour later the phone rang. You see, God had already started working. Two weeks later, I came skipping through the doors of Teen Challenge because I had already begun to experience God’s peace. I do not have ADD, ADHD, bi-polar or depression. I sleep soundly every night and I don’t wake up with that awful pit in my stomach trying to figure out how to get through the day. I am learning to rest under the protection and care of Jesus. I am eternally grateful and very thankful. To God be the glory!”

“My name is Jennifer. I am 38 years old. I am from Logan County Kentucky. I can round up my testimony in one scripture and that is: Jeremiah 31:19 (NLT) I turned away from God, but then I was sorry, I kicked myself for my stupidity! I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days. I was raised in Chicago and ran with a gang. I started drinking at 12 yrs. old and then my addiction escalated to other drugs, then to making Meth. God is healing me in various ways each and every day. Philippians 4:13(NLT) For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Hold on to the faith you have and don’t let go for what you are struggling with God will bind up and throw as far as the east is to the west. God is good, just trust him.”

“My name is Jenny. I am 30 years old. I wasn’t raised in the ways of the Lord, so I didn’t recognize God’s hand on my life until I met Him 9 months ago when I came to Teen Challenge. My father physically and verbally abused me until the age of 13. I was allowed to stop visitations with him at that age, but the damage was done. I held onto a lot of fear and felt a lot of shame. I started experimenting with pot and alcohol at that same age. I loved the scene and made it a lifestyle from that point on. My life became really destructive early on. I got my first DUI when I was 19, and by the age of 24, I had my third. I knew I had a problem, but there was an emptiness in my life that I couldn’t live with when I was sober. I was introduced to oxycotin and instantly I felt like that void was filled. Very quickly my life spun out of control. I was so dependent on these pills. I worked just to afford my habit, anything else I needed or wanted I would steal. It didn’t take long for me to lose my job. I became very isolated, the only reason I would leave the house was to steal and to buy or sell drugs. I remember feeling so defeated and hopeless. I didn’t know God, but He knew I needed His help and He knew how to get my attention. I sold oxycotin to an undercover agent and was given a two-year sentence. But, God is faithful! He continued to keep His hand on me. After serving 5 months on my sentence, the judge offered Teen Challenge to me. Since I’ve been here, I have turned my heart over to the Lord. I have learned the truth, and I have allowed Jesus to change my life. He has separated me from my sin and liberated me from bondage. The desire for sin in my life is gone. I am learning how to serve God, and how to be holy. I thank God for the work He is doing in my heart, and I praise Jesus for the freedom He has given me.”

“My name is Jeremy, I am 26 years old and from Sacramento, CA. I grew up in a broken home without discipline. I was picked on as a child due to a speech impediment that I had caused from a tracheotomy performed on me as an infant. I didn’t talk until I was 4 years old and no one could understand what I was saying except my brother up until the age of 10. I had no Christian role models in my life because no one I knew went to Church. I started using marijuana at the age of 13 and that opened up the doors for me to use other drugs. I was a full blown meth addict at the age of 15. This drug numbed me and took my mind off the realities of life. Due to my heavy meth addiction, everything that was important to me slipped out of my fingers and I lost total control of my life. I lost my longtime girlfriend, ruined friendships, and destroyed things in my life that meant a lot to me. People that loved me and were concerned with my drug and alcohol use, helped me get sober multiple times, but I was in a never ending cycle. I would get clean for a few months and then go back to using because I couldn’t handle the stress of life. I chose the only way out that I knew of, and that was getting high. I got to the point in my addiction where I couldn’t take it anymore. Committing suicide looked like my best option. My sister-in-law realized I was taking a turn for the worst and she told me I needed help. She told me about her friend (Bryan D) that had graduated the Teen Challenge program and how his life had changed dramatically. I called up Central Oregon Teen Challenge and they accepted me into their program. I sold everything that I had, and got on a bus and headed to COTC. Leaving my old life behind wasn’t hard because I was tired of living a reckless life, and constantly hurting the people that loved me. On September 13, 2011 I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. He filled a void in my heart that I had lacked for many years. Since being in the program I can look in the mirror and like the person I see. My reading level has improved dramatically and my understanding of the Bible and what it teaches has spurred me to repent from my old lifestyle. I don’t ever want to walk in the shoes that I left behind in Sacramento. Romans 8:6 says The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.\ My hope for the future is to start a life here in Central Oregon”

“My name is Jerome M. I’m 30 years old from Youngstown, Ohio. I grew up in a Christian home with great parents. I played sports in high school, maintained decent grades, and excelled in baseball my junior and senior year. I had tried alcohol for the first time at age 12, and the drinking continued to increase. Despite all the trouble I got into, I still received a ticket to go play college baseball at Seminole in Florida. When I arrived at school, I was introduced to cocaine and how to sell it. Aside from doing drugs, selling them, drinking and partying, I was still trying to play baseball and keep satisfactory grades. That routine didn’t work. My academic and sports career ended when I was jumped, stabbed, and sliced up by eight men. From the hospital I called my mother and father and told them they needed to come get me from college or I would be dead in 48 hours. So as loving parents, they did. When I got back to Youngstown, I was depressed, and my chaotic lifestyle progressed until it was out of control. I tried to portray the image of the expectations and high hopes everyone had for me. In my bondage of sin, I sought after all the evil lusts of the world… money, drugs, women, and criminal activity. Then one sad day, God abruptly intervened in my life. On January 12, 2005 I was shot four times in my back with a .357 Magnum as a direct result of my corrupt living. After laying in a coma four months, touching death’s door, God saw fit to bring me back to reality. I always believed in God, but never loved Him or myself enough to live according to His will. My healing miracle from Jesus Christ continued and I got stronger. Yet God blessed me even further by allowing my mother to discover Teen Challenge. She rushed me to Teen Challenge, and I have since made the commitment to serve Christ for the rest of my life. Never before have I felt an inner change or God working in my life as I do now here at Teen Challenge. I give God all the glory and praise. Only by His wonderful grace and mercy was I spared and not put in prison or the cemetery. I love Jesus and will continue to diligently seek Him. By His grace I will fulfill the calling He has placed on my life.”

“My name is Jill D and I am 40 years old. I was raised in a Christian home and walked with God most of my life. In my adult life, I appeared to have it all. I have a perfect little family, a great career, and a nice home. My story of addiction is just like many others; it was a series of life circumstances and poor choices. It took only three years from the time I took my first pain pill for a migraine to reach the point of utter self-destruction. I was left no choice but to admit my addiction to my family when I was arrested on distribution charges. I was taken to the county jail where I laid for five days in horrible withdrawal from injecting up to 20 pills a day. I entered Teen Challenge in February of 2007. I could feel the presence of God so strong the moment I walked through the door. However, I just could not get over the fact that I was a failure. I knew better than to live the life I led. Every time we would sing praises in chapel and lift holy hands to God, I would have to put my arms to my side. My hands were anything but holy. They were scarred from all the injections over the years. How could I raise them to God? About one month into the program, God revealed Himself to me in the most amazing way. I had a dream of Jesus covering my needle-scarred hands with His nail-scarred hands. He so lovingly helped me to understand that it was not my scars the Father saw when He looked at me, but His. Wow! I felt such a freedom and peace that cannot be described. During my year there, I was given the opportunity to hear the Word, study the Word, and put it into practice on a daily basis. I was told everyday that I could overcome, that the battle was the Lord’s, that I was loved and forgiven. I still have notebooks full of lessons, sermons, and scriptures we learned. I began to develop new habits. I replaced my old habits, with ones of reading the Word, praying and fellowshipping with likeminded persons. Since I have been home, I have totally been released from my probation and my record was completely expunged. It has been two years now since I graduated Teen Challenge. I can’t say that there have been no troubles since I came home. I now understand there will be trials and tribulations in this life. But I now have the tools to face them. God has been so merciful to me! He has restored my relationships with my family, directed me to a wonderful church, and blessed me with a great job that would not have been possible if I had received the sentence that I deserved. He keeps me daily and I can only give Him the glory!”

“My name is Jill. I was raised in a beautiful Irish-Italian family in Warren, Ohio. I attended Catholic School and had everything I ever needed. Being raised Catholic had many benefits which included good manners, discipline and proper etiquette, but lacked a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The term drug addict is not something I thought would ever be used to describe my life. For 15 years, I worked as a deputy clerk of courts. For a good portion of those years, I struggled with a secret addiction to pain pills, which I thought only affected me. When pills were no longer available I turned to alcohol. My life was soon unrecognizable. I was unloving, untrustworthy, and completely self-centered. But praise be to God for the power of his word that says, For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts, but when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared according to His mercy He saved us. It is truly my heart today to praise Him and thank Him. This ministry has allowed me to be set apart from worldly influences to be renewed by the love of Christ. It is my desire to live a life fully pleasing to the Lord, that I might go out into this hurting world and return the love and encouragement that has been given to me. Each day is a new opportunity to serve Him and seek His will for my life. I am excited about my future and stand on Philippians 3:13-14, Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. It is my prayer that all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and live a full abundant life in Him.”

“My name is Joe and I currently live in Charles Town, West Virginia. I am the oldest of seven children in an amazing family that loves the Lord. Growing up I was home schooled and taught the Word of God from a very young age. My life was very Christ-centered because my father is a pastor. Unfortunately, I had only the head knowledge and by the age of sixteen had begun to stray from the principles that had been instilled in me. Four years later, I had reached a horrible place of depression and drug addiction. In desperation, I decided to go somewhere to get help. I went to Teen Challenge Fredericksburg. After a week in the program I broke down and truly gave my life to Jesus Christ. I finally realized and appreciated what Jesus did for me and committed my life to him. I immediately felt called into the ministry and wanted to do nothing but serve Christ. After four months at Teen Challenge Fredericksburg and ten months at the Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania, I graduated the full program with a heart dedicated to living for Jesus Christ. I am now serving at my dads church by helping with music and the youth group. God has been so gracious in keeping me close to Him! I am having such an amazing time growing closer day-by-day to my wonderful Savior and cant wait to find out what else He has in store for me!”

“My name is John M. I am a 2006 Teen Challenge graduate. I was in the darkness of my addiction for 35 years, but now I am living a Christian life. Our God is good! God has restored my family to me, and He is still working in my life. I have been the Ranch Foreman of Teen Challenge Faith Home Ranch since June of 2007. I oversee the grounds and vehicle maintenance. If it is broken, it is up to me to see that it gets fixed! I love concrete work and have had many opportunities to improve the Ranch grounds using this skill. I am blessed to be working around good people at the Ranch while doing Gods work. My favorite verse is Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

“My name is Johnda. I am 24 years old and from Ohio. When I was 2 years old my father was convicted on a murder charge and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. At this time, my mother stepped out of my life and my grandmother stepped in to raise me. My grandmother, a God-fearing woman, brought me up in the church with Christian morals. When I was 2 years old, my father came up for an early review. I had sought the Lord and thought certainly it was God’s plan for my father to be released. The parole board refused his release and decided it would be another 10 years before they would again review his case. I was devastated. I was convinced the Lord had not heard my prayers, and I made the decision to step out of His will and see what the world had to offer. From the very beginning it offered corruption, lies, and drugs; and I dove in headfirst. By the time I was 19 years old, I was an IV heroin addict. During my search for love, I met a man and started a family of my own. For the next 7 years, I tried to do all the things I thought families did. I got a job, house, and car, went to church on holidays, and most importantly, brought two beautiful children into this world. There was just one problem. It was a relationship centered around drugs. On March 10, 2007, I found the man I loved dead in our garage. At a time when I needed God the most, I turned bitter and angry. I turned back to drugs. I got into some legal trouble, and a probation officer told me about Teen Challenge. Before I could talk my way out of it, I was on a greyhound bus to Muskegon. It was a 9-hour ride with pouring down rain. I had just been discharged from the county jail and couldn’t figure out why in the world I was alive or much less going to Teen Challenge? I began to cry out to God for the first time in a long time. My tears matching the rain pouring down my face. I silently begged God to let the bus crash because I could not take any more failure in my life! But God saw to it that I made it to Teen Challenge. In chapel, the Holy Spirit began to deal with me. I was ashamed of who I had become. I could find no words to say to the Almighty God. Thats when I heard a voice that was all so familiar, but I hadn’t heard in a long time, reassuring me if I would let Him, He would restore this life of brokenness. One of Gods promises I hold on to is I Peter 5:10, But may the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, Make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. Since coming to Teen Challenge over 9 months ago, He has done just that. He has restored my purpose. My purpose is in Him. I am so thankful He chose not to let me die in my sin but instead be a representation of His Grace. Thanks Jesus!”

“My name is Jonathan and I am 28 years old. I was raised in a Christian family, and at a young age had a relationship with Jesus Christ. I even went to a Christian school until the 7th grade. When I entered into a public school, I started hanging out with people that liked to party, drink, smoke, etc. I loved the way drugs made me feel, and I began to use them every day. By the time I was 14 years old, I was in rehab for my first time, but I was only getting started on this destructive path. As time went on, I started buying, selling and using harder drugs and had associated myself with an occult from India known as the Hare Krishna movement. By this time, I had completely forgotten about God. Somehow through all this, I graduated high school and made an unsuccessful attempt to go to college in Pittsburgh, PA. It was there that I was introduced to heroin; and since then, my life has been a revolving door. I’ve been jailed around ten times for drug related crimes. I have made more than twenty attempts at trying to rehabilitate myself through inpatient treatment, some of which were 6-month programs, only to find myself back in the crack house wondering why. After losing a business and everything I owned, I was ready to give up on myself. All I could see was failure, but God counted me worthy to be forgiven and restored. One day, three old ladies waited for me to come out of a dope house in Detroit so they could pray for me. They asked me what I needed prayer for. I didn’t answer, but I think the prayer I needed was quite obvious. I don’t remember what they said, but I will never forget when they laid their hands on me and started praying. The tears just started rolling. Even in the state of confusion that I was in, the Holy Spirit cut right through. I believe it was through those prayers God started the process of setting me free. The very next day, I was arrested and jailed for committing a crime. In my case, God used the court system to get me to Teen Challenge. I would have never come on my own will. When I got to Teen Challenge my heart was heavy because I didn’t know how to love God after being in the dark for so long, but that all changed by the power of God’s Word. It was God’s Word that broke the stronghold of Satan. It was God’s Word that renewed my mind. It was through the Word of God He gave me the love of Christ that I needed, giving me the capability to love Him. Jesus Christ is the only proven cure for the drug epidemic, and I love Him with my all. My desire is to serve God the rest of my life and to be used of Him.”

“My name is Joseph H. I am 28 years old. I started using drugs when I was around 12. I have spent 14 years of my life on drugs from marijuana to meth. I started using meth when I was 13, and I was hooked. I sold meth also to support my habits. I was sold out to the devil. On March 21st 2013, my third day here at Teen Challenge, I surrendered my life to God. I have went from begin sold out to the devil to being sold out to the kingdom of God. I have learned a lot since I have come here. I have led my wife to the Lord. It was truly amazing. God has restored my family, and my marriage is stronger now. My relationship with my children has meaning now. I have learned to be a Godly husband and father. I am building my life on I Corinthians 13:11, \When I was a child”

“My name is Josh Greinke I am a graduate from Teen Challenge San Antonio in August of 2012. I have been so blessed by what God has shown me and done for me through the people and students that enable the ministry to stay alive. I am attending SAGU now for the fall and it is absolutely amazing! I will be going to local prisons and youth detention centers to minister and give testimony as well as build relationships with kids of all ages who have never had anyone encourage them and I am super excited. God is good ALL the time! Thank you Teen Challenge and staff for what you do And God bless.”

“My name is Juan. I’m 20 years old and I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I came to Teen Challenge a ruthless person. My heart was hardened from the years of gang violence. I lost several friends to prison and death. By the grace of God I’m not dead or doing life in prison. Today I am a born again child of Christ. I don’t think the same, I don’t act the same, and I don’t react the same. God has really given me a heart for hurting people. I plan on going into the ministry. People said that I would be dead by the age of 20, but my God had different plans for me.”

“My name is Justin. I was raised in a very loving Christian home. I was not a perfect kid but I was active in church. Christian groups and school athletics. I graduated without ever missing a day of school and I got a scholarship to play basketball at a small college. After graduation I decided to celebrate by smoking some marijuana. My one time use soon became an everyday habit. I began to party all the time. After my first semester I gave up the thing that was most important to me, basketball. I quit the team and transferred to a school closer to home. It was after my transfer that I tried oxycontin for the first time. I began to use pain killers throughout the next 2 years. My grades quickly plummeted and my addiction took control. I was no longer able to maintain school and my addiction so I went to a 7 day detox center. Even after I detoxed I continued to battle with drugs and bounce from job to job. This continued until I was 23 and I managed to get my drug use under control. I was offered a good job at a medical supply company. My life had really turned around. I was given my own route and traveled around the northeastern United States. Through this job my life would change forever. It was a Monday morning and I was looking forward to my route that week. My partner was going to be a longtime friend, someone I had played ball with as a kid. We flew from Nashville into Baltimore to start work and as we got onto the freeway we started talking. I looked over at my friend laughing and in that instant we slammed into the back of a U.S. mail truck at 65mph. My friend was trapped in the vehicle and I was unable to free him. As the car caught on fire, I watched helplessly. My childhood friend lost his life that day. I was overwhelmed by nightmares and guilt. My life spiraled out of control as I sought comfort through drugs. In a matter of months I went through all of my savings and I was totally consumed by my addiction. I could never seem to get high enough. I eventually began stealing from my friends and family to support my habit. I got into some legal trouble but that did not slow me down. I had become completely hopeless. I had multiple failed attempts at quitting drugs and I knew I needed to change, but I wasn’t sure how to. I could only stay clean for a short period of time before the guilt and depression would consume me again and I would turn back to drugs. My mother began talking about Teen Challenge. I agreed to talk to a Pastor about the Training Center and within two hours of our meeting I decided to give it a shot. Coming to the Appalachian Training Center was the best choice I have made. Since I enrolled God has drastically changed my life. I have joy and hope which I never thought was possible. I am excited to see what my future holds.”

“My name is Karen and I am 36 years old. The home I grew up in was very horrid and dark. I am the youngest of eight children. We all had no supervision and our parents were drunks. We only had each other and a very sick baby sitter. She would make us watch as she performed unspeakable horrible sex acts. So at the age of seven, I learned to feel dirty, shameful and guilty. I was rejected by my mom. She often said, she only had me because my dad got drunk and raped her. My father left and I never heard from him again. I was desperate for love, any love. So at 13, I started having sex with older men, drinking, and taking my mom’s nerve pills. By the time I was 17, I had three abortions. I was desperate for love, but thought no guy would ever love me. I started believing love was a lie; it was only in our hearts to hurt us for being bad. I got married with all this baggage. He was a wonderful man, had a beautiful home, yet I was convinced he only married me because I was pregnant with his child. Soon we had four children. I kept binge drinking, as an escape from the kids. This led to crack cocaine. I turned into a monster. I became obsessed with dying. I had two major suicide attempts. My husband and mother-in-law kept praying for me. I agreed to come to Teen Challenge and leave behind my husband and four children. What the Lord has done for me while here is a miracle. It would take me pages to tell it all. I am free from addiction; I am no longer a scared little girl. I have been healed of the abuse. The guilt, shame, low self-esteem and feelings of being dirty are gone. I know who I am in Christ today. I have been born again into a new family, the family of God. The greatest thing is love. I am loved! I am new.”

