Restoration Power

David Wilkerson, a pastor from Pennsylvania, moved to New York in response to the growing problem of teen drug addiction and gang violence in the 1950s and 60s. His approach was one that was wholly unique. Instead of offering condemnation and judgement, he met these teens where they were–right on the streets–and gave compassion, love, grace, and a path to freedom through faith in Jesus Christ. His book, The Cross and Switchblade documents his powerful testimony with reaching teens in the inner-city. Instead of carrying a gun or a gavel, he carried a Bible, reaching out to any who would listen. 

It was out of this street ministry that the first Teen Challenge was born, in Brooklyn, NY. The center quickly became a place where teens could find hope, support, and spiritual guidance they were searching for. Little did Wilkerson know that it would spark a movement across the nation, and many more centers would be founded over the next seventy decades. 

“I Didn’t Know My Identity…”

Teen Challenge is still doing this incredible work today. Here at Refuge City Church, we had the profound honor to have a team come from the Bend center and share testimonies with us. There are hundreds of secular programs out there, but one amazing gentleman shared that every door he tried to go through was closed in his face. He wanted a program that was 30-60 days, rather a full year (which is what the Teen Challenge Program is). God was closing all the wrong doors, the “shortcuts” and “bandaids” that he thought he wanted, and opening the right door. God doesn’t just want to modify our behavior, he wants to transform us and restore us through his Holy Spirit. He doesn’t want to just leave us where we are–to give us a shortcut or something that won’t hurt as much–and give us lasting change. 

“I thought I signed up for a year. What I didn’t realize is that Jesus wants me for eternity. He saved my life and I gave everything to Him.” - Diego

God transforms us from who we have become through our sinful endeavors, and changes us into the people He originally intended us to be.

And no one is too far gone! It’s so important to keep praying for our loved ones who are struggling with addiction, to combat the lies that the enemy is constantly hurling at us: “You’re not good enough”; “You’re too far gone”; “Unloved”; “Unworthy”.

So many people fall into addiction because they don’t know who they are. They don’t know that there is a loving God who created them for so much more than just to go to an early grave, lose their family, or stay stuck in despair with no hope of escape. It is our job–not just Teen Challenge–to spread this Gospel of hope. To love the unloveable. To offer compassion, truth, love and grace rather than judgement. 

Reality vs Truth

Your reality might seem hopeless right now. Satan tries to come against us with all sorts of lies, whether your story has been fraught with addiction or not. We all have a current “reality”, things that we believe that are not grounded in truth: “You are worthless trash”; “You are unloved,” “You’re too far gone.” The truth tells a different story. Jesus has made a way for each one of us to turn our hopeless realities into powerful testimonies: “You are loved by the God of the universe”; “You are more than a conquer”: “Your past does not define your future.” God takes wretched human beings like you and I and He makes us into something beautiful. He sands out and smooths the flaws and turns those painful parts of our past into a mosaic that declares His glory. All praise to Him!

Romans 5:1-5 TPT

Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory! But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!