Teen Challenge^®of Greater Cleveland Statement of Purpose:

     "To evangelize people who have life-controlling problems, and to initiate the discipleship process to the point where the student can function as a Christian in society, applying spiritually motivated Biblical principles to relationships in the family, local church, chosen vocation and the community. Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and spiritually alive."

TEEN CHALLENGE was founded in Brooklyn, New York, by Rev. David Wilkerson in 1958, and gained international recognition through his first book, The Cross and the Switchblade, which was later made into a movie.

The success of Teen Challenge has been attributed to the "Jesus factor": a person with life-controlling problems can experience spiritual, mental, and emotional transformation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Teen Challenge has grown substantially: over 200 centers throughout the United States and over 1,000 centers worldwide.

TEEN CHALLENGE of Greater Cleveland, Inc., established in 1968, is a Christian Growth and Development Center which provides a residential program for men (18 years and older) who want help in overcoming life-controlling problems such as, but not limited to, drug and alcohol abuse. The program consists of a Basic Induction Phase (4 to 6 months) in Perry, Ohio, and an Advanced Training Phase (10 months) in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. 

Our Basic Induction Program is located on a twelve-acre wooded campus in Perry, Ohio, twenty miles east of Cleveland, one-half mile south of Lake Erie. Facilities include three dormitories, dining hall and classroom building, work shop, offices and a chapel.

Our Teen Challenge Chapel, in winter.

Our Teen Challenge

Statement of Faith:

...in the resurrection of the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and other to everlasting damnation. 

...in the biblical order for human sexual expression as being between one man and one woman who have committed to a lifelong marriage covenant (Gen 2:24, Matt. 19:5).  Any expression of human sexuality outside of the marriage covenant between one man and one woman is sin (Ex. 20:14; Lev. 18:22-23, 20:13; Matt.15:19). God wants us to avoid sexual immorality and live holy and honorable lives of faithfulness.

Who We Are... 

Rev. Murray N. Brown, Jr., Executive Director, and his wife, Rev. Karla B. Brown, Administrative Assistant.

 On February 2, 1989, at 1:30 in the morning, my wife Karla and I rolled into Perry, Ohio, at the end of a one thousand mile journey from Hot Springs, Arkansas. We were here to take on the role of Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Greater Cleveland, Inc., and whatever else that came with that.

To God be the glory for all the lives that have been touched and changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this Teen Challenge ministry. We are thankful to the Lord for everyone who has come along side and helped us to keep on keeping on in the ongoing challenge of reaching and teaching for Jesus Christ!

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Our Supervisory Staff & Intern Team, left to right: 

Vladimir Tranquille,             Rev. Tim Hunsinger,          Rocky Deas, Wes Burket, Dennis Fields & Ethan Brown.

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The Teen Challenge of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors:

Mr. Court Durkalski, President

Mr. Jim Harman                      Vice-President

Rev. David Bill,        Secretary

Mr. Frederick Suppes, Jr.  Treasurer

Rev. Murray N. Brown, Jr., Executive Director

Mr. Richard Taylor

Mr. Ron Cunningham

Rev. Stefan Sawczak

Rev. Larry Bogenrief

Ex Officio Directors:

Rev. John Wootton,  Superintendent of the Ohio Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God.