“My name is Laura, 23 years old, from Marion, South Carolina. I was raised in a Christian home and school. At age 12, I ventured away from the standards I was raised with. Car theft, drugs, staying out all hours of the night was a part of my life. To curb my activity, my parents sent me to live with a friend of theirs who was a pastor. I was not ready to change. By the age of 15, I was selling drugs to support my habit. I began picking up charges and was in and out of jail. In November of 2004, I found myself sitting in the courtroom before a judge, facing 35 years in prison. A few of the charges were 2nd degree burglary, grand larceny, grand theft auto, assault and battery and major drug charges. Thank God, I had a praying mother who stayed on her face before God in my behalf. God had mercy on me. The judge suspended my sentence to one year at Teen Challenge. That was a miracle. Sad to say, but when I came to Teen Challenge I was not fully broken. To me, I was doing my time. But soon the power of the gospel broke through in my heart and tore down the walls I had built up. He is now building me into the woman He has called me to be. Today, Jesus is Lord of my life, and I want others to know who Jesus really is. If He can take somebody like me and turn my life around, He can do it for any one.”

“My name is Lindsey. Im 22 and Ive been in Teen Challenge for several months. I grew up in the church and was home schooled with a great childhood. When I was 13, my church fell apart and I lost everything. It was then that I learned if I dont show any emotion, if I can smile through the pain and put my happy face on, Im strong and everythings ok. I moved upstate when I was 15, eventually got my first job, and started hanging out with the wrong people. By the time I was 18, I was drinking and smoking everyday. It was then that I had met my ex-boyfriend, felt like I was special and that somebody loved me. We moved in together and soon after, he introduced me to heroin. I immediately started shooting it and that started a 4 year roller coaster of pain. Finally, after losing my family, friends, my job, and the will to live, I gave in. I hit rock bottom and I called my parents. I was so lost that I just needed something to hold onto. My uncle told my mom about Teen Challenge and the next day I was on my way here. This program saved my life, it is helping me fall more in love with Jesus everyday. The closer I get to God, the more excited I get about the future He has planned for me. Jesus died so that I could have hope and Im never letting that go.”

“My name is Margaret Ann F. I am 39 years old from Hartsville, Tennessee. I grew up going to church but never had a true relationship with God. My father was an alcoholic; and at the age of 13, I lost him to cirrhosis of the liver. I then began to struggle with depression. At the age of 28 I began taking pain medication for a prior back surgery. In a very short time, these drugs had taken over my life. I entered into a very dysfunctional marriage, and I lost all respect for myself. I began to steal and do what ever it took to get drugs. I was hopeless. I begged God to take my life. Thank God He had other plans. Since coming to Teen Challenge my life has been transformed, and I have hope again. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”

“My name is Matt V and I am from Grand Haven, Michigan. Teen Challenge has radically changed my life by showing me how to quit living a self-serving life and start living a Christ-serving life. Thank you Jesus for Teen Challenge.”

“My name is Matt, and I am 20 years old. I was born and raised in central Texas. I grew up in the Catholic Church but I failed to have a relationship with Christ. I was very rebellious and selfish. I did things my way and no other way. My decisions started tearing my family apart. I was kicked out of the house and was facing three felony charges. God let me reach my bottom so I could see for myself how real He is and how much I need Him. All of my charges have been dropped and I know that God has an awesome plan for my life. God is in the process of restoring my family and a lot of the damage that I caused. Through Teen Challenge God has given me hope and a desire to live for Him. I look to Christ now instead of looking to the drugs to fill the gap in my life. The Bible verse that I stand on is 1 Peter 2:9 \You are a chosen people”

“My name is Melissa. I am 22 years old from Georgia. Both of my parents are Pastors. I grew up in church singing and playing the bass guitar. I loved the Lord and I had a good relationship with Him. When I was fourteen years old, my uncle kidnapped me from my sisters wedding, raped me, and a lot of other horrible things occurred during this time. So at the age of fourteen, I began smoking crack and using cocaine in order to cope with life. I became addicted to Methamphetamines and a lot of other drugs, but never in my life would I have thought that I would become addicted to distributing drugs. I was caught trafficking drugs, and now I am facing 15 felonies and a lot of other charges. After all this happened to me, I still did not turn to God. I turned to alcohol instead. I thought I had finally gotten my life together because alcohol was legal. I started going to school. I was on the deans list, and I had an eleven-year scholarship. But down deep inside I was miserable and depressed, and I could not stop drinking. Two weeks before I came to Western Michigan Teen Challenge, I went to a friends house to have a couple of drinks, but ended up snorting over an eight ball of cocaine. The last thing I remember was my friends talking about dropping me off at the emergency room and leaving me there. Later on, I told my parents I needed help. I praise God, they found out about Teen Challenge. The Lord saved me from my addiction, from destruction, and crowned me with his loving kindness and tender mercies. I can tell you today, I did not find any peace or happiness in drugs or alcohol. I now have that peace that passes all understanding and joy that ever floods my soul. I never had such a great love for Jesus as I do today. I may be facing prison time, but I have peace. I have true freedom through Jesus Christ, because who the son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). I came into this program with a heart full of bitterness and hatred, but God exchanged that hatred for love. Since I have been in the program I have been able to tell my uncle that I forgive him. I have had the chance to be a witness to him. I told him what the Lord has done in my life and what God wants to do in his life. Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins and the best we can do is forgive our brothers and sisters and lead them to the cross.”

“My name is Mildred and I am 23 years old. I am originally from Ft. Lauderdale Beach. On November 19, 2010 I came to Teen Challenge full of pride and very naive to the fact that my situation was no different from everyone else’s and God just wanted an opportunity to love all my hurt, pain and shame away. In December 2011, not having let Christ completely do what He came to do, I graduated the same way I entered the program. Sad to say but only a month later I started my search over again for the love and understanding only Christ could give. On February 2, 2012 the Lord went searching for His lost sheep and led me back to Teen Challenge for 6 months of restoration. This time I was completely conformable and ready for change. Leading up to my finish date one thing the Lord did teach me was that there will never be a point where I am too low for Him to pull me into His marvelous light. But instead, the He is the ONE who died and shed His blood for me, displaying unfailing love. Close to completing Restoration, I was prompted to do the Re-Entry program. Trusting that it was the voice of God, I was blessed with a job, an opportunity to go back to school and enough money to buy a car! I am happy to report that what the enemy meant for evil, God can definitely turn it around for His glory. I am now living my life the way it was meant to be with full authority and strength to face whatever may come my way!”

“My name is Nathan Matchett, I’m 22 years old and I was born and raised in Forks, Washington. This is my testimony, I grew up in a Godly home where my parents were Christ followers and I knew who God was and what was right and what was wrong. Growing up my mom and dad instilled Godly values and I had structure and discipline. Being involved in the Assembly of God I even went through the Royal Ranger Program and eventually became a leader in it and learned the importance of being a Godly example. I guess all this is said to say that even though we know whats right we have got to make our own choices to either go down the wide path or the narrow path which is a little bit more difficult. In my teen age years I was very involved in the youth group I actually went on a mission trip in 2003, at that time I was only 13 years old. We went to Mazatlan Mexico and I saw things that I’ve never seen before like true poverty and people that were so poor they couldn’t even feed their kids it really showed me a lot of how truly blessed I was. After that missions trip I continued to be very involved in the youth group. I became one of those students that was there early wanted to serve even if its just setting up chairs are when we had big events I would spend hours helping my youth pastor get things ready for a outreach event. Every summer camp, youth conference, winter camp I didn’t miss one I couldn’t get enough of the Lord at that time. At the time I didn’t realize it but I can look back on it now and I know that I made a lot of little compromises then that didn’t seem big at the time but they took me slowly further and further away from Gods calling in my life. In high school I began to party on the weekends, you know getting drunk and smoking a little pot, I would tell myself this wasn’t a big deal and I had everything under control but in all reality I didn’t I was actually losing all control. The town I grew up in I heard several people tell me this is normal you’re just going through a phase that every teenager goes through. I was a great student all the way up to my senior year in high school, I did graduate from Forks high school, in the summer of 2007, but barely I no longer cared about school I was too busy getting stoned to care. After high school I was introduced to Oxycontin for the first time and man did it take control of my life in a hurry. I had gone from a church kid to a full blown drug addict and I was willing to do anything to get my drug. After being kicked out of my apartment I was forced to move back in with my parents I was working and at the same time taking care of an elderly lady, who was disabled and couldn’t get around but I was stealing her pills to sell and get money for oxycontin. If you think that’s bad soon after that my own father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given a huge dose of pain killers and was told he would die within a year. That didn’t stop me from stealing from my own father and selling his pills to get money to get my drugs this was the time of my life I wish today I could take back all the pain I caused my family. When my mom found out that I had been stealing my dads pills she called the cops and told them to come arrest me. Right before this event I had a meeting with my Senior Pastor he told me about Teen Challenge which I knew about but I made every excuse in the book why I couldn’t go. I could give up a year I didn’t have the money but the truth of it was I didn’t want to go. In jail I was given that same opportunity to go to teen challenge and I took it. The judge said that if I finished teen challenge all my charges would be dropped. When I finally did go to Teen Challenge I was released right from jail into the custody of my youth pastor and He drove me to Renton to the Teen Challenge there. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, but I knew I had to do something different the way I was living wasn’t working. In Teen Challenge, God showed me that the only acceptance I need is from Him, He is all I need in this life and apart from him I have nothing. He showed me that life is worth living and there are so many rewards in following after the calling the Lord has on your life. I finally had structure and I became a man that valued character and loving others and most importantly myself before Teen Challenge I couldn’t stand myself. Toward the end of my program I had it confirmed by God and some leaders in my life that I was being led to do an internship through Teen Challenge. I graduated from Teen Challenge April 1st, 2011, I went home for a couple of weeks, then came back and began my journey as an Intern. This taught me what it means to be a leader the blessings that you get from investing in others life I count it all joy to be his hands and feet. The last part of my testimony is that I’ve graduated from TCMI and recently got hired to be a full time staff member at the Tri-Cities Men’s Outreach. I know one thing today: I want to serve the Lord with everything I have and go wherever He leads me.”

“My name is Nathan T and I am 34 years old. I was born and raised in the Youngstown, Ohio area in a very loving Catholic home. My sisters and I both attended Catholic grade school and I was even an altar boy for a few years. In high school, I didn’t drink or use drugs any more than anyone else I knew. I excelled in athletics and was never in any real trouble. After high school, I received an athletic scholarship to attend college. In college, I focused more on sports than the party scene, and became a standout on my team. Shortly after college, I developed a serious problem with alcohol. Over the next few years I managed to receive an Education degree, get married, and begin teaching. For a few years, I was able to live two separate lives; the teaching professional during the day and the drunk at night. This couldn’t have lasted long though, and my life began to spin out of control. I got divorced and began to seek secular help in support groups and hospital rehabs. I began using other drugs and my life truly started slipping away. I found myself in a constant state of withdrawal, and was becoming familiar with the inside of police stations and psych wards. One morning, I decided that I could no longer go on the way I was. There was no answer for my problem, and I had been broken beyond repair. I numbed my wrists with a piece of ice and then cut them open with a razor blade. I woke up the next day in the hospital with over 200 stitches, having severed my arteries, tendons and nerves in both wrists. I wish I could say that this is when I turned to Christ, but I spent another year bouncing from mental hospitals to rehabs to jail. My life was in total chaos, and my family was watching my demise. Not until recently did I realize that I wasn’t only destroying myself, but I was dragging my loved ones down with me. During summer vacation and a brief period of sobriety, I heard from a family member about Teen Challenge. I soon spoke to two graduates from the program who told me how the love of Christ had transformed their lives. I knew that very soon I would be once again in a state of utter hopelessness. I may have been temporarily sober, but nothing else about me had changed. That night I came to the conclusion that nothing man had to offer was going to help me; I had tried all of them. It was time to try the one thing that I hadn’t, Jesus Christ. Since coming to TC and accepting Jesus as my Savior, my life has been transformed. I didn’t think I would ever be happy again, but with the love of Christ in me, I look forward to every day. Today, I know there is a purpose for my life. I have been saved for a reason. What has occurred in my life is truly a miracle and I want to share it with everyone that I meet. I used to wear long sleeves to hide the scars on my wrists. Now I wear short sleeves in hopes that someone will ask me about them and I will have the opportunity to share with them what Jesus has done for me. One of the first things I read out of the Bible when I arrived at Teen Challenge was Psalm 142, and today I stand on verse 7: Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.”

“My name is Nicholas DAgati. I am from Niles, Ohio. I grew up with great parents. We went to church and there was a lot of love in our family. My problems really didnt start until high school when I started to hang out with the wrong type of people. They were doing drugs, so I started to do drugs. Thats when I started to put drugs and people before God and my family. I barely finished high school. I was trying to get my life together when my high school sweetheart asked me to get married. I thought marriage would fix my life. I was wrong. There were more drugs, lying, and hurting others… mostly my family. I started doing heroin. My wife left me for another man, and my family didnt want anything to do with me. I was lost… looking for hope. I ended up in jail on my way to prison. Thats when the Lord stepped back into my life. He was always with me, but my sin kept me from getting back to Him. I learned about Teen Challenge from a Pastor and a graduate that was visiting the jail. The judge had mercy on me, and it wasnt long after that I was on my way to Teen Challenge. I have been here now for one year. I also have found what I was missing in my life…it was Jesus. Jesus has restored my family to me and given my life back to me. I have lived the first 24 years of my life for myself, Im going to live the rest of my life living for the Lord. I praise God for this ministry, the love of the staff and all the Pastors, and for all my brothers and sisters.”

“My name is Nick N, and I am 29 years old. I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 12 I began to use drugs. At age 13, I began to play the guitar and listen to heavy metal music. By the time I was 16, I was in a heavy metal band, playing the clubs and bars around Chicago. I wrote songs about anger, depression and why I thought God did not exist. By this time, I was drinking and smoking marijuana and crack cocaine on a regular basis. By my mid-twenties everything was falling apart around me. I was an angry, bitter person; and no one wanted to be around me. After going through rehab, being in and out of jail, overdosing on crack cocaine and heroine, and being homeless, I reached the point of desperation. The first time I opened the Bible, the Word of God spoke to me. I felt a sense of peace I had never felt before. I started attending church regularly and making Christian friends. It was these friends and my mother who stuck by me, introduced me to Teen Challenge, and helped me get here. I know the Lord has directed me to Teen Challenge to build a solid foundation to be a strong Christian. Today I play the guitar for Jesus. He has delivered me from drugs, alcohol, and a destructive lifestyle.”

“My name is Patrick C and I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in Southwest Baltimore. My father left my mother when I was 3 years old so my mother raised our family on her own. I fell in love with the streets at an early age. I started experimenting with marijuana and alcohol when I was 11. To me it really didn’t seem to be a problem until I was in high school. I was accepted into Mergenthaler Vocational Senior High where I was given the change to be something in life. But because of cutting class and smoking weed, I just didn’t go. I started selling drugs to earn easy money. When I was introduced to percoset a prescription pain killer, my life turned up side down. Eventually this led me to heroin and that’s when things got really bad, but the whole time God had other plans for me. I was arrested for burglary and was taken to Baltimore Central Booking where I stayed for 3 months. While I was there, I was given the Gospel of John. When I started reading the pages came to life. It was during that time that I first began to fall in love with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The next night a guy from the neighborhood came to my cell and had a Bible I could read, so we would take turns reading the scriptures. I had been introduced to the Word but I still did not know how to live my life drug free. I went to court and the judge gave me 5 years probation. When I was released I continued to get high on a daily basis. It took me seeing my older brother, Chris, overdose on opiates and die while I was holding him to finally realize that this could be me. For the first time I realized the reality of my drug problem. My sister told me about this program, Teen Challenge that may be able to help me. I called and was interviewed and accepted into the Capitol Heights Program. After I finished the induction phase, I went to the farm, second phase. It was during that time that God began to dramatically change my life. As I look back I think about all the times that God intervened in my life and saved me in spite of my actions. One time I was in the middle of a gang shoot out, high on PCP, not even aware of what was happening around me when one of my friends knocked me to the ground. The next day 47 bullet shell were found where I had been standing. Today! God had a plan for my life and he used the ministry of Teen Challenge to help reveal it to me. After completing the program, I came back to Capitol Heights to work. I have been here for over a year now and God uses me everyday to pour into the lives of others. The Lord Jesus and Teen Challenge have shown me that in spite of past mistakes, I am a new creation in Christ. Today I have a new future to look forward to!”

“My name is Patrick, and I’m so grateful to be able to share our great God’s mercy, grace and amazing love that He has poured into my life. Before coming to Teen Challenge of the Midlands, I had been stumbling away from God, and disobeying what He had called me to do. I grew up in a Christian family, finished high school, and attended Seminary in Myanmar (Burma). It was at this time that God called me into ministry but I walked away from His calling. Instead, I put worldly desire (love of money) first. Along with money, came alcohol, and it really took control of my life. Due to civil unrest in my country, I was forced to flee from Myanmar to Malaysia for my safety, and my consumption of alcohol only got worse. Through God’s grace and compassion, He paved the way for me to come to the United States. During my time in the United States, I was only sober for 11 months out of 4 years. I thought myself good enough spiritually, and that I was living in the will of God. But it wasn’t the life of a true child of God. I was only relying on Him in knowledge, not in my personal life. My fleshly desires overtook me, because I was a lukewarm Christian; never enough to win the battle between flesh and Spirit Finally, God brought me to Teen Challenge, to know His will, and to find His Kingdom. Even though we know that God is everywhere, He wants His Children to seek His Presence, to find who He truly is. God doesn’t look at how much we learned about Him, but for those who truly desire to live in His will. While at Teen Challenge, God has really revealed Himself to me, and given me understanding about my sins, and how much more He still loves me!!! I felt such sorrow for my past life, especially my disobedience to His calling. I cried out to God in my heart of hearts, God help me! Please forgive me. Give me only Your will in me, and take all fleshly desire out of me! Davids prayer reminded me, \The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart”

“My name is R.J. R. I’m 23 years old from Detroit, Michigan. Before I came to Teen Challenge I lived in a dark world of lying and sin. I lost focus of what was important in life, and then hit rock bottom. While at Teen Challenge, God has revealed so much to me and has taught me to walk in faith. I give all the Glory to God for showing me my path in life. The verse I stand on is Matthew 6:34, Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

“My name is Rachel. I am 23 years old from Bartlett, Illinois. I grew up in a very stable home with loving parents and two older brothers. At fourteen, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. The new zeal that I had for the Lord caught the attention of my parents, and within the next couple of months, they accepted Christ as well. Lack of prayer and reading God’s word led me to allow compromise in my life. I began smoking pot and drinking, which eventually led me to drop out of high school. I enrolled in beauty school. My relationship with God faded out and I found a new master – the world. I quickly centered everything around it. I got my own place, a nice car, and was making good money doing hair. I began going to nightclubs where I was introduced to hard drugs. It was a social thing for a couple of years, but very quickly progressed until I was an IV heroin addict. My life came crashing down very hard. Because of drugs, one by one those things I had centered my life around were plucked from my life – the jobs, where I was living, and the car. This drug completely took hold of me, and I did whatever it told me to do. I remember always feeling so restless. Yet there was a constant tug on my heart that would not allow me to completely give up on myself. This tugging of the Holy Spirit eventually led me to Western Michigan Teen Challenge. Hallelujah, Jesus pursued me and never left me. I am learning how to really live for Him this time – totally surrendered and willing to do whatever He wants. He is teaching me to stand on the power of His Word; and, through faith, to grab hold of His hand through the trials. Teen Challenge has been the stepping-stone to be completely embraced in my loving Father’s arms. He is so good to me.”

“My name is Randall and I was homeless for 12 years. Because of my drinking, I lost my job and my 10-year marriage. I lived with friends until I finally ended up on the streets of St. Paul. I slept and ate in shelters and worked only enough to get money for cigarettes and alcohol. I thought I was free, but the truth was I was using alcohol and drugs to avoid feelings of guilt and shame. Teen Challenge was my last shot. Now I’m free from addiction and reconciled with my family. My mom knows I’m changed. She never used to kiss me. Now, she kisses me on the cheek with a smile. Randall graduated from MnTC in the spring of 2003 and is now living with his brother and working for a construction company in the area.”

“My name is Ray V. I am 58 years old, married for 31 years. I have two sons and a daughter. I walked with God many years. In 2005, I began to walk my own way. After a failed business, out of money and fighting with my wife, I picked up alcohol and drugs. Drugs led to stealing from my family and other businesses. I spent a year in prison for theft. Prison did not help with my addiction to drugs and alcohol. I continued the same path until my good friend stopped me in my tracks; he literally picked me up and took me to a detox center. My pastors stepped in and took me to Western Michigan Teen Challenge. This was a divine appointment! Teen Challenge has given me a new foundation to stand on. God has given me hope. He taught me His word. My life has changed. He is restoring my life and my family. I now trust in The Lord with all my heart. I don’t lean on my own understanding, but I always acknowledge Him so He can direct my paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Thanks Teen Challenge and student body! In His Service, Ray.”

“My name is Ruslan H and I am 26 years old. I was born in Kiev, Ukraine. My birth parents were alcoholics and my mom was constantly in and out of jail. My father left the family when I was three years old to be with another woman. Therefore, I was given up to an orphanage at an early age. While growing up in the orphanage I had to persevere through some of the toughest years of my life. Emotionally and psychologically I was left with a scar from the abandonment of my parents. Enduring physical abuse for many years left the memory of the orphanage very grim and bleak. When I was 10 years old, I was invited to come to a Christian summer camp along with a few other orphan children. At the camp, I met a beautiful family from Wheaton, IL. Shortly after their arrival at camp, we developed a close relationship and began to spend a lot of time together. When it was time for them to leave and go back to the United States, they promised to pray and to continue to stay in touch with me. As they prayed for Gods protection and provision on my life, God began to put a burden on their hearts to adopt me. Trying to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, they started the adoption process in 1993. Around the same time Ukraine was going through a major political transformation, so the adoption came to an abrupt end. They continued to stay hopeful and faithful in prayer for the next four years. In 1997, after the Ukrainian government reformed the adoption law, the doors to adoption were open again and the family adopted me in the spring of 1997. The completion of the adoption process was a time to celebrate God’s faithfulness and mercy. But it also signified a beginning of a new chapter in my life, which I was not entirely ready for. Trying to adjust to a new culture and the establishment of my new identity, I began to compromise with friends at school and rebel against my parents. My parents, wanting what was best for me, put me into several Christian schools, but my rebelliousness continued to escalate even further. I excelled at almost every sport I played and even received honorary state-mentions; though none of those activities could fill the void I was experiencing. Out of rebelliousness, I moved away from home to Grand Rapids, MI. Soon after that, I graduated from Jenison High School. Several years later, with the help of my parents, I made an attempt to go to Bible School only to be kicked out of the institution after two years for my foul behavior on a mission trip overseas. After getting kicked out of college I lost my ambition, drive and desire. I went into a period of heavy drinking and careless life style. Around that time I got a DUI and began smoking crack cocaine. I became a slave to sin. My life spiraled out of control so fast that I found myself homeless and emotionally bitter at the world, crying for change. With the help of my loved ones, I made a connection with Teen Challenge. Down and out, I began to cry out to Jesus for mercy. Jesus took my heavy load and has washed me in His blood. He has set me free from years of bondage and has put a new song in my heart. He has given me His strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow. I stand on His promise, Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

“My name is Sam; I am 19 years old, and this is my story. I was born and raised in Blair, Nebraska. I have two brothers and one sister. My parents did the best they could, and tried to get us to church, but I never developed a relationship with God, or my family. I always felt like the black sheep, or an outsider. I started experimenting with alcohol and marijuana when I was 12, and found my identity in being a rebel. My drug use and rebellion only increased through the years, and I seemed to be good at hiding it from people. In high school I got into prescription pills, and partying a lot. It all seemed innocent to me at the time, and I was living what I thought was an awesome life. I had drugs and friends, and thought I was invincible. My lifestyle didnt really come to light until my senior year. My dad and I became enemies, our arguments bubbled into physical altercations, and I was arrested. This started my fall into addiction, and to live the lifestyle I wanted, I had to leave home. I started drinking, and using opiates and hallucinogens daily. I wound up living in a car and selling drugs to get by. I was stealing from people and robbing cars; I was slowly killing myself. At one point towards the end of my addiction, I overdosed on pills, cough syrup, and alcohol. I died that night, but God saved me for a purpose. Shortly after my overdose, I was arrested with 3 felony charges and about 10 misdemeanors. The judge gave me the chance to get help, and my grandmother told me about Teen Challenge. I was not thrilled at first; my head was still stuck on drugs and money. I filled out the application anyways, and I was accepted. I thank God that my grandma Barb has a relationship with the Lord, and she never gave up on me! Im so thankful that she loved me enough to tell me about Teen Challenge. I came to Teen Challenge addicted, dead, and angry. I questioned if I had a heart left at all. I was scared and depressed, but from the first step through those doors I knew that this place was different. I knew I was looking at people who truly loved me. My cold, calloused heart was no match for Gods love and power. I remember the day I was first broken; I cried, let out all the hurt inside, and felt God embracing me. I felt safe for the first time in a long time, and truly felt happy. While in Colfax, God changed my whole world. I was dead, addicted, and had no plans of ever seeing another holiday, but God saved me, and gave me new life. I gained weight, and became healthy internally and externally. My attitude, and even my personality changed. I have hope and a future because God gave it to me. I spent 9 months in Colfax; I cried there, I changed there, and the old Sam died there. Without God and Teen Challenge, I know I would have died. Thanks to Teen Challenge, I changed from a scared little boy into a man of God. The Teen Challenge staff and fellow students have taught me priceless things; how to be a man, and how to deal with life walking by Gods side. Only by the grace of God is any of this possible. Its hard sometimes, and I fall, but Im not alone; God is with me, and anyone who has ever been a part of Teen Challenge is with me. I moved to the last phase of Teen Challenge in Omaha, called Re-Entry. My time in Omaha has been very productive, and its much different here compared to Colfax. Searching for a job was a big struggle for me. I was stressed, and ready to break, so I cried out to God and said, God, Im done. I cant do this anymore. You’ve got to step in, and take control because Im not strong enough on my own. God did just that, and within a week I was working at MSM printing, which I really enjoy. The freedom to make my own decisions is great, and its like a whole new start. I am practicing everything I learned in Colfax, and putting it to the test. Re-entry is definitely a journey, and I cant wait to see where it leads. I am a new man, and my family is new. Gods amazing love and mercies make miracles happen in my life. I have hope and love in my heart. I have a future in the Kingdom of God. I have life; the most precious gift anyone could ever receive, has been given to me by God, and Teen Challenge.”

“My name is Sara L. I am a wife and mother from Goshen, Indiana. An addiction to Adderall (synthetic meth) nearly ruined my marriage, nearly drove me insane and almost took my life. I grew up with rebellion in my heart, never truly understanding who I was. My life was based on works and achievements and conforming to different social groups which left me empty, hopeless and ashamed. But, thank God-that’s who I used to be. Today I am alive and well because I’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! My identity is in Christ Jesus and I am not ashamed to say so! Teen Challenge was the only answer to get my life in line and I will be forever grateful to this ministry. God is doing a mighty restoration in my marriage and today I have a new love and appreciation for my husband and family. Joshua 24:15b-As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

“My name is Stacy P, I am 25 years old and from Detroit. I grew up in a wonderful home with two great parents. As a child, I was very involved in church. However, I never encountered a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. By the age of 13, I was in the hospital with alcohol poisoning and close to death. From this point on my life of sin escalated, and I became a full-blown IV-heroin user. I was a liar, a manipulator and a thief. To support my habit I began to write prescriptions for oxycontin and eventually got caught and charged with 11 felonies. At my sentencing, the judge reluctantly allowed me to come to Teen Challenge. When I came to Teen Challenge I had a very calloused heart and wanted nothing to do with God, I did not even believe that God existed. In Ezekiel it says God will take our heart of stone and turn it to a heart of flesh, and that is exactly what He did, he made himself real to me, and has shown me that even while I did not believe in him his hand was still upon my life. I graduated the program in March 2008, and at that time all my felonies were expunged! I am currently on staff and God is continuing to move in my life in such a mighty way. The love, compassion and mercy shown to me is truly of Christ. Philippians 1:6 says, Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. I stand on this verse and in God’s grace, knowing that through Christ I have the victory.”

“My name is Stephen Cooper and Im 24 years old. Growing up I had a great childhood. I loved going to school and enjoyed being outside. Upon entering my teenage years I began experimenting with smoking cigarettes and had frequently used alcohol when it was available. By the time I had reached high school I had been introduced to marijuana along with revenue from selling it. I continued this lifestyle for a while despite what my parents told me. I eventually dropped out of school in the 11th grade. So I became a high school dropout who thought he could live successfully selling weed. Eventually my sin found me out and I was booked into the county jail for possession. I was placed on probation and was forced to get a real job. I could no longer smoke weed because the length of time it stayed in my system. Through my job I was introduced to meth. This drug was a much harder drug than any drug that I had ever done, and it only stayed in my system for three days. Before I knew it I was working to supply my meth habit and was becoming more dependent on the drug. After years of using I became completely care-less and was barely able to attain my GED. I was getting incarcerated more times than I would like to admit. I came to the point in my life where I had no one to turn to except God. God sent me a dear friend, John, to speak to me about the gospel while I was in jail. After my release I got another job and was pulled right back into the same life-style. Three months later I was right back in jail. I had deserted my friend John, but he didn’t desert me. He still continued to visit me and encourage me to dig into God’s word. After my final release from incarceration, with John’s help I entered the program at Wabash Valley Teen Challenge. Since I made this decision, God has worked wonders in my life. Through God’s love I have been set free from all my addictions. I don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for God’s steadfast love and mercy.”

“My name is Steve H; I am 17 years old from Phoenix, Arizona. When I was two years old, my grandma took me from my birth mother because she was a drug addict and could not take care of me. My grandma took me to church a lot when I was young. When I was eight years old, my grandma died from a liver disease she got from drinking when she was younger. She knew she was going to die and she wanted me to be taken care of so she set up for a good Christian family in our church to adopt me. I continued to go to church, but I blamed God for taking my grandma away from me. I lost my mom to drugs and my grandma died and now I had a great family and a real mom who cared about me and loved me like one of her own children but I had a lot of hurt and angry feelings inside of me. I became rebellious toward my new parents especially my new mom. My freshman year in high school is when I got into doing drugs, I started hanging out with the wrong people and I started stealing from and lying to everyone who cared about me and wanted to help me. I went to camp with my church and I accepted Jesus into my life. I thought it would change everything and I would stop getting in trouble. But things just kept getting worse because I was trying to change on my own and not let God work in my life. Finally, my dad sent me to a secular program for help. I was there for three months, but I didn’t change or give up any of my old ways. When I got back home I tried to do good but I failed very quickly. I started doing drugs again and everything seemed to be worse than it was before. About a year later, my dad caught me doing drugs again and this time he sent me to a Christian program called Teen Challenge. God started to get my attention and work in my life. I saw kids in the program that were once the way I was, but now they had joy and peace in their lives. I wanted that and I was willing to do whatever it took to get that. God directed my steps and changed me one step at a time. He healed all the anger and everything else that was in my life before. I figured out that I couldn’t do things on my own, but that God was the only one who could direct my life. God is in control of everything and I am thankful for the person He has made me today. I tried changing on my own before but it never lasted. Now that I have Jesus in my life, He has made a lasting change. He has taught me to have an everlasting relationship with Him and to live my life as a new person. Now I have a purpose and a plan for my life.”

“My name is Tegan C. I am 19 years old from Traverse City, Michigan. I grew up in a family of alcoholics and drug addicts. As a result of the substance abuse, there was a lot of violence and abuse. As a child, I was sexually abused. Because drugs and alcohol were so common in my family, by the age of 11, my brother gave me my first hit of acid. This is where I learned to ease the pain and numb all my feelings of unworthiness, shame and guilt caused by the abuse. By the age of 15, I was in a mental hospital for attempted suicide and attempted homicide (of my brother) after a night of heavy drugs and drinking. That same year I was placed on probation for assault and battery. I realized I couldn’t stay sober for more than a day even on probation. As a result, I found myself in a foster home with a very godly Christian woman. This is where I first learned of the love of Jesus. I was saved and my life had begun to really change, but I was only there for a few months. Afterwards, I went back home to my mother who had just gotten sober herself. We both started attending church together and I managed to stay sober for 2 years. I got to a place where I decided to go back to counseling (I had been seeing counselors since I was 10) to try to work out some past issues of my childhood that were hindering my present life. My counselor, I learned later, was what the Bible calls a false teacher. He appeared spiritual, but he didn’t believe in Jesus and he didn’t teach forgiveness. As a result, I ended up having terrible flashbacks of my past. It was like I was reliving it all over again. That same year my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I became fearful that the Lord was going to take her away when I had just gotten her back. So I am sorry to say that I abandoned what little faith I had left and turned back to drugs. Once again I found myself in an abyss of sin. Hopeless. After two years, I found myself shooting up heroin with my dad, my brother and my sister. Once again I became violent. I found myself cleaning up blood from the house I was living in after spitting in the face of someone who truly tried to love me. I locked everyone out and reached for the only drug I had left in the house. Instead of consuming it, something inside of me broke and I cried out to God. I told Him I was ready to surrender. Through a series of events, a Christian man took the time to tell me about Teen Challenge and encouraged me to come here. Since I’ve been here building my relationship with God, I’m learning about forgiveness. I also have a hope that I never had beforethe hope of heaven. Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. I am no longer here for drugsI have victory through the blood of Jesus. I am no longer here for past hurtsHis blood has washed them all clean, and His peace reigns within me.”

“My name is Terrance N. I am twenty-six years old, and I completed the Teen Challenge program in January of 2011. February of 2011 is when I began my internship. During my program and internship I’ve been stretched. From the internship being extended from six months to one year and adding TCMI. At first I was nervous, but determined. I am a firm believer that God is a God of completeion. No matter what changes occur He desires that we complete what He has started. I’m proud to say that I have made it the full year and through all the TCMI classes. My favorite class has been the Lead Like Jesus course. It taught me a lot about stopping and reevaluating my motives and techniques of leading. I admit for the beginning of my internship I was on a power trip and all about control. Through the course of the year I’ve stopped myself and reminded myself to not control like Terrance, but to lead like Jesus. That is what He has called us interns and staff members to do. Going throught the internship program, it is possible to lose sight and passion for the calling on our lives. The Wild Goose Chase, couldn’t had come at a better time. This book revamped my chase for more of Him. It was a challenge to slow down throughout the day and seek opportunities that the Holy Spirit wanted to use me in. We get so caught up at times, in the business of the day that we forget to look for the fulfillment in the day, which is being used by God. The Bible says, \…Live a life worthy of your calling.\” That means that we have to slow down and remember to \”pick up the phone and answer the call.\””

“My name is Theresa, I’m 42 years old from Knoxville, Tennessee. I’ve been at Teen Challenge almost ten months. My parents were divorced when I was five years old. My mom began to drink as a result, beginning a succession of men in the home. I was physically and sexually abused during this time. My dad obtained custody when I was nine years old. Even though my environment changed, I still had the emotional baggage – feelings of shame, guilt, and rejection, being damaged. I grew up thinking that if I obtained the things of the world; house, car, jewelry, etc., it would make the pain go away. I graduated three trade schools and studied psychology for two years in college. The more things I acquired, the more I needed. It began to lose its appeal. In 1993, my sister died and I chose crack cocaine as a way of numbing the pain. Little did I know, it was the beginning of a 14-year battle of addiction. In and out of rehabs, I lost everything and destroyed all my family relationships, the worst being my dad’s. I turned his little girl into a prostitute, liar, thief, manipulator and schemer. My dad couldn’t even look at me. To see the disappointment and disgust in his eyes was unbearable. October 9, 2007, I decided to kill myself. This was to be the fourth and final attempt on my life. As I was waiting for the right moment, I was flicking the remote and came across a Christian station. The man asked for people to bow their heads and repeat after him. I did. It was the sinner’s prayer. I was being saved and didn’t even know it. Afterwards, I just cried to God out of sheer desperation. At that time, nothing happened and I figured even God didn’t want me. Two hours later, there was a knock at the door. A friend I used to party with had graduated from Teen Challenge and said the Lord put me on their heart. God heard me. He answered my prayers! My friend shared scripture with me, and I knew I was saved beyond a doubt. My life has truly changed since coming to Teen Challenge. I have a relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has taught me to forgive, even the men who hurt me. I pray for their salvation and hope to see them in heaven. I used to dislike being touched. Now I hug everyone. God has restored my relationship with my dad. I don’t feel damaged anymore. I am God’s child and I know I am forgiven. I am weak in the knees, googly-eyed, head over heels in love with Jesus. Phil. 3:13, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth towards those things which are ahead.”

“My name is Todd S. I am from Warren, Ohio. I was brought up in a very good home. At 13, my father led me to Jesus Christ, and we attended church regularly. I married and had three beautiful kids and started my own painting company. After 10 years of marriage, I went through a divorce; and I began to get spiritually cold and backslidden. It was at this time in my life I tried crack cocaine. My life became a living nightmare. Crack drove me and led me to prison, despair, and homelessness. I lost it all! But thank God for Teen Challenge. My life is now restored. It is my desire to serve Christ the rest of my life. I stand on Romans 8:28, All things work for my good. So true! I thank God for the year I’ve spent at Teen Challenge, and for His wonderful mercy and grace. God is good!”

