Christian Life Ranch 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.

Growing up, life treated me pretty well. I was surrounded by people who loved and cared for me. I was a great athlete and made friends really easily. I was a star football player in high school, and went on to play college ball. Whenever the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, I found that occasional drinking quickly escalated to problem drinking. I was no longer able to work and found comfort and relief in alcohol. I found that numbing internal pain with alcohol allowed me to feel free for the time being. My alcoholism continued to get worse and worse until it reached the point that I understood something drastic had to be done, or the addiction may have claimed my life. I decided to enter Teen Challenge not only to become clean and sober, but to get closer to the Lord. Additionally, I entered the program lacking purpose and identity. I now know that those two things come from God and God alone. I am ready for the Lord to guide and direct my life now.

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

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 normal upbringing, for the most part. I was raised in a relatively Christian household and environment, but I experienced bullying in school from teachers and surrounding students. I felt as if I was different and not cared for, which stuck with me through my adolescent years. My addiction really escalated around age 20, when I turned to substances to numb the PTSD I acquired from my time in the military. Prior to coming into the program, life was pretty unbearable. My addiction brought me to a place of hopelessness and homelessness. I knew that if I did not receive some sort of help, my life was in great jeopardy. I am a native to Tucson and was referred to the program. I am so thankful that I made the choice to come in. I am seeking an intimate relationship with the Lord, as well as restoration with loved ones. I know that God is able to restore. I am thankful for this opportunity!

Favorite Scripture: John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

My upbringing was pretty difficult, for the most part. A significant portion of it was spent in a homeless shelter, a children emergency center, and even sleeping in the woods. Unfortunately, my mother has battled drug addiction for as long as I can remember, until she passed away about three years ago from an overdose. To distract my brain from the horrendous thoughts of reality, I turned to drugs for relief. I had pretty much lost the only family that I had, and I have never had a father figure in my life. Just before coming to Teen Challenge, I was involved in some pretty dangerous activities, in order to provide for myself financially. I felt as if it were the only way to make ends meet. After encountering legal trouble, I was offered the chance to come to Teen Challenge in hopes of a deferment. I am here to better myself spiritually, emotionally, and physically, as well as to be the man that I was created to be. I hope to replace old habits with new and edifying ones. I am doing this for my mom. I just want to make her proud. I have put all of my hope in Christ and desire to be a light for those around me.

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.”

Life growing up as a child was lonely for me. Throughout school I was pulled for resource in a special class which made me feel different and embarrassed. My parents were divorced and I was living with my dad who sadly was dying from congestive heart failure but trying so hard to stay alive until I was at least 18. In the 6^th grade I was introduced to weed and that quickly led to heroin use. I believe I liked the drugs because it helped me not to feel so lonely and I was able to check out from life problems. My dad passed away when I turned 18 and it was “off to the races” with drugs. I didn’t care anymore. I found myself homeless in Colorado, broken down. My sister who is a graduate of Teen Challenge, came to Colorado and pulled me back to reality and brought me here where I found God. I am now letting God through this program refine me in to the type of person He wants me to be.  

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, he who formed you “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

About 10 years ago, my wife passed away from kidney cancer, and we had three children in their late teens and early 20s. Her passing led me to drink more heavily and smoke marijuana. Due to my addictions, my relationship with my children specifically my daughter, caused me to end up in jail multiple times. I was just in a broken, lost state. I also kept failing probation in attempt to move from state to state.  This was due to failed job attempts in Florida and back in Michigan where I’m from. I started to see how bad it could get; to the point of ending up homeless and such. The last time I got released from jail was in October of this year, 2022. I was blessed with an early inheritance from my parents and I bought plane tickets.!!! Plane tickets to Phoenix for a job. I relapsed again and knew I had to go back to Teen Challenge where I was 20 years ago. God brought me to Tucson, Arizona and on the way here I saw a rainbow over the exit sign and knew I had made the right decision.

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

I grew up in an alcoholic home with no real father figure. I started using drugs and alcohol when I was about 14 years old. I was trying to fit in with the rest of the kids, but it ultimately led to being homeless after a hospitalization. I came to Teen Challenge to get clean and learn how to stay free from drugs and alcohol. I hope to accomplish a life clear from drug use and addiction.  

