Aaron M.
At a young age I had to go through my parent’s divorce which required me to mature quickly. I battled with anxiety, depression and feeling like I never fit in. At school my classmates would pick on me and would leave me to be the last one picked in sports. My addiction started when a friend of mine asked me to go to Lake Pleasant and smoke weed with him. After experiencing that high I began to be a thrill seeker, always looking for a way to fill the hole in my life. I started abusing other substances such as alcohol, LSD, and Ecstasy or MDMA. Here at Teen Challenge I want to learn how to live life and have fun without abusing substances. What brought me to Teen Challenge was the feeling of being alone and doing things that would make me fit in. Throughout this program I hope to learn how to live a sober life and in the future help others battling with addiction.
Favorite Scripture: Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
Adrian A.
I came from a good family. I have two brothers and two sisters. My parents were divorced. I lived with my mom because my dad was on meth. I started drinking when I was 14 years old. I would go to school buzzed all the time. I stole the alcohol from my mom’s liquor cabinet. I used to numb myself. I was hurt because my dad was not around. It would help me forget about the problems in my life. I had no one to help me with them. At Teen Challenge I want to change my life around and get to the root of why I feel I must drink. I want to reconnect/strengthen my relationship with God. I was at rock bottom, now I want to figure out why I use substances in the first place.
Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Adrian R.
Life for me growing up was really good. I had a loving family and I was surrounded by good people. In 2013 I had some back surgery due to a work related issue, and that caused depression because I wasn’t able to do the things I used to do before the injury. I decided to come to Teen Challenge because my life spiraled out of control, and I wanted to regain a strong relationship with my family. What brought me to Teen Challenge was a two month relapse after four years of sobriety. I hope to gain heavenly knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God's plan in my life and my purpose. I’m also praying to have a solid relationship with my two daughters.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Andrew A.
Throughout my life I had many struggles. My mom was a meth addict and Dad was never really there for me. At the age of 16 I was diagnosed with mental illness. At that same age I began experimenting with drugs, which continued to progress to harder substances which began to take over my life. The whole time I was attempting to fill a void that only ever seemed to grow deeper. After a lifetime of growing confusion and hopelessness I came to Teen Challenge. Being here I know that the only thing that can change me is a life being transformed through a relationship with Christ. Everyday my focus is to know and glorify Him more.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 3:13 “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,
Anthony S.
I grew up in a Catholic family with a loving mother and an alcoholic father. They divorced when I was seven years old which led to a lot of my acting up as a child. At the age of eleven I was smoking cigarettes and drinking, by twelve I was smoking weed every day. What started off as something that I used to cope with my feelings, eventually left me hopeless and not wanting to live anymore. I didn’t feel like I had a purpose in life nor a will to keep living, I tried to take my life in a failed overdose. By the grace of God and His love, He brought me here and has begun to show me my purpose. By being here I hope to gain a firm foundation and relationship with our heavenly Father.
Favorite Scripture: Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, you must be wise as the serpent, and harmless as doves.”
Bradley P.
I can honestly say that I had a pretty good life growing up, but as the same with all men I struggled with sin. My addiction began after the loss of my leg, and continued because of how much I enjoyed abusing substances. My addiction continued to get progressively worse until I used meth for the first time that lasted for almost three weeks. This event was what I needed that left me realizing that I needed help, and as a result came to Teen Challenge. I know my purpose being here is for more than just getting clean, but to truly get to know our great God and get closer to Him. At the end of all of this, I want more of God, and less of me.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Cameron C.
I was raised in a Christian home until my mom died at the age of seven. After her passing I moved around a lot from place to place and was abused by family members. This ultimately led to a depression that I tried to find solace from in drug use at the age of twelve. What began as an escape as something that numbed my pain, eventually consumed me. I was at a point in my life where I believed I wanted to die until I actually did, and over dosed. God used this event to open my eyes and lead me to Teen Challenge where I found the Savior of my soul. My only aim in being here is to pursue God and the plans that He has for me. Every day here I seek to die to myself, and put all my focus on Christ, who is the only true source of peace.
Favorite Scripture: Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”
Cameron F.
I had an almost perfect childhood. But when I turned 17 I started to experiment with drugs and alcohol. A year later I started to use crystal meth. I started to use drugs because I was lost and wanted to feel good. I came to Teen Challenge to get closer to God and to break free from addiction. While I am here, I hope to have my family restored and learn about Christ. I want to start a new drug free life and become a better father.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 10:17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Christopher H.