“My name is Toni and I grew up in Pennsylvania in a good Christian family. At the age of 12 my parents divorced. I went to live with my father in Elkhart, Indiana. At the age of 22 God took my father home to be with Him. I became very angry with God and chose to walk away from the Lord. I began trying to fill my life with the things of the world. Eventually I met a man and we married. I thought the marriage would fill a void in my life, but it didn’t. He was addicted to painkillers and was consumed with the business we started together. We had two children, but spent little time together as a family. I began drinking in the evenings just to unwind from the busy schedule of our lives. Drinking consumed my life. After 10 years of drinking, I had 2 DUIs, 27 days in jail, 2 wrecked cars, 1 husband full of anger and bitterness and 2 beautiful children wondering what was happening to their family. I found myself sitting in jail and I remembered a friend had told me about a program called Teen Challenge. In the past I was not ready to surrender, but I knew at that moment I was done running from God. Since coming to Teen Challenge, I have been so overwhelmed with a desire to seek the Lord. Everyday I purpose to love Him more and make God the center of my life. I never get tired of reading the Word and praying. I know God has given me such a beautiful heart and a true desire to serve and obey Him. I thank the Lord that He never gave up on me. My favorite verse is Mark 12:30 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

“My name is Trevor T., and lived in Lexington all my life. I started my life of crime at the age of 17 and now I am 34. I’ve done almost every kind of drug you could name. About a year ago, I got into some trouble again and was put on probation. As part of my probation, I had to start coming to Teen Challenge. I was brought up in church. When I got in trouble this time, God was already dealing with me. One day, I was outside, and my neighbor came by and talked to me about the Lord. She started to cry and so did I. Since then, I have been going to church and attending Teen Challenge meetings. As a result I have gotten close to the Lord and met new friends. If it wasn’t for the Lord and Teen Challenge, I don’t believe I would be clean today. I want to thank the Lord and my friends at Teen Challenge for a staying by my side and helping me through this. I know its not over, but it’s a good start. The advice I have for anyone going through the things I went through, is to stay in the Bible and find good Christian friends, pray and attend church. Come to Teen Challenge Lifeline Meetings because they helped me stay strong. I am trying to live out my testimony. I started in the Henderson Co. Teen Challenge Jail Ministry and I am sharing with others how the Lord changed my life.”

“My name is Tyler Bliss. I am 24 years old, and I graduated from Teen Challenge Faith Home Ranch about two years ago. I grew up in a pastors home under Godly parents but fell away from God at the age of 12. I came back to Him with about 8 years of addiction, lust, violence, and anger issues. My addictions and life-controlling issues were ruining my life before I ever had a chance to live it. I have always known that God loves me, and that I was called to ministry, but I could never seem to stay out of jail or kick my habits long enough to feel worthy of Gods love again. I was completely bound by guilt and depressed because I knew the truth the entire time. Through much love, direction, self-discipline, and discipleship provided by the Teen Challenge staff, I realized that the victory has always been mine to claim. The staff at Teen Challenge helped me to claim it. I am now a Youth Pastor on staff at Bethel Assembly of God in Oakdale, California. I am a part-time student at Generations School of Ministry. I own a car detailing business (a trade which I learned at the ranch), and I just started a clothing company called Resist.Overcome.Conquer. I am creating designs and printing my own clothing to challenge young people to do what Jesus did and calls us, as Christians, to do: engage in spiritual warfare and take back what is rightfully theirs. My favorite scripture since I was a student at Teen Challenge is: Jeremiah 29:11, I know the plans I have for you, says God, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

“My name is Valerie H. I was born into a family of 16 children. My father was an alcoholic and very abusive to my mom and us. I had a traumatic experience when I was 12. I was raped by one of my brother’s friends. After that I was never the same. I began using drugs, rebelling against authority, going to jail for the first time at 12…a pattern of juvenile delinquency began. My motto was to try anything at least once. So at the age of 18, I had smoked, snorted and shot up everything I could get a hold of…but my life was empty, lonely and miserable. A friend of our family, who had been a drug dealer in town, went to Teen Challenge in Missouri. After he graduated, he came home and led one of my brothers, who was in jail at the time, to the Lord. Then another one of my brothers got saved…they were all after me. God touched me on June 5, 1974 when I gave Him my whole heart. He gave me a chance to live life free of anger, hurt, and bitterness. He filled me with His love. Four days after I was born again, I came to this Teen Challenge. He used the ministry to ground me in Him and His Word. About 2 years after I graduated I came back to work at Western Michigan Teen Challenge, and that is when I met my husband, Dan H. He, himself, had been a habitual criminal. But God mightily changed his life from being a violent criminal to one of the most loving, gentle, godly men I have ever met. Dan and I were married in 1978 and raised our family. In 1999 we started Lighthouse Ministries in Lexington, Kentucky, ministering to the homeless, poor and addicted. Then the unexpected happened. On January 4, 2004, my husband, Dan, passed away. That day it seemed like my world turned upside down. But slowly and surely there has been a healing from my loss. Yet, God wouldn’t free me from the calling to continue the ministry. In 2005 the Nehemiah House, a faith-based, live-in program for men became a reality. We feed approximately 100 homeless people daily. Soon we will open the Rachel House for women. As I look back over the past, consider the present and anticipate the future, I can say, Truly God is good. He does all things well.”

“My name is William Stabile. My mother and father separated when I was small, and I lived with my mom. Her side of the family was deeply involved in sin and criminal activity, and that was more appealing to me than my father’s hard-working, no-nonsense side of the family. When I was 10, my mother passed away and then my grandfather. When that happened, I felt like I had lost a big part of me. I had a grudge against God and a void in my heart that I could not fill. As I got older, I tried everything I could to make myself happy and fill the void. My violent lifestyle and a drug addiction only made it worse. All I cared about was myself. Since I have found Christ, that void is not only filled, but overflowing with a love for people, peace and joy. Thanks to the prayers of my grandfather and my aunt I’m a new man, a man who is not ashamed of Christ. A man drawing closer to Him day by day”

“My name’s Ashley. Just like every little girl, I had big dreams for my future. I wanted to go to college, see the world, do something really cool. But when I started using drugs at 12, I lost all my dreams and my role models totally changed. I got in deep trouble fast. But a friend told me I should come to Teen Challenge and I am so glad she did. My whole life is different now because here, I met Jesus and it was really Him who gave me back my future.”

“My names Jim. Im 32 years old, and Ive been a drug-user for 32 years. Behind my moms back my dad was slipping drugs into my bottle to get me to sleep through the night. Before I came to Teen Challenge, drugs were literally all I knew. But when I got here, the people here didn’t seem worried about what I had done. I got a clean slate and for a guy like me a new start is a powerful thing. This time I’ve found the power and strength to live drug-free.”

“My names Kelly. I thought I had to starve myself to have the perfect body, and that I could only get peoples approval only if I were thinner or looked like pictures in a magazine, but deep down I couldn’t even get my own approval. I thought no one could love someone like me. Eventually I gave-up and started getting high or drunk just to make the pain go away. But when I came to Teen Challenge, I got clean and sober and started to see that I don’t need to be perfect. I can have a great life..drug-free.”

“My names Mary. One minute I was a wife and mother dabbling in prescription pills, the next I was handcuffed to a steel bench in a holding-cell. Drugs took me on a ride that ended in twelve felony charges. When I came to Teen Challenge, I never thought my life would change so radically or that, I’d still be drug-free after a year and a half, but here I learned how to trust God with a childlike faith and that’s kept me from going back and its made me new.”

“My parents came [to the United States] to live a better life and find freedom. They didn’t understand that freedom can only be found in His mighty name. You see, I lost my mom to the streets at age 3. My dad, well he did the best he could with my sister and I, but the devil also got a hold of him. It led to verbal abuse and physical [abuse]. I use to hate him so much that I never looked up at him. At age 13, I smoked my first joint and what a mistake that was. It just led to bigger drugs. Next thing you know, I’m serving a 5 year sentence in prison. Shortly after my baby girl Marlee was born my fiance tried to kill herself by overdosing. That’s when I hit the drugs harder. Two months went by before we talked again, mainly because she was in a program and I was running. But the scales fell from my eyes when I heard her voice on the phone. She was happy, full of love, and at peace. I wanted that so bad. After crying my face off, I opened the Bible right to Proverbs 30:5, \Every word of God proves to be true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.\” You see”

“My parents splitting up left me feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere. I began to drink, smoke marijuana, and then even harder drugs. On my 16th birthday I smoked crack for the first time. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a huge mess in my life. I quit school and church. I got a job and managed to stay somewhat off drugs for a few years. Then I started using drugs again and my life was a mess for a long time. I lost everything. After jail time, I spent 90 days in a rehab program. I did well for a few months and then I fell flat on my face. The vicious cycle of addiction had driven a wedge between me and Christ, as well as me and my family. I was contemplating suicide, but I met a girl who helped me drastically change my life. I managed to stay sober for over two years. As we had problems, I felt empty inside and started to use drugs again. My fiance refused to stay with me with me if I used drugs, so we broke up and my addiction worsened. After more jail time and more programs, I ended up at Teen Challenge. Since being at Teen Challenge, God has opened my eyes to a whole new spiritual world. He has restored my loving family. I give God all the glory and praise because without Him, my life and story mean nothing.”

“My rebellion led me to a world of darkness and sin fueled with a seemingly unbreakable addiction to crack cocaine and heroin. I lost everything including my wife, two boys and all selfrespect. I lived on the streets. After being shot, I began to search for help. My family brought me to Teen Challenge. Since being here, I have experienced the joy of the Lord. My relationship with my family has been restored, and I have hope for my future. I am ever thankful to the Lord for what He has done.”

“My son graduated from Teen Challenge in Driscoll, Texas… Let me tell you without Teen Challenge I would not have my son in my life… I am sure that the drugs would have taken him… With Teen Challenge my son has found God and excepted him.. He’s now on staff with Teen Challenge. I praise God and Teen Challenge for been there for my son and for all those lost souls..And for those who do not believe that Teen Challenge is a wonderful place you have not had to walk in the shoes of someone who needs help that Teen Challenge can give…Thank you Teen Challenge i will forever be in you debt. And praise God for you… God is so Good!!”

“My son is currently in the Philly facility right now…1st month down.. All I can say is this….. I cannot wait to meet the young man at the end of this journey. The transformation taking place already is amazing…..Praising our Lord and Savior!!!! Thank you.”

“My son is in teen challenge in San Antonio Texas right now and has been for the last 13 months. It has SAVED his life. They have facilitated a CHANGE in him that could not be done anywhere else. He is alive today because the people at Teen Challenge care about his sobriety, success and spiritual growth. Those \haters\” that didn’t succeed at Teen Challenge or have never experienced Teen Challenge first hand can say what they want… As for me and my house”

“My son was struggling and spiraling down into the pit no matter how much love and support I tried to give him. He would try one thing after another, trying to make himself feel better about himself and looking to all the wrong people to connect to. I remember saying over and over, I feel as though I am the only one trying to get you better! You need to begin to try harder than me. What I didn’t understand was I could talk and talk, try the same thing over and over, and still end up worse than before. At Teen Challenge Ranch, my son has found wonderful, Christian mentors, advisers, confidants. He has been put in a place where change and growing deeper in his relationship with the Lord is encouraged and fully available to him. I believe my son is beginning to understand that he is called according to the Lord’s purpose. The boys get home visits during their stay at TC, and over and over again people who would be around my son while he was home would say that he is a different boy now. I like the change I see! God is bringing peace where there has been chaos, comfort where there was much strife.”

“My son, Nathanael, is in the Teen Challenge, ‘Chad’s Hope’, in Manchester, KY. On June 30, 2009, he was arrested for meth… again. He almost lost his life. He is in a place where he is not only being taught God’s Word; he’s also in a place where he is loved. The change that I have seen in Nathanael is nothing but a miracle. Drug addicts do not belong in jail. Teen Challenge is a last hope for so many to finally see that there is no other way to stay sober without Jesus’ love and compassion. This is what Teen Challenge does on a daily basis. I pray that the jails will empty the ones with addictions and that the empty beds at Teen Challenge be filled.”

“My whole life Ive grown up as a Christian. I was always well educated, very active in sports and extra activities. As I grew older, out of acceptance by negative people, I began using gateway drugs and it quickly grew into harder drugs. By high school my focus was less on sports and more on drugs. I was allowing the devil to just take hold of my life. Three months before graduation I dropped out of high school and found myself in a bad relationship with a boy. I ended up getting into some legal trouble and was placed on probation for eight years. By age 18 with five felonies, I felt like my life was ruined. About three years into probation I found myself relapsing on an IV drug and ended up on life support and in a coma for 14 days. After waking up, I couldn’t walk or talk and I realized I needed God to direct my path again. I have now rededicated my life again to Christ through Teen Challenge. Because of my overdose I had revoked my probation and was facing a prison sentence. I brought the idea of Teen Challenge to my judges attention but he was not for it. Twelve months had gone by and in the end I had the choice to either attend a six month rehab through the system or go to Teen Challenge for 12 months. I chose Teen Challenge because I wanted that relationship with God. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways. I am now married to a wonderful man, basing our marriage on Christ. Im not afraid of completing probation. I know now that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. My passion in life is to counsel juvenile kids struggling with acceptance and to just let them know its not worth trying drugs to fit in. The enemy has been defeated by MY Savior Jesus Christ!”

“My youngest son Drew was involved in drugs quite heavily; he was cooking methamphetamines as well as shooting up and abusing prescription pills, beginning at the age of 14. Ultimately he ended up running away and was subsequently found and detained in Brazoria County Texas, which is close to Corpus Christi, Texas. Please keep in mind that we lived in northeast Oklahoma at the time, so he made it quite a ways from home. At some point along this journey I decided that I could not give Drew the help he needed, and as hard as it was to admit to myself, I did not want him to come back home once I picked him up from the juvenile facility in Texas. I spent the better part of a week researching male adolescent facilities online and spent many many more hours making phone calls trying to decide where to place him. Obviously I chose Teen Challenge of Northwest Arkansas. Taking Drew there was what I considered to be the hardest thing I had ever done. That was until I started to receive his letters over the next 30 days. What I soon found out was that LEAVING him there would be the biggest challenge that I would ultimately end up having. I am thankful that God gave me the strength to do so! The Drew today is NOT the Drew from 2 years ago and this is very hard for me and my entire family or anyone who knows him to imagine. I will not say that he is the same person he was before he started using drugs either, because he is so much more now. I used to say thank you profusely to all of the staff at Teen Challenge Ranch for helping Drew overcome everything, but Drew has been gone from Teen Challenge Ranch for over a year now and he continues to grow personally as well as spiritually and the Teen Challenge Ranch staff is no longer there. I have come to the conclusion that what Teen Challenge Staff did was lead Drew to Christ, and focusing on Christ is what has saved my child from what was sure to be him being dead or in jail by his 18th Birthday. Drew turns 19 in exactly one week and I can hardly believe it. For many years I have heard the phrase All things are possible through Christ. Now when I hear this or say it myself, I actually believe it. There will never be any words that can express my gratitude to each and every staff member at Teen Challenge Ranch for having the patience to slowly (and Im sure at times, it was painful for them, because Drew is a very headstrong young man) lead my son back from the dark depths he found himself to be in. But somehow through their leadership and believing, they did!!!! For this, I thank God every day for leading me to Teen Challenge of Northwest Arkansas! Shelli O. (Parent)”

“My youngest son Drew was involved in drugs quite heavily; he was cooking methamphetamines as well as shooting up and abusing prescription pills, beginning at the age of 14. Ultimately he ended up running away and was subsequently found and detained in Brazoria County Texas, which is close to Corpus Christi, Texas. Please keep in mind that we lived in northeast Oklahoma at the time, so he made it quite a ways from home. At some point along this journey I decided that I could not give Drew the help he needed, and as hard as it was to admit to myself, I did not want him to come back home once I picked him up from the juvenile facility in Texas. I spent the better part of a week researching male adolescent facilities online and spent many many more hours making phone calls trying to decide where to place him. Obviously I chose Teen Challenge of Northwest Arkansas. Taking Drew there was what I considered to be the hardest thing I had ever done. That was until I started to receive his letters over the next 30 days. What I soon found out was that LEAVING him there would be the biggest challenge that I would ultimately end up having. I am thankful that God gave me the strength to do so! The Drew today is NOT the Drew from 2 years ago and this is very hard for me and my entire family or anyone who knows him to imagine. I will not say that he is the same person he was before he started using drugs either, because he is so much more now. I used to say thank you profusely to all of the staff at Teen Challenge Ranch for helping Drew overcome everything, but Drew has been gone from Teen Challenge Ranch for over a year now and he continues to grow personally as well as spiritually and the Teen Challenge Ranch staff is no longer there. I have come to the conclusion that what Teen Challenge Staff did was lead Drew to Christ, and focusing on Christ is what has saved my child from what was sure to be him being dead or in jail by his 18th Birthday. Drew turns 19 in exactly one week and I can hardly believe it. For many years I have heard the phrase All things are possible through Christ. Now when I hear this or say it myself, I actually believe it. There will never be any words that can express my gratitude to each and every staff member at Teen Challenge Ranch for having the patience to slowly (and Im sure at times, it was painful for them, because Drew is a very headstrong young man) lead my son back from the dark depths he found himself to be in. But somehow through their leadership and believing, they did!!!! For this, I thank God every day for leading me to Teen Challenge of Northwest Arkansas! Shelli O. (Parent)”

“Never in my life have I ever felt more loved and appreciated then the year I spent at Teen Challenge in Lansing, MI. I will never forget the impact that Jesus Christ and the people and staff there had on my life and walk. This world is fleeting….seek HIS face and I promise you will become new and forever satisfied. Thank you Teen Challenge. Thank You Lord. God Bless.”

“Never knowing my biological parents, and then at the age of 4 being abused by a step parent, I grew up feeling abandoned. This led to a lot of self destruction. My very loving adoptive mother enrolled me into Teen Challenge and here I am learning who God really is and who He has created me to be.”

“New Horizons was the door that God opened to draw me to Him….. I am so very thankful!!”

