“I am thankful for Teen Challenge introducing me to my Lord and Savior! He saved my life, He saved my daughter’s father’s life, and He saved my parents’ son’s life! He has brought me out of the hell on earth that I created for myself , and He has given me something to plant my feet on! He has given me hope, life, and a joy I thought could never be obtained. He’s given me love and forgiveness unconditionally, so that I may love and forgive others. He’s given me a peace I could never find, when I searched for it with my old blind eyes. He has reconciled my relationships with my mother and father, and my brothers and sisters, that I thought could never be healed. For the first time in my life I have a future that I can look forward to with Christ as my leader! I am thankful for a loving God that can do what people think is impossible!”

- Brandon H.

   “I am thankful for God’s grace and mercy, because I am not supposed to be here. I was so caught in my mess that my Grandma bought me a cemetery plot, because my family thought I was going to end up dead. I had nowhere to turn, until one morning, July 30, 2009, I woke up in my car, and the Lord instilled in my mind to go to Teen Challenge. I am so grateful and thankful for God’s unconditional love, because when I was out there, He was the farthest thing from my mind. Thank you, Lord, that you are so gracious and merciful. Amen.”

- Michael K.

   “I am thankful for renewed relationship with my family, and a new relationship with Jesus. To me, life is about relationships, and since I’ve spent so much time messing them up, I’m thankful to be able to strengthen them. I’m thankful for second chances, and for thirds.”

- Chris M.

   “I am thankful that God has given me a loving family who has always wanted only the best for me. I’m also thankful that when I turned to drugs and my life fell apart, that God gave me the kind of family who realized there was a problem and didn’t turn their backs on me. Now that I’m trying to get better I thank God that He loved me enough not to let me go and die in my sins. I’m thankful that God and my family have been able to forgive me, and I pray that He will help me to learn to forgive myself. This is what I’m thankful for.”

- Richard P.

   “I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Teen Challenge. Granted, the first day I showed up at this compound I wanted to leave in a matter of minutes, but God through His awesome grace said, ‘No way!’

   “That wasn’t too long ago, and I sure have been blessed since. I’m truly thankful for the staff and all the churches that take part in this program. If it wasn’t for them, Teen Challenge wouldn’t be here today. My life is slowly, but surely, on the path to greatness, for I really feel in my heart that God has a plan for me, and whatever that plan might be I will follow.

   “My heart has mostly been hard and unresponsive up until this point in my life. I have God and Teen Challenge to thank for that changing. I hope I can follow through with this program all the way to the end. Thank you, God, for giving me this chance instead of being locked down in a penitentiary.”

- Chris L.

   “I am thankful that we have a God that shows grace. Without it, none of this would be possible. I’m thankful You have given me a second chance, instead of choosing death for me. Thank You for always being there in my times of need. I’m thankful for God letting me see this path that has led me to Teen Challenge and to the staff. The staff have pushed me to show all the potential that is in me. I am thankful for all that You have done for me, Lord, and what is to come.”

-  Zachary M.

   “I am thankful that God came and got me from sins I was doing and delivered me to Teen Challenge. I thank God every day for rebuilding my family: first my two kids – renewing their minds, saving my daughter; second is my wife – she is saved and has been baptized, and she is three months away from graduating from her discipleship program. She’s been there eighteen months. I thank God she can get the kids back before I get home. I have so much to be thankful for. I could write all day and still not finish. Thank God for what He is doing in my life and what He is going to do.”

-  Donald T.

   “I am thankful to God Almighty for many things. First to come to mind is how this place, Teen Challenge, has its needs met by donation. My job in the kitchen gives me a wonderful view of how the Holy Spirit provides through others. Thank you, Lord.”

- Joel B.

    “I am thankful that God pulled me out of the life that I was living. I would have drowned out in the world the way I was going. I tried to find stability in all sorts of things, and in the end I wound up with nothing. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, and God on my side. I’m most thankful for that, a relationship with God that doesn’t feel forced. I’m not praising Him because it’s what’s expected. I’m worshiping Him for understanding me better than I did myself. I am thankful for the hope that God gives me, and bringing me to Teen Challenge.”

- Zac S.

   “I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace. I was a four time convicted felon. I was on probation for five years, with a ten year prison sentence looming over me. I had gotten saved, but I was saved on George’s terms. I continued to live in sin. I would attend church and participate in church functions, but I would not submit to God. I continued to rely on George instead of on Jesus.

   “One night I decided to break into a building and got caught. So now I was going back to jail with another felony while on probation. When I talked to a lawyer, she told me it didn’t look good. I was looking at fifteen to ninety-nine years just on the new charge, plus the ten years for my probation, so as I sat in jail I began to pray to God that He would not allow me to be taken away from my wife and five kids for that long.

   “Someone in jail told me about Teen Challenge, so I told my wife and she told the lawyer. When I went back to court the judge told me that he had never heard of the program but that is what he is sentencing me to. I had to complete Teen Challenge. I believe that is God’s way of getting me to stop running and recognize the calling He has on my life.”

- George C.

   “I am thankful for being alive and well today. It took me a long time to get where I am at today. I was on the road to hell and no clue that I was. Then God came into my life. It was great to feel so alive again. He took all of my needs for drugs away from me. He gave me a clean heart and is restoring my mind. I am very thankful for God and all He is doing in my life.”

- Donald H.

   “I am thankful for all of God’s creation. He has created everything we see and don’t see. I am thankful for His overwhelming love for us. He gave His only Son for us, so that we may be forgiven of our sins. I am thankful for His Word that gives me knowledge to be able to deal with daily struggles, and how I’m now able to love myself and others. He has softened my heart and renewed my mind. He has given me my family back.

   “I am thankful for God, because He is my Father: He protects me, He corrects me, He loves me, He gives me guidance, and He has given me His helper, the Holy Spirit. I am filled with joy because of Him. He has saved my life and has turned me away from sin. He is my Savior. I am a changed man today because of my loving Father. God, I want to thank You for being there when I wasn’t. Thank You for making me free today. Amen.”

   “P.S. – Thank you, Lord, for Brother Murray and the staff.”

- Craig L.