Students and Graduates

I went through Southern California (Bakersfield, Ventura, and then worked at the Thrift Store in Lynwood) in 2001. Ive been clean since then when I had to do an extra month for running away and I was lucky they let me back!! I'm now getting married and have 7 kids between my fiance' and I! Thanks so much!!!!! (Crystal H., graduate)

I was in TC and it was the best time of my life. Don't get me wrong it was hard work but man I'll never have an experience like that again. I took with me so many good memories and friends. Thanks TC! (Kristen G., graduate)

In August of 2009 Teen Challenge hosted a free weekly concert series dubbed "Concerts on the Castle Green" at the castle, our So Cal HQ in Riverside. We invited local talent including a Swing-style Big Band, Jazz Band and a local Worship leader to play each week on the large meadow behind the Benedict Castle. One of the highlights was the evening that Bryan Duncan, a multiple Dove Award winner, Grammy nominee, and long-time friend of Teen Challenge, gave a concert with his new band, The Sugar Caddies.

Fast forward 6 months to February 2010 when a new group of students were transferred to the castle from our induction centers around Southern California. One of the students, Chris L., approached me (Walter Kelley, TCSC Special Projects Coordinator at the castle) and recognized me as the person who introduced Bryan Duncan at the concert.

Chris then told me his mother is a big Bryan Duncan fan and she had “dragged him along” to the concert. Chris at the time was struggling in his addiction and was about to get kicked out of the local sober living house he was staying. During the concert he heard the testimonies of students who had found a new life in Jesus Christ and freedom from their addictions through the ministry of Teen Challenge and he felt God tugging on his heart. One of the students who testified said he had sacrificed a career in military service for his addiction and how God had restored his hope through a new life in Christ. This really resonated with Chris because he had been discharged from the Navy due to his drug addiction.

That evening, Chris asked us how to get in the program and in October 2009 entered our induction center in San Diego. Last night at church I watched Chris get baptized in water, and sat there planning in my mind for this year's "Concert on the Castle Green". (Told by Walter K., TC staff).