What is ELP
Purpose Statement:
“To identify, equip and train emerging leaders who aspire to greater levels of responsibility within Teen Challenge.”

The Objective of the ELP:
“To provide an instructional program for enhancing the quality and longevity of leadership within Teen Challenge.”

Core Values of the ELP:
  • Servant Leadership
  • Responsibility
  • Life-Long Learning
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    What is ELP?

    The Emerging Leaders Program was envisioned in 2005 by Dr. Jerry Nance, now President of Global Teen Challenge, in response to his prayer for the leaders needed to reach the growing addicted population - leaders who would be carriers of the Teen Challenge DNA and aligned with our God-given mission. The ELP is a servant leadership development program intended to raise up leaders within Teen Challenge relative to our heritage, mission, DNA and guiding principles.

    The ELP contains three levels:
    Level I – A 1-year program for all staff and eligible students focused on personal leadership.
    Level II – A 1-year program for staff with some experience focused on one-to-one leadership.
    Level III – A 2-year program for those with a call to key leadership within Teen Challenge, focused on team leadership.

    All 3 levels utilize outstanding Biblically-based leadership books and resources. However, the key to the success of the ELP is the commitment of the Teen Challenge director to raise up servant leaders and provide mentoring and coaching relative to the Teen Challenge context. The director’s selection of an “ELP Representative” on their campus is critical to starting out the leadership journey of Level I participants with quality mentoring.
    Don Wilkerson on GenNextGenNext from Don Wilkerson Click for FULL length video

    In 2008, at Teen Challenge’s 50th anniversary in New York City, Don Wilkerson asked the question: who will lead the next generation of Teen Challenge? He called out 3 Teen Challenge generations – the “Pioneer” generation, the “Bridge” generation, and “Gen Next” – and exhorted the bridge generation to make sure that the things learned by the pioneer generation were passed on to Gen Next. It is the prayer of the Emerging Leaders Program to be a “bridge tool” in equipping those who are called to be the next generation of Teen Challenge leaders.

    Within this website you will find more detailed information on each of the 3 levels of the ELP, step by step instructions for implementation, an on-line orientation, access to all the documents and resources, tools and gear on the ELP Store, current news, articles and testimonials.

    We hope you will take advantage of this strategic program, contact us at the information below if you need further assistance. God has brought about many miracles through Teen Challenge in the last 50 years, but what will He do in our day? With leaders of passion and calling, committed to preserving the DNA of Teen Challenge, we believe the best is yet ahead!

    Feel free to call the ELP HQ's in Columbus, GA -   (706) 596-8731 elp@teenchallenge.cc


    The ELP Creed

    Earnestly will I preserve and pass on the rich heritage and DNA of Teen Challenge. Believing that Teen Challenge was inspired and established by the Holy Spirit – with the unique purpose of taking the love of Jesus to the addicted world and discipling all those who choose to follow Christ – I will commit to unswervingly uphold the ‘Jesus Factor’ as the factor in life-transformation.

    Leading with the heart of a servant I will cultivate a culture and pass on a legacy of Servant Leadership. Recognizing that my role is to build people up and equip a team to effectively carry out our mission, I will trust the Holy Spirit to help me in following Jesus as the best leadership role model of all time.

    P ossessing the high calling of representing our Lord Jesus Christ in His Kingdom work, I pledge to be a responsible leader and a life-long learner and student of my calling.
    The objective of the Emerging Leaders Program is to provide an instructional program for enhancing the quality and longevity of leadership within Teen Challenge. The ELP is a tool to assist in raising up the next generation of Teen Challenge leaders relative to our heritage, mission, DNA and guiding principles.