If you have ever had to watch someone close to you struggle with addiction to drugs and alcohol, you know how very heartbreaking it can be. It can be especially difficult for parents, who are trying to find the balance between supporting their child and practicing “tough love”. View the video testimony below from one mother and hear how God used Teen Challenge to restore her family.

Merry Christmas!

Here at Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland, we get many phone calls from parents desperately seeking help for their addicted children. Helping their children break free from addiction and become a new creation in Christ is our heart’s desire and many times, the resident’s entire family is transformed as well. Click on the image below to hear a mother’s perspective from Gina Bradford, whose son Adam just recently graduated from Teen Challenge.

Now listen to the testimony of her son, Adam.

Thank God for another family restored and transformed!
Thank you for your support of Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland!

The Overton County Drug Coalition and Upper Cumberland Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland teamed up this week to present the Stay Sharp Program to students in 5th-8th grades in Overton County. Stay Sharp was created to impact students with a clear and urgent call to personal and peer drug abuse prevention. It reaches out to steer the hearts and minds of these students towards a better path. The program includes hard-hitting, high energy video messages regarding abuse and its consequences. Teen Challenge graduates share their personal stories and experiences with the Teen Challenge program. Together the Drug Coalition and Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland are working to reduce the incidents of drug abuse amongst Overton County youth.
Pictured are (front row) LMS students Jacob Norrod, Shayna Gore, Aaliyah Mountain and Chad Garrett,(back row) Teen Challenge graduates Sheryl Linder and Dave Roland II, Overton County Drug Coalition Coordinator Mark Peek, Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland ExecutiveDirector Tim McLauchlin, and LMS Principal Doug Smith.

Click here to find out more about the Stay Sharp program!

Thank you for your support of Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland!

Please consider becoming a partner with the ministry of Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland and making monthly financial contributions. Call us at 1-888-688-0470 or EMAIL US to find out how you can help transform the lives of those struggling with addiction.

God bless you,
Tim McLauchlin, Executive Director

I hope you are off to an exciting New Year!

At Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland, there are many stories and testimonies of God’s greatness in the lives of those He has used us to minister to. I would like to begin this new year by sharing these video Stories of Transformation with you over the next few emails. I pray that these stories will touch your heart and remind you of God’s faithfulness to restore broken lives and give addicts complete freedom from their bondage.

Please listen to Tabitha’s story…..

Thank you for your support!

God bless you,
Tim McLauchlin, Executive Director

This photo was taken this past week, when Tawnya was taken to a long-term Teen Challenge center. She was greeted with smiles from 4 other ladies who had previously stayed at New Horizons Crisis Center. Pictured above are Ashley, Brandi, Kendra, and Stephanie. At New Horizons, we keep a bulletin board updated with letters from and photos of prior residents who are now at long-term centers. When a lady arrives at one of the long-term Teen Challenge centers, she feels like she already knows some of the ladies there from their letters and pictures.  It is just one way that helps the residents to feel connected and to give them a sense of belonging in the family of Christ.

One way you can be connected to and help support these ladies and others is to make a financial contribution to Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland.  Please pray and consider making a secure online donation by clicking here or mailing your donation to Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland, P.O. Box 49291, Cookeville, TN  38506.

God bless you,
Tim McLauchlin, Executive Director

Here is another powerful testimony from one of the New Horizons Crisis Center residents. Lori has been at a long term Teen Challenge center for about five months.

I’m Lori and I was raised in a single parent home with my two older brothers. My mother worked a lot and my father was not part of my life. I began hanging out with kids older than me at a very young age. I was always looking for love and acceptance. At age eleven, I started drinking and smoking cigarettes and marijuana. By the time I was fifteen, I was kicked out of school and started to shoot up anything I could get into a needle.

When I was seventeen, after a long night of drinking and drugs, I was slipped a date rape drug. A few weeks later, after going to the doctor for what I thought was the flu, I found out I was pregnant. I was scared and ashamed. I was having a baby by a man I didn’t even know, someone who had taken advantage of me.

By the time I was nineteen, I was married and had my second child. My husband began cooking methamphetamine early into our marriage. It was not long before I was pregnant with my third child and because of the drugs, my marriage was falling apart. We were both extremely addicted and our desire for drugs was growing. I was twenty-six when my life began to crumble around me. My addiction had consumed me. My brother was killed in a car accident, my husband and I divorced, and I lost my job and my children. I was empty and more alone than ever. I had nothing left but my addiction and I sought after any means possible to ease my pain.

I was indicted on fourteen forgery and fraud charges. I was sentenced to jail and then probation, which I quickly violated and ended up back in jail. Sitting in my jail cell for seven months and facing another eight years, I was ready to give up. I had no hope and nothing left to live for when Pastor Tim from the Teen Challenge crisis center came to visit me. I knew that I could find help at Teen Challenge and so I came to this training center. The courts allowed me to enroll and that is just the beginning of what God has done for me. My family is being restored and I am no longer the empty, hopeless woman I once was. I know now that because of the Love of Christ, I will never be the same.

Those of you who pray for Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland, contribute financially, or give through donations, have played a vital part in the transformation of Lori’s life. Today, Lori is experiencing God’s power of healing and deliverance because of your faithful support.

Please consider making a secure donation by clicking here and partnering with us to see more lives completely freed from addiction.

God bless you,
Tim McLauchlin
Executive Director

I have shared with you some amazing personal testimonies from men and women that we have placed into long-term Teen Challenge centers. However, there are usually family members and friends that have long anguished over the addiction of their loved one. Here is an email that I received from Adam’s mother not long after Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland had placed him into a long-term center….

I don’t think I have ever truly thanked you for what you have done for Adam and our family. When we met with you it was out of desperation and when you helped us get Adam sent to Teen Challenge I struggled with our decision for a couple of months until I saw a different Adam when he would write or we would visit. He really loves the Lord now and it is apparent when you talk to him. He has a glow about him that you can’t explain any other way.

My doubts came from selfishness as a Mother wanting him home with me and wanting him not to hurt. I didn’t realize at the time that if he had stayed home he would have continued to go on hurting like he had been. Not only has Teen Challenge helped Adam but it has brought me closer to God because I have had to rely on Him by reading my Bible daily and listening to CD’s to help me get through this. I know God has a bigger plan for my family through this and I praise him for that.

One last thing, when Adam joined the choir we knew without a doubt this was the real thing for him. If anyone ever knew Adam before they would know this is the last thing he would ever do. It is amazing how God works. We are so thankful for the work you do here to help people like Adam. It really does change lives.

Thank you,
Gina Bradford

Those of you who have partnered with Teen Challenge of the Upper Cumberland play a vital role in the ministry. You play a part not only in the transformation of the lives of those with addictions, but you also play a role in the restoration and transformation of the lives of their families. How awesome is that?! Because of your faithful support, not only is Adam being restored and completely delivered but his mother is experiencing God’s power in a new way.

Please consider making a secure donation by clicking here and partnering with us to see more lives completely freed from addiction.

God bless you,
Tim McLauchlin
Executive Director