Placing hope within reach of every addict
New Adult & Teen Challenge ministry focusing on prison and community support groups
This story originally appeared in the print edition of ChristianWeek. View it here.
Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada is well known for its residential Christ-centered discipleship programs. But what about those who are struggling with addiction and are not ready, or unable to make a year-long commitment?
Adult & Teen Challenge aims to answer the question with Teen Challenge Community, an extension of their discipleship ministry via non-residential support groups in churches and prisons throughout the region.
“We have the tools to help people affected by addiction, and we want to help more people,” says executive director Steve Paulson.
Addiction affects a wide spectrum of the population, as showcased in Nigel and Tom, the two newest graduates of the program. Nigel is a young man who abused a variety of drugs including crystal meth and cocaine, together with his father and sisters. Tom is a married 63-year-old who was an alcoholic when he joined the Adult & Teen Challenge program. Thanks to the discipleship they received, today both Nigel and Tom are living free from addiction.
Teen Challenge Community has already launched in several jails with the assistance of trained chaplains. The small group method will be starting in churches throughout Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario later this spring.
Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada has been helping those with addictions for 20 years, continuing their goal of putting hope within reach of every addict. And they are excited to celebrate that anniversary by making it easier for everyone to find real freedom in Christ.
“We’re going to multiply the number of men, women and children we reach with Jesus,” says Clayton Arp, a Teen Challenge graduate who developed the Living Free curriculum.
For information on starting a Teen Challenge Community group in your church, and to hear Nigel & Tom’s stories firsthand, visit teenchallenge.tc.
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