“News Spot”

“News story”

“No one knows better than I what wonderful and awesome miracles God works through Teen Challenge. A year ago my son was doing any kind of drug he could get his hands on. He ended up in jail for stealing checks from me and from his stepfather and for forging my name. The hardest thing I ever had to do was practice tough love, but I knew it was going to save his life. He asked to go to Teen Challenge and because of some wonderful people with Teen Challenge and with the Lord’s help, he was accepted. I will never forget the first time his four children and I got to visit him. He put his arms around all five of us, and his fourteen year old daughter cried and said, \Daddy”

“Not everybody begins life at the starting line. Some begin several laps ahead; others several behind. Alexa is part of the latter group. Born in 1992, Alexa entered the world to a father who, until a paternity test, denied she was his child. Her mother did her best to raise Alexa by herself but was ill-equipped for the task. Growing up, Alexa lacked the normal things a little girl should be able to expectsecurity, motherly care, and discipline. Alexas mother had a drug problem which progressed over time. Tragically, she introduced Alexa at a young age to alcohol and to smoking pot. At the age of 16, Alexa moved into her grandmothers home in an attempt to find some stability. The change in environment, however, did not remove the depression and the loneliness Alexa felt deep in her heart. Alexa soon dropped out of high school and gave herself over to alcohol and pain pills. Life centered around partying and wild living. At 18, Alexa took her first hit of heroin. That was the last straw. Grandma told Alexa she would have to go. Alexa found herself on the streets and homeless. Nothing mattered; all she cared about were the drugs. She was obsessed. Alexas self-destructive behaviors got her in trouble with the law on repeated ocassions. She found herself in and out of treatment centers and psychiatric hospitals. She started dabbling in fortune-telling and card readings, opening her life to the realm of the demonic. All the while, Alexas drug usage got out of control. It wasnt about wanting to get high; Alexa had to get high. She was eventually arrested for a drug-related armed robbery and was facing a seven year prison sentence. Most would think that would be enough to wake her up. But walking away with only a 90 day misdemeanor charge, Alexa continued to use seven times stronger. She reached a new level of evil. On January 17, 2012, Alexa couldnt take it anymore. She tried to take her life. She ingested 300 pills. By Gods grace, she was found and rushed to the hospital where her stomach was pumped. When Alexa woke up, to her surprise, her mother, aunt and uncle were gathered around her bed. As she lay there, her body spent and her spirit broken, she told the truth about who she was and what she had become. Still, upon release from the hospital, Alexa persisted on her hell-bent path. She went back to using drugs, stealing and lying. Enough was enough. On February 13, Uncle Steve and Aunt Lori administered tough love. The one thing Alexa cherished in her life was the relationship she had with her cousins. Unless she agreed to go to treatment, Alexa would not be allowed to see them. She was devastated. That was what it took. Two days later, on February 15, Uncle Steve escorted her to Life Challenge. Two days after that, February 17, Alexa embraced Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. Ironically, that was one month exactly after the attempted suicide. Alexa is not the troubled girl she once was. She is a beautiful young lady who is not only drug and alcohol free, but at peace and full of the joy of the Lord. The craziness is gone. She dreams of going to Bible school and one day entering into full-time ministry. Whats more, as a result of her changed life, Alexas 16-year-old sister has completely turned around her life. Her mom has stopped drinking. Her dad has come back into her life. God is doing things Alexa never imagined.”

“Not one step of Amber’s road has been easy. Sitting in a gazebo in a park-like setting behind Priscilla’s Place, a faith-based ministry to women dealing with drug and alcohol issues, she tells her story in warp speed, as if rushing through the words makes it easier to say and hear. Even then, her hard history is breathtaking. Her dad was in prison, her sister was addicted to drugs. There was a period when Amber worshiped Satan and hated God. She tried to numb herself to reality with drugs and alcohol until everything fell apart. Amber readily admits that had she read the online application and realized that Priscilla’s Place is a Christ-centered program with daily Bible studies, she would not have filled it out or walked through the door. Her first week was a war as Amber fought everyone, but after three weeks, her hard, outer shell crumbled and she decided to follow Jesus. Thats when real transformation began. At Priscilla’s Place, Amber is learning that she is worthy, that God loves her so much that He sent His Son to die for her sin, and He has a plan for her life. Priscilla’s Place, near downtown Louisville, provides a one-year residential treatment program that includes a Bible study curriculum created by Teen Challenge that includes personal and group studies for new Christians. Priscilla’s Place is one of 180 Teen Challenge centers throughout the United States. There are another 300 centers in more than 40 countries. Southeast Christian Church partners with Priscilla’s Place in the community and has helped it expand facilities to reach more women. An independent analysis of the Teen Challenge graduates by Wilder Research found it highly effective: 74 percent of adult program graduates reported no drug or alcohol use in the previous six months, 58 percent went back to school after graduating from the program, 77 percent either were working 30-plus hours a week or were full-time students and 80-plus percent rated the overall quality of their lives as outstanding or very good. When asked to name what helped most, most said the faith-based aspects of the program. Tiana M., a member of Southeast, is the program director at Priscilla’s Place. She believes that events on her own timeline were training ground for what she does there every day. Before working at Priscilla’s Place, she was a missionary to a closed, difficult country in North Africa. Life blindsided her two years ago when her fiance died of a drug overdose a few days after they got engaged. He had been clean a long time, and God had restored and redeemed his life. No one knows what was going through his mind that night, but that loss devastated Miller. In time, Miller looked for what God wanted her to do next. \I begged God to use what happened”

“”

“”

“”

“”

“”

“”

“”

“”

“On August 29, 2011 I started my journey with Teen Challenge. I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the time. I had just gotten out of jail when out of nowhere a Teen Challenge van pulled up. Somehow, I knew what the Lord wanted me to do. I decided to take a chance and got in the van. When I arrived at the center, I was shocked at how well everyone treated me and even puzzled as to why they would treat someone like me with love. Their love sparked my interest in what the program had to offer me. However, I didn’t completely buy in to the program. I made a lot of mistakes and was disobedient initially. I realized that I had to make some drastic changes and embrace the program when the staff sat down with me and gave me an ultimatum. Basically, they told me if I didn’t embrace the program they would have to dismiss me. I suddenly understood the severity of the situation I was in, and I believe that God used it to work in my heart. A hunger for the Lord and what his plan for my life was born that day. This is the point where recovery really began and my life started to change for the better. As the Lord began working, some of the stumbling blocks in my life began to be exposed. During the last 6 months of the program, those stumbling blocks started falling away and sanctification started taking place. I learned to use wisdom in choosing the type of people that I surround myself with but also how to be compassionate and caring to people regardless. I started seeing the Lord bless my life through obedience to Him. My family relationships began to see the effects of this heart change almost immediately and new opportunities began to surface. As graduation drew closer, I felt the Lord calling me to do a Teen Challenge Ministry Institute Student Internship and to continue to building a relationship with Him beyond the foundation that the program established. The Lord allowed for the transition from student to TCMI Student Intern to go very smoothly for me and I soon realized it would be the best decision I had ever made. However, I still knew that it wouldn’t be easy and to be honest, it was twice as hard as being a student. I know that God has pushed me beyond myself so that I can learn to trust Him completely. During the year of TCMI I learned a lot of valuable lessons in regards to how to handle things in a Biblical way. I know that some of the curriculum challenged me in regards to becoming a better, more effective, spiritual leader. It was kind of ironic because at times we would be studying certain curriculum and those would be areas that the Lord was exposing in my life. The things I learned at TCMI will be so valuable to me and were ever the Lord takes me in life. The biggest thing that I learned throughout this year of TCMI was how to be a humble servant leader. The internship has stretched me in ways I never thought I could stretch before but it also has produced fruit that I never thought would grow again. My family actually trusts me again, Ive been able to spend time with my brother sober and have clean fun and miraculously, Im now looking at getting my license back for the first time in three years. I had all but given up on those things ever happening but God moved mountains for me and I give Him all the credit. Just recently, Terry and Kim approached me about taking a full-time staff position at Central Oregon Men’s Outreach as the Intake Coordinator. I believe the Lord has brought me up to take this position and called me to work with guys that are coming out of addiction. It is rewarding to be able to share with them that there is hope for their future in Christ. Proverbs 3:6 says, In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. I have found this verse to be true in my life and I am excited to see how God uses me in the future to show His promises like this to others. I have no doubts that God has ordered my steps to this point and that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m truly thankful for all that He has done.”

“On January 18, 2008, I walked through the doors of Western Michigan Teen Challenge a broken, exhausted young man, addicted to alcohol. My name is Ryan. I am 26 years old, born and raised in Northwest Michigan to faithful, loving, born-again Christian parents. Growing up, I was the strong willed child, always desiring to be the center of attention and very obsessed with the approval of others. As the son of a very influential man and Godly Christian leader, I felt it necessary to excel at everything I did, to be the best and most popular – someone that everyone approved of. I would discover later in life that this approval addiction would birth other addictions in my life and would be my undoing. Raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord, I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 18. I moved to the Southwest United States to attend a Christian college where I enrolled in a biblical studies program and pursued a degree in business marketing. During the summers, I worked as a missionary to South America. I believed wholeheartedly that I was in the center of God’s will. But I allowed the thorns and thistles of life, and youthful lusts to choke out what was once good soil. I found myself slowly walking away from the Lord. I became a consultant in the insurance industry and became very successful by the time I was 25. I was a well-respected speaker, managing one of the largest health plans in Michigan. My success became priority and I put my relationship with God on a shelf. My need for the approval of men brought me further and further into a life of debauchery, lies, and broken promises. I was living a double life, a Sunday Christian, who was living during the week something very different from what people thought. From the outside, it looked as though I had it all together. But on the inside, I was miserable and ashamed. I had become a man that could not remember his own reflection in the mirror. Late one evening, I attempted to commit suicide and as my life flashed before my eyes the Lord spoke to me. You are not going to die, I am not done with you yet! I found myself through a series of miraculous events, lying in a hospital room crying out to God to take me back, to forgive me of all my sins. Shortly after walking through the doors of Teen Challenge, I met my Lord and Savior, as if for the first time, at an altar of prayer. God has used Teen Challenge to restore my life. I now have a hope and a future. I have a plan and an eternal purpose for my life. God has truly set eternity in my heart.”

“On July 22, 2007, I walked in the doors of Teen Challenge with no hope, unforgiveness, so much anger and hatred in my heart. Fourteen months later I graduated not the same man who walked in the front door. I submitted myself to God and all he had for me. Am not who I was Thank God, and am not who I need to be yet. But the journey has been and is worth ever step along the way. The Lord has restored me and reunited me to my family. He has given me a purpose in this life and it is rewarding and fulfilling. I have God to thank and so many people along the way. On September 27, 2012 will be 4 years since my graduation from Teen Challenge. I have been told that 86% of graduates 5 years after completion go on to become productive members of society. It is so AWESOME to live my life for Christ. Am not going back to where I began. Am here to declare to you my past is over. AMEN.”

“One night I planned to take my own life. I prayed, \God help me!:\” He miraculously did. Within 48 hours I found myself at Teen Challenge.”

“One of the best documented success rates among faith-based efforts is Teen Challenge, which combats drug addiction. When Teen Challenge claimed a 70 percent cure rate for addiction, it was challenged by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, which funded a study by the National Institute of Mental Health in 1975. Critics were skeptical of Teen Challenges claims. To the surprise of the investigators, the study published in 1976, showed that 86 percent of Teen Challenge graduates were living drug-free lives.”

“Out of The Muck and Mire, Thank You God! My journey to Teen Challenge was a very trying and intense time in my life. Growing up I had always excelled in athletics, whether it was baseball, football, or even basketball. At the age of 10 I got really involved in baseball and found my identity in that. Succeeding in sports seemed to please everyone around me, so if they were happy I was happy. When I hit junior high school, I found football and found that was the sport for me. I was always a bigger kid so I found my place being able to do really well in this sport. So I put all my focus on this sport and year around I would train for this sport. By the time I hit high school all the coaches had been recruiting me and talking to me about where I would play. My sophomore year my first couple games I played on special teams and was second string on the offensive line. The third game of the season the guy in front of me got hurt so I started playing varsity for the rest of the season. I was on cloud 9 and loving life. Then junior year came around and in the semi-final game I got really sick and ended up being diagnosed with Leukemia a couple weeks after that. This took me out of football and I was absolutely crushed. I had colleges looking at me to go play for them, but because I got sick I was a health risk to them, and my body was not up to playing college football. During the cancer treatments I had about 10 surgeries in a year and was put on heavy duty pain killers throughout this time. I was hooked from the first one that I put in my mouth. At the time I didn’t think much of it because doctors were prescribing it. Fast forward about two years and I found myself in Bible College and gravitating towards the wrong crowd. I would get together with some friends and we would drink hard alcohol in the library, and I was just causing all sorts of trouble at this school. So with me causing trouble, I decided to move out of the dorms and into an apartment with a buddy who would drink with me. This was pretty much where everything went south. We would throw big parties. One night an old friend from high school brought some weed over and I just loved it. It triggered something in my head and it reminded me a little bit of the pain killers I once had. For about a year I would smoke weed, work, and pretty much keep things simple. One night a friend came over to a house I would hang out at, and he brought some pain killers. I didn’t realize you could get them on the street. One thing leads to another, and suddenly I found myself smoking oxycontin. This led me to do things that I said I never would. I ended up going to rehab and moving into an Oxford House. I was clean for about 40 days, but was just missing something in my heart. I ended relapsing, but this time I was introduced to heroin. This drug was a whole other level. I smoked heroin for about a year; then my friend introduced me to using a needle. I began selling drugs and doing favors for people for the drug. I was committing some pretty horrible crimes and doing some terrible things to people just to get a fix. Things went south with those people, and they ended up going to prison. so I didn’t have an income anymore. I thought it would be a good idea to take my little brother’s Xbox and iPod, and I ran right to the pawn shop to get a fix. I had done some low things in my life, but this one hit me the hardest. The next morning I woke up and knew this was going to be it if I didn’t figure something out I was going to jail for sure. So I told my mom I needed help again. My family said I needed to find it on my own; they were done paying for me to go screw up again. We looked all day and the only place that would take me was Teen Challenge in Spokane, so that night my dad drove me from Seattle to Spokane. To start my Teen Challenge adventure, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The first few months I caused a lot of trouble there smoking and finding ways to still use. About four and a half months into the program, I got a call from my mom telling me my dad had a sudden heart attack and he had passed away. I flew home and was there for the funeral. I knew where my dad had hid some of his pain killers so I grabbed a bunch and brought them back. Once I ran out I found ways to get more, and I ended up trying to buy some from an old graduate. A week later he called in and told on me and two other guys. This gave me my first restart in the program, so I was at a cross roads: am I really going to do this program, or should I just go? Well I decided that I would really start to dig in and see if I could get better. Another seven months went by, and I was doing really well until I went on a moving job and found an entire script of pain killers. I said, okay, one more time wont hurt anything. The next morning I woke up and had to take a drug test. This was the last straw for them, and they said I could leave for 30 days, or they would take me to the Tri-Cities Teen Challenge. If I thought my mom and brother were done with me before, this was it. My mom said she didn’t want to talk to me anymore and didn’t even know if I was a part of the family anymore. I made the decision to go to the Tri-Cities. When I got there, I had a meeting with the director and he asked if I really wanted to stay. I said, I really don’t know, so he told me to give it a week and then well see where things are at. Two days later we were at church and the director did an alter call and something was telling me to go up, so I did, and he prayed with me and told me before the prayer that God was going to break the chains of addiction for me right then and there that night. So we prayed and there was a point where I just felt this weight lift off my shoulders and off my chest, and I knew right then that I was never going to do drugs again. I spent four months there and was doing really good. My mom was starting to talk to me again on the phone, and I could see God using me and working on me. Since things were getting better with my family, I asked to be transferred to the Seattle Teen Challenge with the hopes I could see my family more often. When I got to Seattle I had started doing devotions on my own time, and God was becoming more and more real to me every day. I really started digging in the Bible, and I was fascinated with the things I was learning in it. And at this time my mom was visiting me on every visitation day, and we were laughing and talking again. Next thing I know my brother is coming with her, and we were able to start working through things. They could really see that God had been working on me and changing me. By the time my first pass came around my family said I could go to their house and stay there for a little bit. God was showing me during this time that if I put my faith and trust in him things will get right. I had about three months left in the program, and I heard a little voice in my heart telling me to do an internship and give back to the program that had helped me get my feet back under me. So I approached the staff here in Seattle and basically asked if I could do an internship through the Ministry Institute, and they thought it would be a great idea. I graduated and fully committed to staying on another year as an intern, and it was a great decision! I have learned more in the past year than anything else I have done in my whole life. This internship has taught me responsibility; it has taught me how to love myself again so I can love others which in turn helps me become a leader in Christ. I have learned how to deal with people that are hard to get along with and deal with people that I would not choose to put in my life, but we are pretty much forced to deal with. I have learned how important the little things are in life and that each day a gift from God is. I have learned how to be a servant even when I don’t feel like being one, and I have learned how to keep a positive attitude in the hardest of situations. God has never been more real in my life than he is today, and I am so thankful for the crazy adventure that he has brought me through on this Teen Challenge roller coaster. I am so thankful for Teen Challenge and the second and third chances they have given me. I am thankful for the endless chances God has given me, and I am so excited for the life that he has ahead of me and all the other adventures He has in store. Thank you Teen Challenge for teaching me how to live life again, and thank you God for bringing up out of the muck and mire and using me in your ministry.”

“Paul was raised in a loving Christian home with good parents. Unfortunately, this did not stop him from seeking acceptance from peers, and Paul eventually became involved with drugs. His life and relationship with his family deteriorated to the point that the police had to be called to his home because he was out of control and had become physical with his father. Paul finally saw that he needed help. With the assistance of his family and friends, Paul found his way to Teen Challenge Ranch of NW Arkansas. It was there that he recommitted his life to Christ, and soon after, God called him into the ministry. He began sharing his testimony regularly with the Teen Challenge ministry team and even had an opportunity to preach at a youth service while still a student at Teen Challenge. After graduation from Teen Challenge, Paul returned home and finished school. He went to college and then seminary. He has continued preaching and reaching out to others with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.”

“Prior to coming to Teen Challenge my life was in shambles. For years I struggled with cocaine and opiate addiction, and lived a selfish and destructive life. But now that God has shown me what real love is and has brought order to the chaos in my life, I have hope for my future. Praise God for His unending love and boundless mercy.”

“Proverbs 13:20-21 NLT Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous…… Looking back at my life how true this scripture was and still is in many people’s lifes Scriptures like these pointed out even more how much I needed God’s wisdom from his word. Amazing how God gave us His word to base our life off of and by so doing reaping the blessings far out weighs the curses and trouble of not doing so. ..Thank you Jesus and the doors of Teen Challenge of the Dakotas being open for me to be able to get right with God and not having to worry about anything else but that. Amen”

“Robbie came in May 2010 to our one year residential program a broken man and was about to lose everything that was important in his life. He said, \I always seemed to run from my hurts and my fears in life and covering them up with drugs.\””

“Russell was 16 years old when he entered Teen Challenge Ranch of NW Arkansas. He had a serious temper, 2 felony charges, and was the third generation in his family to have serious drug problems. Russell came to Teen Challenge resistant, and full of anger. His first weeks at Teen Challenge were difficult, and he was frequently in trouble. As Russell explained it, he grew a lot through failure. But throughout even his worst days in the program, Russell was constantly being presented with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Eventually, Russell committed his life to the Lord, and slowly but surely the incredible transformation began. The angry young man transformed into a kind and gentle man of God. After graduating Teen Challenge, Russell became active in missions. He attended a missions training program and has helped to spread the gospel in Honduras, Mexico, and India. He is also a graduate of the Mt. Zion School of Ministry and is now serving as a staff member at the very Teen Challenge where he first received Christ.”

