The mission of Teen Challenge is to evangelize people who have life-controlling problems and initiate the recovery/discipleship process, applying spiritually motivated biblical principles. Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.
Teen Challenge endeavors to provide 6 phases of recovery ministry. Countless lives have been transformed, but we can do more…
The first phase is Prevention—educating youth/adults on the dangers of life-controlling problems before they become addicted and offering help for those already experimenting with drugs or alcohol. This phase is provided by the Stay Sharp program—a high-impact, video-based presentation that encourages youth and adults to pursue a lifestyle free from life-controlling problems.
Second, we have been training churches on the whys and hows of dealing with the addicted, and helping them to offer encouragement and relevant ministry. Our churches, with training, can be a place of refuge and strength for those needing recovery, through Living Free! Living Free, developed by Turning Point, trains congregations to facilitate ministry groups, and helps lay people understand the challenges of the addicted.
Third, we have taken Living Free outside the church, networking the churches together, as the faith-based community should be, and offer the recovery groups in a neutral, non-threatening environment. We call this phase and program Lifeline! This is non-residential ministry! Lifeline uses a Christ-centered 12-step program, for the addicts called Stepping into Freedom, a Concerned Person’s Group or Restoring Families for the families of the addicts.
Fourth, short-term residential recovery is desperately needed for those who cannot take a year out of their lives to be in a long-term program. The 5-week program has proven effective, helping clients with families, to come into resident care for a short time, to formulate a Life-plan of recovery, and then return home with a support system and plan for continued recovery! This phase is short-term residential ministry. The five components of recovery are an integral part of this phase of program: decisions, positive peer choice, accountability, boundaries and consistency. This phase is provided for women by Priscilla’s Place in Louisville!
Fifth, long-term residential recovery ministry is needed for those in the latter stages of their addiction! This phase is called long-term residential ministry, usually 12-14 months. This phase offers the 14 weeks of Group Studies with classes such as Attitudes, Loving and Accepting Myself, Growing Through Failure, and Anger and Personal Rights. A work/vocational program is an important facet of long-term ministry!
Lastly, transitional living is needed for those who have completed residential programs and even institutions, needing continued accountability as they begin their quest for independent living. This phase offers a covering, yet encourages independent living, dependent on Jesus! Job placement and financial management are key as well as commitment to a local congregation!
For more information on the ministries of Teen Challenge of Kentucky,
Contact Information:
Director of Women's Ministries - Rebecca Henslee
Director of Men's Ministries - Michael Leonard
Phone - 502-544-3288
Email - teenchallengeky@juno.com
Website - www.teenchallengeky.com