HISTORY
The first Teen Challenge center was founded by David Wilkerson, author of “The Cross and the Switchblade,” in 1958 in Brooklyn, New York.
The work originated as a ministry to teenage street gangs and evolved into a residential program for drug addicts, alcoholics, and other troubled youth and adults. The name “Teen Challenge” was chosen because the original work was directed primarily to teenage street gangs when teen gangs turned to drugs, teen challenge focused on that need as well.
There are now more than 1,100 Teen Challenge programs in more than 100 countries of the world.
LEBANON becomes country number 106 known as "Teen Challenge Lebanon."
Global Teen Challenge (GTC) World Headquarters promotes fellowship and responds to requests from other countries desiring to start a Teen Challenge ministry.
GTC exists to:
- Assists in pioneering Teen Challenge Ministries.
- Assists in providing and coordinating training for Teen Challenge personnel.
- Promote fellowship and communication among Teen Challenge ministries throughout the world.
- Provide guidelines for standards of operation.
- Assists in developing strategies for program sustainability.
" Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened , and I will give you rest ." Matthew 11:28 NIV