“Serving Teen Challenge USA as president has exciting moments that many times bring into focus the unlimited possibilities for future development. One of these occasions was a visit with Fred Lamberson prior to the Redwood Teen Challenge banquet. The meeting with Fred was a personal blessing as I listened to his testimony and TC experiences as a student and now a director. Fred was a former TC student when I was the Senior Executive Director of Teen Challenge of the Pacific Northwest. Freds Teen Challenge journey is a miracle in itself; Fred is a graduate of Teen Challenge in Southern California and a graduate of its Teen Challenge Ministry Institute (TCIMI). After graduating from TCIMI, Fred became a staff member of Nor-Cal/ Nevada Teen Challengeeventually, the pioneer director of Redwood Teen Challenge in Eureka. Needless to say, I was blessed to see Fred and his wife, Theresa, again and learn how well they are doing as the leaders of the mens and womens Teen Challenge ministries at Eureka. During my visit at Redwood Teen Challenge Fred took me on a tour of the Trinidad Rancheria Reservation. After dinner we went on a driving tour and looked at a facility that was a former clinic for the tribe. We discussed what a great location for a Teen Challenge center and its located on Indian land. The next evening the banquet had a full house with student testimonies and the choir singing praises to the Lord. During the flight home I couldnt shake the idea of a Teen Challenge Ministry on a reservation, run by Native Americans, working exclusively with Native Americans. I wanted to make this need known to the Teen Challenge directors and staff in the USA. I thought if this could become a reality it would be our first indigenous ministry of its type in the USA. My great grandfather was a Native Cherokee. In his days, in the late 1800s, he desired to integrate into the white mans culture and even deny he was part of the Cherokee people. It saddens me to know the decision he made all those years ago caused that part of our family heritage to disappear forever. The next day I called Randy Rowe and asked for his permission to share the idea of involving all the TC centers that desired to help with the project, and a path to provide seed money for the indigenous project. Within a few weeks, Fred was given the great honor of becoming a tribal councilman. I believe this is a first in the Teen Challenge; never to my knowledge have we had a Teen Challenge student later to become an Executive Director and be honored as a Native American Councilman. Truly a God thing! The timing was right; as we were beginning the Regional Conferences, the Northern California Assemblies of God District, US Missions and the National TC Board all gave their approval to promote the project to the Teen Challenge centers in the USA. Im totally aware this is not just a good idea project to promote, but Im totally convinced this is a God-directed concept and this was proven by the Teen Challenge response at all four Regional Conferences. Zollie Smith, Executive Director of US Missions gave $10,000 toward the seed gift. Today, a total of $33,710 has come in during one of the most difficult financial crunches I have ever seen in my 36 years of ministry. Currently, there is $11,520 in outstanding pledges to yet come in for the project. The new Native American center opened on January 4, 2010, on Indian Land to the glory of God! Even before opening, Fred informed me he was selected to serve on an all tribes council where there has been interest from several other tribal leaders to begin Teen Challenge centers on other Indian land. Fred also said, God truly does love the Indian people and is making a way for Teen Challenge to reach out to them. On January 4, 2010, the first ever Native American Teen Challenge opened in Trinidad California. Thanks to the Trinidad Rancheria and Teen Challenge centers all across the nation we will be able to provide help to those who are hurting and addicted all across Indian country. Calls are coming in from all over the USA with questions about the new program. It looks like we will fill up the ten beds fairly quickly, so please pray that we can meet the needs as they come in. Through many years of ministry I have seen several Teen Challenge centers develop, not only in the Pacific Northwest, but around the world. The Native American Teen Challenge story is a miracle in the making and truly Gods plan for tribes across the nation. Thank you to those of you who believe in the dream of a Native American Teen Challenge. Thank you for giving your hard-to-come-by dollars to seed this new work the beginning of great things to come!”

“Seven years ago today I entered Western Michigan Teen Challenge and I want to give God all the glory for the victory He has won in my life!!!!!”

“Shannon came to the Montana Women’s Outreach in the summer of 2008. She has many fond memories of learning about Jesus and His grace from her mom. As the stresses of life grew she turned to a familiar family coping mechanism: alcohol. This proved to be a life-altering choice as it completely took her over. Shannon successfully completed the year long program and stayed on at Teen Challenge for Phase 5 which included an additional six months in a safe environment while she got herself back on her feet. She completed Phase 5 and graduated from Teen Challenge on April 30th 2010. While in Phase 5, Shannon met the man that she would wed on October 30, 2010, Andy F. They moved to the Pacific Northwest to begin their new married life together. Once again the stresses of life became too much to bear and old habits and patterns began to return. They struggled to make sense of their lives. Shannon wondered what happened to the promise of an abundant life in Jesus; He seemed so far away once again. As God would have it, He is never far from us and is always at work as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Andy saw an advertisement for a worship leader needed at River of Life Church in Everett, WA. He followed the leading, met with the senior pastor, and has found a place to be involved. This also afforded Shannon an opportunity once again to turn from her place of isolation and suffering to the giver of grace. Shannon would be the first to say that the road has been rocky and marriage is a challenge, but in all of it she once again sees just how magnificent is the Grace that Jesus offers. Today Shannon and Andy are celebrating their first baby, a boy. This new birth is a continual reminder to Shannon that God is always in the business of birthing new life. Shannon and Andy are serving the Lord at River of Life Church, enjoying their new baby boy, and excited to see what the Lord has in store for them as they continue their journey of faith.”

“Shawn came to Chad’s Hope in the fall of 2009 and graduated in February 2011. Upon graduation, his church hired him as a custodian and shortly thereafter, he also became the owner of a mowing company. Shawn will be married on June 16 to a wonderful Christian lady named Kayla. Recently he applied for a job with a large regional corporation, but didn’t get the job due to his prior arrest. A few hours later the company called him back and offered Shawn a supervisory position that is actually a better, higher paying job! Shawn is a life that has been changed! Update: Shawn married his sweet bride on June 16, 2012 in a beautiful wedding ceremony. Shawn has also already received a promotion at his new job. God is so good to us!”

“She started drinking at 11. By 14, Alexa E was smoking pot and having drunken fights with her boyfriend in the middle of the streets. At 15, it was painkillers such as Xanax. At 17, Alexa moved on to ecstasy and cocaine. She dropped out of Jefferson High School by her junior year. She was stealing fifths of liquor three at a time from the grocery store. She was thrown in jail. And yet she still hadn’t hit rock bottom. That came when she started trading sex for heroin. By 19, Alexa attempted suicide. The drug made her memories a blur. \I wouldn’t stop using heroin”

“Since coming to Lakeland Grace Academy, my life has completely changed. I owe all my thanks to the power of God. I came hopeless, cut off from my family and unaware of a savior. I had no respect for anyone but now through God I can love and respect others and myself. I also have established a great relationship with my family.”

“Since coming to Tennessee Valley Teen Challenge, Inc. I have come to realize that this program is truly an inspirational one. After coming here, I’ve learned to strive to get away from drugs and alcohol. It is a spiritual and mental transformation. I have received a great deal of education on both matters, but that spiritual wisdom is a must. Other than actual church attendance and guidance from different members and the pastor, Teen Challenge has made a great impact on my way of thinking, way of living, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks to all who are a part of this program. God Bless and keep you all.”

“Since graduating from Teen Challenge in 2007, I returned to school to finish my BA Degree in Child Development, went on two mission trips to Romania to work at a Christian camp for orphans, and now teach English in South Korea. None of this would have been possible without first going to Teen Challenge!! I am forever grateful and thankful for this awesome ministry! May God continue to bless it abundantly!”

“Since I graduated from Teen Challenge of Texas – Azle Men’s campus, my life is very different from the way it was before. I am no longer chained to alcohol, drugs or even nicotine. Perhaps the biggest difference is my reliance on God in my life. All the things that happen or don’t, the circumstances and events that I encounter, I know they have come about by divine permission or intervention. I was worried about what job I would have, where I would live, what I would drive, silly things now that were real worries when I was leaving TC. God has provided them all. He has blessed me with my own small business and all the material things that I need. My life was over, but God… I was ready to die, but God… I was without hope, but God… I have a real place in my heart for Teen Challenge and the guys that work and live there. God used them to change my heart, and as a result my life changed as well.”

“So basically I came to this Teen Challenge and had no idea I was going there 6 days before I got there. When I got there they were preaching the Gospel that changed my life forever.”

“So happy the changes God has made in mine and my husbands life:))))”

“So thankful to have my son welcomed back into the program, the familiar faces and hugs meant more than you know to him and also to me. I know that he is safe and ready to get his life back on track. Thank you for all you have done for my son, we are blessed to have found teen challenge!”

“Someone once told me a mother’s love can be compared to God’s love for us. That may be partly true, but we cannot fully grasp the depth and enormity of God’s love for us. Visit San Antonio Teen Challenge campus, talk to the interns, to the successful students and you WILL feel God’s love and see His presence there. Brandon Padgett, the director in San Antonio, is truly an angel right here on earth. He has made a difference in many lives and continues to be the driving force behind Teen Challenge San Antonio’s success in the earthly sense. God has filled Teen Challenge San Antonio with his spirit and is combatting the wicked ways of this world, day by day. Praise God for people like Brandon and the other staff members that care for everyone that walks in the shoes they once wore…. I will be forever in awe of the amazing transformation I have seen, the MIRACLES that I have witnessed first hand that my son has experienced over the last 13 months. GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!”

“Students regularly wash cars outside Western Michigan Teen Challenge at 440 Pontaluna in Norton Shores. The women’s dormitory is on Harvey Street. Although the community has welcomed the Teen Challenge ministry into the neighborhood, it has not been without its conflicts. Arnie Kelm has resided on Pontaluna Road more than 40 years, and saw the former Little Black Lake School transform to Western Michigan Teen Challenge. In the early years, Kelm admits he snooped around the property. He was shooed away a couple times, but his curiosity got the better of him. The new residential treatment ministry was peculiar to Kelm. On many occasions, loud music, cymbals and praise rang outside the open doors. \Back then”

“Tammy’s parents divorced when she was 14 years old, and after that she was molested by her mother’s boyfriend. She experienced a multitude of emotional hurts during that time. She internalized the pain, trying to hide it with worldly things. She started drinking alcohol and smoking pot, and went from one unhealthy relationship into another. A few years ago, she was in a relationship with a guy who was using heroin. During that time, she says, \I rarely went a day without using drugs.\” To support her habit”

“Teen Challenge has always been close to our hearts and we appreciate the good work that the Lord is doing there to change peoples lives.”

“Teen Challenge has been a blessing to our family in our darkest moments. We are an average middle class family raising our kids in a Christian home and going to church every Sunday. We knew where our kids were at all times and were very involved in their lives. My daughter started hanging out with the \wrong crowd\” her sophomore year; we didn’t approve and gave her no freedom to see these kids outside of school.”

“Teen Challenge introduced me to the Love of my life, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They taught me how to have a relationship with Him. Before I went to Teen Challenge, my life was out of control and without purpose. With the love and discipline of the staff, the direction of the curriculum, and the guiding of the Holy Spirit I am learning how to be an obedient, submissive, and confidant Christian woman.”

“Teen Challenge is a great community program, it helps to shape the lives of so many ‘lost’ people. I am happy to be associated with this very effective program. Mrs. Vel Phillips Former Judge, Alderman, and Secretary of State”

“Teen Challenge is a very interesting program to say the least. The dynamics of what goes on inside one of these centers go far beyond anything I could describe here in one blog. What is Teen Challenge? Its a Christian organization whose focus is to help guys with life controlling issues get their lives back on track, and to be introduced to Jesus. The length of TC varies from center to center, and often depends on the persons progress. Most cases they will be anywhere from 10-16 months. This may seem like a long time compared to your typical 30-90 day recovery programs, and it is. For good reason. One month just isnt enough to become a new person (which is the only way to truly become clean). The whole focus of Teen Challenge isnt 12 steps, or typical counselling that you would often see used in recovery. Its focus is put the Word in these men, and they other stuff has a way of working itself out on its own. I completed the Teen Challenge in Cape Girardeau, MO in January of 2009. It was a true challenge for me (pun intended). One of the ways that it works is that you have little to no distractions to keep you from your relationship with God, and to get yourself better. Distractions include cell phones, internet, computers, secular music, books, etc. Now, for someone like myself who is VERY technologically driven, this was one of the hardest pills for me to swallow (pun not intended this time). But, with only a few other guys, and the Word that was being broken down for me everyday, I grew in my relationship with Jesus by leaps and bounds as the months went by. Thanks to Teen Challenge introducing me to the Lord I can say that I have been sober, and serving Him, for 3 years this September. The staff and Teen Challenge dont receive much money for their work there, or for that matter, much gratitude at times. Much like a teacher, the thanks and gratitude they receive comes way down the road in seeing their pupils succeed. This is very hard for a culture whose whole focus is instant gratification. I will never be able to express the deep gratitude and thanks I have for each of the men and women who served at the Teen Challenges that I have been a part of, you all have given me something that I may never be able to repay. So, it is always a VERY humbling and surreal experience when the Memphis Teen Challenge calls and asks if I would be able to lead a chapel there. To think that a few years ago it was me who was in those chairs, listening to someone who wanted to see me make it. Now, I have the opportunity to share with these men things that the Lord has shown me through the great teaching I receive both in my own reading, and through Fellowship Memphis and DownLine. I still cant believe that this is real sometimes. (or for that matter that they would care about anything I have to say). As I spoke on putting God first in our lives this morning, I tried to share with them not only the dangers of things that can get in the way of our relationship with our Father, but also practical advice that I have from personal experience. As I told them, my reason for coming is just as much to tell you what to expect, and how you can be successful outside of these walls as much as it is to share the Word with you. I believe these two are closely related. However, it takes someone whos been there to tell you dangers that Ive not only seen, but the struggles that Ive seen others go through as well. These are often warnings I never got while I was in the program, and I didnt want them to go back into the real world without hearing. Once a month I share a lesson, my story, and life applications with these guys. I often feel that I am blessed by speaking to them way more than they are blessed by listening to me. Over the last 3 years I have spoken in front of many groups, at many different places, but there is an energy in a Teen Challenge chapel that is unlike anything Ive experienced. I really feel that God shows up for these guys everyday. He shows a special love to this group of unlovables. As I often do, I brought these guys a treat. Youd be amazed how far $13 worth of doughnuts can go. Not physically, these guys put a hurtin on em. But the fact that someone is willing to not only give his time, but his pocket as well to a bunch of undeserving and broken men. They are broken and see the contriteness of their own hearts better than anyone. They just need to be introduced to the One who can restore their lives. The healing God that put my life together, the One that can heal us all”

“Teen Challenge is a wonderful program that is both in the United States and Overseas. The power of God in a person’s life helps to make us an overcomer. God is a God of second chances and the Teen Challenge Program gives people of all ages a second chance in life in this Christ based program.”

“Teen Challenge is an awesome ministry that God built to help people with life controlling issues. The house, the food, the clothes,the bed, and the staff are blessings from God. This is not just a \Program\”. It is a life transforming ministry that will change your life completely”

“Teen Challenge is an awesome program to introduce God’s love, mercy and grace. I pray that all graduates will never forget what the Lord has done in their life and to keep giving Him the glory.”

“Teen Challenge is an organization which cares deeply about hurting people.”

“Teen Challenge is making a huge impact on many lives and is deserving of all that we can do to support there work. Hopefully we will have a division of Teen Challenge in our area in the coming days……..”

“Teen challenge is were I started my journey to recovery and today I can say I am still clean and sober almost eleven months praise God. Thank God and the staff for everything. I pray for you guys daily. Brothers, \I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”

“Teen Challenge made a major eternity difference in my son’s life. Johnny went to be with Jesus after a accident in 2004, Teen Challenge as I said, made the difference in where Johnny spends eternity… This poem was written, by Johnny, my son, after a great time of intercessory prayer in the chapel at Teen Challenge in Hayden.. Teen Challenge is making a major difference in lives… May God bless you all. I am a thankful Mom. I sit and think of the life behind And sometimes wish that I could push rewind. But remembering the pain and the misery thereof I quickly pause and gaze above. The pain and misery have been taken away. I love to think back to that wonderful day When his grace was poured upon my sins; I knew I would never want to go back again. I felt I was new. I felt I was changed; I knew his love so quickly came. I didnt know what I had done, But soon realized it was Gods Son. He is real, He is there, Even when I whispered that short prayer I sometimes think of where I have been How close to death I was with sin How close I came to being snatched out But knowing God was there I have no doubt. It was the prayers, it was the cries On those dark nights in my mothers eyes I know His mercy, I know his protection And now I know his resurrection. I thank Him now for all Hes done and Know that I am now His son. Johnny E. November 26, 1997”

“Teen Challenge New England was a place I was truly born. You might say Joey you were born there 30 years ago? No I was not living life the right way until I was 24. Teen Challenge saved my life and my Wife’s life. It is amazing and I can’t compare anything to it. My best advice go to a center away from your home so you can really let God work on you and heal you. Praise The Lord!!!!!”

“Teen Challenge saved my daughter’s life and my wife and my sanity over a decade ago. I am eternally thankful. We are a Teen Challenge family. Because of Teen Challenge our daughter is serving Christ as an ordained Pastor and many have found Jesus through her and her husband’s ministry. Her husband is also a Teen Challenge and TCMI graduate. Praise God for His goodness. Oh did I mention I now serve at Teen Challenge? My offerings and my time are invested in the ministry of Teen Challenge where \Hope Lives\” and miracles happen. My family is restored.”

“Teen Challenge will always be my heart, I went through the program in the 90s and I can testify that is was the only decision that was right for me. I’m not going say that it was ever easy cause it wasn’t at times, but it got easier as I submitted wholeheartedly to God and only through him there is true freedom, love and trust. I learned under some really faithful teachers and for that I am grateful and will always share the love of Teen Challenge.”

“Terri Caruthers’ yard required several hours of work after a storm blew through Baldwin City about a month ago. \My Walnut trees had blown down”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done. All of your time and effort you put into making us better and MPY better is really appreciated. And let me tell you, it is not for nothing! Main Place has really helped me in my spiritual walk with God and my social skill. My behaviors are much less \crazy\” and more acceptable. All of your thoughts and prayers are felt daily as I struggle against the grain of this world’s pull and go towards Christ.””

“Thank You For helping my husband who was in need of God’s help and you were there to pick him up and take him out of the darkest moments he was going through. He also thanks you. Most of all me and his children is thankful for your prayers and god bless you all our father you rises in heaven is there in the time anytime where ever and how ever we need him… I thank you from our Family”

“Thank you for showing me God love mercy and grace as i started my new journey with the Lord 18 months ago. I praise God for Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland! I love all of you!”

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this short letter of testimony I have about the great things happening at Teen Challenge. I have witnessed firsthand the way God is redeeming and healing the lives of those who have laid their life consuming addictions at his feet and cried out to Jesus Christ our savior for mercy, grace and healing. There are very few places to go for help, unless you have lots of money up front or medical Insurance for these types of treatments. The sad truth most of the time there is no one there to help. They have usually burned all the bridges behind them between family and friends. When they finally awake to the truth of where their addictions have taken them and what they lost in their lives, they are filled with hopelessness and despair. They stand alone and in need of the ones in their lives they have abused and forsaken. Thank God for Teen Challenge! The womens center in Hayden Al. is home to over 40 women who have reclaimed their lives and devoted themselves to God and helping themselves along with others to overcome the quilt and shame that burdens their heart from their past actions. GOD IS GREAT! The counselors are spirit filled people who trust in God to help guide them through and overcome the many struggles the students face on the road to recovery. The many programs help the students in putting structure, self discipline and God into their lives.”

“Thank you so much for your support. Main Place Youth has given me a second chance at life. It has given me the fresh start that ‘Ive needed. While here at MPY I’ve learned how to take responsibility for myself. I have also recognized that there is room for improvement. Here I will be able to work on my relationship with God, my faith, and gaining the appropriate social skills. I will also learn how to become an young independent adult. Once Again I want to thank you for all your hard work and support. It is greatly appreciated.”

“Thank you TCSA for showing me and teaching me how to be who I am today! There is no way I could have done this on my own. Your love, strength and encouragement taught me how to be a Godly woman and how to be able to share God’s love to others. Thank you soooooo much!”