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

I grew up in a broken home filled with abuse of all types; physical, sexual and verbal. I started using drugs at the age of twelve. I used because of the trauma that I had experienced when I was a child. I was going through a traumatic season in prison and people there were trying to take my life. Through all of that, God brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here to strengthen my faith because I know that God is the only one that can save me. I hope to be healed, to be delivered from my enemies and to get my life back so that I can be used for God’s glory.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Growing up going to church every Sunday, I thought I knew Christ. As I got older, I started wanting to discover myself. Getting into drugs and relationships, I thought I had found my identity in gangs and the lifestyle I chose. When I found myself waking up under bridges and in hospitals for overdoses, I knew I had to make a change. I believed Christ could make that change, and so I started investigating. Today I am developing a relationship with Jesus Christ through his word and prayer. Learning to be a servant to many people that come through the doors and humbling myself. My pride is being stripped away and I’m no longer a self-centered man.  I can now rely on the word of God to make me stronger than I ever thought I was in jail or gangs. Teen Challenge saved my life.

Favorite Scripture: Amos 9:15 And I will plant them upon their land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them saith the Lord thy God.

I was raised in the church with my brother. We lived with our grandparents outside of Savannah, Georgia. In 1994 in Seattle, Washington on my 18^th birthday I did heroin for the first time. I used to escape my problems. There was no purpose, I was destroying myself. My life was out of control. Being on the streets, addicted to drugs was getting me nowhere. I am here to get my life right and to serve God fully. I hope to grow in God’s image and to trust Him to show me a better way of living.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:17- “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world. But that through Him the world might be saved.”

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.

Life was pretty difficult for me growing up. I was bullied throughout school, and mostly kept to myself. This imbedded trust and self-confidence issues within me from a young age. My addiction began right before the passing of my mother. I found myself soothing internal pain and struggles with alcohol. After my mom died, my addiction spiraled out of control. Alcohol allowed me to avoid feeling unwanted emotions and past traumas. I found temporary peace in the bottle. Just prior to coming into the program, I had lost my apartment and felt as if my loved ones had given up on me. I knew that something had to change. I am here at Teen Challenge to learn how to trust God through painful and difficult times. I am here to allow God to remove vices from my life and transform me into the man he destined for me to be. I am looking forward to discovering my God-given purpose!

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 7: 2-3 “Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Growing up, life was pretty challenging for me. My mother battled severe alcoholism, while my father was physically present but emotionally absent. At the age of 11, I was introduced to marijuana by mother. A few years later, I decided that weed was not enough and I was in need of harder substances to numb my internal pain. Drugs provided an avenue to numb myself from family dysfunction, disarrayed emotions, and self-dissatisfaction. Just prior to entering Teen Challenge, my mother passed away, which caused me to spiral back into the lifestyle that I was familiar with. Nonetheless, there is light. I am here at Teen Challenge to get closer to God, to have my life changed forever, and to be the vessel God intended for me to be. I want to prove to myself that I can complete this program, gain trust from loved ones back, and move forward!

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 acknowledge him, and we will make straight your paths.”

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.

Life growing up was pretty difficult. My mother battled addiction for as long as I can remember.  I was eventually taken by CPS and placed into a foster care facility. I was eventually adopted by a really great family, but I still carried deep wounds along with me. My addiction began around the age of 16, when my so-called “friends” introduced me to hardcore opiates, such as fentanyl. I mainly used drugs to cope with various childhood traumas, as well as to gain a sense of belonging.  Leading up to arriving at Teen Challenge, I got into trouble with the law, and was even shot. I knew that it was time to do something different. I am seeking a brand new identity and lifestyle in Jesus Christ, and hope to carry the life skills that I acquire with me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful to Teen Challenge for providing me a place to heal and rest in the Lord.

Favorite Scripture: Revelation 3:19 “I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be earnest, then, and turn from your sins.”

I was raised with good morals and high standards. Our family never struggled financially and I was always given good counsel. When I turned 21, I dove deep into drinking and it took a grip on my life. For me alcohol was a way to fit in during my time in service in the Marine Corps. I’ve tried to do this on my own including going to AA thinking that it would be my savior. I came to Teen Challenge for a genuine relationship with God, and for my heart to be healed. My hope is that I will grow in the plan that God has for me.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I believe I had a normal, happy childhood. I grew up in a loving, Christian family. However, when I moved away to college, I started drinking heavily. I believe I used alcohol as a way to deal with self-diagnosed social anxiety, as well as a way to get out of my head and escape my tendency to overanalyze everything. Over the next 18 years, I became less and less interested in holding down a job or paying rent. I prioritized getting drunk over everything else. Recently, when I was facing eviction and homelessness yet again, some tough love from my family finally prompted me to seek help and break the cycle. I truly believe God has brought me to Teen Challenge to rest in His presence, listen to what He wants to teach me, and restore a relationship with Him that I walked away from so many years ago. I can’t wait to discover my new identity in Christ – an identity that doesn’t need alcohol!

