Our History

Led by incredible faith, David Wilkerson made a seemingly bizarre step from his country pulpit in 1958 to the streets of New York City, where a murder trial of seven teenage boys churned society’s antipathy toward them. Even Wilkerson was bewildered by his sense of compassion, but despite doubt, he followed the Spirit’s prompting to help the boys.

Wilkerson’s outreach to gangs in New York led to the development of Teen Challenge. From our simple beginnings, Teen Challenge has grown to over 215 locations in the US and over 1000 around the world. The explosive growth of Teen Challenge continues to be a true move of God.

1958

“Go and help those boys”

After seeing an article in Life magazine about a murder by teenage gangs, David Wilkerson heard God speak, “Go to New York City and help those boys.”

1958
February 28, 1958

Escorted from the courtroom

David went to the trial but was escorted from the courtroom after being denied access to the boys. The next day his photo appeared in New York Daily News. Later, teens on the streets recognized and accepted him from this picture in the paper.

February 28, 1958
July 12, 1958

The hardest to believe

On the last night of a series of rallies, dozens of gang members came forward to accept Christ as their Savior, including Nicky Cruz and Israel Narvaez from the Mau Maus. Nicky was the hardest to believe, David Wilkerson later related. The next morning they traded their weapons for Bibles.

July 12, 1958
1960

Coffeehouses in Greenwich Village

David’s mother moved to New York City with Faye Mianulli and started two coffeehouses in Greenwich Village: The Lost Coin and The Living Room. They made many referrals to Teen Challenge and saw many young people come to Christ.

1960
December 1960

A permanent home

Teen Challenge purchased its first building at 416 Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn in December 1960.

December 1960
1961

Teen Challenge reaches the Midwest

As the word spread about the successes on the streets of New York, others wanted to use the Teen Challenge model in their cities. Chicago opened a Teen Challenge to work with the addicted.

1961
1962

Residential discipleship is born

Frank Reynolds became the first director of Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania. He literally built “the Farm” from the ground up, and developed the men’s discipleship program that would become the primary model for Teen Challenge centers worldwide.

1962
1963

Teen Challenge spreads to the South

Four couples–the Foltzes, Burrs, Hunts, and Rutherfords–pooled their resources and started Dallas Teen Challenge after hearing David Wilkerson preach during a chapel service at Southwestern Assemblies of God College in Waxahachie, Texas.

1963
February 28, 1963

Publishing phenomenon

The Cross & the Switchblade was written and later became a publishing phenomenon–selling 11 million copies in the first 10 years.

February 28, 1963
1964

Teen Challenge reaches the West Coast

Teen Challenge has spread across the country, and opened in San Francisco

1964
1967

A women’s center

A women’s center in Garrison, New York, opens. Through a donation from Tiffany’s president and longtime Teen Challenge supporter, Walter Hoving, the dream of a female home for those addicted to drugs became a reality.

1967
1971

New leadership

David Wilkerson handed over leadership of the Brooklyn center to his brother, Don Wilkerson, who held the position for 16 years.

1971
1972

The Cross and the Switchblade on the big screen

The Cross & the Switchblade opened in 5,000 theaters and has since been dubbed into more than 30 languages.

1972
1973

National leadership

Frank Reynolds moves from “the Farm” in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania, to Springfield, Missouri, to become the first national president to coordinate the growing Teen Challenge ministry. There were 52 ministries at that time.

1973
1976

Government study

A government-sponsored study focused on Teen Challenge Rehrersburg graduates shows 67% were completely drug-free. Dr. Hess’s conclusion was, “There is no question in my mind, that the Teen Challenge program is the most successful one that I have ever seen.”

1976
1976

Steve Hill graduates

Steve Hill graduated Teen Challenge of Mid-America and goes on to be an evangelist, missionary, and a key leader of the famous Brownsville revival in Florida, which reached more than 3 million people with the Gospel.

1976
1977

Discipleship curriculum

Dave Batty joined Teen Challenge as the National Curriculum Coordinator. For the next 20 years Dave wrote classroom materials to train new Christians on a variety of practical topics, including Anger and Personal Rights, How Can I Know I’m a Christian, Attitudes, and Temptation.

1977
1987

“Just Say No”

Nancy Regan visited Teen Challenge of Tennessee in Chattanooga as part of her “Just Say No” campaign. There were 108 Teen Challenges in 1987.

1987
1988

Overcoming sexual abuse

Committed to Freedom, written by Sallie Culbreth, was published by Teen Challenge to help students who were victims of sexual abuse – a major topic of concern, since a majority of women and men at Teen Challenge suffer from sexual abuse.

1988
1990

Training for graduates

Teen Challenge Ministry Institutes were developed in California and Florida to train graduates who felt called to the ministry of Teen Challenge.

1990
1994

Study of effectiveness

A Study of Teen Challenge of Chattanooga graduates of 5-20 years shows 67% were drug-free while 80% said that their personal relationship with Christ was a major influence in resisting drugs.

1994
1999

A new study

A Northwestern University study of the three largest Teen Challenges found 86% drug-free after three years.

1999
2003

National radio

Lynette Scherber began production of public service announcements for the Teen Challenge ministry which were quickly accepted by countless radio programs across the country.

2003
2003

Presidential appointment

President George W. Bush appointed Dennis Griffith, Executive Director of Southern California, to serve on the White House Advisory Commission on Drug-free Communities.

2003
2007

Drug prevention

Teen Challenge launched a hard-hitting, fast-paced, national drug prevention program for youth entitled Stay Sharp.

2007
2008

50th anniversary celebration

Teen Challenge staff, students, and friends from around the world gathered in New York City to celebrate 50 years of miracles. The Teen Challenge 50 Years of Miracles book and DVD debuted, documenting the miraculous history.

2008
April 27, 2011

Homegoing

David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge, went to be with the Lord.

April 27, 2011
2012

Condensed version

A condensed version of The Cross & the Switchblade is produced to share the story with a new generation.

2012
2013

Record-setting song

Hello, My Name Is, a song written by Christian singer, and songwriter Matthew West about Teen Challenge graduate Jordan Jeffers breaks the Billboard record for the number of weeks at #1 on the Christian/Gospel music chart – 17 weeks!

2013
2014

50 years of broadcasting

Teen Challenge receives the National Religious Broadcaster’s Milestone award for exemplary service in the industry for five decades or longer.

2014
2018

Name Change

We updated our name to “Adult & Teen Challenge” to better reflect the populations we serve.

2018
July 2018

60th Anniversary Celebration

We celebrated 60 years at our national conference in Washington DC. Speakers included Peter Greer, Jim Cymbala, Malcolm Burleigh, Don Wilkerson, and many more. 

Watch Conference Sessions

July 2018
December 2018

New Curriculum Track Launched

For the first time in 40 years, the National Office launched a brand new curriculum track titled “Intimacy with Purpose.” The series lays out a roadmap to healthy sexual and relational intimacy. 

December 2018