Christian Life Ranch Students

My life growing up was very structured, fun, exciting and very loving. It was just my father, mother and my sister in a small town/ranching community in Eastern Oregon. My addiction attacked me when I was coaching professional baseball between 2020 and 2022 when COVID hit, I was let go by the Toronto BlueJays. I drank because I lost my sense of purpose as a man, as a coach and wasn’t respected anymore. I was in addiction and battling depression, anxiety and purpose and was going to begin drinking myself to death before coming to Teen Challenge. I am here to work on myself and with the Lord to become closer to him in faith and restore my worth. I also hope to get back with my baby girl and restore the relationship with my ex-wife. I hope to build a stronger faith in Jesus and regain my self-worth as a man and father.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Growing up my childhood was good. My addiction began when I was 20 years old. I used drugs and alcohol because of a strained relationship with my mom growing up. Then I ended up becoming homeless, I was on the streets for a while but that brought me here to Teen Challenge. I hope to set things right with God while I am here.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”

My family was together until I was 16 years old, but after that divorce destroyed any normalcy. My life was fractured, pretentious and ignorant. My addiction began at the age of 9. I believe I used drugs and alcohol because I had a God shaped hole in my heart. I used substances for numbing my pain. I wanted to die. I had already given up, and that’s exactly the crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here because of Jesus. I hope to allow Him to accomplish whatever He wants in my life.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I grew up with a solid childhood, but when my father passed away at the age of 25, I spent the next 34 years using my addiction to try to fill the hole he left behind. My drinking progressively worsened, and my mentor introduced me to Teen Challenge, for which I am deeply grateful. While I am here, I desire to grow closer in my relationship with the Lord, complete the program, and help others find freedom.

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

Before coming to Teen Challenge, my life was pretty good. I started using pot and alcohol in 1972, which inevitably led to various other drug use. I used them to fit in. I reasoned, “Everyone else is doing it,” why not me?” I just took it a whole lot farther than most. Desperation led me to attempt suicide. I came to Teen Challenge to get my life straight and establish a relationship with Jesus, that is my hope.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 3:3 “This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

I grew up with an abusive father. He would hit me and my mother. By the time I was 12 years old I was drinking and smoking weed and meth. I used these substances to forget about what was done to me and what I did to others. By the age of 20  I was getting into harder drugs which led me to homelessness with a broken leg and that brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here to find Jesus and freedom from my addictions and to find the real me. I hope to walk like Jesus and to love the Lord with all my heart, leading to freedom. 

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

My childhood was hectic. I was loved but there was no real structure in my life. My addiction to alcohol began in my 20’s, in my thirties I had an additional addiction to Marijuana. The use of drugs and alcohol helped me cope with my depression and anxiety, numbing me from the pain. I came to Teen Challenge, because my lifestyle choices led me into homelessness. I hope to get closer to God and rebuild my life and be the man of God I was intended to be.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

Growing up I was constantly playing sports and living a normal life. My addiction began at 19 years old to avoid my problems that were forming. The recent crisis that ended up with bringing me to Teen Challenge was my girlfriend leaving me, that left me without purpose and I am here to find it again. I hope to learn how to deal with my emotions and further my faith in God.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11“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.”

Growing up was tough. My parents were strict military parents, and my father was a functional alcoholic and even led me to drink alcohol around 5 years old.  I was athletic and was an honor student but the physical and mental abuse led me to the streets and active gang life at 16. The violence claimed many of the gang members. After my brother's accident I began heavily using drugs and alcohol to escape the stress of the gang war and to push down the pain.  I was soon facing life in prison if things didn’t change. I managed to turn things around but couldn’t shake the addiction to alcohol that was tearing my family apart. My pastor found Teen Challenge and now I am committed to turning things around for my family. I hope to get closer to God and learn and apply the teachings of Jesus, so that I may live longer and be a better man for my family. 

Favorite Scripture: Mark 10:27 “Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

I grew up in a middle class family, my dad was physically there, but emotionally he was absent. I started using substances at age ten, but not sure when I became addicted. I believe I used drugs and alcohol because when I used I felt special while I was high. I’ve been using for forty-eight years, and I felt like it was time to stop. This is the recent crisis that brought me here to Teen Challenge. I am here at Teen Challenge to reconnect with God. I hope to learn other ways to respond instead of with drugs.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:28 “And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

My life growing up was actually really good. I had loving parents that were supportive and provided for me in every way possible. However, my addiction to drugs began my senior year of high school due to a sports injury and followed me for the next 15 years. I initially used drugs to alleviate physical pain, but then I began surrounding myself with the wrong crowd. This behavior eventually became a lifestyle. Right before entering Teen Challenge, I was using fentanyl and it took over my life. It got to the point where it was interfering with the relationships I had with my children and I knew something had to change. I am at Teen Challenge to seize the opportunity for a new life and a closer relationship with God.

Favorite Scripture: Mark 8:36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

I had a good yet unfulfilling childhood growing up. My addiction started at 15years old, and by 17, it was worse. I needed to feel in control of something in this world full of hardships. I was arrested and sentenced to Teen Challenge. I'm here to fulfill my obligation to the courts, but above that, to get closer to the Lord. I hope to become a new creation, redeemed and set free.

