I am always amazed at how God plans out our steps even when we don’t understand where He is taking us or why. But when He reveals Himself, we have that light bulb moment, and we see clearly.
Let me explain…
Over three years ago, I was approached by my father, Don Wilkerson, about writing a book about the legacy and founding of Teen Challenge. Immediately, I felt called to write it even though none of it made sense. There were several reasons why I questioned it:
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- What about the bestselling book, The Cross and the Switchblade that catapulted the ministry? That book has reached millions with its powerful story of my uncle’s calling to New York City and the establishing of the ministry of Teen Challenge. Why would I want to compete or even take away from that in any way?
- Was it relevant? Adult and Teen Challenge just celebrated its 60th Anniversary with over 1400 programs in 125 countries. Why go back to the beginning days? God has given each program its unique calling and thousands upon thousands have found freedom from addiction.
- Would people think I am writing this book for personal gain? I struggled with even using my maiden name on the cover of the book, which is not my legal name. I have never been a name dropper but how do I tell this story without acknowledging my family connection?
- Did I have the knowledge to write about a ministry that I only knew through my upbringing? I grew up in Teen Challenge, but I have never worked in the ministry.
- Could I write a book? The fear of accomplishing a task of writing a book was daunting.
Even with all my questions, I knew God wanted me to write this story but why?
I cried every time I talked about it. It was as if there was this well of emotion inside of me that I couldn’t explain, but the Holy Spirit kept nudging me—Write It!
Several months after the release of Giving Hope An Address, I still doubted. I received wonderful reviews and comments about the book, but I still questioned the book’s purpose. After struggling through promoting the book, I complained to God, “Why did I devote all that time to write the legacy story of Teen Challenge? What was the purpose?”
I kept coming back to that undeniable Holy Spirit nudge not to question but write. Despite the whispers of doubt and all my fears, I knew God wanted the founding story to be told again.
I now understand why I felt that nudge.
A Story For A New Generation
Recently, there have been decisions made that are compromising the original purpose and mission of Teen Challenge. There is a shift that is veering away from the ministry’s founding.
I am not here to write about the details of those compromises; I am simply sharing why God wanted me to write Giving Hope An Address.
There’s a new generation God is using at Adult and Teen Challenge programs worldwide. They have the same burden—as previous generations— to reach those bound by addiction.
But this new generation needs to understand the beginning days of the ministry to point, once again, to the source of the success of Teen Challenge.
The book is a reminder of what God did through David and Don Wilkerson— and countless others— in establishing Teen Challenge in the heart of New York City.
It’s a reminder of the power of prayer and how prayer brought my uncle to New York City. How prayer established Teen Challenge and how prayer built and sustained thousands of programs worldwide for over 60 years!
The story tells the humble beginnings, the financial struggles, and the way God provided for every need of the ministry.
Giving Hope An Address is a Holy Spirit nudge to a new generation that Teen Challenge was not founded on a man-made method of drug rehabilitation but by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
With over 1400 programs in 125 countries and countless testimonies of those who found freedom from their addictions, God has done the miraculous!
And at the center of that miracle is the saving power of the Cross—the foundation of the ministry of Teen Challenge!
The success of the ministry—to spiritually and physically heal those trapped by addiction— was what David Wilkerson coined as the “Jesus factor.”
There are 60 years of miracle stories of freedom from addiction and the “Jesus factor” is at the center of each one of them.
Don’t compromise God’s calling and purpose for Adult and Teen Challenge. The message of the gospel has to be the driving force of the method in treating addiction. If that is compromised in any way, then it is no longer the Teen Challenge method.
As long as the Cross remains at the center of the continual Cross and Switchblade story, God will keep blessing what He ordained!
Know the history of Teen Challenge.
Read The Cross and the Switchblade.
Read Giving Hope An Address.
Be a generation that holds tightly to the founding mission.
Don’t let a ministry drift away from the purpose God miraculously set in place sixty years ago!
“I am confident of this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it and more till the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
Giving Hope An Address is available at these retailers:
