Succession Planning By Dr. Jerry Nance 

Jerry Nance

One of the principles I have learned over the years is that if we are going to expand the capacity of our ministry we must raise up leaders. I know I sound like I hit the rewind button too often, and I keep saying that we must invest in developing leaders, but I cannot express the importance of this principle enough. If Teen Challenge is to last over time and continue to embrace the values we have so enjoyed over the last 52 years, we must raise up leaders who know what we stand for and who are empowered to lead.

As I travel around the world I see a real lack of succession planning. There are many leaders of TC programs who are in their late 50's and many in their 60's who have no strategy laid out for their successor. It seems that some leaders want to run their program until... Until they quit, die or just finally decide they can no longer lead. The question must be asked, "What will happened to your ministry when the leader retires?"

The proof of one's success is that the ministry continues to grow and fulfill its mission years after the leader passes the baton to the next generation. Don Wilkerson preached a brilliant message at the 50^th Anniversary of Teen Challenge. He discussed the "bridge builders" being the ones who will soon pass on the leadership roles to "generation next" who will then lead this ministry into the future.

I want to ask you a few questions: Who is the leader you are mentoring to follow in your foot steps? Who is being raised up to take your responsibilities when God moves you on or you retire? Who can step into the leadership role if something suddenly happens to you?

We must answer these questions if we want to leave a legacy that will last. How tragic it would be to work so hard for so long and not see your effort extend beyond your lifetime. How sad to see TC programs around the world close down for lack of leadership.

God has given each leader the responsibility of raising up leaders, not just followers. In 1 Kings 4:34 the Bible says, "And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon."

Solomon attracted leaders to him.

John Maxwell said, "As you look for potential leaders, you need to realize that there are really two kinds of leaders: those who attract followers and those who attract other leaders. People who attract and team up only with followers will never be able to do anything beyond what they can personally touch or supervise."

This is where the breakdown begins. We work hard, we work long, and we give it our all. But when we run out of energy, we don't have the help we need from others. We have failed to  develop new leaders to draw from for replacing ourselves.

Often you will find insecurity as one of the greatest enemies to raising up leaders. We have to check this out in our own leadership to see if we are allowing our own insecurities to inhibit us from delegating some of our responsibilities to others. The only way to raise up leaders is to invest in training for the current students in your program, the current staff and those you can recruit. We must develop and implement training programs that empower our team to lead.

I want to pass the leadership baton on one day and simply step aside to witness an army of leaders trained up to lead with excellence. I believe one of the greatest joys we can have as leaders is to witness those we have invested our lives in, continue the work with the same level of commitment, passion and values we demonstrated as leaders. Even greater joy can come when we see those who follow us lead even better than we did.

I want you to know that Libby and I have begun a two-month sabbatical. We began it on February 12^th and will return at the ETC (Europe Teen Challenge) conference in mid-April. I hope this sets an example for you that you too may need to consider a break from your leadership role to take some real time of rest and refreshing in the Lord. Pray for us that we truly experience the rest and presence of the Lord in these next 2 months.

Jerry Nance PhD 

Philippines Teen Challenge Dedicated 

On February 3^rd, 2011, Dr. Jerry Nance, GTC President and Rev. Jim Lowans, GTC Asia Pacific Regional Rep. joined with Rev. Rey Bernardes, Executive Director of Teen Challenge in Valenzuela City, Philippines, at the dedication of this new Teen Challenge. Rev. Bernardes and his staff will provide care for boys 8 - 17 years of age caught up in addiction on the streets of Valenzuela City.

Dr. Randy and Dana Rowe, Executive Director of NorCal/Nevada T.C., have adopted this new center in the Philippines and will continue to assist them as needed.  Jim Lowans says this is just the first of what we believe will be many new centers to open throughout the Philippines and the entire Asia Pacific region.

The Teen Challenge Emerging Leaders College (ELC) in Jesup, Georgia, opened its doors to the first class of students this month. Classes have started in what will be a three year program of training leaders for Teen Challenge. Dustin Nance serves as director of the college, which is accepting applications from Teen Challenge graduates who may be interested in starting in the fall semester. For more information visit their website at http://elc.teenchallenge.cc  

Those who complete the program of study at ELC will be awarded an Associate of Arts degree. This

First Class of ELC

degree is offered through a partnership with Global University.

ELC is also offering a distance learning degree option for those who would like to receive college credit for courses they complete at their current place of residence. If you would like more information on how you can participate in these distance learning classes, please email Daryel Erickson at DErickson@globaltc.org 

Asia Pacific - North Asia Conference   

by Jim Lowans, GTC Asia Pacific Regional Representative

"Building Bridges of Hope" was the theme of the Asia Pacific - North Asia Teen Challenge conference held January 28 - 30 in Macau, China. The conference was hosted by Executive Director Hui Hong Chek and his fantastic staff at Macau Teen Challenge. 11 countries were represented including S. Korea, Cambodia, Japan, Australia, Singapore, China, Thailand, Portugal, Ukraine, Canada, and USA including 29 interested Christian leaders from the mainland.

Training was held on a variety of topics including sustainability, fund raising, Group and Personal Studies for New Christians curriculum, outreach, and dealing with destructive emotions. A delicious banquet was hosted at the Golden Dragon Hotel in Macau where everyone enjoyed the Chinese and Portuguese cuisine.

Our next Asia Pacific conference will be hosted by Teen Challenge Cambodia and be held in Phnom Penh February 2012.   

Communion Service

Greetings

Executive Leader Training, March 28 - April 1 

 Teen Challenge International Conference Center, Columbus, Georgia  

A new 3 month intensive staff training model is being prepared for use in Teen Challenge. This proposal is designed for use in training entry level staff, typically recent graduates of the Teen Challenge residential program. Global Teen Challenge staff are working closely with Teen Challenge in Mexico City in designing this 3 month school. Other countries in Latin America have expressed interest in setting up similar staff training schools.

If you would like to see the overview of this 3 month staff training program, click here.

At the present time, we are working on the courses that will be taught in this 3 month period. This model can easily be adapted or modified to be used in other countries and cultural settings. Our goal is to utilize teachers from local Teen Challenge ministries as well as leaders from Teen Challenge in other countries that can assist in this teaching.