Sunday, April 15, 2007

I Know I've Been Changed

Friday night we had the privilege of attending the annual Teen Challenge of Philadelphia banquet.  TFC Elkton Volunteer Chaplain Rev. Allan Graham, who lives in Philadelphia, volunteers with Teen Challenge.  Allan invited Margaret and me to join him as his guest at the banquet.  The attendees included program participants, graduates, staff, family, volunteers and ministry friends.

If you are not familiar with the work of Teen Challenge it is a ministry to people dealing with chemical addictions.  Despite the organization name, they minister to men and women of all ages.  Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting many Teen Challenge graduates who are still clean years after graduating from the program.  In fact, a driver in one of our chapel Easter services was a graduate.

The theme for the banquet was "I Know I've Been Changed".  There were numerous testimonies from men and women whose lives were touched by God and delivered from drugs and/or alcohol though the Teen Challenge ministry.  What an awesome, spiritually energizing, experience to hear each and everyone of them giving God the praise for their victories.

The guest speaker, Rev. Chuck Zierle, himself a graduate, who some of his personal testimony.

Banquet

The banquet was at the Hilton on City Line Ave.  More than 380 people attended.

Choir

The Teen Challenge Choir, directed by Sherry McMillan

Allan and Ruth

Allan and his friend Ruth

Celebration

Some of our table mates (left to right): Ty, back to the camera, a graduate who now works in the program, Dan, a recent graduate and his proud father, Jim, talking to Margaret.

Please keep the Teen Challenge ministry in your prayers!

In His name,
Chaplain Sam Houchins

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