Our History
Teen Challenge was started in Brooklyn, New York in 1958 by Rev. David Wilkerson. Rev.Wilkerson was pastoring a church in a small town in Pennsylvania, USA. After reading an article in a magazine about seven teenagers who were on trial for murder, he was troubled and sensed that God wanted him to do something for the teens. Shortly thereafter, He made a trip to New York City. After seeing the great need for ministry to drug addicts and the street people, he left his church in Pennsylvania and moved to New York to minister to them. The ministry was eventually called Teen Challenge.
There are presently about 1,100 Teen Challenge Programs located in 87 countries in the world.
A more complete history has been written in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade. This book has sold tens of millions of copies and has been translated into 35 different languages. Another exciting book that is available, Run Baby Run tells of notorious gang member Nicky Cruz who was one of David Wilkerson’ s early converts in New York City. Beyond the Cross and the Switchblade and The Cross is Still Mightier than the Switchblade also detail important early history of Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge has grown into one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the world with a documented success rate of 70-86%
Why Teen Challenge is in Cambodia...
Drug use has stabbed at the very core of Cambodian society –families are ripped apart, children are left without solid role models, workers are undependable, streets are filled with violence, the minds of our people are destroyed and addicts have placed a burden on our society.
Many young people are innocently abusing their bodies with methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine and marijuana. The increase in the number of drug users and producers in Phnom Penh is leading to threats of AIDS and crime.The escalation in the number of glue kids is damaging our society. Because they infiltrate every area of the community, they make our streets unsafe. Citizens and tourists do not feel secure with the threat of glue kids stealing from them as they walk our streets. The more serious consequence is the impact glue kids have on the future of Cambodia. Our children are our future. If they are uneducated and their minds are destroyed, they will be unable to become productive members of our society. God has touched the hearts of Teen Challenge leaders to come to Cambodia to provide love and healing to those whose lives are ravaged by drugs and alcohol. They offer hope for the people of Cambodia and for generations to come.
Teen Challenge was started in Brooklyn, New York in 1958 by Rev. David Wilkerson. Rev.Wilkerson was pastoring a church in a small town in Pennsylvania, USA. After reading an article in a magazine about seven teenagers who were on trial for murder, he was troubled and sensed that God wanted him to do something for the teens. Shortly thereafter, He made a trip to New York City. After seeing the great need for ministry to drug addicts and the street people, he left his church in Pennsylvania and moved to New York to minister to them. The ministry was eventually called Teen Challenge.
There are presently about 1,100 Teen Challenge Programs located in 87 countries in the world.
A more complete history has been written in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade. This book has sold tens of millions of copies and has been translated into 35 different languages. Another exciting book that is available, Run Baby Run tells of notorious gang member Nicky Cruz who was one of David Wilkerson’ s early converts in New York City. Beyond the Cross and the Switchblade and The Cross is Still Mightier than the Switchblade also detail important early history of Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge has grown into one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the world with a documented success rate of 70-86%
Why Teen Challenge is in Cambodia...
Drug use has stabbed at the very core of Cambodian society –families are ripped apart, children are left without solid role models, workers are undependable, streets are filled with violence, the minds of our people are destroyed and addicts have placed a burden on our society.
Many young people are innocently abusing their bodies with methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroin, cocaine and marijuana. The increase in the number of drug users and producers in Phnom Penh is leading to threats of AIDS and crime.The escalation in the number of glue kids is damaging our society. Because they infiltrate every area of the community, they make our streets unsafe. Citizens and tourists do not feel secure with the threat of glue kids stealing from them as they walk our streets. The more serious consequence is the impact glue kids have on the future of Cambodia. Our children are our future. If they are uneducated and their minds are destroyed, they will be unable to become productive members of our society. God has touched the hearts of Teen Challenge leaders to come to Cambodia to provide love and healing to those whose lives are ravaged by drugs and alcohol. They offer hope for the people of Cambodia and for generations to come.
