Adult & Teen Challenge

For over 60 years, Adult & Teen Challenge has operated on a holistic model of drug and alcohol recovery. This means that we are concerned with the body, mind, and spirit of those who come to our addiction recovery centers. Our vision is to see all people freed from addiction through the power of Jesus Christ! A restored relationship with God can transform those who suffer from addiction into vibrant, free, and sober followers of the Lord.

We base the curriculum and community of our addiction recovery centers on God’s Word—the Bible. Our practical Bible-based courses help the transition from alcoholism and substance abuse to a life of freedom in Christ. We offer a chance to start over, become a new person, live a godly life, and find freedom through a restored purpose and an eternal hope. This is done through classes, individual study, personal mentoring, work ethic training, and involvement in the Christian community.

Because addiction destroys more than the body, our programs consider all aspects of our students’ lives. Addiction starts as a way to fulfill a void that only God can fill, so a strong relationship with the Lord is foundational to our program. This foundation is built in our students by teaching them the Word of God and by encouraging them to bond with other growing disciples.

The biggest difference between us and a traditional recovery center is our focus on Christ. We call this the “Jesus Factor.” Our program focuses on the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to give our students a guiding light. We encourage our students to form a stronger connection to their faith. This makes a huge difference in their recovery. We provide a faith-based environment to encourage healing and a new life in Christ. We instill Biblical teachings into our daily routines. We give our students the tools they need to empower themselves through God.

Throughout the years, studies have been conducted about our process. These studies show that faith in God is the main reason our students are still sober after completing the program.

Our programs usually last 12-18 months. This gives our students the time they need to reconnect with God and form a strong connection. The combination of Christian values and a long recovery period makes all the difference. Our length of stay is another big reason that our students avoid relapse. It gives them the time they need to heal and think about who they can be without depending on drugs and alcohol. They are able to create a real and meaningful connection to God.

Over the next 5 years, the National Office for Adult & Teen Challenge is focusing on 7 key initiatives.

SUSTAINABILITY
As an organization, we must practice both wise stewardship and intentional development of financial resources available for ministry. Diversification of income streams will be a key factor in ensuring that we operate from a position of financial stability. We will particularly encourage development of social enterprises such as thrift shops, coffee houses, and cottage industries as a means to generate revenue and also reach those in need.

CURRICULUM OPTIMIZATION
We are undertaking significant curriculum development with 48 new courses being introduced for personal studies. Our general studies curriculum will also be greatly enhanced. All courses will soon be accessible via a new online learning management system.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
We will increase investment in the professional, personal, and spiritual development of each of our staff. We will soon unveil several online resources including certification tracks for managers. We are also exploring the creation of a new Center for Innovation & Learning where we can test systems and processes to develop a new standard of Teen Challenge “best practices”.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT
We are going to greatly increase our investment in technology to improve our inputs and outcomes. Tools such as the online learning management system as well as a comprehensive student management system will allow us to foster success as well as better measure our effectiveness.

NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMMING STRATEGY
By working with churches and partners like Living Free, we must expand the number of resources available to reach those with life-controlling issues. Many of those struggling with substance abuse are unable to enter residential programs but still need support. We must find a way to reach them. This will also include a national evangelism strategy to be announced soon.

SCHOLARSHIPS
We will work to establish an endowment fund that will generate scholarship income for perpetuity. Proceeds may be used to offset costs to families of those enrolled, or even to provide resources for graduates to pursue academic degrees or trade certification programs.

PREVENTION STRATEGY
We will be looking at revamping our prevention strategies through programs like Stay Sharp and others. Adult & Teen Challenge must become a larger presence in the area of prevention.

By focusing on sustainability first and foremost, Adult & Teen Challenge has the right resources to begin implementing the initiatives outlined above. Increasing income over the past year has allowed for strategic hires to augment the National Office staff. The National Office has also begin to build relationships and partnerships across the globe to innovate alongside other organizations. This increased collaboration has exponentially increased the capabilities of Adult & Teen Challenge.

SUSTAINABILITY
A large amount of resources are being invested into generating additional income to provide sustainability for the organization and also to fund additional projects. A focus has been placed on grant writing, major donor development, strategic partnerships, and micro-enterprise opportunities.

CURRICULUM OPTIMIZATION
New staff members and contractors have been added to augment the Learning Team. This will allow us to increase production of new curriculum to add to our existing library of program resources.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
We have implemented a new online learning management system and are rolling it out to our staff across North America. We are continuing to develop new courses to address a variety of topics that are necessary for our ministry. We have continued to improve and expand the trainings available at our yearly conferences, and we are in the process of creating a new Emerging Executive Leadership program to train up new leaders in our organization.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT
In addition to a new online learning management system, we are continuing to find ways to improve existing technology and automate manual systems at the National Office.

NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMMING STRATEGY
Two missionaries are currently raising the last of their support to come and join the team at the National Office specifically to help build our non-residential programming strategy.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Adult & Teen Challenge is currently in the process of establishing an endowment fund to provide scholarships to those in need.

PREVENTION STRATEGY
The National Office of Adult & Teen Challenge has begun to make preliminary steps to identifying a prevention program that can be implemented across North America, run by the individual centers. In the meantime, we continue to offer Stay Sharp, a prevention program that was specifically designed for Adult & Teen Challenge in the mid-2000s.