Phoenix Center Students

I grew up in a broken home with a divorced family. I dropped out of high school by the age of 16 to party, drink and smoke. My addiction began in my 20’s. I abused substances to fit in and hide from the truth of my past hurt and abandonment. I came to Teen Challenge because I’ve been fighting depression, fear, suicide, and I have lost my way with Jesus. My hope now is to grow more with Jesus and fully surrender to him to be the man of God my family can trust. 

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I was raised by only my mother and three siblings, so life was rough, but there were still good times. For me, addiction began at the age of 14. I was experimenting with drugs with my brother, but my heavy drug addiction began when I was 31 years old. My addiction to fentanyl took over my life and I needed it to even get up and go to work. Last year I lost my mom, grandma, and oldest brother. I had a family member come through Teen Challenge in a different state and my family recommended that I come here. My hope is to draw close to God and learn to love myself so I can love others, to soften my heart, and to learn how to love.  

Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13: 11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

I had a pretty typical childhood growing up. I experienced good times as well as not so good times. I would say my childhood was guarded by the Lord himself. My testimony is somewhat different in a sense that “life happened.” In a lot of ways, I think of myself like the prodigal son returning home. I came to Teen Challenge to renew my life in Christ and to step back into full-time ministry. I have an opportunity to renew my life with Jesus Christ and to live in the light, and as to live as the apostle Paul.

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 13:2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

My life was good growing up. I grew up in a Christian environment. For me addiction began when I was about the age of 15 years old. I feel I used to release the stress from work and everyday life. Recently, my drug use impacted my health, and I had a stroke. I came to Teen Challenge to become sober, but mainly to strengthen my heart, soul, and body with Jesus. My hope is that I will grow to know the Lord better in my walk of life and become the man God wants me to be.

Favorite Scripture: Colossians 2:10 And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Being adopted at the age of four, I felt abandoned by my mother. At the age of six I started huffing gasoline because I thought that was better than reality. My adopted parents filled that void in my heart for a while until they split up. So, I always felt like any woman I got close to was going to inevitably hurt me. I recognized that in my own behavior something was wrong, and I needed to change because I began pushing away the one woman who really loved me, my wife! After the birth of my children, my addiction manifested and took over control. I know that by the blood of Jesus Christ I’m here because of Gods agenda breaking generational curses through God who is stronger in me, than me in the world.

Favorite Scripture: Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I grew up in a middle-class household with three sisters and one brother. For me, the drinking began at the age of 18 years old. I liked the way it made me feel but my drinking served no purpose. I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually bankrupt. I came to Teen Challenge to be restored mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by the power of Jesus Christ. I hope to grow in my relationship with Jesus, and to restore the relationships that I have damaged due to my drinking, and to be a great man of Christ for myself, my family, my friends, and my fellow man.

Favorite Scripture: Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.

I grew up in the church, like most church families we were middle-class and never had too many family struggles. For me addiction began at the age of 21, I began to drink. I really started drinking and partying during my time in the Navy. I was the life of the party and loved losing control. For me drinking was a way to escape my life and problems and it was a lot of fun. People wanted to hang out with me, and as I got older alcohol became more of an issue. Recently, after burning every bridge and finding myself at the end of total financial destruction, my alcohol and drug addiction brought me to a place where I knew that I needed major change. I came to Teen Challenge not just to get sober, but to rekindle my relationship with Jesus and my family. My hope is to put all of this behind me to find sobriety, restoration, a renewed spirit, and my purpose in life.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I was born into a broken home. I never knew my father until I was 13 years old. My addiction began when I was a freshman in high school. The promise of false love, respect and friendships, and fitting in is why I started using. I found nothing but trouble later in life. DCS involvement with my niece and nephews is the wakeup call I needed to come to Teen Challenge. I’m here to get myself right with God, myself, and my family. My hope is to grow and come closer to God.  

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I grew up in a church. My father was a pastor and evangelist. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I was involved in the ministry with my father and mother, I would sing in accompaniment before the church.  I began drinking alcohol in 2012 shortly after my divorce. I used alcohol to escape loneliness and depression. I felt rejected by the church.  I lost everything: my job, apartment, car, etc. due to my addiction to alcohol. I came to Teen Challenge to focus on God and to fall in love with him again. My hope is to get into a position to go forward with training for and doing full-time ministry.

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Growing up for me was great as a child, but as I got older it was difficult to process. My parents divorced and addiction began at the age of 13. I believe I began using to escape reality and to feel a sense of excitement and being alive. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I was physically dependent upon alcohol and suicidal.  My hope now is to learn about Christianity and to be a good Christian and to use the values learned here to heal past hurts.  

Favorite Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:1 “You must love the Lord your God and always obey his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands.

My life went well when I was growing up. I was loved by both my mother and father and my family and I would spend a lot of time together. When I was young my father’s drinking would cause problems in the family and it was difficult in the home.  I love both my parents very much and know that they did their best and continue to do their best.  I began experimenting at the age of twelve, for me drugs and alcohol were a way to feel better and to avoid feelings of reality. I ended up sleeping in my car for about a month and I was absolutely miserable with my life and what I was doing to myself.  I was slowly losing my family and was just about out of money and had no hope.  I felt horrible about trying to run from Jesus and for telling Him that I was not going to live for Him.  I wanted to learn about Jesus and also become a pastor and I knew that Teen Challenge would be a great start. I am here at Teen Challenge to learn who Jesus is and what his plan is for my life.  I hope to continue to learn about myself and receive breakthroughs and healing. I also hope to rebuild relationships with loved ones and learn the word of God so I can better my life and help others.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

For me, addiction began in high school. I grew up in a divorced household. I used drugs and alcohol to mask the pain and bad memories in my life and to forget about everything. Recently I found myself homeless and my life became unmanageable. I came to Teen Challenge to learn structure and the tools I need to have a stable life. My hope is to finish this program and to learn how to make meaningful relationships with others.

Favorite Scripture: Revelation 3:20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

While I was growing up, my life was fueled with drugs and the chaos that it brings. For me addiction began at the age of 13, smoking weed and being exposed to a violent environment through my family.  Addiction was an escape from a reality that involved extreme abuse. Recently I found myself in bondage to a sexual addiction, I would frequent strip clubs and swinger clubs making new connections. I knew I needed out. I came to Teen Challenge to learn how to grow in a closer walk with God. My hope is to be healed and set free so I can help teens who are in the same situation I came out of.  

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 65:1 The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.