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?
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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.
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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
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more
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info
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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@TeenChallengeCincinnati.org