“To those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.”

I saw this phrase numerous times during my tours of duty in Vietnam. For those of us who have gone on missions trips to other countries, we too, can appreciate the freedom of this great country. There is no other nation like America!

I am not saying that we are better than other nations, but we are “freer” than most nations in the world. God had a destiny for this nation way back in 1492 when God directed Christopher Columbus to discover this land. Many Americans have not learned how the Lord established our country and protected it from destruction to this point in our history.

While America has its problems, it is still the greatest place to live in the world. There are FEW nations that offer the opportunities this nation offers to those who will work for it. I have visited Buddhist, Islamic and communist countries. They do not offer the freedom this nation offers regardless of what religion you practice. We have a spiritual heritage that is stunning when you understand it.

But while we are still the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” there are millions in our nation that are slaves. This slavery has nothing to do with ethnic background, sex or religion. Addiction does not discriminate in whom it enslaves. We have been fighting The War on Drugs for decades and we are losing!

In this newsletter, you will read the testimonies of Mandy and Jason, two of our graduates. Drugs and alcohol are taking prisoners by the millions. Even with all the drug awareness and prevention programs that have cost this country billions; countless are still enslaved. I have heard statistics that somewhere between 85-90% of all crime are drug or alcohol related. But we are not the least bit intimidated by these statistics because for thirty years, we have and continue to see lives freed from life-controlling addictions.

Jason and Mandy are just the most recent of thousands of men and women who have found that freedom through Teen Challenge over the past 30 years! Jason’s addiction caused him to become more and more violent. Mandy’s addiction led to losing her children. Jesus turned their hopelessness into HOPE! The war continues, but the Savior is winning!

Please pray for us as we seek to impact this generation for the cause of Christ.

In His Service,

Roger L. HelleExecutive Director

ChallengerThe July, 2008

“True Freedom”

I was the third of four children. I felt a sense of rejection early in life. Not knowing where to fit in, I turned to drugs at a very young age; I felt as though it gave me a sense of acceptance and friends. I was in my first rehab by the time I was in the ninth grade; my life was totally out of control. I was on a downward path of destruction and found myself in 8 other secular rehabs. I lost my wife and everything else that meant anything to me including my self-respect.

I worked as a union bricklayer making good money, but lived in an old trailer with no running water or electricity. I have suffered a heart attack, a small stroke, overdosed twice and have had my stomached pumped out. I have been arrested too many times to count. The last time I was arrested was for attempted murder of my sister and was charged with second degree assault on my mother for breaking her arm. I knew I was at my very end, I finally hit rock bottom. While in jail I cut my wrist but I wasn’t successful in taking my life.

I was done; I didn’t know where to turn. So one night I called on Jesus and He heard me. He delivered me from a 40 year prison sentence and placed me in Teen Challenge. God has used the staff as a tool in my life where I have learned to trust people, but even that took a long time. I learned to replace feelings like bitterness, anger, and resentment with feelings of love and joy that can only come through Jesus Christ. My outlook is so different about my future and first I give thanks to God and second to Teen Challenge staff for helping so much and pouring their love into me. So to all staff I say thank you and to God I give all my praise.

Before coming to Teen Challenge, I was a drug addict and mother of 3 beautiful children. My life was full of despair. As a child I was very active. I loved sports and riding my bike. At age 17, I met my husband and that was when my addiction and drug dealing days started. There came a time when I was done with it all. I was through with being beat down; I was finished being destroyed by a man that was supposed to love me. Two friends asked me if I wanted to live that way for the rest of my life. When I was finally on my own I did OK for about 6 months, but life’s struggles overwhelmed me.

On June 1st 2005 I took my children to day care and went to meet with the caseworkers to set up a plan for my life so I could get help. When I finished the meeting I went to pick up my children, but they were not there. The state had taken them custody and my world came to an end. I died that day! I hit my knees and cried out to God. He answered my cry, He heard me from on high, and He picked me up and placed my feet on a solid ground.

Since being at Teen Challenge I have found my hope in Christ, I have learned that God is my defender and my strength. I know who I am in Him. Though I have lost the rights to my children, I can move forward knowing that God has made me a promise. He has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future. I still have my struggles, but today I can say I have hope, and when I put my faith in Christ, nothing is impossible. For all who have helped to support Teen Challenge I thank you, for being obedient to the Lord and for helping women like me find out that there is a future for us and a hope.