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

I had a good childhood. I grew up playing Little League Baseball. I started using drugs and alcohol at 15 years old. It started off recreationally, I wanted to fit in with the crowd. I thought that I had beaten the addiction but it came back so I entered Teen Challenge. I’m here to find Jesus and allow him to show me my next steps to freedom. I hope to be free and walk the path that God has for me.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

I think it was good that I grew up in a nice home with a good family. I was about 15 or 16 years old when my addiction began. I believe I used substances to escape, to feel accepted, to feel good, and to remove stress from myself. Before coming to Teen Challenge, I ended up really down in my addiction, and found myself on probation. I am here at Teen Challenge for myself, for my family, my kids and to get my life right! I hope to finish this program, to be able to change and to get closer to God.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.

Growing up I was abused sexually and beaten as a child. My addiction began when I started drinking at 18 and then in 1993 I stopped. I felt like I misused alcohol because it helped me feel like I belonged. I could hide from my abuse. Satan had me believe I could do whatever I wanted to do. A recent crisis that happened to me was I was finding myself deeper into pornography and lying to God, ultimately I was running from God and the truth. I came here to Teen Challenge because I want to know the Bible and “The Word”, and having a relationship with Him is what I’m pursuing. I hope to have restoration with my family while I’m in this program.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

I came from a loving family with a firm hand in discipline. I had lots of friends and family, my family wasn’t particularly close but we showed up when it mattered. My depression began shortly after losing my entire family from      illness, mental health and separation. I smoked marijuana to feel less depressed about being alone. The crisis that brought me to Teen    Challenge was the death of my entire family. After losing my entire family, my house and my job, I am here to regain my self-respect, to grow closer to God, and to have stability and a safe environment. I hope to regain mental clarity, godly relationships and family and to have a new outlook on life.  

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 26:52 “Put away your sword’ Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”

Life growing up for me was good, but I had my own up’s and down’s. My parents were divorced when I was young. I grew up fast and became independent very early at start of my life. My addiction began at age 16. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to fill a void caused by loss of my job, loved ones, my home and purpose. It is because of my addiction and because I found myself homeless that I made the decision to enter this program. I am here at Teen Challenge to create a foundation that will lead to living a better life. I hope to have a better structured life and a closer connection to God.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds and is the fruit of his father’s instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.

I grew up forced to go to church. At a young age I became bitter towards my parents and rebelled. After I was sent to boarding school I began to drink at age 16 to cope with my pain from sports and my awkward family dynamic. Recently I was drinking so much I couldn’t maintain a job, I was facing homelessness. I’m here at Teen Challenge to find God and his purpose for my life. I hope to lean on him and be free.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

I grew up with my mother and two older sisters. I was 21 when I began using drugs. I was a social user at first, then it bled into my everyday life; it was how I dealt with my depression. Still, it only led to me losing everything and becoming homeless, which is how I came to Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge accepted me when all the other programs would not. More than anything, I want to become a worthy disciple of Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 45:22 "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other "

I grew up in a loving family. Sports were a big part of my life, with my father being a college football player. We attended church with my grandparents often. After I tore my ACL, my addiction began. I used drugs to escape my reality. I didn’t want to accept that I wouldn’t be able to follow my dream of playing football. I was living from hotel to hotel and ran out of money, and I ended up here in Teen Challenge. I came to break the addiction, but quickly realized that it was a relationship with the Lord that I really needed. I want the Lord to use me for his will and allow my testimony to inspire others to seek the Him and His ways.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 131:2 "But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content."

Growing up I always went to church when I was younger, but I never truly believed in a higher power until I was older and I finally gave my life to Christ when I was 21. My addiction began when I was 16 years old and it lasted until I was 21 years old. I believe I abused substances because I was the life of the party.  My friends drank and used drugs and I just wanted to fit in. I came to Teen Challenge because I was lost and broken, and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am here to prove to myself that I am mentally stronger than I think. I hope to be closer to God than I have ever been in my whole life.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:1-2 “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.”

I had lots of friends in high school, I got married and had two kids and eventually split up with my wife. I went on a party spree and got addicted to drugs. My addiction began when I left my wife. I believe I used drugs because of the pain that was caused from me being married and separated young. I came to Teen Challenge because I couldn’t hold a job and I was always chasing my next high. I am here to get sober, but most importantly to get closer and connect to our Father God amen. I hope to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 20:2 “Those who anger him forfeit their lives, a kings wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion.”

Growing up I had a great father who cared about our upbringing.  He instilled a good work ethic and he provided for us. We went to church often. It was important to him. My addiction began right after I left college. The stress from work led me to drink. It helped me to relax. I also dabbled into other drugs but alcohol was what I relied on. After a D.U.I., my pastor brought  me to Teen Challenge. I'm here to understand my addiction and rebuild my faith in the Lord by re-establishing my day to day relationship with him. I hope to gain new tools and properly learn how to use them so that I may intern help others to find freedom from their addictions. 

