Is It Really an Easy Yoke?                                        By Tom Bremer, GTC Regional Rep for Europe  

"I am at the end, I can't take anymore!"  These are words I heard recently from one of our TC leaders in Europe. The sad reality is, I have heard similar words many times over the past several years from many of our leaders and workers in Europe. In fact, I have been guilty of having the same thoughts myself. Sometimes it feels like a trap, and all hope for a way out is lost. Our souls cry: "I want relief!"

The pressure of finances, problems with students, staff, churches, the government and even problems within our own families all add up to major stress that takes its toll on us emotionally, physically and spiritually. We can even lose our desire to be involved in God's work.

But wait a minute! Didn't Jesus say: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light"? Then why am I feeling this way? Does Jesus know the struggle I am in? Doesn't he care?

As I ponder these questions two thoughts come to mind:

1) There is an enemy of our souls. He is Satan, who "seeks to wear out the saints" as stated in Daniel 7. He is the author of many of the struggles we face, and he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us. The book of Job also comes to mind. There we see Satan directly challenging God concerning Job. In another passage Jesus said to Peter and the disciples, "Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you..."  What a great encouragement this is: Jesus is interceding for us before the Father concerning the work of Satan!

2) We can be our own enemy.  Here the story of Martha and Mary comes to mind. What was it that drove Martha to work and perform? She seemed so stressed! I'm sure she made others around her nervous. She was upset with her sister Mary. She was even bold enough to say, "Lord, don't you care...?" She was a real victim...of her own issues! Those issues affected all who were there. Jesus lovingly rebuked her saying, "You are worried about so many things, but only one is necessary."  I am convinced that all of us as leaders take on a greater load than Jesus ever intended us to take. But doesn't that say a lot more about our own deficiencies than it does about what God is asking of us?  May God help us to do as Mary did: spend time with Jesus. This is "the good part" of our leadership.

As you read these words, we will be in our annual Europe Teen Challenge Conference. At the request of several European TC Directors we have chosen the theme: Life, Family, Ministry. We are praying that God will speak to us concerning these crucial issues. May God help all of us learn to trust Him as we are yoked together in this work. May His peace and strength guide us along the way!

Yes, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. He is right next to us pulling together with us through life, contributing His strength to the task.

Haiti Teen Challenge Opens  

With God leading and showing the way, everyone involved is doing exciting things here at Haiti Teen Challenge. And the results are remarkable. Of the 15 young men currently committed to participating deeply in the program, 11 have already received Christ into their hearts and lives. Soon three more students will enter the program, bringing the total number of students to 18.

And the fruits of this commitment are evident to all working with them. In fact with many of the young men already asking to be baptized, a water baptism is being planned for May. This is exactly the start we were hoping and praying for when this dream began.

Grand Opening with Grand Expectations

The Haiti TC center has been open since early February, but with great anticipation and excitement, we celebrate our official Grand Opening on April 30th. The event will kick off at 10 am at the HTC Center with testimonies from our students, prayer and celebration. We are expecting 120 to 130 people and hopeful that the mayor of Delmas, the section of Port Au Prince where the HTC center is located, will speak. 

Students and Staff of Haiti Teen Challenge

Europe Teen Challenge Conference, Gadnsk, Poland

Zbigniew Urbaniak, national director of TC Poland on left, Tom Bremer on right

This week over 200 Teen Challenge leaders from across Europe and Asia are gathering in Gdansk, Poland for the Europe Teen Challenge Conference. The conference theme is "Life-Family-Ministry" with workshops focusing on the family in the context of Teen Challenge ministry. Workshops will also address how to handle conflict.

Those attending come from Teen Challenge in United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Demark, Norway, Israel, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, the USA, and more. Many of these centers are also helping to pioneer new Teen Challenges in other countries including Israel, as well as helping new TC centers develop sustainable funding projects for their ministries. Tom Bremer serves as the Global TC Regional Rep for Europe and Kevin Tyler serves as the GTC Regional Rep for Eurasia.

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China - Teen Challenge Leadership Training
By Dave Batty  

Dave Batty and Ah Chek, director of FuzhouTeen Challenge, standing in front of TC community outreach center in Fuzhou.

The Teen Challenge in Fuzhou has an outreach and prevention center in the city, which also offers free medical services to those in the area. The Teen Challenge leaders from Fuzhou offered teen summer camps last year, focusing on character development and drug prevention. They plan to offer similar camps this summer. To read more, Click Here  

The new residential program under renovation, located on a fish farm.

Jamaica Teen Challenge Trains for Street Ministry   

Outreach Team Jamaica TC

Jamaica Teen Challenge recently hosted training for street outreach. The training was conducted by GTM (Global Training Ministries) from Indianapolis, Indiana. GTM worked with the Jamaica TC's outreach team in conducting street meetings, seminars, a high school meeting and a church service.   

The eight day event enabled hundreds to hear the saving message of Christ with dozens responding, asking Jesus to be the leader of their lives.   

Praying to receive Christ