Anthony C.
Growing up I wasn’t in a very good environment. It actually was extremely toxic because of the fact that my parents were both very heavy drinkers, but both were functioning addicts. My addiction took off at an early age and just continued to get worse. I was using substances to numb the pain I had from dealing with problems at home. I came to Teen Challenge to get off drugs and learn about myself and get the necessary tools to stay clean. I hope to serve a purpose in the body of Christ while I am here, as well as become a teacher to those wanting to learn about the word. During my stay here, I plan to grow in my relationship with the Lord and hope that it will become stronger and stronger.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 3:13 Brother and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Brandon C.
I grew up in a great Christian home with both of my parents involved in my life. My addiction really started to take off once I was let go and let down by a church where I served as their youth pastor. I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of the church letting me down, and also so I wouldn’t have to deal with my problems head on. I heard about Teen Challenge from another pastor and I have committed to the program so I can reconnect with God and let Him take full control of my life. I hope while being here I am find purpose and the calling that God has for me.
Favorite Scripture: Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth; I cry out. When my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Brandon W.
I had a good childhood with my parents while I was growing up, but they eventually got divorced. My addiction started while I was in a toxic relationship with a woman who used drugs and alcohol with me. I believe I was using alcohol and drugs to numb pain from past disappointments of how my life had turned out. My parents pushed me to come to Teen Challenge because of the way I was living my life, they saw where I was quickly heading. I came to Teen Challenge to get close to God and train myself for the fight outside of Teen Challenge. Also, to give my daughter the dad she deserves to have in her life, the husband I’m supposed to be, and son my parents raised me to be.
Favorite Scripture: Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth; I cry out. When my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Bryan O.
I had a good childhood. My mom and dad worked all the time and unfortunately they fought all the time. They divorced when I was 16 years old. I am closer to my dad and his family, but I love my mom. I started smoking weed when I was 14. It was my gateway drug. My life started to get turned upside down from my addictions. I used drugs to push the hurting inside of me down. I wanted the drugs to help me with my screw ups in life. I want to follow Christ. I want to really give my life over to Him. At Teen Challenge I can get close to the Lord, and work towards restoring my relationships with family and my children. I want God to soften my heart.
Favorite Scripture: I 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.
Charles H.
It was hard for me growing up. I lost my dad to a drinking and driving accident at a young age. Without him around I fell into the street/gang life. My addiction started when I was 14 years old. I learned to use needles through my stepdad. I believed that using drugs and alcohol were normal things in life. I need a place like Teen Challenge to help stop believing the lies I was taught about myself and my life. I hope to find my calling here. I hope to draw closer to God here. I want to learn more about Jesus so I can be able to trust in Him.
Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Daniel R.
I grew up in a Christian household with my step father who always treated me very differently. It got to the point to where I was always trying to meet his unrealistic standards. While I was trying so hard to get the attention of my step-father, I went to college, which led me into experimenting with drugs. This ultimately turned into a full blown drug addiction. I finally realized I was abusing drugs to numb the pain of never getting love from my father. I am here at Teen Challenge so I can learn how to receive love from others as well as from my Heavenly Father. If it weren’t for a couple of Teen Challenge students going around from door to door in my neighborhood sharing their testimonies, I would still be searching for a place to get the healing I need, as well as a true relationship with God.
Favorite Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness.
Garret M.
Growing up life was pretty good up until I was seven years old when my dad decided to leave. From that day forward I always had a feeling of being alone in life. In order to mask the pain, I started using drugs at the early age of 13 and progressively started to get worse. I moved from alcohol to cocaine by the age of 16. I realized that when I was using drugs, I didn’t have to face any of the problems that I had going on in my life or deal with myself. I came to Teen Challenge in order to find my true self, but most importantly grow my relationship and get to a deeper connection with my Savior. Where I find my motivation to stick it through in Teen Challenge is my two beautiful daughters who deserve to have me at my best. I hope during these 13 months I am able to finally figure out the calling God has on my life so that I can have a firm foundation and a purpose for life after Teen Challenge.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”
Lee R.
Life was pretty normal growing up. We had a low income family, but we had everything we needed. I started drinking in my late teens, it wasn’t really a problem until my parents passed away. I started drinking because I enjoyed it, but I kept drinking to deal with stress. I came to Teen Challenge to straighten my life out. My brother came through the program so my family encouraged me to do it. I hope to achieve a better connection with God and overcome my addiction.
Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”
Travis L.
Growing up I was afforded every opportunity to be successful and I had a loving family. When I was about 14 years old I started to drink alcohol and party, although my drug addiction wouldn’t start until years later. I stared to abuse drugs because a lot of my friends and family did and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop. I came to Teen Challenge to break free from addiction and to grow in my faith. I hope to achieve a drug free and productive life through Christ Jesus.
Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 4:2 “Always be humble and gentle, be patient with each other making allowance for each other’s faults. “