Let Freedom Ring...Jason Stone

Mandy Inman

Before

After

Before

After

Freedom in Christ!When our students arrive on our doorstep, they feel hopeless, ashamed and at the end of their rope; some have already attempted suicide before arriving. We can see the anguish and pain in their eyes. Some have lost their family due to their drug abuse. What we know is ONLY God can heal each and every one of these desperate souls.

One of our counselors puts it this way, “It is our job to plant the seed in their spirit and God’s job to break the student’s will. God applies pressure until they are ready to lay down their will.” God uses discipline, classes, chapel, circumstances in family, other students and of course, His Word, to bring them into relationship with Him. God’s Word washes away the anguish and pain; He soothes the soul!

During their 15 month stay with us, the students are kept on a very structured daily schedule. In the morning, students are in Christian-based individual and group studies that have been designed to assist each student in dealing with their personal issues. They attend chapel right here on our campus every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Before arriving to class in the morning they work on devotions; in the evening after dinner they work on the individual class requirements. They become involved in outreach programs where they have opportunities to share with teens and others about the dangers of drugs. Some will have an opportunity to participate in a missions trip to Mexico. They attend Sunday school and church every Sunday as well as Friday or Wednesday evenings.

When the principles being taught in our program are applied, transformation takes place and a new life begins….. Now they have Freedom in Christ! 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “If a man cleanses himself from his past, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the master and prepared to do any good work.”

On May 30th, with board members, students, staff, donors, city and community officials, we dedicated our brand new facilities in the name of Jesus Christ. Tours of the new facilities were given after the ribbon cutting ceremony at which time, visitors had one on one time with some of our students, staff and counselors.

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago the ground where the new buildings now stand, were fields and gardens. Now, in our 30th year of ministry, we are honored and humbled to present these new facilities to you, our donors, and can’t thank you enough for continuing to plant seeds into this ministry.

Let Freedom Ring...

Launching New Freedom

From Addictions,Drugs and Alcohol

Teen Challenge is a registered 501(c)3 charity

TEEN CHALLENGEof the Mid-South

Calender of

Events

A portion of your purchases will automatically be given to Teen Challenge without any extra effort required from you.

Because you have given freely, our students have hope for a new life. God bless you and thank you for being part of our family.

Vision Par tnersBrad and Babs Rymer,

Covenant Transportation, George Financial/Larry George, Southern Champion Tray Co., Mr. and Mrs. Carter Paden,

Ms. Patricia Bryan-Siler, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Thorn, Yerby Concrete

Executive Par tnersApex Electric Co. Inc.,

BB&T/ Huffaker & Trimble, Coca Cola, Cornerstone Auto Brokers, Ledco Inc., Lexus of Chattanooga, McCoy Management, NABCO, National Printing Company,

Truck N Trailers USA, Mr. and Mrs. Jon Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jolly, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Shelton,

Mr. Ted Franklin

Pres ident ’ s Par tnersAmalgamated Bank,

Burkhart Cabinet Shop, Collins and Associates, ERMC, Evans Lumber Company, Fletcher Bright Company, Jenkins Masonry, MDS Cards, Permit & Fuel Tax Services,

Prestige Cars, Inc., Stulce and Yantis, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Eldridge, Mr. and Mrs. Marc Erickson, Ms. Gail Holland,

Mr. and Mrs. Winford Hooper

1108 West 33rd Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37410

Phone: 423-756-5558 � Fax: 423-265-7763Email: teenchal_ms@yahoo.com

Web: www.teen-challenge.com

Walk fo r HopeSaturday, July 12th

Tennessee River Park

Teen Cha l l enge Gol f C las s i cThursday, September 25th

Lookout Mountain Golf and Country Club

Ride fo r Freedom Saturday, November 8th

Motorcycle Ride to Cloudland Canyon

Spring BanquetSponsors

Step Two

Here’s how it works

Step One - Go to our website www.teen-challenge.com

Step Two - Click on the shopping bag on the right

Step Three - Select the Blue “Online Mall” tab

Step Four - Shop as you normally do

by shopping onlineSupport Teen Challenge