teen challenge

Stop Teen Challenge Abuse wrote:

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My advise to you is get your daughter out of Teen Challenge immediately and seek treatment from trained, qualified professionals!

I agree. Teen Challenge is not a place I would recommend. There are not trained professionals there and their focus is strictly on making money and they use the students for that purpose only. I wish I had never taken my son there. It was a huge mistake.

robinsonle wrote:

My daughter returned home yesterday from teen challenge in tn after 4 weeks. She said it was the worst experience ever and that it was a spiritual boot camp. She wasn't allowed to talk to anyone,there was no counseling,u worked and studied bible all day and had chores like crazy...the people talked to u like u were a peace of crap,u can't do ANYTHING without soebody standing on your side even using the bathroom....when she de@ided to leave they told her what an awful person she was and she wouldn't amount to anything and dropped her off with no money in the worse part of knoxville in a parking lot.
My aunt lived 2 miles from a teen challenge in bonifay fl that was shut down for beating and raping kids....its all in the papers.
The day my daughter got back we called our community service agency and she starts her therapy and counseling next week. I would advise anybody to really check the place out first,read reviews.

I am sorry to report Teen Challenge in Bonifay FL is still open and taking in students. Yes, there is a history of terrible abuse at this facility and it needs shut down and the director and other staffers should be arrested and jailed. If you have any newspaper reports of abuse at the Bonifay facility please e-mail me at:

stopteenchallenge@heal-online. org

Pastor Roger Barcus. You my dear pastor are an asshole.no if ands or buts about it. But, then again I feel this way about most Babtist Idiots.churches,programs and folowers....

WARNING: DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN ANY TEEN CHALLENGE FACILITY.

BEWARE: TEEN CHALLENGE IS NOT LICENSED OR REGULATED. There are no licensed, certified or qualified counselors on staff because they are not required to hire them. In fact, Teen Challenge has a history of hiring ex-cons and convicted sex offenders and they lie about their success rate.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A "TREATMENT" FACILITY! YOU WILL NOT GET HELP FOR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OR ADDICTIONS BY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. CHILDREN DO NOT GET HELP IN TEEN CHALLENGE. THERE ARE WIDESPREAD REPORTS CHILDREN ARE ISOLATED, ABUSED, BEATEN, STARVED AND BRAINWASHED.

This is not "treatment" and it certainly isn't Christianity. Real Christians would not treat children like this.

BigPappa wrote:

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Yes, so sad.

I too wish I had more positive comments about Teen Challenge. My issues with it were not even directly related to my son but to others that were in the program with him. I would be happy to send my documented account to anyone who wishes to read it. I went so far as to send it to radio and television stations, corporate Teen Challenge, local Assembly of God churches in the area, as well as the state and national headquarters. Just let me know if you would like a copy. Thanks.

I have a drug addicted son who by personnal choice entered Teen challenge last August as an alternative to living on the street addicted to heroin. He has successfully completed the first 3 phases of TC and is currently in the 4th phase. Teen challenge is a program for sinners who know they are sinners not a program for those who want to remain in rebellion agianst the idea that ALL humans are sinners. God is less concerned about what type of sin you do than what type of sinner you choose to be- i.e. one that remains in sin or one that desires to overcome thier sin. Sin is a life controlling problem for every human being born on to this earth outside of Jesus himself. This concept is well taught at Teen Challenge in thier program. It is also well taught that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" meaning that God didn't wait for you to be good before he paid the sacrifice for your sin on your behalf. God cannot tolerate sin in His presence therefore, sinners don't make it very far into God's presence in the absence of Jesus's atonement and sacrifice on behalf of their lives. Sin has to be delt with but in God's way not OUR way through repentance- an admission that yes I am a sinner, a contrite heart i.e I feel ashamed that I sin, and a turning away from sinful desires and actions i.e a 180. Those that figure this out while attending TC are far more likely to be saved not only from thier life controlling problems, but will inherit life eternal in God's kingdom. Those who choose not to accept thier own sin nature will most likely continue in their sins but will be eternally separated from God.
Today, I am thankful I have a son who is the recipient of a God given opportunity through Teen Challenge, to see not only God's saving grace but to see clearly what his choices really are.

A GRIEVING MOTHER FROM KNOXVILLE TN REPORTS:

My son was court ordered to attended Teen Challenge in January of 2011. He went to Mercy House first and was then sent to Pensacola Florida to begin his year long "Life Transformation" After being there for 2 and a half months they dismissed him because he was under the influence.They put him out on the streets with no money, food and 500 miles from home. He called me and found a way to the bus station. He came home at the end of May. Nick returned to Pensacola in June and was there less than three weeks and he relapsed. This time I begged them to send him to another Teen Challenge because I didn't want him to go back to jail They sent him to Jacksonville Florida. I didn't here from Nick because they are not aloud to make phone calls for 21 days. When Nick did call I thought he was ok. The 2nd and last time Nick called me was August 16th. On the 19th at 7:00pm I got a call from one of the staff members and he said they suspected that Nick was under the influence and they were going to take him to the hospital. I ask where Nick was and he said he was still at the job site. I still don't understand why Nick was at work that late, and especially if they "suspected he was under the influence." I told Paul the man in charge to have Nick call me before he took Nick to the hospital. Nick never called but Paul did, it was after 8pm and said Nick refused to call, which is totally out of character for Nick because we were very close. I ask Paul for the name and phone number of the hospital Nick was taken to. He gave me a number. I called all night and also called the police station and no one had seen Nick. He was never checked into the hospital. Saturday afternoon I called Teen Challenge and spoke with the Pastor Jonathon, I told him I had not heard from Nick and I was concerned.I ask him exactly what happened and he His response was "Nick is resourceful he will be ok call me back Monday" I continued to call the hospital and police and no one had seen Nick. I filed a missing person 23 hours after he had last been seen. I cried all night and couldn't sleep much. I woke up at 4am and still no work from Nick. I walked out on the porch and thee were two police cars and a Chaplin who came to my door to inform me that my son was dead. We left from Tennessee to go to Florida to get my son. I went to Teen Challenge the next day to try to get some answers and they would not tell me who took Nick to the hospital. The fact of the matter is that Nick was court ordered to attended Teen Challenge and in their own contract they state that if the suspect someone is under the influence they will be turned over to the proper authorities. They did not do that, they kicked him out, he walked for miles after working a 12 hour shift, they didn't even feed him before they set him out on the streets. Nick had no food in his stomach and was dehydrated, He died of a drug overdose that could have been prevented had Teen Challenge followed their procedure.
Teen Challenge is a money making scam. They work these people long hours, sign them up on food stamps and still ask the families for tuition. Yet they could not even give my son something to eat or drink after they had made him work all day. That sickens me. Had Nick had food in his stomach it could have absorbed some of the drugs in his system. I would not send anyone there and I hope and pray this does not happen to another young man or woman.

I am so sorry for your loss. While I was able to get my son home after he was sent to the mission in downtown Milwaukee for smoking cigarettes, I have encountered several other situations. I have tried to do something about this organization. I even gave other centers the benefit of the doubt but have not even been able to get a reporter to call me back or publish my story. I have several people lined up to tell their experiences but am stuck without many more options. It grieves me to hear such sad experiences and I totally disagree with the Teen Challenge operation. I have been a Christian in the Pentecostal church since age 10 and truly thought I was getting the court to order my son to a truly Christian organization for recovery. I am sorry to say that Teen Challenge is nothing more than a moneyaking scam that preys upon its own students and exploits them.

Keys1127 wrote:

I am so sorry for your loss. While I was able to get my son home after he was sent to the mission in downtown Milwaukee for smoking cigarettes, I have encountered several other situations. I have tried to do something about this organization. I even gave other centers the benefit of the doubt but have not even been able to get a reporter to call me back or publish my story. I have several people lined up to tell their experiences but am stuck without many more options. It grieves me to hear such sad experiences and I totally disagree with the Teen Challenge operation. I have been a Christian in the Pentecostal church since age 10 and truly thought I was getting the court to order my son to a truly Christian organization for recovery. I am sorry to say that Teen Challenge is nothing more than a moneyaking scam that preys upon its own students and exploits them.

To Keys1127:

I might be able to help you get your information out to the public. Please e-mail me at stopteenchallenge@heal-online. org

lenny thomas wrote:

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So, here we go again. She is going to do "everything in her power" but nothing is ever done. I have been involved with Teen Challenge is various capacities for many years. If ever half of these fantastic stories were true, they would no longer exist.
She says "the Jesus I serve" when she doesn't serve Jesus at all. What kind of parent would not have gone to find their son themselves?
IF the son was found dead, what killed him? Perhaps the drugs that he loved?
The truth is that anyone can write anything on these anti Christian blogs, there is no verification of any kind. A parent mantains a home life that is so hellish it drives a son to drugs, and it is everyone elese fault.
IF there was any truth to this story (and there is not) the Teen Challenge there would have been closed long ago. Your lies continue.

Wow what an ignorant rant! So her hellish home caused her sons drug addiction? That is an incredible leap of logic that I can't even begin to track. Now I don't claim to know whether or not her allegations are valid, but I know it is no ones fault but the users, when they become addicted to anything! Freedom of choice baby !!!! And there are literally millions of accounts of addiction in kids from functional affluent homes. It's all about choices! "the Libertine"

Lenny Thomas you are a self righteous jackass and a fool and I would love to hasten your meeting with the god you claim to love so much! Sincerely " the Libertine"

I can assure you that what I personally encountered is completely true. While it is true that it is by choice to use or not to use, the organization portrays itself as offering far more than it does. It is nothing more than an insulated environment where an addict can become clean if they do choose. What they do not offer are life skills and counseling to help the addict when he/she returns to the real world.

