Have you ever heard of Youth Challenge? This is a ministry that has served the Peninsula for the past 40 years and has been a huge catalyst to bring spiritual healing and recovery to thousands of people struggling with addictions.

As their choir sang for us on Sunday morning and then led during the evening service, I couldn’t help but be moved by the sight of these young men and women who all could have passed for our own children. Many had been sentenced by the courts to attend Youth Challenge, and in so doing, the courts acknowledged this was a program, dare I say ministry, that was responsible for bringing about authentic change through the power of God.

Secular efforts to accomplish this have come up way short. Our government spends billions attempting to address this problem to no avail. Their success rate is measured in the fractions of a percent. Yet, here is a ministry that provides something money can’t buy—salvation through faith in a living Savior and surrendering to His Lordship and love.

This is at the very heart of Youth Challenge, but by no means is it all they do. Education and vocational training are just a few things the residents of Youth Challenge experience. God is literally using this ministry to bring people back to life.

There was a joy in the room as two of the residents shared their journeys. Both had lost their families, health, and lives. Both were facing long sentences for multiple felonies, and both, through the love and power of God, were receiving back everything they had lost and more.

I noticed something else. Not once did anyone state they were a “recovering alcoholic or drug addict;” rather they stated quite boldly that they were new creatures. Through Christ they were born again with a whole new identity. It was quite evident that Youth Challenge seeks to transform people through faith in Christ rather than just reform old habits and thinking.

I am aware several people in our Church have adult children who have found their way to Youth Challenge or are about to enter the program. This is truly a worthy cause, and I hope it is a ministry we can support through missions and our service. I’ve been invited to speak there on a Wednesday morning for their Chapel service, and I’ll be exploring ways we can serve this ministry in the months and years to come.

PJ