My life growing up was more than I could ask for. My parents gave me everything I could’ve wanted. I was educated, I had good friends, and came from a God-loving family. Once I turned 21, I moved out of my parent's house and then my addiction began. Thinking that it was cool, I began to hang around bad company and started drinking and smoking. Even though I was doing these things to impress friends and to be cool, eventually it numbed out the plans and goals I had for my life. After burning through my savings, I knew I needed help. I came to Teen Challenge to change my life and create real accountability, to get my head on straight, but most important to let God become king of my life. My goal is to give full authority to the Holy Spirit in my heart and to allow him to take control of my life. To become a finisher and not a quitter.
Favorite Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.
Christopher P.
My life started with a pretty decent upbringing. Both of my parents were together until my father started to drink and eventually left me and my siblings behind with an abusive mom. I thought that was normal. So I started to use at the age of 10 believing that no one cared for me. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted and using helped me to feel better. After living a long drug-addictive lifestyle, after mental breakdowns, and after losing everything I owned, I started to seek help. I came to Teen Challenge to recommit my life to Jesus Christ and to build a new family. My hope now is to build a strong foundation in Christ and life-lasting relationships with my Teen Challenge brothers.
Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 12:2 Looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Daniel S.
Growing up in my household I was usually able to do what I wanted. I was raised by my mom and my stepdad who were addicted to drugs and alcohol so there was always drugs and violence that surrounded my sister and me. At the age of 11, I started to smoke marijuana and tobacco and I started to drink alcohol. By the age of 16, I was using cocaine. By 19 I was addicted to heroin. I used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain I felt growing up from being sexually abused as well as always feeling like I’m less than others. Four different times I tried to kill myself by overdosing and four different times the Lord has allowed me to survive and has brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here now to gain a solid relationship with God and learn to rely on him in good times and bad. I hope to gain knowledge from the Bible and an intimate relationship with God.
Favorite Scripture: Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Daniel V.
I was brought up in hard times as a child. At the age of 12, I was already involved with gangs and drugs. Feeling the need to fit in with other people, I was constantly defending myself. Eventually I came to a place in my life where I was able to stop doing drugs. Unfortunately I remained in bondage to the use of alcohol. I’ve found Teen Challenge to be my only chance for a change in life. While I’m here I hope to gain self respect, and to make amends to all those I’ve hurt. My desire is to regain my belief in God because I know that He will help me change my life.
Favorite Scripture: John 8:32 “Therefore you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
David N.
Life growing up was really hard. I was raised without a father and it really bothered me. I started using drugs around 12 years old to numb the pain I felt and to feel satisfied in life. I came to Teen Challenge to further my recovery and to beat my addiction. My sincerest hope is that with Christ, I will finally be able to achieve complete sobriety.
Favorite Scripture: I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Derek O.
I have been extremely blessed with parents that have always supported me. We were a Christian household in a small town. I spent my childhood involved in sports and academics. It all started with pain pills when I got a tooth pulled. I had more surgery and more pain pills. I am still trying to figure out why I became addicted and lived with it. I would runaway from the messes I would get myself into. I covered my guilt, I guess. I want to rebuild my relationship with Christ. I want to be the man He created me to be. God has been working on me through my family, they never give up on me. I see the opportunity here at Teen Challenge to grow in His word.
Favorite Scripture: Zechariah 3:2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
Dustin H.
Life growing up was okay, I never wanted for anything but my parents got divorced when I was really young. My addiction began about 8 years ago, I started using drugs to fill the void that I felt. I came to Teen Challenge to kick my addiction once and for all and to draw closer to God. I also hope to find the root causes of my addiction.
Favorite Scripture: I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Ian M.
My life growing up was isolated, but I spent a lot of my time being involved in sports. After high school ended I was no longer involved with sports and began hanging around the wrong crowd. The desire to belong to a group and fit in with the wrong people is what first led to me using. Eventually my opiate use led me to getting in trouble with the law and I ended up in legal trouble and being on probation. I came to Teen Challenge to begin seeking the Lord, and to be in a place where I can learn structure, and begin to renew my mind.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength “
James C.
