He'd Heard of Teen Challenge Since His Twenties | Chris's Story
Chris is 42 and from Philadelphia, raised by two hardworking, loving parents who took him to church regularly and enrolled him in Catholic school. That upbringing gave him an early knowledge of God.
As a teenager, Chris was introduced to alcohol, drugs, and the lifestyle that came with them. He stopped attending church regularly, showing up only on Christmas and Easter, and even attended a retreat once that helped him in the moment, though he admits he never fully applied what he learned there.
Not His First Program
Eventually, Chris needed real help and entered his first rehab program. Western Michigan Adult & Teen Challenge (WMATC) wasn't his first attempt at recovery. He'd actually known of Teen Challenge since his early twenties, familiar with stories like David Wilkerson and Nicky Cruz and The Cross and the Switchblade, a history that had stuck with him for years before he ever walked through the doors himself.
Trees, Lake Michigan, and God in the Details
Coming from a big city, Chris found real value in simply being in a different state, away from the noise and busyness of city life. He'd never seen so many trees in his life. Living near Lake Michigan, his very first day at WMATC gave him an early sense that God cares and that God is present in the details of daily life.
His Mother's Honest Answer
About six months into the program, Chris felt like he'd had enough and was ready to call his family and tell them he wanted to leave. His mother's response was direct: she didn't think six months was enough and encouraged him to stay as long as he could, making clear she wanted him to see the program through. That conversation became a kind of confirmation for Chris that he needed to finish what he'd started, trusting that God would carry him through the rest of it.
A Second Chance at Being a Student
Chris describes his time at WMATC as something like going back to school. He was named student of the month, an honor he says he hadn't received since elementary school. He points to the supportive community around him, a group of men genuinely lifting each other up and discovering themselves together, with God present throughout that whole process of restoration.
Learning to Surrender, Daily
Chris describes God still teaching him how to surrender, a daily process worked out through prayer, worship, and Scripture. He regularly turns to God's word for guidance on whatever is on his mind, finding direction there in a biblical way.
What Comes Next
After graduation, Chris plans to return to work and continue pursuing a deep spiritual connection with God, surrounded by a strong support network of friends and family who'll walk alongside him moving forward. He's genuinely excited for whatever comes next.
Chris is honest that the program was difficult for him, but he felt it was something he needed to complete. His message, especially to anyone coming from out of state like he did, is that WMATC can be a good match, offering both a real chance at change and peace of mind for the family back home.
Why Chris's Story Matters
For donors, Chris's story shows how the program reaches people who've already tried recovery elsewhere without lasting success, offering something different the second or third time around.
For prospective students and families, especially those considering a program outside their home state, Chris's story speaks directly to that decision, showing what distance and a change of environment can offer.
For the WMATC community, his mother's honest refusal to let him leave early is a powerful reminder of how much a family's steady support matters during the hardest stretch of recovery.
If someone you love has tried recovery before without lasting success, a different environment might make the difference.
Help make stories like Chris's possible.
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