TEEN CHALLENGE REPORT

Written by Pastor Gary Burt on 18 June 2010

Teen Challenge Visits the Bethany Pentecostal Assembly

by Pastor Gary Burt

Plenty of fun was had Saturday as the Teen Challenge crew and attendees faced off playing pictionary.

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Saturday June 5^th and Sunday June 6^th, Bethany Pentecostal Chapel was privileged to welcome four members of Teen Challenge North; a non-profit, interdenominational, faith-based program. The young men shared some great music, and amazing personal accounts of drug and alcohol addiction and how they were set free from these.

On Saturday evening the team met with several Manitouwadge youth at the church for supper, games and an informal question and answer period. During the Sunday a.m. service the team sang and shared accounts of having been set free from the bondage of alcohol and drugs through the power of faith in Jesus Christ. Their personal stories were powerful and well received by those in attendance.

One of the objectives of the team’s visit was to demonstrate to our youth that there is a positive alternative to living a lifestyle of addiction to drugs and alcohol; true happiness can be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reverend Gary Burt, Church Board and congregation of Bethany believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ can, and does, change lives. The young men who shared on Saturday evening and Sunday morning are living proof of this truth.

There are already plans to have members of Teen Challenge North visit Manitouwadge again in 2011.

QUICK FACTS

Teen Challenge operates in 82 countries, with over 1,000 autonomous locations internationally is growing at a dramatic pace worldwide.
In 1958, Pastor David Wilkerson reached out to troubled street youth in New York City. Teen Challenge was created to meet the needs of these youths. This is how the ministry of Teen Challenge began and has spread literally around the world.
The Teen Challenge story is told in the best-selling book and movie The Cross and the Switchblade.
In University-level surveys, the Teen Challenge model has a 70% success rate; this means that five years after graduating (so among those who completed the 12-month residential program), 70% have never returned to drugs or alcohol.
Teen Challenge is an interdenominational Christian drug and alcohol program funded entirely by donations.

MORE INFO

Join Pastor Gary Burt and the Bethany Pentecostal Assembly in worship each Sunday at 10:30am and for prayer, Wednesdays at 7pm.

TESTIMONIALS FROM TEEN CHALLENGE GRADUATES

Rob
At age 16 I began using drugs and alcohol, even though I went on to complete my education and began working. My addiction problems cost me several jobs and soon I lost control of my finances and relationships. At a friends funeral I met a former Teen Challenge graduate who had worked at the Farm. Shortly thereafter, I entered the program and soon experienced God’s solution for my addiction. No doubt about it — I am a changed man!

Mike
I grew up in a good home that offered me all the comforts of life. Not finding fulfillment I turned to drugs and alcohol and then I became hooked. By 15, I was in therapy and knew my life was going nowhere. At a point of desperation, a relative told me about Teen Challenge where his life also was changed. I later entered Teen Challenge and through the power of God’s love, I found freedom from all my addictions.