“Thank you Teen Challenge TX for the amazing blessing that you are. God uses you in such a powerful way. I have never had such an amazing time then the year I was there, and met such wonderful people.”

“Thank you to the staff and group of young men who were so welcoming when I came to observe and take notes for doing an article on TC! I felt comfortable and although try to remain \detached\” and focused when doing research”

“Thank you to the staff and group of young men who were so welcoming when I came to observe and take notes for doing an article on Teen Challenge! I felt comfortable and although try to remain \detached\” and focused when doing research”

“That’s Teen Challenge …. they’re there serving the needs of the community as they serve the Lord. I’m proud of all of you guys!!! I’m sure the businesses you helped are very grateful too.”

“The Bible talks about the word of our testimony, and Teen Challenge taught me about the power of a story. My dad’s a pastor. He’s been a pastor for 38 years in the Chicago suburbs, and growing up, every few months he would have a group from Teen Challenge come and visit our church. One by one these men would stand up and share their story. Hearing those Teen Challenge guys had me on the edge of my seat, and I thought, ‘Man, I want to be as real and authentic as them.’ Because those guys were saying, ‘Hey, here’s my story. It ain’t all pretty, but look what God has done.’ And you know what? When we tell our stories that way, guess who gets all the glory? God does.”

“The blood of Jesus has brought about a marvelous salvation in my life. I am delivered from a lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse.”

“The Home of Hope is an amazing program that transformed my life. I came into the program feeling empty and hopeless after a 5 year addiction to drugs. I didn’t believe I was worth anything but Teen Challenge helped me realize my true worth and introduced me to the love of Jesus Christ! I have a relationship with my family again and a new found hope!”

“The last time I got arrested, I was actually relieved. I grew up thinking violence and drugs were just part of life. My parents even helped me get started selling drugs and even before I turned 30, that lifestyle cost me 5 years behind bars. I seriously needed help. That’s when I came to Teen Challenge and my whole world turned upside-down…well, really it turned right-side-up. I never knew a turn-around like this was possible. I’m drug-free but best of all, now I know how to stay that way.”

“The life we lived as a family in turmoil is of the past…. the transformation is not just of our 2 daughters…. but of our whole family. God has truly blessed each and everyone of us with TCUC. Thank you, God for Pastor Tim, his family and staff.”

“The more I tried to help myself, the deeper I fell into my own pit of depression”

“The night of Sept. 3, the wooded stretch of Pontaluna Road in Norton Shores was quiet. But inside Western Michigan Teen Challenge there was a \Holy Ghost party”

“The turning point in Todd S’s life came as Todd says, \Death was made very real to me”

“The work they do for our youth is AMAZING!! God lives and is working hard with this team…”

“Thelma struggled with a heroin addiction for over 20 years. After accidentally shooting & killing her sister as a young child, she had very little hope and tremendous guilt that developed into a lifestyle of addiction and drug dealing. Today, she is drug free, passionately serving the Lord. She travels and shares her testimony around the state of Kentucky. Thelma is committed to her husband & family. God has restored her & is helping her to help others.”

“There aren’t enough words in the universal dictionary to try to express the way it feels to be present in the Home of Hope, Teen Challenge in Casa Grande Arizona. That sounds cliche but it is exactly how I feel. I work in the world. I live in the world. Almost all of my life’s dealings are in the world. Being in the world is easy when you are of the world. But once you cross that line and become out of this world and in the light, you begin to recognize the dark nuances of sin and evil that didn’t strike you as unusual or bad before. And so it goes for me. I crave spiritual milk and the presence of Gods love and goodness every day. By Sunday, I am starving for it. Reading the bible and talking to God every day just isn’t quite enough to replenish my spiritual strength. I need Gods love and spiritual nourishment and fellowship at First Assembly to wash over me after being in the shadows of evil all week. I crave and need it to get me through another week in the world. It shows, when I am away too long. My worldly thoughts and feelings creep in and try to take over who I am. But there is one place that fills me to overflowing with a sense of Gods grace, peace and love that no other place in the world can do. Walking into the Home of Hope is like watching a living breathing world full of Gods miracles. You can feel it in your entire body, soul and spirit when you walk in those doors. I walked into that place last year looking for a sale. Instead, by the grace of God, I renewed my own fire for God again. Never in any other place have I witnessed such restoration, selflessness, depth of love for others, and commitment to Christ and His Word. The everyday things we take for granted in the world, are stripped down to the very foundation of truth in this place. The women cant just be angry or ignore responsibilities without having to reflect on the foundation of their emotions or actions. The women reflect on what wound they carry that makes them respond in that way. They have to learn how they can extract that pain and replace it with understanding and the essence of who God made them to be. These women work through the tough self evaluations to understand and get through the brokenness before the world tore them apart. Where I have spent years making time to read my bible, talking and praying to God, listening to programs, their day revolves around God and His Word. They live and breathe Him, not just visit once in a while. They reflect His light in their spirit and it shows on their faces. Oh, they don’t always recognize it to be true. These are broken women who still look at themselves as unworthy and damaged. They don’t always see how God has used them. To them, they are simply doing what they should do. But I see that they are the perfect choice for showing Gods great mercy, grace and miraculous power. He chose exactly this type of broken person to serve as His disciples. They are broken and humbled before Him and willing to do anything to serve Him for rescuing them from their Hell on earth. They pray for each other. In fact, if you have a need for prayer, I advise that you give it to them. When the women of Home of Hope hold you up in prayer, things happen. It is awe-inspiring to see. They support each other. They reflect on their thoughts and hold each other up in prayer instinctively. Where I might sometimes rely on my strengths to resolve an issue in the world with my own solution, they instinctively pray about it and let God give them the answer. Where I might not even think about the food on my table or the shoes on my feet, these women reflect a deep appreciation and sincere love for those people who support them with even the slightest donation. Nothing is small or irrelevant in their world. They are truly humbled, forgiving, grateful, strong and blessed. They learn Gods world by being immersed in it, and due to that, their absorption is faster, deeper understanding and more insightful than any I have ever seen. They live in, and study, His Word, not just read it. I am in awe of how God has blessed this Home of Hope and the women and children in it. I don’t know how you view them, or if you look that closely, but I can say that supporting these women with every single gift that you can give, large or small, will give back to the community hundred fold. A sponsorship is not a free pass to these women. Remember their view of themselves is humbled and broken. A sponsorship to these women brings tears of joy, feelings of not being rejected by society, a deep sense of gratitude, a desire to prove your gift is not in vain, a feeling that they might be worthy after all, the ambition to work through their pain and fear to get to the place God wants them to be. Many of them choose to continue to serve in the Home of Hope to help other women through the pain they have suffered. They understand that they aren’t just struggling through addiction; there are real life issues that brought them to the point to drown their pain. But mostly, it teaches them to parent with God to raise their children. It brings their children to God. It raises a generation of children in the Word of God. It spreads the morals and values our country used to be founded on. It spreads love, peace, hope in the future and restoration. The Home of Hope rescues our children/parents/siblings from the grip of Hell, offers their lives to God and gives them back to the community as whole spiritual contributors with a deep sense of love and appreciation. Giving to the Home of Hope isn’t just a tax deduction donation and a monthly letter of the women’s praises and struggles. It is a blessing and investment in bettering our world.”

“They discipline Justly in Unconditional Love; and they accept ALL in need; regardless of the impact upon themselves.”

“Thirty-eight years of drinking, drugging, and immoral living had turned me into a hardcore, cold-hearted woman, but the God I serve came to fix hopeless broken people like me. We’re the very reason He came! Praise God, He is so faithful!”

“This day 16 years ago I graduated Teen Challenge! I came to Davie TC Jan 23 1996 then transfered to Columbas TC to be closer to my family! And today is my Nanny and Papa Anniversary they would have been married 71 years! Papa passed away in 2006 but in April 6, 1997 on their 55 Anniversary my Papa and Nanny took the long drive from Texas to Columbus Georgia and Papa preached at my Teen Challenge graduation! My family was so proud of me you would have thought I graduated from college but it was REHAB! Praise the LORD~! I still remember the message Papa preached. The passage was from Phil 3: 12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Papa preached an inspiring message to me and all the ladies at Teen Challenge to forget the past press on to what God has for our lives! I love my Nanny and Papa and I thank God for the Christian heritage they have left for us to follow. Papa was on FIRE for God and his message brought hope to lives that are shattered and torn! I thank God that over the last 16 years I have taken that message and walked with my Lord and Savior. I know that God has given me the power and strength to say boldly that as of today I’m 17 years sober and clean from my drug additions! I want to give Glory to GOD and I want to thank Teen Challenge for the ministry that changes lives and I want to thank my Mom and Dad (Ed), Marvin, Josh and Cory for always loving me! Even at my worst you guys make my life complete! And I cant forget to say I am so blessed to have Jamie and Elizabeth in our lives! OH boy I cannot forget to say I am so glad to have friends at Milton First Assembly were we have attended since 1998! God thank you for Thanks Brother Ricky and Sister Donna I will never for you guys! Thanks for being the tool that God used to shape my life to the woman i am today! Love ya Lizzard MOM!”

“This is where my son Tre’ has been since last June. Though God this placed has helped Tre’ change his life. Tre’ will be graduating from here in April or May. Tre’ is seeking Gods will for his future, Help Tre’ pray for Gods directions in his life!!! I am So proud of Tre’!”

“This place has really helped me with all of my problems. I now know that I don’t need any of the drugs I used to use to make me feel better. All I need is my family and God to talk to whenever I am happy or sad. Also Main Place has brought my family together once again. If It wasn’t for all of you I don’t know where I would be if my mother hadn’t put me here. I have also learned that the world does not revolve around me. That people come and go and life is short. Don’t take people or things for granted. I have been getting closer to God. Which my mother loves. So Thank you for all of your Guys help and support”

“This place is awesome and has a HUGE success rate compared to ANY other rehab……………Praise the LORD for changing hearts”

“This place is for real. I came as a student, stayed as a Reading Room teacher, left when I met my soul mate. Married 17 years, one beautiful daughter and still clean, sober and enjoying the life Jesus gave back to me. Praise God, even when things get fouled up!”

“This time last year I was deep in my addiction, lost and miserable. I had no hope and just wanted to die. Today I am so in love with Jesus because of His overwhelming love for me. He has forgiven me and transformed my life from a crazy mess to something beautiful. Now I can be the mother that my baby girl deserves.”

“Through my childhood, teenage and adult years, I’ve been very rebellious…rebelling against any authority figure such as parents, teachers, bosses, and most importantly God! It was my way or no way… I knew everything. so I thought. Through Jr. High, High School and college I experimented with drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. I had a lot of insecurities in myself, such as wondering how I’m gonna make friends. So, I chose to do drugs and drink to try to fit in with the people I chose to hang around. Suddenly the drinking and drugs became a way for me to cope with life, and if I didn’t have the money to pay for the drugs I would go to the limit of stealing, selling my property, and anything I could do to get the drugs in my hand no matter the consequences. About 7 months ago my mother and I was riding down the road, talking about what Ive been doing with my life. I still had a rebellions spirit, so I had selective hearing almost though the whole conversation, but I knew I was in desperate need of some serious help. At that moment is when she mentioned Teen Challenge. I took the time to think about it. Then I accepted her advice and made the decision to come to Teen Challenge. Here I’ve found the answer to all my life problems, Jesus! Everything the devil has stolen from me, God is restoring back. Im so happy and grateful God brought me here and Im eager to see the plan he has for me in the future. Jeremiah 29:11”

“Through Teen Challenge the Lord helped me realize – It is not the having or not having of material wealth, but the priorities in one’s life that constitute true godliness. Whats your first priority??”

“Through Teen Challenge, God has put many different people in my life”

“Today is our grandson’s (Tyler) 18th birthday and just wanted him to know we couldn’t be any prouder of him because of the special young man he has become because of Teen Challenge.”

“Today, I know God has given me power to overcome all of my addictions and obstacles by walking in faith and not by sight. I truly thank Him.”

“Tori battled years of addiction to alcohol. Her family had nearly given up on her. Her kids no longer called her Mom and fear had paralyzed Tori’s life. Today, she is thankful she is alcohol free and loves being with her family. Her daughter is calling her Mom again and her family is thanking God for the miracle of freedom for their entire family. \God has delivered me from the bondage addiction”

“Two years ago I found myself in the deepest, darkest pit. I had no hope and no desire to live. I was killing myself and everyone around me. As I looked in the mirror I had no idea who was looking back at me. See, I had known the Lord before so the hate I had toward myself had grown so great because deep down I knew the truth. I knew this unidentified person was not me. Satan had entangled me with so many lies, I was literally dying from the inside out. In one last plea I cried out with what little was left in me, JESUS!!! I knew I needed Him. I needed to know Him. But I had no power within myself to stop this death trap. I found myself on a bus to TC December 29th, 2009 crying the whole way there as I left everything behind. The moment I walked through the doors I felt a peace I had never known. I felt at home! Yes There were so many hard times. There were times I acted like a complete fool. Self sabotage was definitely a trap I had fallen into. I never believed I could do good because I didn’t think I was worth it. But now I know I am worth it to Him. Here at TC I have come to see who I am through His eyes. Everything I am is in Him. And He is everything to me. My heart burns for Him. I want nothing more than to please Him everyday of my life. I give Him all the glory! I now know that He is faithful and can transform anyones life who is willing to let Him. Thank you TC for your unconditional love and this gift of life you led me to. Your hard work in this ministry is appreciated more than you’ll ever know!!!”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“video”

“Video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“video”

“Video”

“Video”

“Video News”

“Video Testimonial”

“video testimonial”

“video testimonial”

“Video testimonial”

“Video Testimonial”

“Video Testimonial”

“Video Testimonial”

“Video Testimonial”

“video testimonial”

“Video Testimony”

“Video Testimony”

“Video with multiple testimonies.”

“Video2”

“We had a great Thanksgiving with Sean. God has blessed all of us. In giving Sean a gift like no other. To see him happy and content is truly a gift to be thankful for. The Methodist church of Madisonville had a wonderful dinner. The guys from Teen Challenge did a heart filled play, brought tears to everyone. God was so explosive on this day of thanks. May God bless each and everyone you.”

“We had the blessing of spending thanksgiving with our son and all the boys and families there. I gave my son to God and the teen challenge program 6 months ago and have watched Him and the people there do nothing short of a miracle in his life. This morning our home church had a pastor speak about the Teen Challenge program and how is changes lives. We are so grateful for Gods power and grace in our lives and how He has saved our son. We pray for all the boys especially the new boys and their families. Thank you”

“We had the blessing of spending thanksgiving with our son, all the boys and families there. I gave my son to God and the Teen Challenge program six months ago and have watched Him and the people there do nothing short of a miracle in his life. This morning our home church had a pastor spoke about the Teen Challenge program, and how it’s changing lives. We are so grateful for Gods power and grace in our lives and how He has saved our son. We pray for all the boys especially the new boys and their families. Thank you”

“We had tried everything we could think of for our troubled son tough love, Christian counseling, traditional church activities, and homeschooling. But all were to no avail. The military format of Gateway taught John self-control, physical work and teamwork, leadership skills and integrity. John received love, discipline, forgiveness, and persistent mentoring from dedicated staff members. Gateway is a God-send for our broken family restoring our relationship with our son. It is a place of hope, a place of love, and a place of renewal.”

“We had tried everything we could think of for our troubled son: tough love, Christian counseling, traditional church activities, and homeschooling. But all were to no avail. The program taught John self-control, physical work and teamwork, leadership skills and integrity. John received love, discipline, forgiveness, and persistent mentoring from dedicated staff members. It was a God-send for our broken family, restoring our relationship with our son. It is a place of hope, a place of love, and a place of renewal.”

“We needed help for our son. We tried everything we knew to do to no avail. The schools kicked him out, wanting nothing to do with him. The doctors wanted to hospitalize him, sedate him into compliance. His anger and aggression were dominating our home and our lives. We lived in fear of him and for him every moment of the day and night. We knew we couldn’t do it without God’s help but things were getting worse. Our first call to Teen Challenge Ranch rekindled the hope we had that our son could overcome, that God had a plan. Turns out that plan was for us to bring our son to Arkansas – twelve hours away. The entire staff, through the Holy Spirit, ministered to our son over the next eleven months. The Reconnect Weekends helped restore our relationship with our son and helped us prepare to have him reunite with the rest of the family. We now have our son back, the son who was always there just hidden beneath all the yuck that consumed his life (and ours). The programming works because of the willingness of these special people who allow themselves to be used by God to impact the lives of troubled boys and hurting families. It is a true blessing to have found Northwest Arkansas Teen Challenge Ranch for Boys. They will always be a part of our lives.”

“We were arrested for smoking meth and our kids were with us. We have 2 boys, they were taken from us and put into state custody. We put ourselves in Teen Challenge to try to get our children back. Through the program, we had to get into a church; we have been attending First Pentecostal Church in Lexington. Through Teen Challenge and church, we have overcome these obstacles and have been drug free for almost 9 months, and we are totally enjoying it. Christ has really lifted us, we now have our children back, Sarah has gotten a job and he has given us many blessings. We have fully given ourselves to Christ and we are now trying to live a Christian life with our 2 children. We are taking the facilitator training to teach Teen Challenge to others and help bring them to the Lord. Christ is now giving us a second chance at life. We would like to thank everyone for their support through these troubled times. And we want to thank Teen Challenge for giving us our family back.”

“Well today marks 2 yrs in Teen Challenge. 2 yrs without cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. 2 yrs of faithfully seeking God. But without God compelling and empowering me I would not have made it 1 day. Thank you Jesus for being by my side and loving me through my mess. I know I have a long way to go but I have come a long way already and I will maintain the attitude of never give up cause it has helped so far and as long as I keep my focus on Jesus and keep on walking he will get me through anything and make me stronger in the process.”

“Well you will all be happy to know that Jacob was accepted to Valley Forge Christian College. They are making wonderful accommodations for him in consideration of his learning disability. He would not be here without this program and your dedication to these boys and leading them with the love of Jesus Christ. Thank you.”

“Well, it all started when I was very young, thirteen years old to be exact. I got into drinking and drugs, and I spent all this time and effort and a lot of money trying to make me happy, and it just never happened. One scripture that I have found says, Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living (Romans 6:16, NLT). I was a slave to everything I did, but I didn’t realize it or realize the pain I caused. Now I have given my life to Jesus Christ and guess what. It didn’t cost a thing. All that money I spent on trying to make me happy didn’t work. Romans 6:23 (NLT) says, For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Eternal life doesn’t start after we die; it starts when we give our lives to the Lord so we can do His will instead of ours. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) says, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. What Im trying to say is that we don’t have to be slaves to anything anymore. Just trust God. I did. Now I am in His will and have joy that all the money in the world cant buy.”

“Went through the program in 2001, and found that Jesus is the best thing. My name is Thomas S. and I also found my wife Kristin S. at TCMI South Gate. Been married for 4 years going on 5.”

“When I came to Teen Challenge I thought I had just come to another program. But, I was so wrong! Teen Challenge helped me to change everything about my life. I am no longer a heroin addict, but a Godly mother and daughter.”

