Northern Asia 
report from Doug & Kelley Samuelson

Doug & Kelley

   

Teen Challenge in Northern Asia has many faces. There are

residential centers (which are common in the United States and around the world), but Teen Challenge in Northern Asia also takes the form of small groups that meet in homes, coffee shops and churches, as well as, prevention programs in community centers and schools. All of these formats are utilized to put hope within reach of those addicted to drugs and alcohol.

 The most effective way to start centers in Northern Asia is to begin by forming small groups in churches and community efforts that are already approved and established.  

In one city, a Canadian man, Mark, who had a burden for people in his community, contacted us for direction and resources. He had been spending time in a city park sharing the message of hope with homeless people, most of whom were drug addicts and alcoholics. As a result of weekly strategy meetings with Doug and Kelley, and through Mark's relationships with local church leaders, several small groups have started in churches, with many local people being trained to help others and lead small groups themselves.  

Small group meeting

Mark shares that, "People have traveled as long as two hours to attend the weekly meetings. Church leaders are telling us they have never had materials like these before." The church leaders are excited about what they have been seeing and are in full support. In fact, there is such a strong interest in this work that the churches are beginning to talk about opening their own residential facility to meet the demand of the chronically addicted. 

Doug explains, "This is the model that we would like to see

Local transportation

replicated throughout Northern Asia. As foreigners, it's just not possible for us to open a residential center on our own. It requires using government-approved, indigenous organizations and churches to take up this burden and make it their own. For us, it's not about having the name of Teen Challenge on every effort that GTC touches in this region. It's about putting true hope within reach of every drug addict and alcoholic in Northern Asia, no matter what form or name it takes. Our desire is to train, equip, and provide resources for those who have a burden to bring hope to hurting people. "

 

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Congratulations  Macau TC  for 25 Years of Service! 

left - right- Ah Chek, Doug Samuelson, Pastor Gregory, Pastor & Mrs. Clemente

Pastor and Mrs. Clemente - Faithful Servants to Macau

The first footprints of Teen Challenge came through Pastor and Mrs. Clemente when they moved to Macau as Missionaries in 1981. Macau, a small piece of land across the harbor from Hong Kong, which is now the most profitable gambling center in the world, was originally visited by Portuguese missionaries desiring to spread Catholicism throughout the region. When the Clemente's arrived from Portugal, they knew of no other Christian missionaries that had

Pastor & Mrs. Clemente with Doug and Kelly

come before them. Although they came to open a church, they ended up focusing on meeting the needs of those who were hurting.

Pastor Clemente, who celebrated his 70th birthday on January 18, the same day Macau Teen Challenge held their 25th Anniversary Celebration, describes those early days.  "We befriended all denominations that were spreading the gospel. No one else was bringing denominations together. They became our friends.  As we began to help people in need, our new multi-denominational friends would bring us more people who needed help." The Clemente's focus on the needy and addicted served to bring the denominations together, something that still exists today.

Women and girls in Teen Challenge

The Teen Challenge center in Macau was opened in 1989. Pastor Clemente says that in the first five years they touched the lives of over 300 men. It is estimated that thousands of lives have been touched since that time. Beginning with a single small building, now Macau Teen Challenge has a beautiful campus that has a men's residential building, a women's residential building, and another large building for additional classroom and meeting space. They also manage re-entry homes and businesses throughout the city.

The first man to graduate from Macau TC, Ah Chek, became the leader of the center, and continues in that role today.

Ah Chek and men praising God

Through the work of Ah Chek, Macau Teen Challenge enjoys a great relationship with the Macau Government who have supplied buildings and resources for the program.

Pastor and Mrs. Clemente enjoyed being received as dignitaries by Macau media and officials at the 25^th Anniversary Celebration. As faithful servants, they gave God all the glory for what He has done in Macau. "We sure didn't get this attention when we first arrived in Macau! Look at what God has done!"

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Upcoming Training Events  

& Conferences 

Asia-Pacific Regional Conference

January 27 - 30

Phnom Penh, Cambodia  

Myanmar TC Information Seminar 

 Prayer Summit

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