Bienvenido F
I grew up in a dysfunctional family, the oldest of 4 children. Both my mother and father were alcoholics and never spoke about the Lord. Despite this, the Lord had his eye on me. I met the the Lord at the age of seven and walked with Him until my forty’s. A painful experience in my life caused me to walk away from the Lord. I lost everything so I turned to drugs to fill the emptiness in my heart for 18 years. God had mercy on me and I found Brooklyn Teen Challenge. Healing has taken place since coming into this program and God has transformed into the man He created; for His purpose. I am learning life Biblical principles and applying them in my life in order to become mentally and emotionally strong in Jesus Christ.
Isaac H
I grew up in foster care so I always had a hole that I was trying with fill with drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality. My entire life I was running from God until I came to Brooklyn Adult & Teen Challenge, and was introduced personally to his love and grace. When I finally confessed with my mouth and believed in my heart Jesus Christ was my Lord and Savior everything changed for the better. He started to change my heart and mind and I know he will bring it to completion because his word says he will and he’s definitely faithful and trustworthy.
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36
Wayne S
My name is Wayne, I’m 55 and I grew up in a small town in New Jersey and had a great childhood and was raised good by loving parents. Alcohol didn’t play a part in my family life but unfortunately it got a hold of me and I relapsed after 17 years of sobriety. Luckily by God’s will I found BKATC and found out God can work miracles and have been saved by Christ. Today I’m proud to say I celebrated 1 year of sobriety on January 28 Amen and God bless.
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1:8
Daniel C
My name is Daniel C. and I'm 29 years old. I grew up in a dysfunctional house like many. Being outdoors was no comfort either as I was physically and verbally abused by my peers, resulting in severe depression and anxiety. I never spoke a word of this to anyone. At age 19, my father was the only person I ever fought to protect my family. He was removed from the house and passed about a year later as an addict. In 2020, my mother passed to her lifelong battle with cancer and so my depression and anxiety turned into alcoholism and self-isolation for the next 5 years. It was common for me to drink a bottle of whiskey a day. Since coming to Brooklyn Adult and Teen Challenge, I have finally found comfort in the love of God. I've spent my life believing I was alone in deserving of it, but now I look forward to a life I've never imagined.
Josh K
I had a rough childhood a mother who hated men, a father who spent most of his life in prison and gangs. They both decided to take me, my twin sister and older sister away from the big city life, stop the drugs and drinking and give us a better life. They did for the most part. My father tried to love, my mother tried to encourage, there was still damage. I started drinking and drugging at 12 years old. By God’s will never ended up in prison but have been arrested and charged with every charge possible. At 36 I called out to Jesus, asked who he is? 47 years old he sent me to Brooklyn Adult & Teen Challenge where for seven months I have learned Jesus wants me as a drug and alcohol biblical counselor. I am not married or have any children so I will dedicate the rest of my life to Christ here in Brooklyn.
Danny A
As a child I grew up in a dysfunctional but loving household, I was the youngest of five and I was spoiled and protected by both parents and my siblings. I was a shy and introverted sort of kid. The fact that I was sexually molested three times did not help matters any less. My battle with drugs and alcohol did not come into the picture until I was about 30 years old. It was at that time, that I had a 25 year career with crack and meth. The addiction got so bad that I began to lose myself and my true identity in the fallen nature of my sin. When I walked thru the doors of Teen Challenge in 2015, I began to truly have a relationship with Christ Jesus and I began to forgive, love and be the true identity that I had always had in Christ
Darryn O
My name is Darren Orosco. I'm 35 years old. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. I have an older sister who graduated from Teen Challenge in Southern California and has been clean ever since, she told me about the program and explained that there are Teen Challenge programs all around the country and the world. Through me wanting to change and my family urging me. I did some research and read a book written by David Wilkerson called The Cross and the Switchblade. I decided to join the Adult and Teen Challenge in Brooklyn, NY which is the original location of the Adult and Teen Challenge ministry. I look forward to completing this program and learning about New York and most importantly, I look forward to working on my spiritual life, studying scriptures and getting closer to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Luis M
Hello, my name is Luis Medrano. I am 46 years old. I spent half my life in prison, and I am a former gang member. After being released from prison, I came to New York to start a new life. I went through the shelter system, and I couldn't adjust. I was institutionalized. I got addicted to drugs and almost lost my life many times. While I was in the hospital about to lose my left leg, I found Jesus Christ as I sat in the hospital for two months. The Almighty God pointed me towards Brooklyn Adult and Teen Challenge whereby the grace of God, He restored my physical, mental and spiritual being to 100%. and I am a prime example of that there is a god named Jesus Christ the Almighty.
Junior M
My name is Junior Martinez. I am Dominican. I have been in B.A.T.C. for some time, as well as in the U.S.A., in this country. I only had the presence of my dad, who raised me as both father and mother, although we were never in the same place. My real mother is in the Dominican Republic. My two younger sisters live here, and my 14-year-old son is in Santo Domingo, which is why I am here — for him. I sacrifice myself for my sisters, whom I love, and my only son, who I don’t want to see go through this.