Adult & Teen Challenge, Tennessee Valley
1450 Florence Rd
Savannah TN 38372
© 2023 Adult & Teen Challenge, Tennessee Valley
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Cody Harville
Men of Excellence Graduate
12/21/23
I was lost, broken, angry, full of hate, guilt and shame, abusing drugs and people; manipulating anything and everyone to get what I wanted with no regard for my life or anyone else’s. I was going one way: down the wrong way until I hit rock bottom. Reluctantly, my mother took me to church. While sitting in church, high, dirty, and stinking, I heard the song, “Run to the Father” by Cody Carnes, and it hit me; my heart did need a surgeon and my soul did need a friend. So, I gave my life to God and came to Teen Challenge where I am learning to live a better life by building a foundation that will not fail and that foundation is Jesus Christ. I want people to know me by the love I give, the joy I have, and the peace I keep. I’m patient, kind, good and faithful like my heavenly Father. I want these things to come to mind because that’s how I know Jesus to be. Thank God for Adult & Teen Challenge and I thank Adult and Teen Challenge for helping me and my brothers standing behind me for being there for me. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Because of your support, we can continue to help lives just like Cody.
Steven Morris
Men of Excellence Graduate
11/09/23
Before I got saved, I did everything I could to run from God. For over 15 years, I was a drug addict and an alcoholic. I grew up in a good family, but they couldn’t fix me. I needed something more than an earthly love. Now that I look back, I feel God was stripping me of all things I loved just so I could seek Him first. It was me and my wife splitting up, then my cousin was murdered, then my daughter moved 8 hours away from me all within six months. I felt I had no where to look but up, so I decided to join a church. My life has not been the same since, but when COVID hit I backslid into depression, got into trouble, and found myself facing jail time. This is how I got the opportunity at Adult & Teen Challenge. Since I have been at Adult & Teen Challenge, I have learned I “can” enjoy life substance free. I’ve also learned that God is a God of restoration. He has restored my mind, my strength, but most importantly my broken relationships. I’ve learned to never put a limit on God. Philippians 4:13 states “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Because of your support, we can continue to help lives just like Steven.
Alex Jerding
Men of Excellence Graduate
12/21/23
I was lost and in sin. I fell into a pit of depression and anxiety after the death of my brother and grandmother. I started doing dangerous and seriously hard drugs to help cope with that. I had lots of hatred and wickedness toward others, even myself. I burned every bridge that I tried so hard to upkeep and keep afloat. I got saved when I confessed with my body, mind, souls and voice that Jesus was my Lord and Savior. I asked for his forgiveness and guidance. John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to that you might go and bear fruit.” I am healed physically, spiritually, even mentally by God. He helped me through the think and thin; through every and all my rough times. Spending time in His word gives me a how to step-by-step manual on how to live life. The 14 week class helped my understand the wrongs I’ve been living all my life and how to change the attitudes, my lifestyle and my thought process. Church benefits me spiritually and mentally. It helps me stay out of trouble and helps me learn more about God and to dwell more on His word and the truth. I want to thank ATC and everyone there for taking the time to help and guide me with my walk with God. The verse I stand on is Rev. 21:6, “He said to me, it is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Because of your support, we can continue to help lives just like Alex.
Jackson Caviness
Men of Excellence Graduate
07/23/17
My name is Jackson and I’m 23 years old. My life started pretty normal. I was brought up in church. We moved to Mississippi when I was 8. I felt like I needed to get saved not too long after we moved. I realize now that I didn’t fully understand what being saved meant. I had Jesus in my head, but not in my heart. Right after that, I lost my grandmother. She was the one I shared everything with and at the time all I knew was that she was gone and I felt like God had taken her from me. I started drinking when I was 15. By 17 I was also taking pills and smoking weed. At 21, I was introduced to methamphetamines. I was instantly hooked. Not even a month later, I was using needles. I lost my dream job and my friends. I was so miserable and just wanted to die. I was done with life and done with everything. I ended up in jail and my parents asked me if I was willing to go to Teen Challenge. At first I did not want to go, but at that moment, God spoke to me and said, “If you don’t go, you’re not going to make it much longer and you know where you’re going when you die.” At that point I finally realized that hell was far worse than the pain I felt on earth so I decided to go. Every day was not easy. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I asked God to help me through one day at a time. I give God all the praise, because only God has the power to change the human heart. I now help with the youth at church and sing in the choir. There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Because of your support, we can continue to help lives just like Jackson.
