Our History

1958

"Go and help those boys"

Led by incredible faith, David Wilkerson made a seemingly bizarre step from his country pulpit in 1958 to the streets of New York City, where a murder trial of seven teenage boys churned society’s antipathy toward them. Even Wilkerson was bewildered by his sense of compassion but, in spite of doubt, he followed the Spirit’s prompting to help the boys.

Wilkerson’s outreach to gangs in New York led to the development of Teen Challenge. From our simple beginnings, Teen Challenge has grown to over 200 locations in the US and over 1000 around the world. The explosive growth of Teen Challenge continues to be a true move of God.

After seeing an article in Life magazine about a murder by teenage gangs, David Wilkerson heard God speak, “Go to New York City and help those boys.”

February 28, 1958

Escorted from the courtroom

David went to the trial, but was escorted from the courtroom after being denied access to the boys. The next day his photo appeared in New York Daily News. Later, teens on the streets recognized and accepted him from this picture in the paper.

July 12, 1958

The hardest to believe

On the last night of a series of rallies, dozens of gang members came forward to accept Christ as their Savior, including Nicky Cruz and Israel Narvaez from the Mau Maus. Nicky was the hardest to believe, David Wilkerson later related. The next morning they traded their weapons for Bibles.

1960

Coffeehouses in Greenwich Village

David’s mother moved to New York City with Faye Mianulli and started two coffeehouses in Greenwich Village: The Lost Coin and The Living Room. They made many referrals to Teen Challenge and saw many young people come to Christ.

December 1960

A permanent home

Teen Challenge purchased its first building at 416 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn in December, 1960.

1961

Teen Challenge reaches the Midwest

As the word spread about the successes on the streets of New York, others wanted to use the Teen Challenge model in their cities. Chicago opened a Teen Challenge to work with the addicted.

1962

Residential discipleship is born

Frank Reynolds became the first director of Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania. He literally built “the Farm” from the ground up, and developed the men’s discipleship program that would become the primary model for Teen Challenge centers worldwide.

February 28, 1963

Publishing phenomenon

The Cross & the Switchblade was written and later became a publishing phenomenon – selling 11 million copies in the first 10 years.

1967

A women’s center

A women’s center in Garrison, New York, opens. Through a donation from Tiffany’s president and longtime Teen Challenge supporter, Walter Hoving, the dream of a female home for those addicted to drugs became a reality.

1971

New leadership

David Wilkerson handed over leadership of the Brooklyn center to his brother, Don Wilkerson, who held the position for 16 years.

1972

The Cross and the Switchblade on the big screen

The Cross & the Switchblade opened in 5,000 theaters and has since been dubbed into more than 30 languages.

1973

National leadership

Frank Reynolds moves from “the Farm” in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania, to Springfield, Missouri, to become the first national president to coordinate the growing Teen Challenge ministry. There were 52 ministries at that time.

1976

Government study

A government-sponsored study focused on Teen Challenge Rehrersburg graduates – 67% were completely drug free. Dr. Hess’s conclusion was, “There is no question in my mind, that the Teen Challenge program is the most successful one that I have ever seen.”

1976

Steve Hill graduates

Steve Hill graduated Teen Challenge of Mid-America and goes on to be an evangelist, missionary, and a key leader of the famous Brownsville revival in Florida, which reached more than 3 million people with the Gospel.

March 30

Discipleship curriculum

Dave Batty joined Teen Challenge as the National Curriculum Coordinator. For the next 20 years Dave wrote classroom materials to train new Christians on a variety of practical topics, including Anger and Personal Rights, How Can I Know I’m a Christian, Attitudes, and Temptation.

1987

“Just Say No”

Nancy Regan visited Teen Challenge of Tennessee in Chattanooga as part of her “Just Say No” campaign. There were 108 Teen Challenges in 1987.

1988

Overcoming sexual abuse

Committed to Freedom, written by Sallie Culbreth, was published by Teen Challenge to help students who were victims of sexual abuse – a major topic of concern, since a majority of women and men at Teen Challenge suffer from sexual abuse.

1994

Study of effectiveness

A Study of Teen Challenge of Chattanooga graduates from 5-20 years. 67% were drug free while 80% said that their personal relation with Christ was a major influence in resisting drugs.

2003

National radio

Lynette Scherber began production of public service announcements for the Teen Challenge ministry, and were quickly accepted by countless radio programs across the country.

2003

Presidential appointment

President George W. Bush appointed Dennis Griffith, Executive Director of Southern California, to serve on the White House Advisory Commission on Drug-free Communities.

2007

Drug prevention

Teen Challenge launched a hard-hitting, fast-paced, national drug prevention program for youth entitled Stay Sharp.

February 2008

Teen Challenge Arrives In Kenya

Teen Challenge Kenya (TCK) was founded in February, 2008 under the able leadership of John and Anne Martin, the then executive directors. Having worked with street children and the less privileged before, these couple had a clear desire to see true transformation and restoration.

2008

"Come Ye All"

The center opened its doors in 2008 at Ridgeways, Kiambu behind Nakumatt and had its first success story in 2009. From there, the center boasts nearly 200 graduates commissioned over 11 graduations with a success rate of over 80% of the students who successfully finished the 12-months program.

A home of freedom, hope and changed lives!

TC Family

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