Adult & Teen Challenge of USA.
Adult & Teen Challenge is the oldest, largest and most successful program of its kind in the world.
In 1958, a young pastor from a farm town in Pennsylvania, took a step of faith into the inner-city of New York City. David Wilkerson started a movement that would change the lives of thousands. With a heart for young people, he began working with gangs and troubled youth. As he began to establish rapport within the city, he became aware of the life-controlling issues destroying these young people. Everywhere David turned he saw the consequences of addiction: a 16-year-old girl working the streets, a 12-year-old boy murdered by his younger brother, the sight of a teenage mother with her baby on her lap, begging for food and shelter.
The young pastor found himself in a place where these teens had no hope and no future. He knew he had to offer them a solution to break the vicious cycle, and offer them a way out of their trouble and despair. Later that year, Brooklyn Teen Challenge was established as the first Teen Challenge Center.
Teen Challenge has seen remarkable growth. Since 1958, thousands of lives have been changed. There are now over 1,100 centers in 109 countries around the world.
In 1963, David Wilkerson co-authored the book, The Cross and the Switchblade. The story covers David’s first 5 years in New York and became a best-selling phenomenon. More than 15 million copies have been distributed in over 30 languages. In 1969 a motion picture based on the book, was released. After 53 years, the story continues to inspire renewed faith in God’s ability to overcome issues that even the most determined human efforts cannot resolve.
Photo: Nicky Cruz and Israel Narvaez seen with David Wilkerson, trading their weapons for Bibles, 1958
Adult & Teen Challenge of Maryland
In 1976, Mike Zello Sr. established and founded Adult & Teen Challenge of Maryland to serve the Washington, D.C. area. The Washington, D.C. center was one of the early established centers after Adult & Teen Challenge was first organized in New York City by David Wilkerson.
Since that time, Adult & Teen Challenge of Maryland has moved it’s home to Capitol Heights, MD where they continue to serve the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.
The current center holds 14 students, two interns, and three senior staff rooms. The center is equipped with separate dorms for phase one and two students, a multi-purpose space for dining, learning, and chapel services, as well as library space and a workout room.
Today, under the leadership of the current Executive Director, Jonathan Gray, and the help of the Program Director, and Board of Directors Adult & Teen Challenge of Maryland center plans to build and grow the community outreach program “The Freedom Workshop” where they work with teens and the community in a prevention action effort.
Their future vision is to eventual serve both men and women in the community suffering from life-controlling issues, such as; addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and opiates through multiple center locations in the Washington, D.C. area.
Photo: Adult & Teen Challenge of Maryland Center - Capitol Heights, MD, 1981