Further, Teen Challenge exploits its residents for monetary gain. The incredible amount of fund raising is beyond belief. There are many other ways that they could be successful in their efforts. It started out as a wonderful thing with Dave Wilkerson, but the vision has been lost and significant changes need to be made. There is certainly a place for Christian facilities to help addictions, but Teen Challenge fails miserably in a multitude of areas.

Keep in mind. What you own is your own kingdom, What you do is you own glory, What you love is your own power, What you live is your own story, In your head is the answer. Let it guide you along , Let your heart be your anchor And, The beat of your song..............

Pure and simple. TC worked for my Daughter. I pray it will work as well for others.

Danielle wrote:

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Thanks

my boyfriend just went to the one in vermount.. we thought we wood be able to write eachother and talk on the fone.. i looked the handbook up and im neer going to be able to talk to him what if i say im his sister in the mail u think that might work/?

Stop Teen Challenge wrote:

A former Teen Challenge victim reports:
Anonymous said...
i had no choice but to go to teen challenge in 2001 or go to prison for 5 years, obviously i chose teen challenge. I nor my family nor the court or my probation officer had any idea that i had to fake it to make it. It screwed me up psychologically for years, I used to cry when i finally got out whenever the phone rang, because i thought it was them. When my mandatory year was up, my probation officer had to fight and threaten to go to court to get me out. I was in during 9/11 and we were only able to watch the tv for 1 hour, no newspapers, an when my mother called to check on me, i was told 5 days later in her frantic 10 minute "allowed" phone call about it for the first time. There was a very abusive "counselor" there who was basically a "graduate" looking for a place to live. She constantly verbally abused me and others for sport. I am Luthern and was told that is an evil non-religion and that all Lutherns and my parents and family inclued were all going to hell. I tried so hard to be as fanatical as the churches i was forced to go to, but i didn't understand speaking in tougnes, and was also told it was because of lack of spirituality. I got kidney stones while there and against a doctor's advice was refused pain medication, as was a parkinson's patient who was also there, who left because her disease got so bad, she couldn't even sit still for 5 seconds. We were told she didn't believe enough. I could go on and on forever. Oh, and I relapsed HARD too, and finally got clean on my own, and have been for 5 years. But the damage teen challenge did follows me yet. It took me a long time to "forgive" and accept God again, but now it is on my terms, and I am not terrified of him any longer. Teen Challenge claims to follow Bible, yet enforces their own beliefs on people, biblical or not. Unqualified people working with very needy inividuals, doing terrible damage. I hope to someday be able to think the name Teen Challenge and not get a cold shiver, but i doubt it.

Hey Lenny" I see your dunb ass parents raised a dunb ass. I wonder if God allows dumb asses in heaven. Babtist what a f----cken joke.Think about it you fricken PENIS WRINKLE. Do you think a group of people just found this web sight,and decided to tell lies about this place ??? Think dumb ass , think.........Oh I forgot Babtist don;t think for themselfs. Babtist what a joke......Hell there worse than the gay Catholic church.......

So am thinking of going to 3rd phase in nobelsvilles indiana and i just want to know if anybody knows if it has gotten better the same wht? whts everbodys view on the place 3rd pahse christen chruch in nobelsville indiana today???? please help....

TEEN CHALLENGE LIES ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS RATE!

Please Read:

http://teenchallengecult.blogspot.com/2007/02...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maia-szalavitz/...

Jackie wrote:

I am suppose to enter teen challenge in Los Angeles- I have gotten DUIs from drinking and driving .. My family wants me to enter this program but I also have options to enter a different treatment facility with licensed therapists - I don't know what to do... I believe in God but I'm not sure if this place is the proper fit. I'm 27 and I have goals and aspirations but I just seem to make a lot of bad decisions when I drink.

Please listen".If you choose to go to Teen Challenge this my become the biggest mistake of your life' Even a bigger mistake then getting behind the wheel drunk .This place may destroy your faith. I have'nt stepped in a church since Indianapolis Teen Challenge in 1978 . I find it hard to beleive in any other person who enterpets the scriptures of the bible then trys to get me to beleave in there enterpetation . You are better off seeking help from a place that has trained peaple . Not some group that has no training. It would be like going to a Catholic church to have a gay demon prayed out of you.....Another words the place is a frickin joke don;t go...

lrobinson wrote:

my daughter left for teen challenge in Knoxville tn
monday dec 19-2011. I was not familiar with this program so I was reading up on it on the Internet. I am not liking what I am reading . I really want to talk to my daughter but they say I cant for 2 weeks. I am the guardian of her 16 month old daughter for the next 13 months and from what I read only immediate family can visit..does that mean her boyfriend....the babys father cant visit or my daughter in law? I feel like after I read this my daughter might have done better somewhere else.(She is a alchoholic)

May the good lord watch over your duaghter while she is in the company of this CULT.It would have been better to have found her help elswhere ..... but it's not to late Find her different help that is trained...Don't wait do it ASAP .