Our History
The Beginning
One day in the summer of 1958, a young man pasturing the experimental churches of God who later became his close friend whispered something stunning into his ear. There was a case of several teenagers on trial in New York. They were involved in gangs, crime, and violence. Their lives were heading in a dangerous direction.
David felt a deep burden for these young people. He believed that with the right guidance and the power of faith, they could find a new path. With nothing but a strong calling from God, he travelled to New York City to help.
He faced many challenges. The gangs did not trust him. Some even mocked him. But David did not give up. Love and compassion are priceless and that is exactly what he did: he spoke with them, prayed with them and shared God’s love. Slowly, hearts began to change.
He got to witness how most youths were associated with drugs, crime, and despair. They had to demand more than discipline from them. They required a change, which had to be internal and deep-seated.
APPALACHIAN REGION
HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN CRISIS SINCE 1958
Teen Challenge began in 1958 when David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade, went into New York City to reach teenage gang members with a message of hope, founded on God’s love. Since then Teen Challenge has grown to be one of the largest and most successful ministries to hurting lives in America. Today, there are over 250 Teen Challenge Centers in the United States and over 2,000 centers worldwide in over forty different nations, making Teen Challenge the most effective program for offering hope to people in need.
Since Teen Challenge first opened its doors, tens of thousands of people have come seeking help – and help is what they have found. It provides one of the best Christian discipleship training programs available for persons experiencing life controlling problems.
Appalachian Teen Challenge, Inc. was founded in 1985. The initial purpose of the ministry was to make referrals to other Teen Challenge Centers, and to build relationships within the community and surrounding areas. God opened many doors in the first few years, and in 1987, the ministry purchased land in Princeton, WV and opened a Training Center for adult men.
Born out of this ministry, Eastern Appalachian Teen Challenge began as a crisis counseling center in Roanoke, Virginia in 1998. Ten years later, the doors to the long-term Residential center for Teenage Girls were opened in 2008.
We also have a long-term residential center for Adult Women that just opened in 2019 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Northern Appalachian Teen Challenge is our third training center of Adult and Teen Challenge, Appalachian Region.
Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian is Born
It should be mentioned that the demand for faith based programs grew in many locations across the United States and this was also the case in the Appalachian region. In jeopardy, alcoholism, and instability, poverty and broken homes among the families were measured out. The youths were aimless in the community practice of vices, which contributed to their demerit.
This ignited the need to establish Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachia to cater for the many requiring the services. As far as the company’s goals are concerned we had a definite purpose right from the start.
Seeing this great need, Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian was founded. From the beginning, our mission was clear:
- Ensure that children are ready to be safe to grow in a harmonious environment away from any form of violence.
- Teach discipline, responsibility, and faith.
- Offer hope to those who feel lost.
Stories of Change
Each learner who sets foot into our institution has his or her own story to tell. This led to children suffering from some cases of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment. They have committed errors that have driven them astray.
No matter their past, they find hope at Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian.
Parents experienced marvelous changes with their children. One mother said:
“The impact that Teen Challenge has afforded me is the return of my daughter. Bneini was a rebel and made wrong decisions; she is a woman full of life, hope and determinism. I will always be grateful.”
Expanding Our Mission
We increased the enrollment size of the program and also sought more youths to join the program. Year after year, the students came in increasing numbers to us with hope of starting afresh at the college. The beneficiaries of our work comprehended the difference and hence demanded our services.
As these services were demanded by the general public and required the organisation in question did not offer the service to persons seeking for them. Thus, in an attempt to meet these needs, we expanded the offices of our centres, training and staff.
In relation to this, we were sensitive to the fact that every student needed individual attention, counselling and special attention. Whether there were many patients or few, we never both forgot our mission: to reconcile them, teach them, and make them into who they could be.
Our commitment remained strong:
- Those that can reduce students’ negative patterns and habits.
- Teach them how to live with faith, purpose, and integrity.
- Equip them with all what it takes to be successful and lead a worthwhile life.
Faith as Our Foundation
As a part of Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian, the faith is an essential value of the organization. In our opinion, every change begins when a person receives the Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not just tell participants what to do or avoid but guide them on what to do and not to do. It can help direct their hearts and minds toward God in such a manner that will lead to personal and everlasting change. It is through prayers, worship, Bible reading and other church activities they understand His love, grace and His plans for their lives.
Thus the tenet of this church does exist, at least in belief. In this case therefore faith as been seen to be one of the avenues through which people receive strength and hope in the event of a serious illness. What Luis Palau intended to convey to the students is that when the heart is given to Jesus, then the transformation begins.
We teach our students that:
- God loves them unconditionally.
- They are valuable and have a purpose.
- They must be noticed and apprehended as being helpful and possessing a higher mission.
It entails Bible study, worship, and mentorship in order to provide the spiritual aspect in the lives of students. They are founded on a strong faith that will enable or lead them throughout their lifetime.
Looking to the Future
Today, Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian continues its mission. We have helped countless young people find healing, freedom, and hope. But our work is not done.
Every day, new students walk through our doors looking for change. They are seeking a new beginning. They are searching for hope.
We are committed to:
- Having love and care towards each and every student to make a new beginning.
- A safe environment, organised surroundings, and an atmosphere rooted in faith.
- Supportive them to achieve their goal and find their meaning in life.
In the coming years, therefore, we shall continue to be committed to our mission. We shall go on fulfilling the needs of the people, and giving them hope for a new change through the word of God.
This means that the journey that has been ongoing since 1958 is still impacting people’s lives even in modern society. Every learner who joins this programme forms part of this existing narrative. Every student who steps into our program becomes part of this incredible story.
Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian is here if you or someone you love is struggling. We believe in hope, healing, and, most of all, the power of God to transform lives.