I grew up in a pretty good family unit until I turned 14, at which point our home turned into a drug house. I started using alcohol at 13 years old and methamphetamine at 17 years old, mostly because everyone else was doing it- I thought it would all be okay. I came to Teen Challenge because God definitely has a calling on my life and I know it. I don’t want to slip back into alcoholism and meth use, I want restoration and healing through Christ and His power.
Favorite Scripture: James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Jason S.
My life growing up could be summed up in one word, ‘rough’. I grew up in the foster care system, and eventually was adopted. After the adoption I lacked consistency and moved to six homes in the span of eighteen years. At seventeen I began drinking and self medicating to numb my feelings of being abandoned. After a night of binge drinking and what I thought would be a final suicide attempt, the Lord brought me to Teen Challenge. Being here my hope is to truly get to know the Lord, myself and my five year old daughter, as well to finally step into my calling which I know is ministry.
Favorite Scripture: Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Jimmy L.
Life was hard growing up; I was raised in a very dysfunctional family with a lot of fighting. My addiction began about 20 years ago, I started using drugs and alcohol because of the pain I had from my family. I came to Teen Challenge to find myself and also the find Christ. I truly believe that the Lord brought me here to grow closer to him. I hope to achieve not only sobriety, but inner peace through Jesus Christ.
Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
John C.
Growing up in a Catholic home with two parents who were perfectionists, I had the idea that in order to find love from my parents or God I also had to be perfect. At the age of ten my parents separated, then trying to cope with that and the negative influence of some older kids on my hockey team, my addiction began. I used my addiction to escape reality, and my feelings of failure. After the COVID19 epidemic began I really fell into my addiction. I began isolating, and knew I needed help. I’ve come to Teen Challenge to learn to love myself, others, and Christ while learning to live a life that follows after Him. The only thing I am seeking to find at the end of all of this here is a lasting, loving, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. “
John D.
I was super blessed growing up with a strong Christian upbringing. Peer pressure was the starting influence of my addiction. In school my friends were all into partying and drinking, unfortunately peer pressure got the best of me and I gave in. Eventually my alcohol use took over my life. Coming here to Teen Challenge my goal is to be able to have a normal life. This of course will only be possible by focusing on my relationship with God, and by His power, overcome my addiction.
Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that if you believe in Him you will not perish but have ever lasting life.”
Michael D.
Life was really good growing up, I had a great childhood. I grew up playing sports and being involved in school activities. My addiction didn’t begin until my early 30’s. I think I started using drugs and alcohol to deal with the stress from my job. I tried other treatment centers and 30 day programs, but nothing worked. Through my church and my family, I heard about Teen Challenge. My goal is to grow in Christ and to achieve sobriety.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Miguel G.
My life was okay growing up until my Mom went to prison and I was forced to live with a Dad that doesn’t like me. My addiction began right after my Mom got out of prison and decided to leave me and my siblings behind. I didn’t know how to cope with the depression I was feeling so I suppressed it with drugs. After burning so many bridges from letting my addiction run my life, I finally found Teen Challenge. I am here now to restore my relationship with God and to recover from my addiction. My hope is that I accomplish a sense of purpose and a better understanding of our world.
Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Nathan H.
I had a very protected and sheltered childhood. My father passed away when I was 8 years old and left my mother to raise three children on her own. She remarried and my stepfather was a good man, but he worked a lot. I started getting high around 18 years of age. At first it started innocently enough, and I used drugs to deal with my insomnia. As I got older, I used it to suppress my feelings and emotions. I came here to Teen Challenge to get close to God and train myself for the fight outside of Teen Challenge. I hope God will reveal the purpose He has for my life.
Favorite Scripture: Galatians 2:20a "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
Noah L.
My life was really good until I began struggling with depression at the age of fifteen, then things began going down-hill. At the age of sixteen I started smoking weed, which eventually progressed into harder drugs. I continued to medicate in order to avoid my problems and all the hurt I had inside. I wanted to feel good even when I wasn’t good. God’s hand really began working in my life after I over dosed, and He began moving things to bring me here to Teen Challenge. I’m here at Teen Challenge to get closer to the Lord every day and work on becoming the man God always meant for me to be.
Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but a spirit of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline.”
Philip A.
