Western Michigan Teen Challenge 4.31

Teen Challenge is the oldest, largest and most successful ministry of its kind in the world....

In 1958, a young pastor from a farm town in Pennsylvania, took a step of faith into the inner-city of New York City. David Wilkerson started a movement that would change the lives of thousands. With a heart for young people, he began working with gangs and troubled youth. As he began to establish rapport within the city, he became aware of the life-controlling issues destroying these young people. Everywhere David turned he saw the consequences of addiction: a 16 year old girl working the streets, a 12 year old boy murdered by his younger brother, the sight of a teenage mother with her baby on her lap, begging for food and shelter.

The young pastor found himself in a place with no hope and no future: these children had been set up for failure. He knew he had to break the vicious cycle. He had to offer a way out of their trouble and despair. Later that year, the first Teen Challenge Center was established. Wilkerson worked with inner-city youth wanting a different kind of life, other than gangs and drugs.

Since 1958, Teen Challenge has seen remarkable growth. Thousands of lives have been changed, TC ministry now exists in 82 countries worldwide with invites from 43 more countries who are asking for our help. There are approximately 202 centers in the United States and 1060 around the world helping children, teens, men, women and families. Teen Challenge strives to help the whole person, not just the substance abuser.

In 1963, David Wilkerson co-authored the book, The Cross and the Switchblade. The story covers David's first 5 years in New York and became a best-selling phenomenon. More than 15 million copies have been distributed in over 30 languages. In 1969 a motion picture based on the book, was released. After 45 years, the story continues to inspire renewed faith in God's ability to overcome problems that even the most determined human efforts cannot resolve.

Teen Challenge is a Christian-based ministry. The purpose of TC, nationwide, is to help people who have life-controlling problems and initiate the discipleship process to the point where the student can function as a Christian in society. The TC approach is to teach a whole new way of living by addressing family relationships, work attitudes, self-image and esteem, peer pressure, addictions, social issues, community relationship, and a variety of other life skills. Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.

The salvation offered by Jesus Christ is the main avenue to create true and lasting changes in a person's life. Teaching students about Christ and leading them to salvation is essential to the work of Teen Challenge.