Name: Justin Batterton

Age: 30

Hometown: Ruston, Louisiana

TC Center: Shreveport, LA TC ( 5 yrs)

I graduated in October of 2008 from Mt Grace Teen Challenge. 

I started using drugs at the age of 12, and it was a long, hard road. After 12 years of addiction and two felonies, I knew something had to change. I tried to do it on my own and was never successful. Later, my family told me about Teen Challenge. I came into the program in 2007 lost and hopeless. After a year in Teen Challenge I now not only have hope, but have new life as well.

After completing Teen Challenge, God put it on my heart to stay on as staff. Because of the grace of God, I am now Dean of Students and Teacher at Shreveport Teen Challenge. I am also one of the youth pastors at my church.

I believe God has called to full time ministry. And for me to stay with Teen Challenge and to also continue to be youth pastor at my home church and be involved in other areas there.

The ELP has helped me in a lot of ways with my Leadership. It has helped me to be a better leader. Not only is it pushing me to be a better leader but also pushes me in my relationship with God. It has helped me to be a better teacher, to be an assistant director to Shreveport Teen Challenge. It has also helped me become a youth pastor by training me in areas of leadership and Ministry.