Monthly Archives: April 2017

CONTAGIOUS ATTITUDE

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We could all probably muster up images of any number of movies where people are in bio-hazard suits to protect them from something contagious. We also probably can all think of someone we’ve been around where we wished we had better protection from the negative energy that had an effect on us. Or maybe it’s been ourselves that displayed a poor attitude to others. Either way, a leader’s attitude has a substantial impact on everyone around them.

Peter Stark stated, “One of the greatest gifts a leader can bring to a team is self-awareness and an understanding of their attitude and the impact it plays on relationships, the performance of their team, and everyone around them.” In the Southeast Region, we believe that having a Contagious Attitude means being people of optimism and belief—positive through every situation and full of confidence that we will succeed. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.”

As we look at our mission to Put Hope Within Reach, the only way we will accomplish this is by attacking every obstacle with optimism and belief. If you really think about it, it’s impossible to have belief and not optimism, or to have optimism and not belief. They go hand in hand. What would it look like on our campuses if every obstacle were approached with the attitude of, “We can do this!” instead of “There’s no way this is possible!” What would it look like on our campuses if complaining was obsolete? What would it look like if camaraderie and teamwork created a momentum that nothing could stop? Our president Dr. Nance has stated, “Momentum allows you to make a few mistakes, because your momentum allows you to only observe the mistake for a short time and then it’s behind you. Without momentum you get to see your mistake for a long time and it takes too much of your time and attention. Momentum is the greatest friend a leader has.”

I believe that we can have such a positive culture in Teen Challenge, that it would be impossible for anyone to come in contact with us and not know they experienced something different. Let’s let our positive attitudes impact everyone around us!

Article written by: Dan Williams

Training Facilitator Highlight – May 2017

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Name: John Arnold

Age: 26

Hometown: Manitou, KY

Teen Challenge Center: Graduated from Shenandoah Valley Teen Challenge in 2015. Currently on staff at Teen Challenge Men’s Center, Dixon, KY.

Testimony: I had a great upbringing as a child in a supportive loving home but early in my teenage years chose to consume myself with the things of this world. I entered Teen Challenge in September of 2014 broken, depressed, desperate and addicted. During my 12 months at Teen Challenge, I encountered God and He revealed Himself to me like never before. It is 100% His credit for the changes He has helped me make in my life and continue to make daily. I am extremely grateful that He restored me and am excited for the future He has for me.

Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

What do you enjoy most about your role? I enjoy being able to firsthand witness God impacting others’ lives the same way He impacted mine. It’s humbling to be in a position to help lead others to new levels of leadership and discipleship.

What do you feel that leadership and training are valuable? Leadership training is essential for the Kingdom to expand! We all have to teach and learn from one another to more effectively carry out our purpose for Him.

ELP Highlight – May 2017

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Name: Brian Armstrong

Age: 40

Hometown: Central City, Kentucky

Center: Dixon, Kentucky Teen Challenge

Testimony: I was raised in a well-to-do God fearing family who instilled great morals and values. I gave my life to the Lord when I was 13 years old and was made to go to church until I was 16 years old. I began to live a life of rebellion around the age of 18 which included smoking pot and drinking. Soon after I became addicted to opiates, which caused my life to spiral out of control. I continued to battle addiction for the next 20 years, making countless attempts at sobriety in countless treatment centers. All failed until God brought me to Teen Challenge.

What is the vision and calling that God has given you? After my encounter with God I was given a whole new outlook on life and a new vision for my future. Being delivered from my addiction, through the power of Jesus Christ has made an eternal impact on my life. I now know it is my duty to lead others to have the same experience and receive the same saving grace.

How has the ELP Program impacted you? My main goal in ELP is to acquire the wisdom and skills needed to develop the ability to lead like Jesus. I would like to learn how to teach and commune with other disciples of Christ ultimately leading others to our common goal; beings freed from the chains of addiction and other life controlling problems through the power of Jesus Christ.

CULTURE – Fight For It!

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We have been experiencing change as an organization. As a leadership team we have been looking down the road and planning for the future, but before any of that could happen we knew that we had to adjust our culture as a region. It is time to align!

We have identified that we will have these values as an organization:

-Courageous Leadership

-Contagious Attitude

-Continuous Improvement

In the book, You Win in the Locker Room First, author Mike Smith makes it clear that culture is important and worth fighting for. He writes about coming into the Falcons Organization, ready to focus in on the culture from top to bottom. He spent time with every group of employee’s from the players, owner and senior staff all the way to the food service people and custodians. He said, “I’ve always believed that culture is defined and created from the top down, but it comes to life from the bottom up.”

I have always been a big believer that we all own the responsibility for the culture around us. I have charged many students and staff through the years to be “culture changers” or “to bring a good culture with them” wherever they go. Basically, we all own the responsibility of our culture at every level of leadership.

In a recent meeting, Brice Maddock, explained that our culture is defined by what we create, but also what we allow. I believe this is a charge to fight for our organizational culture. He went on to say, “We must commit ourselves to build a great culture – we must build it, live it, value it, reinforce it, and fight for it.”

We get to be a part of an amazing move of God that is literally saving lives and restoring them. What we do on a daily basis has an eternal value. Own the culture around you, do your part to live out the 3 C’s and we will see God do amazing things through us all!

Article Written by: Dustin Nance

Source – You Win in the Locker Room First, by Jon Gordon and Mike Smith – Chapter 1

Training Facilitator Highlight

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Name:  Samantha White     

Age:  27

Hometown: Bristol, CT

Teen Challenge Center:  Jacksonville Teen Challenge Women’s Center

Brief Testimony: I’ve been walking with the Lord since I was a young girl, and I don’t regret it for a moment. He’s currently showing me that He is after each and every crevice of my heart, no matter how small, He wants it all. I’ve been with this ministry for close to 5 years now and I love being able to represent His love and grace in the lives of others, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do so.

What do you enjoy most about your role?  Seeing the ladies challenged to grow and seeing them walk out what God has illuminated to them.

Why do you feel that leadership and training are valuable?  Without training, without growth, we would stay in a stagnant place and that’s not what God is calling us to. Leadership, true biblical leadership, leaves a lasting positive impact on others and that’s what I want my ELP students to walk away with.

 

ELP Highlight

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Name: DeLaney Nichole King

Age: 22

Hometown: Bonifay, FL

Teen Challenge Center: Jacksonville Women’s Center

Testimony: I was delivered from drug addiction, suicidal tendencies, and gang involvement. God has completely restored me and my family and He is showing me who I am in Him and where I belong.

What is the vision and calling God has given you? My calling is to lead others to Jesus and start a music program in Teen Challenge. Hopefully I will be able to go overseas to help children one day.

How has the ELP program impacted you?  I haven’t been in ELP long, but it has really showed me how to serve rather than be served. As well as, to find joy in serving.