New Life Community Video Library

Some of you may remember Pastor Walter’s story from years ago. But just as God continues His transformative work in our lives, Walter’s testimony has deepened and grown more powerful with time. Walter’s journey began at age 14, when a party, some beer, and cocaine started him down a path that would eventually lead to heroin addiction. Despite being raised in a Christian home, Walter found himself spiraling into a darkness that threatened to destroy everything he held dear. While at Teen Challenge, Walter experienced a life-changing moment during a Spiritual Emphasis week when David Wilkerson spoke. He recalls, “David spoke on the Zadok and Abiathar priesthood ... At the end of the message, he gave an altar call for those who wanted to be Zadok priests to come forward. I ran to the altar, got on my knees, and cried out to God, ‘Lord, I want to be a Zadok priest.’ That was a life-changing moment. I felt at that point I was fully surrendered to the Lord.” Walter had planned to return to his career as a produce salesman after graduation. But God had different plans. Eleven months into the program, Walter felt called to do an internship at San Diego Teen Challenge. This was the beginning of Walter’s journey into full-time ministry. After several divine appointments and circumstances, Walter opened New Creations men’s facility in Imperial Valley on April 15, 1994. Two years later, they launched a women’s facility. They followed Teen Challenge’s curriculum, and years later, hundreds and hundreds of men and women have discovered who God created them to be. In 1997, while driving down Orange Avenue in El Centro, Walter noticed the abandoned Catholic church where he was raised. The last time he was in the building was for his little brother’s funeral after a car accident. That tragedy was part of what sent Walter down the dark path of addiction. As he pulled into the parking lot, he found a syringe by his foot. God spoke to his heart at that moment: There would be a church here. Christ Community Church was born through remarkable provision, beginning with 401 people at the first service without any advertising. The church continued to grow, eventually requiring multiple services and locations. Today, they’ve planted several campuses throughout Imperial Valley, including three Spanish-speaking churches. What began as one man’s journey to recovery has blossomed into a multi-faceted ministry reaching thousands. But God wasn’t finished writing Walter’s story. In August 2024, Walter received devastating news: He had cancer. “When I was suffering, I drew closer to the Lord than I’d ever drawn in my life. My heart was being transformed, and I felt like the Holy Spirit was doing more work in my life than at any other time.” The experience brought Walter to a point of reflection, causing him to reprioritize his life and appreciate even the smallest blessings. “Every blessing from the Lord meant so much to me, even the little things. Things that you don’t notice or you take for granted became big things in my life.” Today, Walter’s prognosis is good, and his testimony has only grown more powerful. His life exemplifies the complete restoration that only Christ can bring. Your gift today can be the turning point in someone’s life. Every dollar you give helps rescue men and women trapped in addiction, offering them real hope and a path to lasting transformation. Will you join us in this life-changing mission? Give today—because the decision you make right now could mean freedom for someone tomorrow. Give today at teenchallenge.org/Walter.

Growing up in Oildale, California, Kelly’s childhood was marked by trauma and rejection. Taken advantage of by a neighbor as a young child and abandoned by her father at age four, Kelly turned to drugs to numb her pain. By age 11, she had already experienced her first high. What followed were years of struggle, bouncing between periods of sobriety and deep addiction, “By the time I was in junior high school, I already had all this brokenness inside of me … My dad left when I was only four years old, and that was my first form of rejection in life,” Kelly remembers. Kelly’s last year of addiction was her darkest. “I ended up in some of the most demonic places,” she remembers. But even in those moments, she clung to her Bible, sensing it was her lifeline. “I always had a Bible. I don’t know why, but I knew it was my source, so I would just hold onto it in a room, literally in a corner. I thought I was going to die.” It was her mother who finally came to her rescue, taking Kelly to a doctor and then home to recover. Within days, Kelly found herself walking through the doors of Kern County Teen Challenge. “I was so scared,” she admits. Kelly’s journey at Teen Challenge wasn’t easy, but God began to do a work in her life through the program. “God began to speak to my heart and reveal things I had buried,” she shares. The program provided her with the time and resources she needed to heal, grow, and develop a deep relationship with God. Today, Kelly’s life has come full circle in ways she never imagined. After being a part of Teen Challenge for nearly eight years, she felt called to return to her roots. She went back to school, became a certified drug and alcohol counselor, and now works as a substance abuse specialist for the Kern High School District. “I literally have my dream job,” she beams. “I’m North High School’s Drug and Alcohol Counselor. God brought everything full circle. I never thought in a million years that I’d be back in Oildale, but here I am at North High, just up the street from where I grew up.” In her current role, Kelly uses her past experiences to connect with and help troubled teens. “I get to pour into teenage kids’ lives and teach them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, what it can do to not only your body but your life, and where it can lead you,” she explains. Her story helps build connection with them, breaking down barriers and opening doors for healing and prevention. Your gift to Teen Challenge can help provide the resources and support needed for individuals to break free from addiction and find new purpose in life. Consider making a one-time gift or setting up a recurring donation today. Your contribution could be the lifeline someone needs to start their journey of transformation. Donate today at teenchallenge.org/Kelly.

By age 14, Jordan was numbing his pain with cocaine and meth, leading to a 14-year battle with addiction and 11 years in and out of jail. In June 2019, he hit rock bottom—homeless, broken, and desperate for change—but every recovery program had a 30-day wait. Just when hope was slipping away, one final call led him to Teen Challenge, where he was welcomed immediately. At Central Valley Teen Challenge, Jordan encountered God in a way that changed everything, bringing him true peace, love, and a life transformed. Today, he shares his powerful story as a testimony that no one is beyond God’s reach. 🔥 Need hope? Struggling with addiction? Call our 24/7 Helpline: (888) 520-0620 💙 Help transform lives like Jordan’s. Give today: teenchallenge.org/Jordan 📲 Stay Connected 🔹 Instagram | Facebook: @socalteenchallenge 🔹 X (Twitter): @scteenchallenge 🔹 Website: www.teenchallenge.org #TeenChallenge #FreedomFromAddiction #JesusSaves #Recovery #Hope #Testimony #NewLife #Healing