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masthead
Torch In 1958
a vision gave
birth to a ministry
called
Teen Challenge
...and it caught fire!

Bro Don

Almost 50 years later,
that
fire
now burns
around the world and
the VISION continues to grow!
The passion of the Wilkerson's and burden to reach the drug addict, gang member and prostitute is now carried on by a powerful Global Team directed by Dr. Jerry Nance, Global Teen Challenge President and CEO, . he vision and mission are as fresh today as when as when David Wilkerson established the first Teen Challenge ministry in New York City.
 
Today, Global Teen Challenge is passing that torch on to men and women around the world who have caught the same vision.
 
Teen Challenge was founded in 1958 by the Reverend David Wilkerson. From the beginning, the mission of Teen Challenge has been to provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christ-centered faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order to become productive members of society. By applying biblical principals, Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.
 
Global Teen Challenge has been facilitating the creation and growth of Teen Challenge centers worldwide since 1995.
 

Teen Challenge is widely recognized as the largest most successful program of its kind. Now, with over 1140 Centerin107 nations, Teen Challenge provides practical solutions to people suffering life-controlling problems, with drugs and alcohol, through the power of God's love. For over 55 years Teen Challenge has been reaching out with a proven record of changed lives around the world.

Our Mandate:

David Wilkerson,
the founder of Teen Challenge

Put Hope Within Reach of Every Addict, alcoholic, or victim of human trafficking, sexual slavery and prostitution
Our Mission:
Equip, motivate and encourage national pastors, missionaries and laypeople for ministry to people bound by life controlling addictions.
Our Method:
  • Train leaders and staff in Operation, Administration and Ministry
  • Provide teaching and classes in biblical studies
  • Provide fellowship & support between existing centers globally
  • Raise funds to build, renovate and sustain Teen Challenge centers
  • Open new Teen Challenge centers & outreaches worldwide
  • Assist national local pastors and missionaries
  • Recruit future workers and leaders
  • Facilitate short-term missions trips
  • Organize evangelism campaigns
  • Prepare for re-entry

AMAZING 86% SUCCESS RATE

The following results have come from research conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse in 1975, and a comparative study conducted by Northwestern University in 1994. The most recent, published in 1999, is a comparison of treatment effectiveness in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers and was conducted by Aaron Bicknese, PhD, of Northwestern University.

  • 86.6% of graduates after seven years remained drug and crime free. This is opposed to a 6-7% rate for secular programs.
  • 92% of the respondents claim that Teen Challenge has had a great impact on their lives.
  • 72% of the graduates continued their education upon completion of the program. These areas include GED, college education, and Bible school.
  • 84% of graduates attend church regularly.
  • They found that Teen Challenge graduates were “more likely to be living normal lives and not need further treatment.”
  • They found that students at Teen Challenge had an attitude of “It is a privilege to be here.”
  • 90% of Teen Challenge graduates were employed one and two years later, while 41% were employed after other drug programs.
  • 87.5% of the graduates did not need further treatment (90% considered themselves addicted to drugs upon entering the program.)
  • 92% of the graduates reported good to excellent health, whereas only 59% of graduates of secular programs claim good health.
  • 70% of the graduates reported that their family relationships have greatly improved since leaving Teen Challenge.

As a result of these surveys, indicators of success include: stabilized life-style due to their commitment to Jesus Christ, employment with some level of stability, financial independence, an absence of trouble with police, an ability to enjoy freedom without condition or supervision, and little need for additional drug treatment once completing the Teen Challenge program.