Does Teen Challenge Work???

YES! Through a person’s willingness, the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the following facets of our program a person can overcome their addiction and be DRUG-FREE for life!  

• Love and acceptance - through a family atmosphere. 
• Structure of program brings balance of discipline in their life through work,
  education, Recreation, rest, and a healthy lifestyle.  
• Counseling - resolving past issues.  
• Discipleship - applying sound Biblical principles to every aspect of life.  
• Teaching - new ways to deal with life’s issues.
• Training - job-readiness and vocational skills. 
• Competent Staff - A building never changed anyone! The commitment and sacrificial service of
• the TCJ staff is paramount to the success of Teen Challenge.

Saint Clair’s Testimony  My name is Saint Clair Sterling; I’m the last of seven siblings. I was born and raised in Western Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. to father Nicholas Sterling and mother Juanita Kenyon. I grew up in a very verbally abusive home where my dad was the abuser. Because of the dysfunctional environment, I went out seeking friendship with older boys who were smoking marijuana and I was curious to try it because it was socially acceptable; I became addicted to marijuana at age 12. Both parents decided to move on with their e lives and I went deeper into my addiction.

At age 15 I stopped attending high school and started working to support myself. My attitude towards life and others was unacceptable, I demanded whatever I wanted and in essence became a bully. The most important things to me were getting high every day, making more money and to have sex whenever I wanted. This life style went on for a long time and at age 19 I met crack cocaine!!! I thought that this drug would enhance my sexual drive after I became addicted to sex, only to find out that it was only destroying my life. I did everything possible to support my addiction, I stole from family members, I lied to people and if the opportunity presented itself at the time, I would have killed for it; who knows!!! I denied being addicted to crack cocaine because I couldn’t believe it actually happened to me and because I enjoyed the euphoria it brought. 

The turning point in my life came when my first and only child was about to be born and I sat down one day and said to myself: your addiction will destroy the life of this poor innocent child who doesn’t for one day deserve to suffer the ridicules and heartaches of his community because of your addiction. That brought perspective into my life remembering how my father treated me and how evil I had become. The next step for me was admitting to my mother that I had a drug problem and instantly she decided to help me. I realized that to stop smoking crack cocaine for a while wasn’t enough because a relapse was possible. My mother being a born again Christian invited the church to come and pray for me, something I can’t remember ever doing before. I was desperate for a change!!!!!!!!!! For the first time in my life I believed in Jesus Christ. The necessary steps were taken and I was sent to Teen Challenge Jamaica from Detox of the University of the West Indies in 2004.  

When I went to Teen Challenge, to my surprise, Jesus was being offered to me and I remembered saying: Jesus, if you change my life, I will serve you until I die. I was then led into the sinner’s prayer by my now Executive Director, Anthony Richards. The day I invited Jesus into my heart, I knew that some things would have to go. I committed my life to Him and also to the 12 months Teen Challenge offered. I felt newness in my body, a change in my heart and a love and passion for Jesus Christ and the things of Christ. Being at Teen Challenge, I learnt a lot of stuff and most importantly; God has a plan for my life. After I graduated Teen Challenge, I was sent to Trinidad to do an internship which was a tremendous blessing. Jesus helped me to know that he’s in total control of every detail of my life. After I came back from Trinidad, I was given a scholarship to go to Bible College. I graduated the Assemblies of God Bible College on, May 16 2009. I have learnt to build healthy relationships, God has reconciled my family, and I am a father to my son and a servant to the body of Christ. Last but not least, I got married on June 12, 2010 to the most beautiful woman in the world!!! Currently, I work with Teen Challenge as Head of the Counseling Department/Assistant Program Manager. Who could it be but Jesus? I am not an x addict, I am exited about Jesus!!! The most important thing that will help us to overcome addiction is, The GRACE of God.

Anthony Richard’s Testimony