Recently a resolution was passed by the National Board of Directors for Adult & Teen Challenge USA to publicly document our faith in Christ, our purpose of evangelism and discipleship, and our unwillingness to allow the requirements of twelve month residency to become an obstacle to those seeking Christ-centered solutions to addiction.
This resolution reaffirmed our Christ-centered approach to addiction recovery and made it clear that long-term recovery programs will remain the core of Adult & Teen Challenge moving forward. However, the resolution also recognized the value of the life-changing work being done in centers where additional modes of programming are offered alongside the traditional model. The board’s decision simply gives centers the opportunity going forward to choose how best to share the gospel with students in different stages of their battle to overcome addiction.
Through new accreditation standards, this resolution will actually provide more stringent guidelines regarding programming and treatment models operating under the Adult & Teen Challenge umbrella. Specifically, no center will be allowed to operate under the “Adult & Teen Challenge” name unless sharing Christ with those in treatment is first and foremost among their priorities. In states where legislation makes this impossible, operating under the name “Adult & Teen Challenge” will not be an option.
This resolution has been developed over the course of several years with the input of not only the National Board, but also Adult & Teen Challenge staff, denominational leaders, and legal counsel. It is our firm belief that it is the best expression of our organizational vision to “provide all people freedom from addiction and other life-controlling issues through the Power of Jesus Christ”.
