Statement of Faith
Statement of Faith
Statement of Faith
As a Christian organization, we regard the following statements as our sound doctrine of faith, based upon the holy and inspired word of God, the Bible. All students enrolled at Eastern Appalachian Teen Challenge are required to attend chapel services, Sunday worship services, and participate in the Teen Challenge International Christian character building curriculum.
We Believe
We believe that the scriptures are inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind. 2 Timothy 3:15-17
We believe there is only one true God, revealed in three persons…Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19 / Isaiah 43:10-11
We believe in the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, that as God’s Son, he was both human and divine. Matthew 1:23 / Philippians 2:9-11
We believe that man willingly fell into sin, ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual into the world. Romans 5:12-19
We believe that every person can have a restored fellowship with God through salvation, by accepting Christ’s offer of forgiveness for sin.
Acts 10:37 / Romans 10:13-15 / Ephesians 2:8-9
We believe in water baptism by immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and in the Holy Communion, (the Lord’s Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation. Matthew 28:19 / 1 Corinthians 11:26
We believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation. Acts 1:4, 8 / Mark 16:20
We believe that the physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is “speaking in tongues” as experienced in the book of Acts.
Acts 2:4 / 1 Corinthians 12:4-10
We believe that sanctification initially occurs at salvation and is a progressive lifelong process of separation from evil. Romans 12:1-2
We believe that the “Church” is the body of Christ and consists of those people, throughout time, who have accepted God’s plan of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ. I believe this Church has received the Great Commission to go into all the world to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 / Hebrews 12:23
We believe in a divinely called and scripturally ordained leadership ministry that serves the Church, i.e. apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists).
Mark 16:15-20
We believe that divine healing of the sick was provided for in Christ’s atonement.
James 5:14-16
We believe in the “blessed hope” – when Christ raptures His church prior to His return to earth (the Second Coming). 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
We believe in the millennial reign of Christ when He returns with His saints at His second coming. And at that time the nation of Israel will accept Him as Messiah. Matthew 14:27, 30 / Revelation 1:7
We believe that a final judgment will take place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a lake of fire, a literal place called hell. Matthew 25:46 / Revelation 19:20
We believe in and look forward to a perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on earth. 2 Peter 3:13 / Revelation 21:22
WE BELIEVe
What We Believe
The Bible is God’s Word
We believe that the Bible is the infallible truth of God. It teaches us how to live. It shows us who God is. If one collects a word up to the extent it is used to convey meaning, then there cannot be a single word that is insignificant or does not possess a potential to change a person’s life. In which we base the lessons, prayers as well as decisions we make in our daily lives, we rely on the bible.
There is One True God
We believe in one God. They affirm that He is omnipresent and has revealed Himself in three persons namely the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He created the world. He loves us. He watches over us. He is holy, just, and good.
The attendees arrive in a state of loss. They wear hurts and suffer remorse and sorrow. However, this is due to the faith, which they have received, they have hope. They get to impart knowledge of existence and the fact that existence has a plan for them is made known to them. He wants them to discover a meaning of their lives, they should not suffer, and they should be happy.
Jesus Christ is the Savior
Jesus is God’s Son. He came to earth to save us. Born sinless he did not and could not sin. This shows that he died on the cross to bear the sins of the world. But death could not hold Him. This He did to show that He is Lord, He rose again. Only through Jesus forgiveness and new life are possible.
Salvation is Through Grace Alone
We cannot earn salvation. It is for this reason that as believers we do not lack hope because instead of our sins God has given us grace. From the scriptures above, it can therefore be deduced that if one believes in Jesus and confesses Him as the only savior he or she will be saved. This is the very thing that Sturua alludes to when he pointed out that it is ‘’not for a job’’ that we look forward to a gift.
The Holy Spirit Lives in Us
From Knowing the Body, the climax is reached when a person submits to Christ and the Holy Spirit enters him or her. He is our helper. He offers power, information and comfort. He guides them to act in a manner that shall be fitting in the sight of God.
