The challenge here is not just for teens, but for young people from all over the country.  To beat addictions, negative and sometimes dangerous influences - these are the real challenges.

But the students who go through the 13-month Teen Challenge program are doing just that - facing these adversities and triumphing over them.  In addition to beating drug addictions, and changing home and family lives that are not positive influences, these young men and women are introduced to God and develop Christian hearts and minds.  Only the strong complete the program; some stop partway through, unable to conquer their demons.  The ones who stay are taught how to see through spiritual eyes, and are given educational opportunities to not only get their GED, but receive additional training to begin prosperous careers.

What began as a single campus in 1958 in New York has grown to ministries in over 92 countries, including over 200 centers in the United States, some of which are in Texas, Georgia and Tennessee.  Teen Challenge of Texas opened in 1968 and now operates seven campuses, with residential facilities for both males and females.  All campuses include educational programs in addition to the discipleship training.

The men's program on the San Antonio campus includes an Electrician's program that was created and is taught by Dr. Ruben Trevino, a Master Electrician and also the Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Texas.  This program teaches young men a very useful trade that they can carry with them when they go back out into the "real" world, and have something to assist them in becoming self-sufficient adults.

The numbers reflect that before this program was put into place, the rate of recidivism was very high.  Students would go through the program, graduate, and go straight back into the negative influences they encountered previously; influences which forced many of them to repeat the Teen Challenge program - usually because their last chance was jail or the program.

The Electrician's apprentice program allows these young people to get enough training to acquire their State license and go directly to work once they graduate.  There are hands-on weekly classes filled with practical application, like wiring an Assembly of God church that burned down last year.

The program runs on donations and is in constant need of donated electrical materials and tools.  They also sell beautiful wooden crosses, jewelry and other merchandise handmade by the students themselves.  (Further information can be found on the Online Store button at their website at http://www.texasteenchallenge.org/.)

What hit me most as I sat down to talk with these young men was how down to earth they were.  They were intelligent, respectful, comfortable communicating, friendly, and very open about what they used to be involved in and how much God means in their lives now.  Some already have jobs lined up after graduation; some will come back and do more training; some have even planned to become interns for the program itself.

Some have wonderful family support but others will be returning to uncertain situations where they themselves will have to be "the light".  (Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds...) (Acts 13:47 I have made you a light...that you may bring salvation...)

In the short time I got to spend in their class, they all left an imprint on my heart.  One young man in particular struck a chord with me.  I don't want to use his name because of his family situation, but I could tell he was putting forth a great deal of effort to do well in class and graduate.  His home life is less than ideal; in fact, he is one who will have to be "the light" when he returns, and there was a little bit of hesitation when I asked him how ready he was to do that.  There was an underlying determinedness in him, though, that reflected how all of these young men have found and grown into their inner strength during the last several months.

They are confident in their newfound knowledge and experience, both technically and spiritually.  Just from the feeling I experienced in that room with them, talking with them, watching them wire a 3-way connection that had light bulbs burning brightly, I have faith that they will make it.  Although I personally do not have any electrical tools to donate, I do have confidence in their abilities and in God's design for their lives.  And I have my prayers, which will continue to be "donated" for each and every one of the gentlemen I met, and the entire Teen Challenge ministry program.