Aaron D.
My mother brought me up in a Christian home, but it was just me and her for the first seven years until she got remarried. I started drinking alcohol and abusing substances about 13 years old. I believe I started using to have fun, but when my real father died I think I kept using to numb my pain. I came here to Teen Challenge to trust in the Lord and to build a firm foundation in the Word. I know that the Holy Spirit is the one who brought me here. I hope to learn and grow in God’s Word and to accomplish His will for this season and the rest of my life.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Amelio B.
My life growing up was very good. I had a great mother and she taught me how to do the right things in life. I also had a family that showed me tough love. My addiction began when I graduated High School, I started using to numb my feelings and emotions, and to deal with the stresses of life. My life was really spiraling out of control and my addiction became unmanageable. I hope to get back on the right track and to reevaluate my future. I would also like to get closer to God.
Favorite Scripture: Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Anjelo J.
I grew up with a poor alcoholic father, a hardworking mother, and a lot of heartache. My addiction began in my late teen years as I tried to achieve acceptance through alcoholism. I continued to drink to cover all the pain and hurt that I felt. I came to Teen Challenge to stop using drugs and alcohol and to become fully committed to my God. I believe the Holy Spirit led me here and I want to be fully healed from my past hurts and free from drugs and alcohol.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 4:19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
Ben R.
I grew up on a small farm in Two Egg, Florida. Life was good until my teenage years and then I fell into the world. My addiction didn’t begin however, until I was 36 years old. After twenty years of working and not ending up where I wanted to be- I decided to throw my hands up and start using drugs. I came to Teen Challenge to get closer to God, myself, and to start stabilizing my life through the Lord’s help. My brother suggested the program after he became the director of a Teen Challenge in Virginia. I hope being here will bring balance to my life including my spirituality.
Favorite Scripture: Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
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.
Colby L.
My childhood was great, but life started to get more complicated in my late teens. I started using drugs in my mid-20’s to deal with my depression. I enjoyed using drugs because it allowed me to numb my pain. I came here to Teen Challenge to change my ways and grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope to rebuild my relationship with Christ and become a strong man of God.
Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 14:11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
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.
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.
Eddie G.
Life was very lonely growing up and I had very low self-esteem. I grew up in a tough neighborhood and had to watch my back everywhere I went. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family. I started using drugs and alcohol at the early age of 14 and it led to an addiction. I used drugs to help myself feel better and help me get through the days and nights. I came to Teen Challenge because my life had become hopeless and I wanted to live my life to the fullest. I hope to find God and sobriety now that I am here.
Favorite Scripture: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Henry V.
My father left when I was young, so I was raised by my mother. Although my father wasn’t around, my mother did a great job raising me. My addiction started when I couldn’t get my wife to stop using drugs. After years of being unable to stop her from using, I decided to start using with her. I continued using drugs to deal with the guilt of losing my family. I came to Teen Challenge to became a better man, to learn the Word of God, and to find Christ. I hope to restore my family and to lead them by example.
Favorite Scripture: John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Hunter D.
My mother died when I was only four years old, and my father left when I was eleven. Loosing both of them was very hard on me. I started using drugs at eighteen to deal with the pain of not having my parents. Drugs also gave me a feeling of self-worth and fulfillment that I did not have before. After years of drug abuse, I decided I was tired of finding happiness in substances. I came to Teen Challenge to find God and to no longer live in a drug fueled depression. I want the Lord to speak through me and strengthen me. I hope the Lord will use me as a vessel for ministry in the future.
Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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.”
Javier G.
We didn’t have very much growing up, and my mother was very young when she had me. I started to get high at a very early age, around 11 years old. I started out by smoking weed and then pretty soon I was smoking crystal meth. I started using drugs because I liked them and they seemed fun and innocent. I kept using drugs because they helped me cope with my feelings and emotions. My wife encouraged me to come to Teen Challenge and get help so I agreed to it. I hope to change my life here and get closer to the Lord. I want to achieve everything this program has to offer.
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."
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.
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.”
Matthew S.
My life was good growing up, I had great parents and I have no complaints. My addiction began at age 17. I felt like my life should have been better and that I should have been happier, so I started to use drugs and alcohol. I came to Teen Challenge to find the happiness that I was missing through God. I was really at the end of myself, after overdosing 5 times. I hope to find a relationship with God and achieve complete sobriety.
Favorite Scripture: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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”
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."
Samuel W.
I had an average middle class upbringing. I was the baby of my family and the only male child. This resulted in a lot of pressures that eventually led to my addiction. Later on, I used drugs to mask the pain that women caused me during my life. This ultimately led me to becoming homeless. I came to Teen Challenge to get restoration with my family and to escape the streets. Throughout this program I hope to grow closer to the Lord and for him to shepherd me and to build his kingdom within me.
Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 54:17 No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
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.
