No More Darkness - Teen Challenge Cincinnati
Transcription
No More Darkness - Teen Challenge Cincinnati
Discipleship Discipline Destiny R WWW.TeenChallengeCincinnati.org TEEN CHALLENGE C I N C I N N A T I The Faith-Based Solution for the Drug Epidemic No More Darkness by Matt General Summer 2014 My name is Matt General and I'm 23 years old and I'm very happy to write and declare that I am no longer a slave to this world, but I am now God's child. Saved, renewed and cleansed from the man I once was to seeking and gaining refuge under the wings of my precious and beloved God and Savior, Jesus Christ. My life was not always this Godfearing walk. I was captured by this world and its allies despite the amazing Godly family the Lord has blessed me with. I was blinded, shutdown, and controlled by my flesh and by the principles of this world. I sought my identity in the drugs and alcohol that I chose to engulf myself in. As I thought I was rising up in the world, all I was doing was digging a hole deeper and deeper into the lies of Satan. I had finally come to the point in my life where I hit rock bottom, I was a drug Matt & Brandi addict surrounded by walls of depression, anger, hate, rebellion, pain and darkness. I lived every moment of my life for myself, which only brought me lower. Darkness surrounded me and the chains of my life held me captive to my bondages. My family loved me and encouraged me and all I would do is lash out at them because of the rebellion and sin I had sown in my life. As my sin finally caved in on me and I hit rock bottom, I found myself walking from the doors of jail through the doors of Teen Challenge Cincinnati. A light began to break through my darkness, and that light was the light of love and acceptance of my beloved Savior, Jesus Christ who longed for my heart and for my life and who was waiting for me to run to His presence and receive Him. My running had finally come to an end. My rebellion had finally come to an end. My darkness had finally been turned into light, and for the first time in my life I knew who I was... a beloved and precious son of my God. Through God's amazing privilege and blessing in my life, I have had the opportunity to go back to school. I am a senior at Cincinnati Christian University and will graduate this December. I have also been blessed with an amazing woman in my life, Brandi Ishler, who I will be marrying this June 20th, 2014. She has helped teach me about what it means to live to serve the people of God and persevere through trials of all kinds with a healthy spirit and heart. I am honored and privileged to be able to spend the rest of my life with her. All of this has been God's plan and blessing for me. The Holy Spirit spoke the following verse to my heart before I graduated Teen Challenge in 2010 and it has been a life verse that I continue to hold onto as one of His many promises for my life and now our life. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” I truthfully give glory to God and all the praise and credit and attention goes to Him for his great love and mercy and provision in my life. Betty Lindner (1924-2013) was a Board Member, faithful friend and Executive Director George Martin Board Officers David Holwadel, President Patricia General, Vice President Charlotte Lumley, Secretary Rick Santa, Treasurer Board Members Randy Wilhelm Rev. Brad Rosenberg William Deavers Jesse Lipcius supporter of Teen Challenge Cincinnati for nearly 30 years. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to her husband, Robert, and her family. Our gratitude reaches far beyond the outpouring of financial blessings, as her contibutions were far greater; she gave her wisdom, time, love and commitment through years of service. We are grateful and honored to have known her, and her presence is truly missed. Administrative Building Renovation In the previous two newsletters we wrote about the new roof and kitchen remodel the students worked so hard on. We are now finishing work on the cafeteria and a staff apartment. Thank you Mike Caramico with Aspen Home Remodeling for your time. Life Members Dr. Lee Davidson Rev. James C. Gray Rev. Clyde C. Miller Dr. Hugh H. Rosenburg Pierre Paroz Honorary Members Robert D. Lindner Founder Kenneth L. Bagwell, Jr. Down on the Farm Staff Spotlight Welcome to Ryan Peterson who joined our staff in March. Ryan comes to us from Fort Myers, Florida and is serving as a Student Supervisor. He brings with him many years of missionary experience