Name: John Arnold

Age: 26

Hometown: Manitou, KY

Teen Challenge Center: I graduated from Shenandoah Valley Teen Challenge in 2015. I’m 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 I 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 TC 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 I 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!

What do you enjoy most about your role?: I enjoy being able to first hand 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.

Name: Zac Mullins

Age: 31 years old

Hometown: Lexington, KY

TC Center: Pensacola TC 2016

Testimony: For the past ten years I was lost trying to find my place in the world. I was using copious amounts of drugs and using everyone around me to fulfill my selfish desires. I was asked to participate in Pensacola TC and reluctantly decided I would go to try and change my life. I found God in those first few weeks and He has forever changed my life.

What is the vision and calling God has given you? To help others that struggle with the same life controlling issues that I have struggled with in my life.

How has the ELP Program impacted you? The program has shown me how to stretch and push myself beyond my mental and spiritual limits that I thought existed. It has constantly caused me to look at and reassess how I present myself and engage with other people.

By: Bryan Sampson

Take a moment and think back to your childhood and recall that teacher or coach who made a big impact in your life. Does a specific person come to mind? For me it was Mr. Stowe, my eighth-grade basketball coach. I won’t ever forget Mr. Stowe because he made such a profound impact on my life. What made Mr. Stowe so impactful on my life? It wasn’t that he had the greatest techniques and skills, it wasn’t even that he was an excellent coach, no, what made him the greatest coach of my life was that I knew I needed him to teach me so I could improve to be a better basketball player. I knew he cared, I respected him, and I needed him, so I absorbed everything he offered. The coaches’ impact can only have an effect if we are aware of our need for them. Sadly, most of us don’t believe we are in need of anyone to coach us in things outside of sports. Stanley (2003) makes a great observation when he states “In the world of leadership we have a tendency to operate under the misguided assumption that because we are leaders, we don’t need to be led. Once we are recognized for our ability to “perform,” we think we don’t need outside input in order to enhance our performance” (p.105).

To be the best next generation leaders we can be, it is essential to enlist the help of others to evaluate us and help us see how we can improve in our leadership skills (Stanley, 2003, p.106). This must become a priority if we are ever going to meet our full potential. To think that we can just coast through life only comparing ourselves against other people would be an erroneous assumption which would have detrimental affects to our growth and development (sanctification). We have a tendency to measure ourselves against the people around us and not asking the critical question of “how am I measuring up to my potential?” How can we become all God created us to be if we aren’t aware of our own potential? This is where a coach comes in. A coach will take us to the next echelon in our leadership development, as they will help us measure ourselves against our strengths instead of against someone else’s. A coach will know what we are capable of and will push us to our limit. The only question is do we want it? Do we want the feedback and critical insights that can help us reach our full potential?

So take a moment and honestly examine yourself today. Do you feel the need for a coach in your life? Why or why not? What may be preventing you from seeking the feedback from a respected colleague or leader?

The great news is that you can start today, just simply ask another respected leader or colleague for honest feedback on how you have been performing, teaching, mentoring, holding meetings, etc… I pray we all can walk with the humility needed to receive the feedback and insights that can radically shape us into the next generation leaders God is calling us to be for His glory and purpose. 

References

Stanley, A. (2003). The next generation leader: Five essential for those who will shape the future. New York: Multnomah.

Article By: Bryan Sampson

Take a moment and imagine yourself being an Israelite. You just wandered the desert for 40 years. Your feet hurt, your lips are dry, and you long for the land of milk and honey you have heard so much about. Then you get word; it is time. It is time that for you, as a people to possess the promise land. Everything inside of you jumps with joy, as energy pulsates through your body, your heart starts pounding, your feet stop hurting and you run to your leader Moses and ask what are we going to do!? He explains to you that you are now the leader of the people as he goes off to die. Charged with the order to bring your people into the precious promise land you begin to wonder how you even begin this journey. What do you do? How do you begin? The LORD has commanded you to be strong and courageous, but what about all of the uncertainty?

These are questions we can find in our day-to-day lives frequently. How do we start…? What about…? If this happens then… It can go on and on. Uncertainty has the ability to paralyze a person. It can also shatter progress and growth, preventing essential changes from taking place. As a next generation leader, we cannot allow this to happen. In these times of uncertainty clarity is paramount. Stanley states, “If you are unable or unwilling to be clear when things are not certain, you are not ready to assume further leadership responsibilities” (Stanley, 2003, p.91).

So, how did Joshua respond with the uncertainties they faced? Joshua was clear “prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to begin to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.” (Josh 1:10-11).

            People – “But what about the river? How are we going to cross it?”

            Joshua – “I’m not sure, be ready to leave in three days.”

            People – “What are we going to do when we get across?”

            Joshua – “I’ll tell you when we get there, just be ready in three days to move out”

Today I challenge you to be crystal clear with the vision and purpose God has for your role and ministry with those you are leading. Communicate in a way that shows confidence. Don’t allow uncertainty to prevent you from being clear and taking a chance. Allow it to be the opportunity for greater levels of trust and commitment to form. Remember what Stanley (2003) says, “People will follow you if you’re wrong. They will not follow you if you’re unclear” (p.89).

Let us pray for the courage needed to communicate as precise and clear as possible, so those who follow will not be lead astray and we will achieve the purpose God has set out for us to possess.

Name: Storm Williams

Age: 21

Hometown: Morristown, TN

Teen Challenge Center: Dublin Men in 2016

Brief Testimony: I was a very lost and hurting young man before I met Jesus I had no hope whatsoever. To cope with the pain and emptiness on the inside I would use whatever drugs I could get my hands on, and whenever I could get my hands on them. This destructive life style had me in and out of mental intuitions and group homes as an adolescent and when I became an adult I was immediately homeless. I was planning to take my life one morning but instead that very day I found my life forevermore.  I gave my life to Jesus and he made away for me to come to Teen Challenge were he radically changed my life and filled every void I had and even more filled me with life.

What do you enjoy most about your role? I love that I get to live out the great commission every day and make disciples who will eventually make disciples themselves. I think the most special part of this role is to be able to identify gifts and talents in the emerging leaders and to call those out of them and spur them in the direction to operate in those giftings.

Why do you feel that leadership and training are valuable? I believe it is a vital key in the gospel of Jesus Christ advancing to the nations. I believe God is sending men and women through our programs who will change the world and this will not happen if we don’t do our part in equipping them with the tools they need.