Tremendous organization

My wife and I attended a fundraiser for the Teen Challenge organization of Lancaster PA last night. I was asked to be the keynote speaker and some 600 people were in attendance. Whenever I attend one of these events I am always greatly humbled and amazed at how God is working in the lives of young men to transform them into new creatures like He did me. The testimonies that were offered by those who were working to help those whose lives have been ravaged by addictions and those who have been damaged by them were nothing less than astounding. Mere words are inadequate to express the heart-warming, tear-wrenching, gritty emotion that my wife and I enjoyed as a result of this event.

I am most impressed by the Teen Challenge organization. The organization was founded in NYC in 1959 by David Wilkerson, author of “The switchblade and the cross”. It now has centers all over the United States and internationally in countries all over the world. Their core belief is that addicts can only be cured by first being saved through Jesus Christ and then following Him the rest of their lives. There is no pussy footing around as I see in so many other organizations with a similar mission, and “hinting” at the need for someone to come to the more politically correct and preferred notion and realization that there is more to life than self, and there is a need for a relationship with a “Higher Being” in order to escape addictions. The Teen Challenge mantra overtly dictates that the addict must have a close personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST in order to conquer them.

When I was a drug addict I was told by a doctor that less than 5% of anyone who ever stuck a needle in their arm and injected heroin or similar drugs could, or ever “would”, kick their habit and be drug free for five years or more. It was a very discouraging statistic to an addict faced with this near impossible mountain to climb and it seemed that being a slave to addictions or suicide were the only logical options available. Teen challenge’s success rate is above 65% and actually 86% of those who complete the training program become drug free. It is a little hard to argue with that kind of success wouldn’t you say? Some of the Hollywood spa rehab centers that cost millions to enter should be so adroit at changing lives.

Their problem is money. This particular chapter of Teen Challenge gets 3000 calls per annum requesting help. They have beds available for induction of just 48 beds per year. Sigh. They will not take government money because the first thing our government does is prohibit saying the words Jesus Christ. The event last night was designed to raise money for expanding their existing facility and adding more beds. Money was raised, but more is needed.

If you are looking for a charity to get involved with that is “significant” and works to change lives for the Lord, then I urge you to look into assisting the Teen challenge Center that is nearest you or the one in Lancaster for sure. If you have a relative or friend who needs interdiction with their addictions, then I urge you to try and get them into this program ASAP.

Praise God for healing those who suffer and are brokenhearted and I pray God’s blessings upon those generous kind souls involved with the Teen Challenge Organization that devote their time, money, energy, and indeed their very lives to helping others. They do not look down on the people that they assist, nor do they condemn them for the poor choices made in their lives that got them into their predicaments. They look past mistakes, current weaknesses and addictions and look to the strength and purity of Jesus Christ that will be within them when they allow Jesus Christ to come into their lives and heal them.

With Jesus there is no condemnation, just life changing saving grace; that is how these people approach their work. Be a part of it, see God miraculously changing lives, and you can know the pure joy of Jesus Christ and understand much better the true meaning of His amazing grace.

Psalms 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.