by Greg Mundis

—Radically Changed Lives--

I’m not sure who in our reading audience is familiar with the ministry of Teen Challenge. It started nearly 50 years ago in New York City by an Assemblies of God preacher, David Wilkerson, who lived in rural Pennsylvania. He saw an article in the local paper about some teen gang members in New York who were on trial for murder. The Spirit of God touched David, and his heart was broken for them. He ventured out alone to New York City and discovered how the inner city had been affected by drugs, gangs, illicit sex, and violence. It was his dream and desire to bring individuals out of their desperate state and to offer hope. Of course, this is not just a program—it’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ. David documents this story in his book, “The Cross and the Switchblade.”

For nearly 49 years Teen Challenge has functioned in the United States, as well as around the world. We are privileged to have Teen Challenge centers in many countries across Europe. In fact, some of the most progressive and outstanding centers in the world are in Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Poland. What has proven to be culturally relevant in the inner cities of the United States has also proven relevant (with some language and cultural adaptations) in cities across Europe and around the world.

One of those centers is outside Belgrade, Serbia, in a city called Novi Sad. In this difficult environment, with very difficult circumstances, a Teen Challenge was started there several years ago. Serbia had become a war-torn country with many refugees and a broken economy. It was also a point on the drug route for hard drugs coming from the Middle East to the West.

The Teen Challenge center offered hope through a relationship with Jesus Christ to the broken, hurting, and substance abusers in this Serbian city. Since then God has done a phenomenal work, and two centers have opened. Parents of some drug users saw such a radical and positive change in their young people that they came to the center’s director saying, “The whole city needs this; we need this.” A church was started that now has several hundred people attending. The church offers this community the hope of Jesus Christ, and the director has even been on national television.

However, the religious situation for Serbian Evangelicals, particularly those of Pentecostal persuasion, is difficult. In the last few months churches have been burned, and persecution has occurred; however, God is doing an amazing work there.

Once again we see that the message of the gospel brings hope, not just to one strata of society, but to every stratum of society and to the parts of society where man says, “There is no hope.” The gospel has the power to get them out of their decrepit condition. Teen Challenge offers one of the highest (if not the highest) success rates in transformation of lives, not only in America but across the world. We thank God for Teen Challenge.

May the Lord richly bless you in this New Year. Thank you for praying for Europe.

Sincerely,

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

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