Adam Clark
Men of Excellence Graduate
My life before Jesus was chaotic, dysfunctional, and irresponsible all because of my bad choices and lack of care for myself and others around me. I wasn’t dependable and I wasn’t that great to be around. I got saved May 25th of last year. Pastor Houston Jared visited me in jail and asked if I was to die that day would I go to heaven or hell? I knew for a fact that day I would not be headed to heaven. He told me I needed a change for myself and my family and be right. I’m glad I decided to follow Jesus from that day on. I found how to love myself again and learn how to work on the real root issues of my problems. I had a very self destructive tendency. Thankfully I have rid my flesh from wanting to do such destruction. The speakers we have had, such as Fellow Rodriquez, have taught me how to trust God and take my thoughts captive. I’ve never been in church more in my life that I have now and I wouldn’t change it. I’m thankful for the all the people that support and pray for us. Without them we couldn’t do this. Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those crushed in spirit. That is exactly what the Lord has done for me.
Chad Neely
Men of Excellence Graduate
Before I came to Christ, I was living in sin and darkness searching for truths. I started reading the Bible, and God became so real to me. God answered my prayer and I haven’t been the same. I haven’t put the word of God down since then. My life has done a complete 180 degrees and while here in ATC, I am learning where my spiritual gifts come from and what they are and how to use them for God’s glory and to lift my brother up. I want to thank every one here at ATC for the help and the great Godly teachings. 2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are pressed on every side by trouble, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
Scottie Gardner
Men of Excellence Graduate
Before I was saved, my life was a turmoil. Some days were good, but most were bad. I thought that I had being a functional addict figured out, but what I come to realize was that without Jesus, I didn’t have anything figured out. About 8 years ago, I thought I was saved and I also got baptized. But I slid back into addiction. And that’s how I ended up here. I had an addiction that I couldn’t get rid of on my own. I needed help. The second day here, I really got saved and I have been happy ever since. After a month into being here, I was reading my bible and the verse in Deuteronomy stuck out to me. “Look, I am giving you the choice between a blessing or a curse.” I’ve seen and felt what that curse was like. So now it’s time for me to accept the blessings God has for me. Now that I am saved I am not depressed, lonely or scared anymore. I have Jesus Christ in my life. I’ve learned many things in this program like patience, kindness, and love each other no matter our faults. The devotions we do every day and night has helped me extremely. The lifeline services has more Holy Spirit in them than most churches. Thank you to all who pour into this ministry because without your help, all of us would possible be still addicts. The verse I stand on is John 8:32, “ You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” and John 8:36, “Who the Son sets free is free indeed.”
Justin Taylor
Men of Excellence Graduate
Before I fully gave my life to God I was constantly seeking happiness in what the world had to offer. I was a miserable person that was consumed by sin that took me completely to the bottom where I found myself broken and hopeless; unable to love and care for the people who meant the most to me. One of the most important things for me is that my wife never gave up on me. I believe it was her prayers that I am still here. She would always tell me God could help me, but I always felt like I was too bad for be forgiven. I Timothy 1:15 tells us otherwise. Christ came into the world to save sinners of which I was the worst. My life now, since I have fully surrendered everything is totally different. I now know that no matter what a person is going through that God is there to help. He sent His son to take all of my burdens away, so I can live a life that is free from bondage. I now can love my wife and my children the way I am supposed to. I am happy and full of a peace that is unexplainable. Teen Challenge helped me change my life. It made me the man I needed to be in my home and in the world. There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Josseph Thorson
Men of Excellence Graduate
My life was a whirling dervish of self-destruction. I would build it back up only to tear it down again. I knew “The Word” but it was not penetrating my heart. I understand that God had paid the price that gave me victory over addiction, however, I continued to walk in defeat. That is, until I cam to Adult & Teen Challenge. Jesus Christ used this program to save my life. I have been so blessed to have graduated this program and to continue to be a part of this ministry afterward. Micah 6:8 says, “And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before you God, “ I am completely humbled by my new life in Christ.