having served in Kenya, Africa for 3 years teaching at a Bible school. He is also a 3rd generation staff member as both his grandparents and uncle (Bob and Joyce Leopold and David Leopold) were on staff in the 1970's down on Vine Street in Cincinnati! Who Are We? e We have th vin benefit of ha er v ri beautiful the property baptisms. y of Farm we have a colon With our Raspberry s instructs the student bees. Paul Kingsley nce on care and maintena Located on 165 acres of beautiful countryside in Milford, Teen Challenge Cincinnati is a mission of hope, offering a 7 -12 month residential treatment program for men ages 18-35 dealing with the issues of drug and alcohol addictions. e ng a r on for . TCC Golf Classic 2014 m orce Museu F ir A n o rs e Wright Patt Thank you Co-Chairs Jeff Rowe of Hydro Systems and Pierre Paroz of American Micro Products Wild at Hear ptisms River Ba t rtunity to had the oppo The students ce and Patterson Spa t h g ri W e th r ms tou teer Steve Sim n lu o V . m u se Air Mu owledge lending his kn was on hand rience. VietNam expe d n a h st fir d n a The m adven en experien ture a nd rela ced some s erious tional Low bo Thank er Gulley R nding on th e ive you Alp ine Min r. istries ! The Good Report! “We love you all. J is doing great. Our family is going to contribute monthly to Teen Challenge. Our family can never repay what Teen Challenge has done for J. We give God the credit but your staff is the best. I will be sending thank you cards but please let everyone know that our family is grateful to each and every staff member." - Jolinda Brian Lowe (1988) is now living in Wadsworth, Illinois with his wife of 10 years, 2 stepchildren and 2 grandchildren! His wife is an executive with Macy's and Brian is General Manager for Chicago's Men's Wearhouse. He is active in his church and also is a spokesperson for AA at their conferences. He's been drug free since September 19, 1988 and praises God for the hope he found at Teen Challenge. He never could have dreamed the adventure God had planned for his future. Mark Bankemper (1980) Has been alcohol, drug and cigarette free since he left our program! He is married and now lives in Shillington, PA where he is a housing inspector. Tom McMahan ( 2004) is married with 3 children and attends Vineyard Community Church in Springdale. He is employed by Peck, Hannaford & Briggs as a Sheet Metal Foreman. He is forever grateful for the way the Lord changed his life and continues to direct and bless him and his family! Mission Statement Evangelize people who have life controlling problems and initiate the discipleship process to the point where the student can function as a Christian in society applying spiritually motivated biblical principles to relationships in the family, local church, chosen vocation and the community. Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and spiritually alive. Discipleship Discipline Destiny TEEN CHALLENGE C I N C I N N A T I The Faith-Based Solution for the Drug Epidemic R WWW.TeenChallengeCincinnati.org NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 119 Milford, Ohio United Way Agency P.O. Box 249, Milford, Ohio 45150-0249 (513) 248-0452 (513) 248-0457 FAX ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Please remove my name from your mailing list. Mail your mailing label to us. A postage-paid envelope is provided inside for your convenience. Our season runs from July to September, (When they're ripe, 'til they're gone...) Fresh Pick & Berry U-Pick Saturdays Farm 8:00 am - noon TCC TCC BERRY FARM Did you know that Teen Challenge Cincinnati has a Raspberry Farm? In the rich soil of the bottom land across from the Ranch grows 9,000 feet of Red Raspberries. Students, staff and volunteers tend the berries using organic methods in preparation for harvest time. For the most current info: Facebook us at TCCBerryFarm. or call 248-0452 x103. Finan cial N eeds: ~$2,2 00 the Ra for carpetin nch ca g feteria for . ~Plea se financ consider ia studen lly sponsorin tt g Call 5 , in whole o a 13-24 8-045 r in part. more 2 x105 info for We can always use vehicles in good working condition so the graduates or staff have transportation for work. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Paypal accepted for donations by phone or online www.TeenChallengeCincinnati.org Monitor current events, listen to chapel speakers, testimonies and direct others to it who are in need, email, and donate easily and securely online! [email protected]