Fwiw, according to the below article from almost 40 years ago, Teen Challenge tried to pull in evangelical involvement from
several different churches ... at least during
this particular point in time and for this particular outreach center. Despite appearances of multi-denominational participation, however, the Assemblies of God clearly appears to be at the helm, so to speak...
Caption for large grainy pic from link below:
VOLUNTEERS TURN SCHOOL INTO DROP-IN FACILITYDennis Ortega, Rev. Ken Bowers, Background,
Mary Carleton, Left, Dale McKindley And Sal Ibarra
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Lodi News-Sentinel (CA)Teen Challenge to use spiritual approachSat., Sept. 9, 1972Teen Challenge — recognized nationally and internationally as the spiritual approach and solution to drug and alcohol problems — has come to Lodi in the form of a drop-in referral center.
Housed in the former St. Peter's Lutheran Elementary School on North Locust Street, the foundation work in bringing the out-reach center to Lodi began a year ago by a small committee of concerned citizens.
Although Teen Challenge is a program to reach, convert and rehabilitate drug addicts, charter committee member Rev. Ken Bowers of First Assembly of God, said the program offers the solution to many problems through the spiritual approach.
The Lodi center, as part of its work, will serve as a referral agent for the Teen Challenge drug rehabilitation center in San Francisco.
The program, whose success is told in the book, "The Cross and the Switchblade," began in 1960 in the ghettos of New York, has proved 70 per cent successful in rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts.
Bowers said, "We believe once a person's life is in order spiritually, everything else will fall in shape. Drug abuse is not the problem but a symptom of the real problem." He added there is a greater involvement in drug abuse in the community than most realize. "Not only among the youth but with some adults as well."
The Lodi outreach center is already staffed with a director and two assistants, although grand opening will not be held until Sept. 29. Dennis Ortega, who Bowers said is a graduate of the rehabilitation center, is director.
The opening of drop-in centers has been engineered by Teen Challenge of Northern California and Nevada as a means of reaching the local community.
With this concept, officials believe the live-in rehabilitation at the major centers can be cut back to four to six months rather than the 9 to 12 months previously used, allowing a greater flow of residents. As a result, centers such as the one in San Francisco can handle up to 180 per year as compared to approximately 60 before. Under the new plan, introduction and re-entry will be conducted in the local drop-in centers such as the one in Lodi.
In addition the Lodi center will provide spiritual assistance through evangelism — street witnessing and soul winning, door-to-door witnessing, jail witnessing, rally type activities, school outreach and literature. Rap sessions will also be held along with coffee house type ministry.
The original committee active in forming the center included besides Rev. Bowers, Chaplain Wayne Kildall, assistant pastor at Salem United Methodist Church of Lodi who worked with Teen Challenge in Vietnam; Calvin Krienke, a Lodi High School instructor; and three interested Lodi women, Mrs. Audrey Boyd, Mrs. Donna Carleton and Mrs. Marilyn Goehring.
Meeting with state officials in Sacramento the Lodians were told Teen Challenge was recognized as one of the most effective programs now combating drug abuse.
After the committee members toured the facilities in San Francisco, interest quickened and soon they had gained the support of several churches in Lodi.
Bowers said that at least 10 churches are now participating in one way or another — some have offered donations for the strictly nonprofit organization and others have set up work committees to help establish the former school as a center. Rent of the building has been provided free by the St. Peter's Lutheran Church.
Work has been done entirely by volunteers and donated materials. Many teens themselves have contributed hours of labor. Directors salaries are being paid through contributions from churches, service clubs and individuals.
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