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

I had a good life growing up and was into playing sports collegiately. After I lost my scholarship due to a baseball injury, my addiction began. I used substances to fill a gap of not being able to play anymore, but I knew I needed Jesus. After thirteen years of meth addiction, I was lead to a hotel room where I felt hopeless and was going to end my life. God moved in that room and brought me to Teen Challenge. I am here to know why he died for us and to live my life as a testament to His will. I hope to be a proclaimer and witness to others of the goodness of Jesus Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 6:9 – “And let us never tire of doing good. For after a while we will reap a harvest if we don’t get discouraged and give up.”

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.

My life was fragmented, I had divorced parents and I was bouncing in and out of the streets. My addiction started twelve years ago. There was a lot of violence and death in my childhood. While growing up, I was alone on the streets. I suffered alcohol withdrawal last year that stopped my heart several times and a recent failed attempt at another rehab brought me here. While being here at Teen Challenge I am seeking the Lord and a better life for my son. I hope to accomplish stability, healing, and community.

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

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 childhood was simple at first until my parents divorced at the age of 12.  My father who I stayed with was an alcoholic, and I pretty much took care of myself. I started smoking weed around this time because of the large amount of free time I had and began experimenting with other substances such as pills and coke. By the age of 17 most of my friends had graduated to using meth and harder stuff. At the age 18 I lost my best friend to an overdose, who I considered a brother, and for some reason it brought me to really dark places. I began taking prescription pills a lot more than I used to. I pushed most of my family away and was living a life of violence and just didn’t care if I just gave up on life. This past year I lost another friend to drugs and just decided I was next. I ended up overdosing on fake pills and somehow made it out alive and finally came to accept that I needed help. My mother found me a 30-day rehab and while I was in there told me she wanted me to come to Teen challenge.  I accepted the fact God wanted me here and not dead. Now being here, I realize that I do have a heart and I am ready to be the person that God sees I am and not this perception I created of myself.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself a great wealth.

Growing up I had what most people would consider to be a decent childhood. I was very sheltered until the end of my high school years. Around the eleventh grade is when I started using nicotine and in the twelfth grade I began smoking marijuana. The next few years after that was when the hard drugs came in and at first it was merely just for the sake of trying something new, but I soon realized I was running away from depression and the mistakes I seemed to make of always letting down the people that I cared about. This spiraled into a never ending cycle of addiction, failure, and regrets and a couple years ago I found myself here at Teen Challenge. I was faced with an ultimatum my first try in the program, but this being my third attempt to finish, it’s solely for the purpose of getting closer with God and being the man I’ve been struggling to become over the last few years. I hope to become a Godly man, one who sticks to his word and can stay sober to be around for my family to lead them into the kingdom of God and to see what gifts I have to offer and bring others closer to God. I’ve realized that first starts with me.

Favorite Scripture: 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.

Growing up, I was an orphan, in and out group homes, mental homes and foster homes. My addiction began when I was sixteen and eventually got clean when I was twenty-seven, thirteen years later I began drinking. I was running from the calling God had on my life, because of the things I saw in church and in ministry. I was ready to stop running. God shut every door except one, the one that would lead me back to who He called me to be. The Lord spoke to me, He told me to rest here while He restores me to the man of God He called me to be. I hope to grow an even deeper relationship with God, to allow him to heal the things I haven’t allowed Him to heal in the past and to rest in Him.

Favorite Scripture: Job 42:5 “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”

I lived in a loving home, but it was broken home while I was growing up. I was bullied during most of school and didn’t feel like I fit in. When I was in 6^th grade, I started smoking cigarettes to see what it was like and try to be accepted. I used substances in order to mask my feelings of abandonment and feeling like I don’t belong. I felt helpless in my addiction, falling deeper into cocaine and meth use. I was isolating from everyone and ended up in depression. I came to Teen Challenge to find a new life with Christ and find breakthrough with my mental strongholds. I hope to restore my relationship with my family and make life-long friends and grow as much as I can spiritually.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:9 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

Life growing up was relatively normal. I came from a good family, I was involved in track and football, and even had opportunities to play collegiate sports. My addiction initially began in my early teenage years. I started abusing Xanax and using cocaine. I got mixed in with the wrong types of people, and was really just trying to have a good time. However, eventually I became addicted to the substances. Just prior to coming into Teen Challenge, I was on the verge of facing legal consequences and going back to prison. I originally wanted to come into the program to become clean and sober, but now I have a deep desire to grow closer to the Lord. I desire to become the man that the Lord has called me to be and live in and through His promises.

