Adult & Teen Challenge

Did you know on top of treating addiction, we also treat life controlling issues? For example, we help with anger/violence issues as well. A Success Story: In my youth, I was a very hurt, depressed and empty soul. My father left home when I was six years old. My mother had many unhealthy relationships, and eventually settled into a long-term, violent, and abusive relationship. The police showing up at our front door was a regular occurrence. I had no real fatherly guide in m...y life, and I always took second place to my mother’s relationships. At first, I tried to protect my mother from the constant abuse, but later often got caught in the middle of their fights. Unfortunately, to escape the violence, I turned to drugs instead of God. I found myself with a group of friends who accepted me. I didn’t tell my family where I was. They weren’t interested anyway. With these friends, I began to smoke, use marijuana and experiment with LSD. Then the day came, and I thank God for it, that I was arrested. Everything came to a screeching halt. I was charged with nine drug counts, for delivering cocaine, marijuana, and LSD. My life was about to change. I knew I had to seek help, and decided to attend an inpatient detoxification center for two weeks. While in the inpatient center, I learned of a former heroin addict that graduated from Adult & Teen Challenge that was still sober. I decided to give Adult & Teen Challenge a try. I found it very difficult at first. It was about one month into the program that I began to wake up to the gravity of my situation. I was facing a very lengthy prison term, if I was raised to adult court (which the prosecutor was determined to do). I was only 17 years old! At Adult & Teen Challenge, God removed my desire to do drugs. He miraculously influenced the decisions of the court to allow me to continue in the program. God also gave me a sympathetic and compassionate Judge who took an interest in me, and told me so. During my time in Adult & Teen Challenge, my case was miraculously dismissed no jail time! Since graduation, I’ve joined the Air Force, married and have two wonderful boys. Click to learn more: https://bit.ly/3jkYW86

This week the students did MAP testing in school. They did a great job in the areas of Reading, Language and Math! They also created beautiful Valentine’s Day cards for Shelter KC, a local homeless shelter!

Did you know? Nancy Regan visited Teen Challenge of Tennessee in Chattanooga as part of her Just Say No campaign in 1987.

The Bible warned us about the cycle of sin and shame long before any treatment program existed. It teaches us that trying to succeed on our own, without God, only leads to death. We can’t end the addictive cycle, but #Jesus can.

Testimony Tuesday: Fresh Start Edition The first time I ever tried drugs and alcohol was with a family member. As time went on, I became addicted to heroin.... Eventually, I found myself homeless and living out of a tent. Before I walked through the doors of Teen Challenge, I was pregnant and didn’t know it. My mom ended up taking me to the ER. They ran a few tests and told me, ‘You are 36 weeks pregnant, and we're going to induce you in an hour.’ That day, I gave birth to a baby boy and came to Teen Challenge shortly after. Since coming to TC, I’ve learned that I can be a parent because I love myself and my child. I desire to be the best mother I can be for my son! My time spent here has taught me how to be patient and surrender. Today, I take responsibility for my life and what I’ve allowed to happen in the past. Jordan will be celebrating completing the 12-month Teen Challenge program on February 22 at Fresh Start: TC Virtual Graduation 2021. Join us in celebrating Jordan's Fresh Start, along with 80 other TC students!

In the Rearview Mirror Read Kaden’s Story We’ve all looked back on our past from time to time to reflect. It’s natural. We take a look in the rearview mirror. For this young man, it’s painful to look back on his life.... In fact, at the vulnerable age of ten, he asked himself a question no child should ask themselves: "Do I live with my dad or my mom?" He eventually came to the decision to live with his dad because he was the more lenient parent. That’s when his life went from bad to worse. Living in a rundown apartment complex, he began smoking weed in the fifth grade to take away the depression that filled his life. Later, he met drug dealers who were loitering around the complex and they introduced him to methamphetamine. One day, I was smoking weed with a couple of friends and out of the blue, one of them pulled out a gun and shot himself directly in the chest. When one of his friends committed suicide in front of him, it was an incredible shock. "You would think that this experience would've been a wake-up call and proved to me that drugs can cause you to do dangerous things. he recalls. However, I continued on in my addiction." His aunt was so worried about him that she actually tricked him into coming into the Teen Challenge program. It’s been a year since he entered the doors of Teen Challenge. As I successfully complete this amazing program, I reflect on all of the significant changes that have taken place over the last year, he says. Today, I truly care about the family and friends around me and I actually care about myself. I couldn’t say that before. I never really believed in God, but now I have a close relationship with Him. The desire to use drugs is completely gonesomething I thought I would never say! Thankfully, I don't ever want to go back to that lifestyle." He’s done looking in the rearview mirror. God’s kingdom is heading in one directionforward. We think this young man sums it up best when he says, Although coming to Teen Challenge was tough at first, it changed my life! Thanks to you, teenagers like this boy have a new lease on life.