As a child, my mother and father were always working. They did the best they could to spend time with us. I was raised in church. My addiction began early on with cigarettes and marijuana, and eventually it led to harder drugs. I believe that I used drugs and alcohol because I was a lonely person and didn’t experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I am here at Teen Challenge to find the joy of salvation and discover God’s plan for my life. I hope to build a better relationship with Christ while I am here.
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.
Ray C.
I grew up in a good household with caring parents. As I got older, I started to rebel. I began smoking weed for the first time at fourteen years old. I abused drugs and alcohol to mask the pain I had of feeling never good enough or that I would never amount to anything in life. I came to Teen Challenge to finally break free from the chains and torment of addiction I have been under for so many years. I hope to break free from all of the lies being told to me, and become a Godly man of Christ who can walk in integrity.
Favorite Scripture: Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Richard R.
My life was easy going while I was growing up. I played sports and was around my family a lot. I started using cocaine and drinking in my 20’s and eventually that led to methamphetamine use. I was engaging in sinful activities and behaviors without being aware of the damage I was causing others and myself. My addictions blocked out my past hurts and caused me to be emotionally destructive. Now, I want to be discipled, increase my spiritual awareness and walk a righteous walk with God and Christ.
Favorite Scripture: I Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
Samuel B.
Growing up my life consisted of sexual, mental, and physical abuse. As a result, I became homeless at the age of 15. Shortly after that, my addiction began and aggressively increased with age. My substance abuse was a way to hide my emotions and feelings from the world and to mask the mental and physical pain I was experiencing. Amid my attempted suicide through drugs and alcohol, the Lord sent me a graduate of Teen Challenge and shared with me the hope that he found through this place and the power of Jesus Christ. I am here now to experience a new journey with the Lord. I hope to acquire a new love for myself for others and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit joints and marrow it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Steven B.
My life was filled with good times and bad times. Growing up I had two older sisters that were always getting into trouble. Hanging around older kids, I was influenced early on at the age of 9 to smoke cigarettes. Then by 11 years old I started smoking marijuana. Eventually I started using harder stuff at the age of 16. As I got older, my addiction started to affect my life in my marriage and my relationship with Jesus. God has called me to Teen Challenge. This program is the process necessary for me to overcome my giants. My hope is to accomplish perfect communion with my father in heaven and to have freedom from addiction.
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
Steven R.
I had a good life growing up. I had a great family that took me to a private school and raised me in church. I didn’t start using up until about two years ago in 2019. I began to drink socially with friends and eventually started using methamphetamine and got put on psych meds. And now I have legal issues I have to attend to because of it. I’ve never had legal issues or been in trouble with the law before this. I am here at Teen Challenge to get my life back, my family back and my relationship with Jesus Christ back. My hope is for restoration of mercy and forgiveness to be extended to me by my family, by the Lord, and by the law.
Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.
Tahj H.
I grew up without a father in the house. I was raised by just my mom. I had no discipline or ethics. I had problems learning in school and abiding by the rules. When I was 19 years old, I started smoking weed. By 23 I was doing meth. I had no self-control, and I was acting from impulse. I would try to numb my mind and thoughts to escape myself. I had disappointments, depression, misery, loneliness, and failures. At Teen Challenge I want to obtain a peace of mind and learn about God and His ways. I want to be disciplined and have good morals. Becoming a faithful Christian is my desire.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
Vernon B.
I grew up in a home where drinking alcohol and domestic violence seemed like a normal way to live. So at the age of 12, my alcohol addiction began. I drank for instant gratification and since it made me feel good, I was drinking all the time. As I got older I started a family and drinking was no longer tolerated. The drinking started to affect my marriage and hurt my children. To put an end to the pain that I was causing my family, I sought help. I am now in Teen Challenge to improve my relationship with Jesus and to fulfill his calling for my life. I hope to accomplish having a full dependency on my Lord and Savior.
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
Will H.
I grew up in a good loving Christian home, but I always felt something was missing. My addiction began when I was about 13 years old. I started to use drugs to numb the pain of my abandonment and to please my selfish desires. I came to Teen Challenge because my grandfather was a mentor to Snow Peabody’s mentor, and my parents knew this place would help me. I was ultimately tired of living a life of addiction. I also believe this place will give me a firm foundation to stand on and to pursue my calling of youth ministry.
Favorite Scripture: James 1:2-3 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.
