Graduates – TV Teen Challenge

Our Graduates

Scottie Gardner

Men of Excellence Graduate

Before I was saved, my life was a turmoil. Some days were good, but most were bad. I thought that I had being a functional addict figured out, but what I come to realize was that without Jesus, I didn’t have anything figured out. About 8 years ago, I thought I was saved and I also got baptized. But I slid back into addiction. And that’s how I ended up here. I had an addiction that I couldn’t get rid of on my own. I needed help. The second day here, I really got saved and I have been happy ever since. After a month into being here, I was reading my bible and the verse in Deuteronomy stuck out to me. “Look, I am giving you the choice between a blessing or a curse.” I’ve seen and felt what that curse was like. So now it’s time for me to accept the blessings God has for me. Now that I am saved I am not depressed, lonely or scared anymore. I have Jesus Christ in my life. I’ve learned many things in this program like patience, kindness, and love each other no matter our faults. The devotions we do every day and night has helped me extremely. The lifeline services has more Holy Spirit in them than most churches. Thank you to all who pour into this ministry because without your help, all of us would possible be still addicts. The verse I stand on is John 8:32, “ You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” and John 8:36, “Who the Son sets free is free indeed.”

Justin Taylor

Men of Excellence Graduate

Before I fully gave my life to God I was constantly seeking happiness in what the world had to offer. I was a miserable person that was consumed by sin that took me completely to the bottom where I found myself broken and hopeless; unable to love and care for the people who meant the most to me. One of the most important things for me is that my wife never gave up on me. I believe it was her prayers that I am still here. She would always tell me God could help me, but I always felt like I was too bad for be forgiven. I Timothy 1:15 tells us otherwise. Christ came into the world to save sinners of which I was the worst. My life now, since I have fully surrendered everything is totally different. I now know that no matter what a person is going through that God is there to help. He sent His son to take all of my burdens away, so I can live a life that is free from bondage. I now can love my wife and my children the way I am supposed to. I am happy and full of a peace that is unexplainable. Teen Challenge helped me change my life. It made me the man I needed to be in my home and in the world. There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Josseph Thorson

Men of Excellence Graduate

My life was a whirling dervish of self-destruction. I would build it back up only to tear it down again. I knew “The Word” but it was not penetrating my heart. I understand that God had paid the price that gave me victory over addiction, however, I continued to walk in defeat. That is, until I cam to Adult & Teen Challenge. Jesus Christ used this program to save my life. I have been so blessed to have graduated this program and to continue to be a part of this ministry afterward. Micah 6:8 says, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before you God, “ I am completely humbled by my new life in Christ.

James Brockman

Men of Excellence Graduate

My life was full of sin. It was a constant lit to my family and friends. Narcotics had taken full control of my life. Not a decision was made without them. It became about being sick or not sick. I was pulled back into Christ’s will by realizing that there is nothing in this world I can do on my own. Philippians 4:13 says I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. All my life, I had thought that the blessings and strength I had were at my own doing, but it was really Him all along. Now that I am back in Christ’s will, I see everything in anew light. I no longer walk in my own will, but in God’s perfect will. I have learned to pray and seek his guidance in all that I do. The foundation that my marriage is now built on is Christ. I have learned through our classes that no matter how much I love her on my own; it pales in comparison to how much I can love her through Christ. Micah 7:8 says, “The devil knocked my down in this life, but he didn’t knock me out for good. I brushed myself off and got back into the ring, but now I have Christ on my side.” There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Ben Sellers

Men of Excellence Graduate

I grew up in a great home with great parents who had me in church every time the doors were open. Through my teenage years I became rebellions and when I was injured playing baseball, I discovered pain pills which eventually led to a full blown heroin addiction. After going to rehabs and jail numerous times, I made the choice to come to Teen Challenge. At first I was there to just please my parents, but after coming to TC, I realized that this is where God intended me to be. I was baptized on July 4th and I made the commitment to follow Christ. I could feel His presence in me. After reading Matthew 6: 26 and how God even takes care of the birds in the air, I knew if I placed my trust in Him, He will take care of me. Now that I have been saved, I have a conscience contact with God on a daily basis. Not only is He restoring my family and friends, He is restoring my emotions. After years of drug abuse, I had forgotten what it meant to be able to feel anything physically or emotionally. I now know what true love is; Not only for one another, but how much God loved each one of us; He proved this in sending His only son to die for each one of us. Thank you mom and dad for never giving up and praying for me when everyone gave up. There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Houston Jared

Men of Excellence Graduate

My entire adult life was a constant revolving door at jails, institutions, and sin. I was brought up in a great family, but satan came after me as hard as he could. After 2 prison sentences and multiple secular rehab facilities I found myself back in jail and looking at another 7 year prison sentence. That’s when I heard that small still voice whisper into my spirit, “Come to me,”. I began reading my Bible and over in Daniel 9 it said that Daniel through prayer, fasting and supplication asked go to forgive him and God granted that which Daniel requested. Now that I know that I know I am saved, God is doing great things for me and through me. Instead of going to prison again, I found mercy through Jesus and I was allowed to come to Teen Challenge. Through this ministry, God has showed me that all the studies, devotionals, the two difference phases we go through and church services, that He has a great plan for my life. I would like to say thank you for supporting this ministry and also I would like to say Thank to Teen Challenge for pouring into someone like myself who the world said would never amount to anything. I stand on 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone and behold the new has come.” There is always hope; that hope is found in Jesus Christ.

Noel Taylor

Men of Excellence Graduate

My life was a tempest of disaster. I always felt unfulfilled even when I had everything I wanted, I was always lonely in a room full of people; always set apart from the rest of society. I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, and usually never had a desire to. My life’s search for a sustainable fuel source was drawing to a bitter end. I went outside to contemplate suicide. As I sat down on a stump, beaten, rattled and oppressed, the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice became so undeniably real because of the existence of all the work of the enemy in my life. I saw God’s beautiful face in the presence of my enemy, because if he exists, so then does God, and from that moment, I gave my life to God. My life now is a life of fulfillment; one of restoration and fruit of the Spirit. I’m learning how to rely on God for everything with an earnest desire to be more like the one who is the truth. If it wasn’t for Adult & Teen Challenge to grow my strength, I don’t feel that I would be getting the harvest of the fruit of the Spirit that I am now. I would probably be yoked by the enemy once again. Psalms 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.” When I needed help, I dialed 911 to my God and he answered me.