“When I came to Teen Challenge, I was filled with a lot of guilt. I felt like life had been torn away from me and I deserved to be dead. I blamed God, my family, and my friends. But in all honesty, I was the one to blame. I had caused my own problems and I had caused my own downfall. The start of my ‘spiral down’ began shortly after graduating from high school. I made the choice to stop living my life for God and instead live it for myself and for the world. So that summer, I moved out of my parent’s house and got an apartment. With my newfound independence, I moved into a very immoral lifestyle. I began hanging out with college friends who I knew lived very wild lives. I started going to their parties, drinking their beers, and getting high off anything they offered me. At first, the drinking and getting high were a way for me to be social. However, the more I kept going to their parties, the more I began to be hooked on alcohol and getting high. Soon I was going to parties every single night and waking up every single morning with pounding headaches and no recall of what had happened the night before. Instead of stopping, I kept going. Because of my foolish ways, I lost my job, my nice apartment, the relationship with my friends and family, and obtained for myself a lot of grief and heartaches. Soon, I had to drop out of school because I spent classroom times partying with friends. By the end of the summer, I was living in my car with nothing but a few bags of belongings and my guitars. At this point, I knew that something had to change. I knew that I had to get out of the hole I had dug for myself. However, I felt trapped in my addictions and felt hopeless and weak. I continued to live life with no signs of change. Then one night after a party gone wrong, I went out for a drive to clear my mind of what had occurred at the party. Deep inside, I could feel the emptiness that was slowly starting to consume me. My heart hurt and my soul felt like it was dying. Finally, I pulled my car over and cried out to God. I told him that if he was still there, to give a sign that I could have a second chance and that I wasn’t a hopeless mess, and he did! In the darkness that had surrounded my spirit I heard God tell me that he loved me and he longed for me to come back home to him and to the ones I had tried for so long to push away. At first, I argued with God about how much of a failure I was. I told him I didn’t deserve anything good and that I deserved to be dead. However, God did not agree! It was in God’s will that I come to Teen Challenge on October 14th, 2008. With the help of my parents and friends, I was able to come to Teen Challenge to get help in overcoming my struggles, and ‘Boy’, I have learned so much in the three months I have been here. Since I have been at Teen Challenge, I have rededicated my life to God. I choose this time to walk in His ways and not in my ways. I want to live my life for God, because when I lived it for myself I found nothing. As I continue to learn to forgive myself for all of the things I have done, God is continuously encouraging me with his love and his word. I am slowly learning that even though I don’t deserve this second chance, God says I am dearly loved by him and, because I have decided to live my life for him, I am not the person I was six months ago, but I am made new and whole in Christ. I am so thankful that I serve such a gracious God! I know that without Him, I would still be in a world of hopelessness. With the second chance He has given me, I hope to help other women find the love that Christ has showered over me. I hope to lead many to His love and His forgiveness, because I am a living example of God’s goodness. Indeed, I am loved and I am a new creation!\”

“When I first started Teen Challenge I was totally against someone telling me I had to go to church. Now I am glad I gave Teen Challenge a chance. But most of all, I’m glad I gave God a chance. I am proof that if you give this program a chance and commit yourself to it, it does work. I’ve tried several rehabs before and none worked until I got God in my life. Since I’ve come to Teen Challenge, it has changed my life, and helped me so much to get God in my life. I gave my heart to God at Teen Challenge and since then I am in church. I read my bible and live for God everyday. God has begun to bless me with my relationships, work, and financially among many other blessings. It has really made a difference being in a program that you know works because God never fails. Thank you Teen Challenge for changing my life.”

“When I first started Teen Challenge, I was totally against someone telling me I had to go to church, but I’m glad I gave Teen Challenge a chance. But most of all, I’m glad I gave God a chance. I am proof that if you give this program a chance and commit yourself to it, it does work. I’ve tried several rehabs before and none worked until I got God in my life. Since I’ve come to Teen Challenge, it has changed my life, and helped me so much so get God in my life. I gave my heart to God at Teen Challenge and since then, I am in church. I read my Bible and live for God everyday. God has begun to bless me with my relationships, work, and financially among many other blessings. It has really made a difference being in a program that you know works because God never fails. Thank you Teen Challenge for changing my life.”

“When I was thirteen I tried marijuana for the first time. This was the start of twenty-five years of drug and alcohol addiction. In 1989 I checked into a twelve-step addiction treatment center where I stayed one year. That was the first of many treatment centers over the next ten years, or maybe more, I have lost count. I even went through Teen Challenge back in 1999. I was a changed person, but sadly I let my spiritual guard down and fell back into the old lifestyle and things became worse than they had ever been. In 2009 I re-entered Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge. This time things were different. My relationship with the Lord has been restored and I have a new understanding of His grace and mercy. I have learned that flirting and playing around with sin is a very dangerous game. I pray I never forget that. God is not done with me. He is continuing to mold me into a vessel He can use. I want to tell others about Jesus. He is the Way Maker!”

“When I was two years old, my grandma took me from my birth mother because she was a drug addict and could not take care of me. My grandma took me to church a lot when I was young. When I was eight years old, my grandma died from a liver disease she got from drinking when she was younger. She knew she was going to die and she wanted me to be taken care of, so she set up for a good Christian family in our church to adopt me. I continued to go to church, but I blamed God for taking my grandma away from me. I lost my mom to drugs and my grandma died and now I had a great family and a real mom who cared about me and loved me like one of her own children, but I had a lot of hurt and angry feelings inside of me. I became rebellious toward my new parents especially my new mom. My freshman year in high school is when I got into doing drugs, I started hanging out with the wrong people and I started stealing from and lying to everyone who cared about me and wanted to help me. I went to camp with my church and I accepted Jesus into my life. I thought it would change everything and I would stop getting in trouble. But things just kept getting worse because I was trying to change on my own and not let God work in my life. Finally, my dad sent me to a secular program for help. I was there for three months, but I didn’t change or give up any of my old ways. When I got back home I tried to do good but I failed very quickly. I started doing drugs again and everything seemed to be worse than it was before. About a year later, my dad caught me doing drugs again and this time he sent me to a Christian program called Teen Challenge. God started to get my attention and work in my life. I saw kids in the program that were once the way I was, but now they had joy and peace in their lives. I wanted that and I was willing to do whatever it took to get that. God directed my steps and changed me one step at a time. He healed all the anger and everything else that was in my life before. I figured out that I couldn’t do things on my own, but that God was the only one who could direct my life. God is in control of everything and I am thankful for the person He has made me today. I tried changing on my own before but it never lasted. Now that I have Jesus in my life, He has made a lasting change. He has taught me to have an everlasting relationship with Him and to live my life as a new person. Now I have a purpose and a plan for my life.”

“When I was young I was severely disciplined by an abusive father. After my mother separated from my father, I began to rebel knowing that I would not have to face the severe consequences. This began my life of stealing, drug use, and alcohol that landed me in prison for 12 1/2 years. I can honestly say today, that I am a changed man. I do not think, talk or act the same. I am new.”

“When John B checked himself into the Germantown Teen Challenge Initiative years ago, he was hoping that the program would be the help he needed to get his life in order and not be dependent on drugs and alcohol anymore. Two decades later, he can confidently say the program was a success for him. Not only is he clean and free from drugs and alcohol, but he now works as a manager for a branch of the program, right in the same facility he committed himself into. Its not a safety net being here, Blaufuss explained. Its an open choice. I like where I live, I have credibility in a program I find valuable, and I want to help others the way that my teachers and aids helped me. I’m 16 years clean, and its not scary anymore. The program Blaufuss credits so much to is Teen Challenge Philadelphia, which was founded in 1964 to serve both men and women from all walks of life. While the program requires a commitment to establishing a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ, people from any sort of ethnic, religious or economic background can be welcomed into the program. Founders of TCP want to remind people who are having problems and need help that recovery can be easier and more fulfilling by establishing a relationship with the Lord. We care for those who care enough to change is the slogan used throughout the facilities, which in this area include two gender-separated 20-bed facilities on Wister and Schoolhouse lanes. The Germantown-proper areas are technically phase-one facilities, meaning entry-level commitments into the Teen Challenge program, which, although referred to as Teen Challenge, accepts people of all ages. All city branches throughout Pennsylvania, as well as in other participating states, are the phase-one centers. Initial year or years are spent there, and then those looking for further intensive help can go on to Lancaster Induction Center in Rehrersburg, Pa. That facility, referred to as the STAY SHARP Program Presenter, is the official headquarters of the Teen Challenge program. The entire program was initially started in 1958 by Rev. David Wilkerson, a young pastor in eastern Pennsylvania. After reading an article in Life magazine about seven teenagers who were on trial for murder for a gang fight in Manhattan, Wilkerson found himself troubled and felt a need to do something about it. He ventured from his hometown of Philipsburg, Pa., all the way to New York City to work full time with teenage gang members. This new work was eventually called Teen Challenge, and as Wilkerson found more people to work alongside him. The program grew to also offer help to those addicted to drugs and alcohol. In the time since, Teen Challenge has grown to more than 170 centers in the United States. The story of Teen Challenge is told in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade, published in 1963. The book was a best seller with more than 15 million copies distributed in over 30 languages. Additionally in 1970, a film adaptation was released, starring Pat Boone as David Wilkerson and Erik Estrada as Nicky Cruz, a gang member whose life was reformed due to Wilkersons ministry and Cruz getting involved in the Teen Challenge program. A comic book adaptation of the story was also released in 1972, published by Fawcett Comics under their Spire Christian Comics label. Blaufuss likes to talk about how the Germantown-based section of the program has some of the highest success rates of the entire Teen Challenge program, citing around a 70 to 80 percent rate of success. In the entire history of the program, many different studies have been done to test successes overall and in specific locations. Richard Dodridge, the director of Teen Challenge Philadelphia, is the best informant for past and present statistical information about the program. He refers all research back to the first intensive study done testing the program, which was a government study in 1975 sponsored by the National Institute of Health. The study followed the graduating class of 1968 from the Rehrersburg branch for seven years, or students from the second-phase program. The class was 250 people of varying ages, and the results showed that a whopping 85 percent of graduates were still drug free in 1975. The stipulation of this specific study, as pointed out by Dodridge, was that second-phase students are allowed by their state facilities to be considered successes if they are off of hard drugs. The patients are allowed to consume a six-pack of beer and cigarettes per week. As the program has grown and shaped itself, it has now become a stipulation of the phase-one programs that participants can only be considered clean if they abstain from all alcohol, drugs and nicotine. A 1992 study by professors at the University of Chattanooga in Tennessee found a 70 percent success rate for students completing the program, following the current phase-one rules of no alcohol. This particular study followed graduates from the 1990 class over a two-year period. It was supported additionally by a study performed at Northwestern University, which studied students from phase-two sections of the program and cited a 68 percent success rate. Dodridge himself was never a participant in the program, as Blaufuss was, but he still takes great pride in the continuing success of the program decade after decade. The store is both a community hangout and a job for participants in Teen Challenge Philadelphia. The current program works on a daily pattern of rising between 5:45 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., followed by devotions, Bible readings and chapel. As students go throughout the program, they earn privileges, including doing various chores throughout the residencies, earning free hours outdoors and working in businesses that raise money for the program and charity. In Germantown, the business that participants get involved with is the New for You Thrift Store, located on Germantown Avenue. The non-profit store raises money to help run the residence houses. Blaufuss is the manager of the store. We receive the merchandise as donations from the community, and advertise mostly through word of mouth and church/radio advertisements, Blaufuss explained. Additionally, we do choir outings and outside testimony sessions, but most business in the area is just done in the store. Teen Challenge Philadelphia is a bright star among the entire Teen Challenge International program, based off of the hometown pride from founder Wilkinson and having some of the strongest success rates in the entire history of the program. Blaufuss is a prime example of someone who truly found himself through accepting the rules and regulations asked by the program heads, making the best of it and loving it enough to stay involved and devote his life to it.”

“When my dad retired from the army, we moved into a residential neighborhood. Trying to make new friends at 14, I began smoking cigarettes, pot, and drinking beer. By the time I was 18, I had gone to juvenile hall for residential burglary. I continued in this lifestyle. I believe God brought Georgia into my life to slow me down. We dated for a year before we married. We had a baby boy soon after. One day my wife and son died in a car accident. For years I tried to drown my sorrows with drinking. God sent me a Christian friend who told me about Teen Challenge. I was so addicted to alcohol that I was rushed to a hospital where I was able to detox. I asked a nurse for a Bible. As I began reading the Gospel, all my shakes, sweats, and hallucinations disappeared. Gods word says in 2nd Corinthians 5:17 They that are in Christ are a new creation, the past is gone, behold all has become new. I thank Jesus for new beginnings and know if I continue to follow Christ, joy and happiness will be upon my heart. Amen!”

“While growing up, I was involved in almost every after school activity available. From sports, photography, to student government. I made good grades and awesome friends. But things took a turn for the worse when family problems started occurring more and more frequently, eventually to the point of my parents divorce. After the shock wore off, I look for a way to deal with the pain and anger. Boy, was the devil waiting for me! I was introduced to pot when I was 14 years old and shortly after, began using meth and pain killers on a regular basis. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for my life to change. I no longer played sports, wasn’t involved in events and my grades dropped drastically, not to mention my friends no longer wanted anything to do with me. My family life didn’t get much better either. I entered rehab for the first time when I was 17 and have been hopping from one treatment center to the next ever since with very little results. Until, I entered Tennessee Valley Teen Challenge and got right with God. I remembered all the fun I had in church as a kid and I knew a change needed to take place in my heart. I made a decision to rededicate my life to Christ. My life hasn’t been the same since. My relationship with my family has never been stronger. I’m motivated to start college and get my new life started the right way, living for God and always keep Christ at the center of my life. I m looking forward to the blessings God has in store for me in the years to come. I will be forever grateful for what God has done in my life through the Teen Challenge program. Galatians 2:20 is Gods word for me.”

“While in my mid 20’s a work injury resulted in three back surgeries and a pain killer addiction, which I soon had no control over. A family friend suggested Teen Challenge. Since coming here, God has delivered me from my addiction. I thank God for the new-found freedom that He has given me.”

“Why does God want anything to do with me? That was the question that Eric struggled with when he thought about all of the things he had done. Eric began using marijuana and pills in middle school. He eventually progressed to the point that he was taking drugs intravenously. His parents placed him in various detox programs and psychiatric facilities in an effort to get him off of drugs. Even though Eric’s dad was a police officer, they were at a loss as far as what to do for their son. Eventually, they made the choice to place Eric at Teen Challenge Ranch of NW Arkansas. Eric had a difficult beginning at Teen Challenge. He says he was constantly in trouble and once even ran away from the facility. He struggled in this way for the first 3 months of the program. One day, while Eric was sitting in his room, he realized that he was sick of the way he was living. He was tired of hurting his family and of constantly getting into trouble. He reached for his Bible, opened it up, and just began reading. From that point on, he started going to the chapel services at Teen Challenge with a different attitude. He started listening to what the speakers were saying, and he began feeling Gods Spirit pulling on his heart. Finally on March 7, Eric turned his life over to the Lord. He was done doing things his way. He explains that his way was stupid. As previously mentioned, Eric struggled with the question, Why does God want anything to do with me? He knew that he had sinned a lot and was ashamed of all he had done. One night, he talked with a staff about this struggle and the staff member gave him this verse: No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13 NLT) This verse helps Eric whenever he struggles with guilt or shame. He has memorized this verse and uses it to help him focus on moving forward with God and looking forward to each new level God has for him. Eric says that he is now much less selfish. He is hungry to serve and really appreciated the opportunity to help the tornado victims in Joplin, MO. God has done a great work in Eric’s life. Eric says that if he hadn’t come to Teen Challenge and found the Lord that he would either be in prison or dead today. He is thankful for this new chance at life and especially for his new relationship with God.”

“Without the Teen Challenge program and Jesus Christ, I would more than likely be dead by now. I was confused at a very young age because my biological mother gave me up for adoption because heroin, cocaine, and alcohol were more important to her than I was. I was tossed around from foster care homes to orphanages, finally finding love and a stable home environment with my Uncle and Aunt. They raised me in the church and we rarely missed a Sunday or Wednesday service. I got a lot of head knowledge in those years, but I never let the knowledge seep into my heart. I was going to church to make my parents happy, but my so called relationship with Jesus wasn’t real. At age 18 I got kicked out of the house due to my drug use and constant manipulation. I moved to Lake Tahoe and preceded to party, rebel, and try any drug that was offered to me. After injuring myself snowboarding, my dreams of becoming a professional snowboarder went down the drain. I started using heroin and that drug took over my life for 6 years. Because of my addiction, I lost everything material that I owned, got arrested multiple times, and was then homeless on the streets of Portland. I thought I was going to be a heroin addict for life and gave up on trying to change. God had a different plan though. I was arrested by a police officer in Portland who told me about Jesus and that I needed to get help and that I couldn’t do it alone. I detoxed in jail and finally called my parents who I hadn’t talked with in months, and I asked them for help. They told me about Teen Challenge and that it was a Christian program. I was a little hesitant to enter because it was one year long. Entering the program was the best choice that I made in my life. I graduated from Teen Challenge October 28, 2011 and gained a real relationship with Jesus Christ. God has delivered me from the strongholds that had controlled my life for 20 years. I completed the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute requirements and have been hired on as the Program Coordinator for the Central Oregon Men’s Center. I never thought I’d be doing full time ministry work, but I’m all in now, and I’m not looking back. I have come a long way, and I am committed to sobriety and serving Jesus for the rest of my life.”

“Words cannot express how thankful I am for what Teen Challenge has done for me. They took me in empty and broken. They showed me love as if I were a lost son or brother. They fed me daily with both physical and spiritual bread. And above all else, they helped me gain a sure foundation in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Thank you Teen Challenge staff and supporters! Happy Thanksgiving!”

“Would like to say thank you God and thank you Shreveport Teen Challenge for giving my husband a second change at life and our marriage a second chance!!! This opportunity to become closer to God has definitely changed him for the best, don’t know where he would be without y’all and for this I am grateful!!!”

“Wow! God has really brought me a long way since I first walked through the doors at Teen Challenge. I was totally bound in the satanic realm of witchcraft, gang violence, crack cocaine and alcohol. Through the struggles and victories throughout this year, I have come to realize just how much God loves me. I give Jesus all the glory! Shalom.”

“Years straight I did cocaine every day. I could not get free on my own power. The Lord has spoken to my heart and I am now free by the Word of the Lord.”

“You guys do not give yourself enough credit. You have yourselves listed as a Drug & Alcohol Rehab and that is NOT true. You are Life Savers and Future Makers. Could also be considered Grave Robbers cuz I know had I not had Philly house and TCTC in 04 I would not be here to post this today. Congrats you guys keep up the great work. April 04 Grad”

“Young men and older men with broken lives who’ve isolated their families or who have no family, join this 21 month program. They learn about God’s plan, learn to beat addictions, and get their lives back on track. Everyone in Brockton seems to know and respect this organization. Near the campus is an affiliated car wash and laundry mat where the men can work during their stay. The last Friday of every month, all the northeast chapters, including people from the women’s facilities, meet here for that months graduations. These ceremonies are open to the public. I attended my first last night. It’s a moving experience to see changed lives, where these men can rejoin their families and be trusted again.”