“I’m Saved By What Jesus Did” – Rick’s Story
Some people may talk about how their first sip of alcohol tasted terrible, but not Rick.
He had just turned 14 and was at a party and was taken to the parking lot to drink some beer. As he tells it, “They gave me two big cans of Coors and I downed them. And when I did, the only way I can describe it is feeling something click inside of me like, ‘This is what I need.’” Suddenly, he wasn’t shy. He was the life of the party. He was even dancing. Drinking immediately became his vice of choice.
That began the downward spiral. At 17 he got into three car accidents — before he had even gotten his driver’s license. A judge gave Rick a choice: join the California Youth Authority or enlist in the Navy. He chose the Navy.
That was when he ran into Don, a pastor Rick had known from the time he was a kid, “When he sees me, he says, ‘Rick Bloom, what are you doing?’ I looked at him and I knew who he was right away. He took me over to the Teen Challenge Chapel and had a talk with me.”
Rick was about to leave active duty and wasn’t sure what his next move would be. Don told him, “You’re going straight from the ship to the Teen Challenge Center on Hobart Street in Los Angeles. We’ll have a bed for you there.” So that’s exactly what Rick did back in 1965.
Rick felt the power of God’s deliverance and never looked back.
The story of God’s faithfulness is one we continue to see through the generations — through his work at Teen Challenge and around the world. He will continue to deliver, restore, and redeem the lives of his children.
Would you consider donating to our ministry and being a part of the story God is weaving throughout history? You can set up a one-time or recurring gift today.
Some people may talk about how their first sip of alcohol tasted terrible, but not Rick.
He had just turned 14 and was at a party and was taken to the parking lot to drink some beer. As he tells it, “They gave me two big cans of Coors and I downed them. And when I did, the only way I can describe it is feeling something click inside of me like, ‘This is what I need.’” Suddenly, he wasn’t shy. He was the life of the party. He was even dancing. Drinking immediately became his vice of choice.
That began the downward spiral. At 17 he got into three car accidents — before he had even gotten his driver’s license. A judge gave Rick a choice: join the California Youth Authority or enlist in the Navy. He chose the Navy.
That was when he ran into Don, a pastor Rick had known from the time he was a kid, “When he sees me, he says, ‘Rick Bloom, what are you doing?’ I looked at him and I knew who he was right away. He took me over to the Teen Challenge Chapel and had a talk with me.”
Rick was about to leave active duty and wasn’t sure what his next move would be. Don told him, “You’re going straight from the ship to the Teen Challenge Center on Hobart Street in Los Angeles. We’ll have a bed for you there.” So that’s exactly what Rick did back in 1965.
Rick felt the power of God’s deliverance and never looked back.
The story of God’s faithfulness is one we continue to see through the generations — through his work at Teen Challenge and around the world. He will continue to deliver, restore, and redeem the lives of his children.
Would you consider donating to our ministry and being a part of the story God is weaving throughout history? You can set up a one-time or recurring gift today.