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.

So I had a pretty rough up-bringing. I grew up in a dysfunctional home, drugs and alcohol seem to be the way of life. Mom and Pops seem to be constantly entertaining some type of chaotic party, whether it was at home or them vanishing to take part in. They were kids with kids, so that explains a lot of it. My personal addiction began as a young adult, trying to escape the faces of reality, I was about 17ish when I started drinking to socialize with the crowd. It made everything easier and less thoughtful to compromise and justify my irrational behavior and drug use. Even though I witnessed my parents fall victim to alcohol and drugs and thought I knew better, I was following the same road. I thought I was invincible and would not run into the same problems. But I fell victim as well and my life quickly became unmanageable and I was lucky to find Teen Challenge and start this journey to sobriety and graciously walk in spiritual growth. This is going to help me be the father and role model I desire to be for my kids.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 21:2 Even though we think we are always right God thoroughly examines our true motives.

I grew up in a large home. I am the fourth child out of 11. I was homeschooled my whole life and very sheltered. The home I was raised in was a Christian home and I had both of my loving parents. At around 18 years old I started smoking weed. In the next five years I tried most drugs and ended up with a crippling cocaine addiction and alcoholism. I started using drugs and alcohol to fill the void that I had in my life and to fit in in a small town where friendships were built on drug and alcohol use.  I came to Teen Challenge to find new purpose and direction in my life and to build a relationship with God, to become a better father, son, and brother. My hope is to become more than sober and find the calling that God has put on my life and to walk it out.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 6:19 “I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.” ‭‬‬

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.

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.”

Life for me growing up was good. I had a fun loving family and wouldn’t trade it. My addiction began in Detroit with Xanax and Codeine. When I moved to Arizona I began to use meth. It was a time in my life where I thought nothing bad of people using it because that was what I expected and thought that was the norm, especially in Detroit. I came to Teen Challenge because I really wanted to absorb the experience here and what it offers. I now have hope in my future and in my present.  

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!

Growing up I did not know my biological father. My biological mother committed suicide from drug addiction and depression. I was adopted by one of my uncles and his wife along with my older sister. They raised us as their own and they are mom and dad to us. My dad is a pastor and my mom is in HR. As children, we were given opportunities to do what we wanted in music, sports, church or almost whatever we wanted. It was a home filled with the presence of God, focused on loving us and teaching us how to live Biblically righteous lives. I came to Teen Challenge to strengthen my relationship with God and spend time reading His word, including prayer and being discipled. I hope to resolve relationship issues with my wife, and continually grow in my relationship with Jesus.  

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

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.

For me, life growing up was amazing. I grew up on a farm in Kansas.  My addiction began about two years ago. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to relieve my anxiety and depression. Recently in crisis and heavily addicted to fentanyl attending ASU, I decided to come to Teen Challenge. My hope is that I will stay sober and learn how to live life without drugs.  

Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

My life growing up was kind of rough and different than most. My brother and I were adopted by my birth mom’s social worker. My birth mom died when we were very young. I remember thinking drugs were more important than myself at a young age. I don’t know who my father because my mother was a prostitute. My addiction began at 13 when I was a freshman in high school. It started with alcohol, weed, and evolved into cocaine. That led me deeper into harder drugs. I believe I used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of feeling worthless and I was trying to fit in with people. I would do anything to not be abandoned again. The recent crisis that brought me to Teen Challenge was methamphetamines. My birth mother was a meth addict. My mom always told me to never try any drug because it was in my genetics (but of course I didn’t listen). I promised myself I would do any drug but meth out of respect because it caused my mother to choose it over her kids.  I broke my own heart when I  used meth for the first time. I felt like I was nothing. While I’m here, I hope to do some deep cleaning that I haven’t done ever and look at my major issues like trust and abandonment and work on a relationship with the Lord that I need.  

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 27:10 “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” 

I couldn’t ask for a better childhood growing up. I had everything I needed. For me addiction didn’t begin until the age of 26. Mostly I was bored, and I turned to alcohol. Recently though I had been experimenting with meth and I knew I needed help. My hope is that I will no longer live an addicted life and I’ll be able to get back to work and have a place to live.

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.

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 great while I was growing up. I lived overseas in Morocco for 9 1/2 years. Never did any drugs until I was 17 years old. I had moved to the US at the age of 13 and got picked on and bullied for many years. I moved out of my parents’ house at the age of 17 with my twin brother and got introduced to drugs and alcohol. I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I used drugs and alcohol for many years until the age of 39. Living in bondage and under the influence of methamphetamine, the spirit of bondage, put my mind into a box. I thought I was trapped forever. I came to Teen Challenge to allow God to heal my pain of being bullied and getting made fun of for many years. My hope is to grow in my servitude to the Lord. I have been baptized with water, and I am a new creation!