A New Year's Prayer: May the Lord make my New Year a happy one Not by shielding me from sorrow and pain, but by strengthening me to bear it if it comes. Not by making my path easy, but by making me sturdy enough to tread any path.... Not by taking hardship from me, but by taking all cowardice and fear from my heart as I meet hardships. Not by granting me unbroken sunshine, but by keeping my face bright even in the shadows. Not by making my life always pleasant, but by showing me where men and His cause need me most and by making me zealous to be there and to help God, make my year a happy one. Source: GuidePosts

Hi I'm Kimberly! Before I came to Teen Challenge I literally lost everything- my entire apartment burned down to a crisp. Then I ended up going back to somewh...at of an abusive relationship and was feeling like that was my only option until my family came through and let me know about Teen Challenge. It was right on time before I was about to just throw in the towel and so far the sun is shining again and I finally can see the light of the at the end of the tunnel. My future plans once I graduate successfully from Teen Challenge are to go back to my own home and get back to work with a sound mind and bright spirits! My life verse is Psalm 37:5 which says "Commit your way to the Lord trust also in Him and he shall bring it to pass."

We have accomplished so much this year, yet there is still so much more to do. 130 people die every day due to opioid overdose. Substance abuse rates are up due to the pandemic. But there is hope through Christ! Will you help us start the New Year with the resources needed to help men and women find hope again? Click here to give: https://teenchallengeusa.org/?form=FUNZBLFFZJQ

You can help break addiction! Your gifts make it possible for Adult & Teen Challenge to share the message of hope and healing with thousands of people. Check out these ideas if you'd like to help. You can find more information on our website: https://bit.ly/2HKljVK

I said, ‘Father, I don’t see a way out; I need your help.’

When James walked out on us on our program, he was sure he would never return. But God specializes in bringing prodigals home. You see, returning home is... an unattainable dream in the minds of most addicts. Broken promises, repeated relapses and destructive behaviors eventually lead families to change locks, hoping to protect themselves from further pain. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father. Luke 15:16-18a (ESV) Like the Father, WE REJOICE when one of our residents returns, ready to start again on the path to freedom from addiction through DISCIPLESHIP. Yes, we have our share of prodigal sons and daughters who leave us. Some leave with hopes of finally being free only to discover their battle is not over. No matter the reason, they aren’t failures, unworthy of additional effort on our part. They have simply not surrendered themselves to the leadership of Christ to a point where they can break free of their chains and walk clean. Currently, 40% of our men enrolled have returned to firmly establish their walk with Christ in order to go home to loved ones FREE OF ADDICTION. They understand they are not merely residents whose worth is based on their successes or failures. They KNOW they are PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT and are His work in progress, by His grace, because they’ve seen it for themselves in His Word. Like us, you believe God longs to set captives FREE. Now, at year end, as you consider your financial gifts, will you make your best gift, knowing that when you do, your gift makes an ETERNAL impact?For them and for the Kingdom, I thank you! President & CEO, Dr. David McNabb ---------------------------- www.tcmidsouth.org/donate

MIRACLES happen through the Power of God at Teen Challenge RI... There is always HOPE If you or someone you know needs help PLEASE reach out to Bridget today a...t 401.467.2970 Meet Bridget Teen Challenge has not just been a "rehab" for me. Any of you who have known me KNOW that I have always been a bad influence. Before Teen Challenge I had successfully completed 27 rehab facilities over these last 10 years and I found myself still in the revolving door of institutions. I could run one! I spent 6 years on methadone maintenance, which I thought would be my saving grace to my heroin addiction, but I was still empty and dead inside. I hated being on methadone. I was completely hopeless and unwilling to do anymore programs, it seemed so pointless to me, I just couldn't "get it. This program didn't just, "wish me luck" and a "hopefully you'll get it this time. They LOVED me back to life until I could love myself. They TAUGHT me about Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life. They TOOK me straight from jail without a dime to my name, no insurance. They NEVER asked me for anything but to be willing and open. They SHOWED me how to live my life as an example to give hope to others. I live in FREEDOM today, no more methadone, no cigarettes, no psychiatric meds ...... No NOTHING!! I AM FREE I am forever grateful for Teen Challenge RI that gave me my dignity as a woman back and showed me through example how to be treated and how to treat others. If you, or someone you know needs help please contact us.. 401-467-2970 Please share so others will know there is HOPE!

When Jenny McCaffrey walked into Teen Challenge Rhode Island in 2009, she had no thoughts of future ministry. She just knew she needed help overcoming her 10-year battle with addiction. God had a plan, though. Now, Jenny McCaffrey Sersen and her husband, Ryan, pastor Church in the Park, which meets at Rodeo Park in Fort Worth, Texas.

Good morning! If anything tests you today, no matter how big or small, remember you will feel better in the end if you do what is right and not what is easy. #lovethyneighbor