James Brockman
Men of Excellence Graduate
My life was full of sin. It was a constant lit to my family and friends. Narcotics had taken full control of my life. Not a decision was made without them. It became about being sick or not sick. I was pulled back into Christ’s will by realizing that there is nothing in this world I can do on my own. Philippians 4:13 says I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me. All my life, I had thought that the blessings and strength I had were at my own doing, but it was really Him all along. Now that I am back in Christ’s will, I see everything in anew light. I no longer walk in my own will, but in God’s perfect will. I have learned to pray and seek his guidance in all that I do. The foundation that my marriage is now built on is Christ. I have learned through our classes that no matter how much I love her on my own; it pales in comparison to how much I can love her through Christ. Micah 7:8 says, “The devil knocked my down in this life, but he didn’t knock me out for good. I brushed myself off and got back into the ring, but now I have Christ on my side.” There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Ben Sellers
Men of Excellence Graduate
I grew up in a great home with great parents who had me in church every time the doors were open. Through my teenage years I became rebellions and when I was injured playing baseball, I discovered pain pills which eventually led to a full blown heroin addiction. After going to rehabs and jail numerous times, I made the choice to come to Teen Challenge. At first I was there to just please my parents, but after coming to TC, I realized that this is where God intended me to be. I was baptized on July 4th and I made the commitment to follow Christ. I could feel His presence in me. After reading Matthew 6: 26 and how God even takes care of the birds in the air, I knew if I placed my trust in Him, He will take care of me. Now that I have been saved, I have a conscience contact with God on a daily basis. Not only is He restoring my family and friends, He is restoring my emotions. After years of drug abuse, I had forgotten what it meant to be able to feel anything physically or emotionally. I now know what true love is; Not only for one another, but how much God loved each one of us; He proved this in sending His only son to die for each one of us. Thank you mom and dad for never giving up and praying for me when everyone gave up. There is always hope. That hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Houston Jared
Men of Excellence Graduate
My entire adult life was a constant revolving door at jails, institutions, and sin. I was brought up in a great family, but satan came after me as hard as he could. After 2 prison sentences and multiple secular rehab facilities I found myself back in jail and looking at another 7 year prison sentence. That’s when I heard that small still voice whisper into my spirit, “Come to me,”. I began reading my Bible and over in Daniel 9 it said that Daniel through prayer, fasting and supplication asked go to forgive him and God granted that which Daniel requested. Now that I know that I know I am saved, God is doing great things for me and through me. Instead of going to prison again, I found mercy through Jesus and I was allowed to come to Teen Challenge. Through this ministry, God has showed me that all the studies, devotionals, the two difference phases we go through and church services, that He has a great plan for my life. I would like to say thank you for supporting this ministry and also I would like to say Thank to Teen Challenge for pouring into someone like myself who the world said would never amount to anything. I stand on 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone and behold the new has come.” There is always hope; that hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Noel Taylor
Men of Excellence Graduate
My life was a tempest of disaster. I always felt unfulfilled even when I had everything I wanted, I was always lonely in a room full of people; always set apart from the rest of society. I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, and usually never had a desire to. My life’s search for a sustainable fuel source was drawing to a bitter end. I went outside to contemplate suicide. As I sat down on a stump, beaten, rattled and oppressed, the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice became so undeniably real because of the existence of all the work of the enemy in my life. I saw God’s beautiful face in the presence of my enemy, because if he exists, so then does God, and from that moment, I gave my life to God. My life now is a life of fulfillment; one of restoration and fruit of the Spirit. I’m learning how to rely on God for everything with an earnest desire to be more like the one who is the truth. If it wasn’t for Adult & Teen Challenge to grow my strength, I don’t feel that I would be getting the harvest of the fruit of the Spirit that I am now. I would probably be yoked by the enemy once again. Psalms 91:1 “He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the almighty.” When I needed help, I dialed 911 to my God and he answered me.