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

For me, my addiction began almost 10 years ago. I could not find love anywhere, so I turned to drugs. Recently, my drug use had spiraled out of control, and I found myself in a detox center. I came to Teen Challenge to find Jesus; my hope is that my faith in Jesus will increase while I’m in this program.  

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 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 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.

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.

I had a rather fortunate life as a young kid. As I grew up with a loving caring nurturing family we for sure had our fair share of struggles. I started to get into smoking cigarettes at a young age ultimately giving way to alcohol and smoking weed. My addiction really spiraled out of control when I lost my mom when I was 23. I lost all self-control because of her death, a piece of me went with her. I lost my job, my apartment, and my relationship with my family. My best friend’s wife introduced me to Teen Challenge, so I made the executive decision to sit down and finally get the help I have waited years to receive. The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful wife, to who I married the day before induction, two beautiful daughters and a new beginning at life.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 6:8 The Lord asked, “And whom shall I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

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.

I had a great childhood growing up. At a young age I was saved and encountered by the Holy Spirit. In my teens I began experimenting and learning the drug trade because of a desire to fit in with an older crowd. Since being delivered in 1987, I’ve had years of success and lived a faithful life to the ministry. Like many, there have been moments in life where I have struggled and have fallen, but have gotten back up. I came to Teen Challenge of Arizona from New York to be a part of a dynamic support system that has been so caring and loving and to further work and illuminate the hazards in my life that are keeping me from success. I will complete Teen Challenge; all glory be to God.  

Favorite Scripture: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

My parents divorced when I was one.  Throughout the years I was physically abused.  Addiction for me began at the age of 22.  No longer wanting to feel abandoned, I turned to abusing substances.  It helped me to fit in and to feel accepted.  Recently I relapsed and came to Teen Challenge because they have one of the highest success rates of all programs in staying sober.  I am here to get closer to God.  

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 24:7 I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Growing up I had a great childhood and I always remember having everything I always wanted. Sometimes having everything is not enough though. Around the middle of my high school years I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Hopefully through Teen Challenge I can figure out what made me start using. Maybe it was to feel better, maybe there’s a deeper root issue I haven’t yet discovered. Earlier this year I got arrested, again, and even though it wasn’t for drugs this time I had been using again and letting everyone down around me that loved me or had anything to do with me. I was told about this program, Teen Challenge, from someone I was in jail with. I was able to get in contact with a man that was able to get me into the program. I’m hoping while I’m here to learn a new way of life centered in Christ and to be set free from addiction.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

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.

While I was growing up I was bullied physically, mentally and sexually. I did graduate high school and even though I have been married twice, various addictions took their toll on my life. My first addiction was to pornography at the age of 13. I took a magazine from my neighbor’s mailbox. My addiction evolved into drug and alcohol use while I was still in high school. For many years of my life I have struggled with addiction in one form or another. Recently I came to Teen Challenge with the hope of restoring my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am tired of doing things my way and I have an honest desire to see what God has in store for me. I understand that my hope comes from the Lord, so I trust that he will help me accomplish his work that he started within me while I diligently stay plugged into this program and be led by Him in areas of ministry.  

Favorite Scripture: Ezekiel 3:10 Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and hear with your ears (listen closely).

I grew up in a normal Christian household. When I became a teenager I did the whole school thing, graduated and everything. Fast forward to the present, in May of 2022 I overdosed on fentanyl pills. I’m here at Teen Challenge to get the help I so desired and need. Praise the Lord our God, for He is good. In all of this I should have known that my addiction to the pills was making God jealous.  I went to fentanyl instead of God for comfort. This is a life changing event for me. I know Teen Challenge will help and get me through my addiction and off the pills.  I believe in my heart I can start fellowshipping with my brother’s in Christ and be able to lift each other up in prayer when we feel down.

Favorite Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.

Growing up, I had good parents, but my school and personal life has always been chaotic. I grew up in Apache Junction and I was exposed to drugs at an early age. When I ran away from home at age 17 I started drinking heavily, to the point where I became suicidal at that tender age. My heavy drug use began six months ago. As a bartender I was introduced to cocaine. A very good friend of mine called my parents and told them what was going on, so I came to Teen Challenge to get my family and my life back.  I'm here to find a new way of living, and my hope is that I will find real passion in life and my purpose. I want to have a good reputation as a man of Christ.

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.