Faith Leads to Change
When someone truly believes in Jesus, their life changes. Old habits are broken. Bad choices are left behind. Hearts are healed. This is what we see at Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian. God’s power transforms lives.
The Church is God’s Family
It is a family of believers. We take a stand of faith to align on the perspective that the church is not just a physical structure. It is a family of believers. It is a sacred ground where people can look for solace and a place that symbolises love and support. This implies that we are supposed to prepare our students to be members of the church, to draw them spiritually, as well as to help them to be instruments to help transform the society.
Prayer and Worship are Powerful
Prayer connects us to God. It brings peace, healing, and guidance. Worship reminds us of who He is. At our centre, we pray daily. We sing songs of praise.
The Bible describes Jesus as an angel of mercy and love who, therefore, taught people to love their neighbours. It may refer to kindness, mercy, and grace as “industries” and believe in the power of inspiration and the positive impact of art. The hope is to ensure every student has the feelings of value, acceptance and worth in them.
How We Live Out Our Faith
At Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian, faith is not just words. It is action. We live by what we believe.
- We teach students to read the Bible. It is the most important book they will ever read.
- We pray every day.
- We worship together. Music and praise help us feel God’s presence.
- We encourage repentance. Turning away from sin brings freedom.
- We build strong character. Honesty, kindness, and discipline matter.
- We teach responsibility. God calls us to take care of ourselves and others.
- We serve the community. Generally it is our mission to help everyone who is in need.
order to do this, each day we tell students that God loves them. There is no sin as big as to fall out of the scope of the Lord’s grace. There is an advancement saying that no wound is too terrible for it cannot be healed.
It is the mind that changes when a person is convinced that he or she is n Christian because of the Lord Jesus. Old habits are broken. Bad choices are left behind. Hearts are healed. This is what one is likely to come across at Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian. God’s power transforms lives.
Faith in Action
Our students are diverse in all the areas that one can think of; this makes them unique and we are proud to host them. Some have struggled with addiction. Some have suffered physical, psychological or sexual abuse or were emotionally and/or sexually abused, neglected or traumatized. Some have lost their way.
But no matter their past, God has a future for them. Through faith, they rebuild their lives. They find strength to face each day. They develop confidence. They learn self-control. They discover hope.
We have seen countless lives change.
- A girl once trapped in bad choices now leads others in prayer.
- A young woman who doubted God now shares His love with others.
- A student who felt worthless now walks with confidence, knowing she is a child of God.
Faith makes the difference. It is the heart of everything we do.
Building a Lasting Foundation
We do not want students to leave our program and forget what they learned. We want their faith to last a lifetime.
That is why we focus on:
- Morning devotion: Having a moment with God in the morning is crucial since it prepares one for the day ahead.
- Leadership mentorship: The leaders at the college educate the students in matters of faith.
- Church involvement: Being part of a church keeps faith strong.
- Serving others: Faith grows when we help those in need.
We do not just prepare students for today. We prepare them for the rest of their lives.
A Call to Faith
We invite every student to make a choice.
- Will they trust God?
- Will they believe He has a plan for them?
- Will they follow His ways?
Faith is personal. No one can force it. But we provide every opportunity for students to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Some come in unsure. They have questions. They have doubts. But as they experience God’s love, their hearts begin to change.
By the time they leave, many are bold in their faith. They know who they are in Christ. They have a new purpose. They are ready to walk in freedom.
Join Us in Faith
Faith is what makes Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian different. We do not rely on human strength alone. We trust in God’s power. We believe in His ability to heal and restore.
Every success story we see is a testimony to His goodness.
In the case that you or a loved one or you are making a new beginning this is what one needs to understand: God will always welcome you with open arms. His love never fails. His mercy never ends.
At Teen Challenge Eastern Appalachian, we stand on this truth.
This is our Statement of Faith. It is the reason we exist. And it is the hope we offer to every student who walks through our doors.