Favorite Scripture: Exodus 23:20 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.”

I grew up in a broken home. My dad struggled with addiction and was in and out of jail and rehabs, while my mom worked to provide for us. My addiction started after my dad was killed in 2014. I began taking painkillers and my addiction grew for the next 4 years. In 2018, I turned to fentanyl. In Nov 2018, my wife overdosed and passed away, which led into deeper drug use for me. I found myself in a cycle of addiction. Since then I’ve been trying to escape my reality. On a recent “binge” I had a mental breakdown and began hallucinating. I felt I was going to lose my life if I didn’t seek help. God used this scare to call me back into Teen Challenge. In this season, I need to allow time for God to restore me and renew my mind. My desire is to grow deeper in my faith. To grow in self-discipline and character, and to become a better father.

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again to a yoke of bondage.

Growing up I had a fairly good childhood. My mom did have me at a pretty young age and she and my father quickly separated. My mother worked hard to provide me with the things I needed, but in my free time I was left to my own devices. After school I would run around with other kids in the neighborhood and they felt like family. I always wanted to be accepted so when alcohol and drugs were being used I quickly fell into peer pressure. By the age of 12, I drank alcohol and smoked marijuana. I loved playing sports, especially football. I had a great time in athletics but it also lead me to opiates. Painkillers were heavily used by many of my fellow teammates. In college and afterword my addiction just continued to progress. This eventually led to my arrest, which brought me to Teen Challenge to better of my life and my families.  

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 1:19 As you pray for me and as the spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

I grew up in the housing projects with my mom raising me and my two sisters, with very little guidance or support. I know that mom tried as best as she could. At age 13 I was allowed to be out all night. Unfortunately, at those times nothing good is going on and I joined a gang and abused drugs and alcohol.  Mom didn’t have parenting skills showing love or support and dad wasn’t around. I know now that I joined a gang to fill the void of belonging. My goal is to seek the Lord with my whole heart. I have a wife and kids. I am here to become the spiritual leader of my family and to get delivered and set free. I hope to graduate! Like Jacob wrestled with God. I won’t stop praying, worshiping, and seeking the Lord until He blesses my family!

Favorite Scripture: Joel 2:25 “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroy and the cutter. My great army which I sent among you.”

My life was pretty normal, growing up in California. There were some struggles of course, but mostly good times and fun memories! I began to fall into addiction in my mid 20’s. When I was around 27 years old, I believed that I was strong enough to help a good friend out of his addiction and ended up getting stuck in it. I believe my reason for trying drugs was mostly my effort to help someone I cared about to freedom. The reason I became an addict myself was because of God’s plan for my life. Relapse caused a series of incidents which lead to my being here at Teen Challenge. I am here to answer the call of Jesus Christ on my life. I hope to receive a closer relationship with Christ and learn to trust Him completely.

Favorite Scripture: Micah 7:7; “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”

I grew up in a loving Christian home with both parents and a younger brother. I first started experimenting with alcohol at eighteen years old. When I was in my addiction, I was always searching for a feeling, I wanted a physical high. My addiction lead to lust, drugs and alcohol. I came to Teen Challenge to develop a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope to have a deep connection to Christ and never let go. I want to share that with others.

Favorite Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

My childhood was good. I didn’t want for anything. I just didn’t have my mom growing up. I had to learn how to let her go because it was a major downfall in my life. After I lost my daughter, when she passed at the age of 23, it was really hard on me. I had a lot of things going on and anger towards the situation, so I learned to cope with it by doing things on my own because a lot of people I loved were already out of my life. I always looked for love in the wrong places. I finally turned to God. He helped me realize he loved me and even through my daughter’s death, I know that she’s with him and taken care of. Teen Challenge has helped me slowly learn how to open up and understand that no matter the circumstance, God gives me a second chance to be a father to my new son that I had just a year ago. I get to be the father I have not had the chance to be.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger man as brothers, older woman as mothers, and younger woman as sisters in all purity.