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Leadership Link
Connecting Teen Challenge Leaders around the world |
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March 2013
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Featured Region
Europe Teen Challenge
TC in Europe is now in its 44th year of existence. Today we have works in 37 countries that are part of the Europe TC fellowship. Just this past year we have seen great developments in Greece, Finland, Israel, and Belgium.
There are only a few countries in Europe where no TC work exists: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malta, Montenegro, and Estonia. It is very likely that two of these countries will soon open programs of TC.
See Tom Bremer's full report on Europe Teen Challenge in this issue.
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Upcoming Training Events & Conferences
Mexico City Staff Training School
April 1 - 26 2013
Mexico City, Mexico
Information Europe Teen Challenge
Conference Prague, Czech Republic
April 18 - 21
Event Registration
Ongoing Trainings
Brazil National Staff
Training School
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Greetings!
It is Springtime here in the US and we are enjoying all the beauty of the season.
Europe Teen Challenge is our featured region this month. Tom Bremer has a special report on the latest news from the ministries in Europe.
We thank the Lord for all He is doing all over the world through this ministry.
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"Put Hope within Reach of Every Addict"
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Jerry Nance
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By Jerry Nance PhD, President, Global Teen Challenge
Some weeks ago several of our Teen Challenge leaders from around the world sat together and prayed about the future of Teen Challenge and asked God for direction. From this time of prayer and seeking direction for the future came a theme we believe to be an overwhelming charge to Teen Challenge worldwide.
That challenge is to "put hope within reach of every addict."
How do we go about reaching such a lofty goal? What kinds of plans have to be put into place to even get close to reaching this goal?
Let me say from the start, it will take the power of the Lord and the miracle working power of His Spirit to make it happen. We recognize this is impossible in man's power alone. However, anything is possible with God and He is the one who can help us reach this goal.
I was reading in 1 Samuel 16 where we see the army of Israel on one side of a mountain with the Philistines on the other side. Goliath was coming out and defying the army of God for 40 days. None of the men in Israel's army had the courage or faith in God to face Goliath. Then comes David, the least among all his brothers who is there doing an errand for his father. He hears Goliath come out and speak mockingly of Israel. David, moved by the Spirit picks up 5 smooth stones and goes to meet the giant. David says, "The Lord will fight against you and give me victory over you."
As I was reading this story, I began to picture David walking toward Goliath. On his way he stopped to pick up the 5 smooth stones and put them into his pouch. Think about it, why 5 stones? I began to picture the army of the Philistines somewhere behind Goliath and I saw Goliath's 4 other brothers standing somewhere in the general region. Perhaps David also noticed them and decided he might need a stone for each of them.
The thought came to me; Goliath was to Israel (and David) what Addiction is to Teen Challenge. Goliath was the impossible challenge to all of the army of Israel except David. Addiction seems to be an impossibility to many, but just maybe, if we will depend on the Spirit of the Lord and go forth in faith, we too can slay the giant of addiction.
Teen Challenge ministries are working with the addicted in 94 countries of the world. Teen Challenge is the largest faith based program of its kind in the world. But we will never house all the addicts, or care for all those addicted in our residential programs.
I believe it is a key time for us to consider how we can begin to change our methodology through innovative ways of putting hope in reach of more addicts.
To accomplish this goal we must depend on the Spirit of God to give us inspiration, innovation and bring us into some key relationships and collaborations. We need resources, we need finances and we need creativity like never before.
With whom can we partner to put hope within reach of every addict? Who is already in many countries of the world? As I think of these questions I realize that the Church is there, in so many parts of the world, and many of them need help and training to reach the addicts in their communities.
I believe we need to prayerfully consider how we can partner with the local church by serving them. We need to provide them with innovative tools to assist them in reaching their own kids as well as providing them with the tools to reach out in their communities to put hope within reach of addicts.
Click here to Read Entire Article. Jerry Nance
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Europe Teen Challenge - 44 Years and Still Growing
 | | Tom Bremer |
by Tom Bremer, Global TC Regional Representative in Europe
TC in Europe is now in its 44th year of existence. Through all of the years, the various national programs that are in the TC Europe fellowship have passed through many seasons. Over the past 30 years, I personally have witnessed the many ups and downs that an intense ministry of this nature can bring. But through it all, we continue to see the hand of God, and His incredible faithfulness to us in Europe.
Even though the countries of Europe as a whole are facing enormous challenges - especially fiscally - the works of TC are continuing and growing! Many are in the midst of reorganization, others are in rapid growth. Now, there are 37 countries that are part of the Europe TC fellowship. Just this past year we have seen great developments in Greece, Finland, Israel, and Belgium. TC Netherlands, while in the middle of great challenges, have added 8 youth centers and will run a new women's program. TC Portugal has walked through perhaps its greatest crisis, and is still thriving. TC Poland is about to celebrate its 25th year of ministry -
 | | 2013 ETC Conference Click for more info |
it is now one of the largest programs in Europe. The women's center in Israel has been planted thanks in large part to the efforts of TC Czech Republic and Petr Ministr. These are just to mention a few of the many happenings this year.
As of this writing, there are only a few countries in Europe where no TC work exists: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malta, Montenegro, and Estonia. It is very likely that two of these countries will soon open programs of TC.
What a great joy and privilege it is and has been to work with TC in Europe all of these years. We hope and pray God's hand will continue to Bless this vital work.
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President of Ireland Attends Grand Opening of Women's Home.
Teen Challenge of Ireland celebrated the Grand Opening of the new women's program in
 | | Aubrey McCarthy - Chairman of the Board, President Higgins, Phil Thompson, Program Director, and a student who finished the program who testified in the ceremony. |
May of 2012. The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, had the honor to cut the ribbon.
TC Ireland has done a remarkable job with their work. A 45 minute documentary on TC Ireland was produced by Irish National Television. This had a clear presentation of the Gospel.
 | | President Higgins with Dedication Plaque |
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New Facility for TC United Kingdom
At nearly the same time as the new TC Tiglin (Ireland) was dedicated, On May 12, 2012, TC  in United Kingdom dedicated a new facility in England. This facility houses a men's rehabilitation center, a United Kingdom training facility, street outreach teams, and the national offices. Within a short distance of this facility, 12 million people can be reached! The picture shows Jay Fallon, TC UK National Director, and Tom Bremer, Director of Europe Teen Challenge at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Congratulations to Pastor Phil Hills, Chairman, all the board, and to Jay and Fiona Fallon!
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ETC Leaders Retreat
Every year in November, for more than 30 years, key Teen Challenge leaders from around Europe gather for the purpose of prayer, fellowship and training. In 2012, this meeting was hosted by the great people of TC Slovakia. Ron Brown, of TC Southern California, was our guest speaker. God used Ron in a special way in the lives of many of the Europe TC leaders. We also toured a local historic site, and had an ETC Bowling Tournament. A great time was had by all!
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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
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