Guarding the Heritage and Culture of Teen Challenge Lessons of The Cross & The Switchblade

compiled by Karissa McCarter

I had already been serving for over a year as a missionary in Jamaica with Teen Challenge directing the program before I read The Cross and the Switchblade. What I read completely transformed my philosophy of this Christian drug rehab program called Teen Challenge. What I read was not just the history of the beginnings of a ministry, but the keys, principles and lessons which the Holy Spirit gave to the pioneers of Teen Challenge.

I was moved by two realizations:

1. With no Teen Challenge training, I had already needlessly re-learned many of these lessons the Holy Spirit had given us 50 years ago… how many others were simply re-learning the same lessons?
2. It was clear that the Lord saw the end from the beginning for Teen Challenge, and if we didn’t diligently guard our heritage, we would drift away from God’s purposes for this ministry. Teen Challenge is not a Christian drug rehab program; it’s the message of the Gospel for those the church either doesn’t know how to reach or doesn’t want to reach, and it’s a residential discipleship program for those who decide to follow Jesus and want to learn how.

I believe the following 5 lessons are the common themes of The Cross and the Switchblade, and key to us remaining on track:

1. The Role of Prayer
2. The Role of Evangelism – the starting point of TC Ministry
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit – begun by the Spirit, led by the Spirit, victorious by the Spirit
4. The Role of Faith – especially in finances…
5. The Role of the Atmosphere of the Teen Challenge Center

The chapter and page references are taken from the edition shown to the left  in the picture. Even if you’ve already read the book, even several times, read it again with a fresh lens. The following are 5 quotes that inspired me to reach back to go forward:

“Do you know what I think you’re doing?” asked Gwen. We were having a cup of tea together in the kitchen before I set out for my grandfather’s farm. ” I think you need to feel you’re a part of some great tradition, and not out on a limb all by yourself. I think you want to get in touch with the past again, and furthermore I think you are right. Reach back as far as you can, David. That’s what you need just now.” — p. 48 (1st paragraph of Ch. 5)

Reaching back and keeping in touch with TC’s past helps us keep perspective and courage.

“This whole strange adventure got its start late one night when I was sitting in my study reading Life magazine, and turned a page. At first glance, it seemed like there was nothing on the page to interest me. It carried a pen drawing of a trial taking place in New York City, 350 miles away. I’d never been to New York, and I never wanted to go, except perhaps to see the Statue of Liberty. I started to flip the page over. But as I did, my attention was caught by the eyes of one of the figures in the drawing. A boy. One of seven boys on trial for murder. The artist had caught such a look of bewilderment and hatred and despair in his features that I opened the magazine wide again to get a closer look. And as I did, I began to cry. — p. 11 (1st 3 Paragraphs of Ch. 1)

Remembering why we do what we do – God’s burden for those in the despair of gangs, addiction, and prostitution.

“Gradually, from all the visits, a pattern emerged. It was a pattern of need, starting with loneliness and extending through the gang wars, the sex parties, the dope addiction, and ending in an early and ignominious grave. To check my own impressions, I visited police stations, talked with social workers and parole officers and spent many hours in the public library. In the end, my total impression of the problems of New York teenagers was so staggering that I almost quit.

And it was at this moment that the Holy Spirit stepped in to help. This time, He did not come to my aid in any dramatic way; He simply gave me an idea. He clarified the vision that had been so like a dimply recalled dream. I was driving back to Philipsburg, watching the odometer turn around and around keeping pace with the turnpike mile-markers as they crept past. Suddenly I was asking myself, “Suppose you were to be granted a wish for these kids. What would be the one best thing you could hope for?”

And I knew my answer: that they could begin life all over again, with the fresh and innocent personalities of newborn children. And more: that this time as they were growing up they could be surrounded by love instead of by hate and fear. But of course this was impossible. How could people already in their teens erase all that had gone before? And how could a new environment be made for them?

“Is this a dream You have put into my heart, Lord? Or am I just weaving a fantasy for myself?” They’ve got to start over again, and they’ve got to be surrounded by love. The idea came to mind as a complete thought, as clearly as the first order to go to New York. And along with it came into my mind the picture of a house where these new kids could come. A really nice house, all their own, where they would be welcomed – welcomed and loved.

They could live in their house any time they wanted to. The door would always be open; there would always be lots and lots of beds, and clothes to wear, and a great big kitchen. — p. 67-68 (End of Ch. 6)

The idealism and naivety of a new dream – but this was the birth of a Teen Challenge Center – the problems are so overwhelming, they need a place where they can be removed from their atmosphere of dysfunction, and be surrounded by love and discipline in order to get a new start in life.

“Afterward, the president of the school stood up and made a rather amazing statement saying that he thought our work was the closest thing he had seen to the challenge found in Apostolic times.” — p.153 (Closer to end of Ch. 15)

The mission Christ left us in Matt 28:18-20 is an Apostolic mission – whatever we do as individual disciples and as corporate bodies, must line up with this Apostolic mission.

“Oh Lord, I said aloud, what a wonderful dream this is! But it would take a miracle. A series of miracles such as I’ve never seen.” — p. 68 (Last paragraph of Ch. 6)

The ministry of Teen Challenge will forever be accomplished by a series of miracles – we can never lose the simple faith exhibited by David Wilkerson!

Think about it:

• Are we building on the foundation that has been laid – Jesus?
• Is our TC “home” a healthy refuge of discipline, love and healing?
• Are we trusting God for miracles and provision?