|
|
Leadership Link
Connecting Teen Challenge Leaders around the world |
|
January 2013
|
|
Featured Region
Teen Challenge currently
has a center operating in the region along with a thriving center in Macau with over 30 residents.
Hong Kong TC has the potential to reach thousands of addicts through it's street ministry.
Doug and Kelley Samuelson live in Northern Asia and serve as the GTC representatives for this region. They have dedicated themselves to the long term vision of Global Teen Challenge for Northern Asia.
|
|
Greetings!
It is 2013 and our annual Prayer Summit is just a few weeks away. Don Wilkerson will join with us again this year. We have information on how you can participate in this upcoming special prayer event. This month our featured region is Northern Asia. We have a special report from Doug and Kelley Samuelson. May God's special blessing be on you and your ministry in 2013.
|
|
|
DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME?
 | |
Jerry Nance
|
By Jerry Nance PhD, President, Global Teen Challenge
In Luke 9:23 Jesus said to his disciples, "If you want to follow me, take up your cross". With that statement Jesus makes it clear there is a cost to following him. To "take up your cross" brings responsibility to one's behavior, responsibility to a standard that Jesus is defining.
There are many different interpretations to what "take up your cross" means. To some, it is simply signing a salvation card at the altar which is interpreted as membership into the church, and or that it secures you for heaven. Others have assumed that because they were born Baptist or Catholic or some other denomination, that they are following Christ.
In Luke 9:22 Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things. . . . He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priest, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead." The very next thing Jesus asked is, "Who wants to follow me?"
Listen to the conditions Jesus defined for those who choose to follow him. You must:
- Turn from your selfish ways vs. 23
- Take up your cross daily vs. 23
- Let go of your life vs. 24
- Not be ashamed of Me vs. 26
Jesus made it very clear. We cannot be self centered and selfish and be a good follower of Him. To follow Jesus and to follow His will means denying yourself, denying your personal ambition for what you want from life and laying it down for His purpose. My father used to say, "A child is born selfish, and it takes a lifetime to get selfishness out of them." Jesus must have felt selfishness was a key trait that keeps people from following him, or he would not have mentioned it here.
Jesus makes it clear that we must turn from our selfish ways. How is selfishness impacting you currently? Are you struggling with this? Are you self-centered and needing everything to be about you? Do you always have to have your way to be happy? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any selfishness in you. And slow down long enough to listen after you pray that prayer.
Jesus went on to say, "Take up your cross daily." Daily commit your life to Jesus and to His perfect will. Jesus mentioned "daily" for a reason. We all face struggles that can take our focus away from Him. Following Jesus is a daily decision. As I come into 2013 I am fully committed to daily following His will and daily looking to him for guidance and favor.
Jerry Nance
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northern Asia
report from Doug & Kelley Samuelson
 | | Doug & Kelley |
In this most populous region of the world there are more than 160 cities with populations of over 1 million people containing tens of thousands of people desperate to be freed from life controlling substances. Our long-term goal is to have a Teen Challenge presence in each of these cities by 2032. The establishment of long term residential centers, as well as, prevention efforts, and over a hundred small groups meeting in churches, prisons, and coffee shops are crucial in bringing hope within reach of every addict in China. This audacious goal is only attainable through the power of the Holy Spirit and through rising national leaders who have a passion to see freedom for the addicted.
Currently, there is a TC men's center in the southeast part of the region and a thriving center in Macau with over 30 residents. Hong Kong TC has the potential to reach thousands of addicts through street ministry.
Churches are crying out for help to meet the needs of those who are trapped in addiction. In strategically planning for the needs and challenges of our region, Kelley and I have come to realize the vital importance that small groups hold in the establishment of TC throughout Northern Asia. As is often seen in many parts of the world, TC residential centers are birthed out of community and church efforts to reach the addicted. Long-term residential centers will always be an effective way to help the chronically addicted, but having a strong "small group" presence and effective prevention programs are essential to our vision of freeing this region from the grip of addiction.
 | | Mark W. & family |
In March 2013, through cooperation with local churches, local leaders will launch a TC small group ministry in Shenyang, a large city in the North East. This group in Shenyang, led by Mark W., will utilize Living Free materials which have been used by TC throughout the world and will be used throughout Northern Asia.
"I first contacted Doug and Kelley in 2011. I had been working with local leaders to find the best way to reach out to those caught in addiction. It
 | Mark with
homeless man |
started with a homeless man in the park that wanted to receive Jesus but he couldn't see any way to stop drinking. We have been working with Doug Samuelson and our hope is by spring 2013 to have all the necessary materials translated. We plan to begin by first raising awareness and then training local lay-leaders that will reach out to those in need," states Mark W.
Regarding the use of Living Free materials, Tom Bremer, GTC Regional Representative for Europe, states that, "In Europe, the Living Free material has been used with great effectiveness for more than 20 years. In churches, coffee house ministries, and even prisons this small group approach has been implemented. Most recently, Living Free groups have been formed in an Arabic-speaking church in Israel. We are also finding it an effective tool where TC does not yet have residential programs running."
Dan Strickland, President of Living Free, comments, "We are very
 | | Dan Strickland & Doug |
excited to join with Doug Samuelson and Global Teen Challenge in the project to translate selected Living Free materials into the Chinese language. We have prayed for years for this opportunity, and now it is a reality. Even though the concepts of Living Free are universal, we are thankful that the translations will be done in China by the Chinese so that they can be presented in a way which will make sense in the local context. We have worked with Global Teen Challenge on many international projects in the past 20 years, and we are praying that many more lives will be transformed by Christ as a result of this effort."
Top of Page |
|
World Missions Summit
 The World Missions Summit held 28-30 December in Fort Worth Texas presented an opportunity for Teen Challenge USA and Global Teen Challenge to present the worldwide need of those bound by addiction to 5000 university students. The theme of the World Mission Summit, "Because we care" was carried out in the Teen Challenge theme "I Can." Students were encouraged to utilize their talents to help bring others to Christ.  At the booth, during the break-out sessions, and during meal times students heard about opportunities to serve in Teen Challenge ministries. As a result, approximately 250 university students showed interest in being involved in a TC short-term missions trip.
|
|
Upcoming Training Events
& Conferences
Prayer Summit
February 9 - 11, 2013
Information
Brazil National Staff Training School
Begins February 25
Information
Asia Pacific Conference
March 18 - 21
Seoul, Korea
Information
ELP III Executive Leader Training
Modules VI and VII
"TC Ministry I" and "Organizational Stewardship & Growth
Columbus, Georgia USA
March 18-22, 2013
Mexico City Staff
Training School
April 1 - 26 2013
Mexico City, Mexico
|
About Global Teen Challenge
The mission of Global Teen Challenge is to assist in the development and implementation of Teen Challenge programs around the world. Today there are more than 1100 Teen Challenge programs in 94 countries of the world. It is our desire to provide the best and latest tools available in helping individuals with life controlling addictions. According to the United Nations, more than 200 million people worldwide struggle with drug abuse. Drug users are getting younger and their use is becoming more frequent. Alcohol and drug addictions are plaguing our nations, our cities and invading our homes. We are committed to doing everything we can to reach people around the globe with life controlling problems. For more information on Global Teen Challenge, visit our website at www.GlobalTC.org |
| Contact Information:
Global Teen Challenge
P.O. Box 511
Columbus, Georgia 31902-0511 USA
706-576-6555
|
|
|