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Growing up, I was raised by my mother. She did her best to raise me, but my father was in and out of the picture.  I played sports, which helped me keep my head on straight through school. At 17, after my older brother passed, I began drinking. It became a bad habit before I realized it. I realized that I was lost and trying to fix myself wasn’t working! I needed God and was led to Teen Challenge to build a relationship with Jesus and learn to follow Him. It is my desire to gain the wisdom of the Bible and apply it to my life to have a better future.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

My life was pretty abusive growing up. In 2016 my addiction to alcohol began. I drank because I thought it would make things in my life easier and better. I was wrong. I came to Teen Challenge because my trauma and behavior were affecting my first born son and soon to be wife. I hope to regain some of my childhood that I lost while here and to grow in my relationship with God. 

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.”

I had an amazing childhood with amazing parents. At age 12, I began smoking marihuana faithfully, at age 16 I began selling crack, and by age 25 I was using PCP. I like the lifestyle and the things that it has to offer. My addiction to PCP was no longer working for me and became unmanageable, which led me to seek Teen Challenge. I am here to fight this addiction by putting God first. I hope to obtain a whole new perspective on how to be a new creation.    

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. ”.

Growing up, I was born and raised on the Navajo Nation. Life meant a purpose for me as I was understanding my traditional culture and values. My addiction took its toll at the age of 8 as I was living in Salt Lake City. Alcohol was a way to hinder my pain from the loss of immediate family (my grandmother, mother, sister and brothers) Due to being stranded I did not want to look to my addiction. At the time, I overcame so many temptations. I am here to learn more of the Bible since I grew up mostly traditional. I hope to see “completing Teen Challenge” on my resume one day.  

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 10:32-33 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”

Life was good growing up. I come from a loving family. We moved around a lot during my childhood, but through sports I was always able to meet new friends. My addiction began after losing baseball right after college. I had several injuries that took my ability to play the sport I loved, and took away my dream of playing D1 baseball. I believe I started using drugs just to have fun, to party like other kids my age did, then it led to using it to numb the pain and then as a tool to sleep. A recent crisis that brought me  to Teen Challenge is when I relapsed after an ongoing battle with recovery since it began in 2020. I am here to try something new, something that will lead to a lifetime of staying sober. Not just staying sober for a year or two at a time. I hope to accomplish lifelong sobriety.

Favorite Scripture: James 1:19 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

  I lived in a structured Christian home while I was growing up and I attended Christian school. My addiction began in my 20’s and I used to get ahead when I was young. Recently I have been abusing substances to mask the pain of losing my kids. My wife and I were using drugs together and we came to Teen Challenge together because we want to get sober. I am here and hope to attain sobriety, custody of my kids, inner peace without drugs, happiness, and to get closer to God.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 3:22 “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”

Until the age of 6, I was a happy child, one of four, but my mother needed help and sent me to live with my uncle, who couldn’t properly care for me. His boss and wife took me in, and the environment was abusive, but she did introduce me to the Lord. At age 20, I was hit by a car, suffering life-changing injuries. I became addicted to prescription medication. My stubbornness made me fight and deny help. I heard about Teen Challenge and now I’m here to seek a positive change. I hope to build my life with love, joy, and find restoration. 

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I grew up in a loving Catholic family but I experienced abuse that led me into a life of drugs. My addiction began at 16 years old. I believe I used substances because I was abused sexually and emotionally when I was young. Because of a life lived in addiction, I had a crisis develop that involved meth, alcohol, marriage problems, and the stresses of owning a business. My life became unmanageable and I came here to Teen Challenge for help. I hope to become free of addiction and to have restoration in my marriage and in my relationship with God.

Favorite Scripture: John 8:36 “If the son sets free you, you will be free indeed.”

Life growing up was a little chaotic, we had no structure and a bit of rebellion. I didn’t have any communication with my family. I learned to grow up fast on my own. When I was 15, I was exposed to substances and started using drugs and alcohol. I used them to mask the feelings I had and to get away from my problems. I was on the verge of being homeless which brought me to Teen Challenge, I had nowhere to go and someone recommended it to me. I am here to get closer with God. I hope to accomplish learning the value of having structure in my life. I’d also like to get an education.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Growing up I was abused in every way until I was adopted around the age of seven. My father committed suicide by train when I was one and my mother was killed by my step-father when I was around five years old. Then my addiction started when I began smoking tobacco around ten years old. I moved on to weed, drinking and meth around fifteen. I wanted to try it because others were doing it and it was an escape and new way of life for me. I am here at Teen Challenge because I lost control of my life by drinking and using cocaine, I lost my apartment, new car and my job. I am here to attain sobriety and a relationship with God, to be Christ-like. I’ve never had the chance or the opportunity for an experience like getting to know God or go through something like Teen Challenge until now.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

While I was growing up, I experienced a lot of trauma and emotional abuse. My addiction began at the age of 13 years old. I used drugs and alcohol to fit in and to cover up pain from life. I came here to get help from my drug addiction and to work on forming a closer relationship with Jesus. I hope to accomplish a true Christian walk and honor God.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13- I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.