Promoting non-residential ministry takes on a whole new perspective compared with what our programs do residentially. It’s an easier task helping the public understand why we have students in a structured setting, and they can easily visualize the facility, and have some understanding of residential care. Not so with non-residential programming, especially with the variety of ministry that takes place, in a variety of locations, with a variety of staff and volunteers.
The question arises, how do we refer to non-residential ministry and activity? Do we just call the ministry Teen Challenge nonresidential outreach? Most of us are now familiar with the brand of Lifeline Connection and understand the concept of ministry groups that are provided through Living Free. Let me give a few insights into the title promoted for this model of non-residential ministry!
John DeSanctis, one of the former Directors of Memphis Teen Challenge and his staff saw the need to reach out to surrounding communities with groups addressing recovery of addictions from a faith approach, back in 1997. John referred to this ministry as Lifeline! When John and I met and began collaborating together, I suggested using the Living Free curriculum and video training for our facilitators and volunteers. John agreed, and Jim Forakis hosted our first Lifeline Connection training in Savannah, TN.
Since that time, Lifeline Connection was approved by our Teen Challenge, USA Board of Directors to be our fully endorsed non-residential ministry. It’s a movement that includes referral to our residential centers, relationships with those unable to go into residential care by providing appropriate ministry groups through a Life-plan of Recovery, realignment, ministering to families through appropriate ministry groups, and re-establishment, helping program graduates and ex-offenders re-adjust to society through appropriate ministry groups, and continued use of the Life-plan of Recovery.
Ministering in county correctional facilities and offering groups to court-appointed clients through family and drug court is also a venue for ministry for Lifeline Connection. A Life-plan of Recovery with the 5 Components of Recovery are key elements of non-residential ministry; decision, positive peer choice, accountability, boundaries, & consistency. Living Free groups are active and effective in churches and ministries worldwide; Lifeline Connection goes beyond the groups to provide a comprehensive non-residential ministry model.
Every center certainly has the freedom to offer their own non-residential ministry with an appropriate name of their choice, or simply use Teen Challenge. Many of our Teen Challenge centers utilizing the model of Lifeline Connection choose to use the logo and byline; Hang On, There’s Hope! Living Free has registered the trademark of Lifeline Connection and has made this available to Teen Challenge centers with an agreement of best practices that Teen Challenge, USA and Living Free developed together to maintain the integrity of the name and ministry.
Many of our contacts identify Teen Challenge as a residential discipleship ministry. It could be beneficial to brand non-residential ministry separately as to give a distinct identity to the two, even though an outreach of our Teen Challenge ministry. Both are reaching for the same results, a new life in Christ!
We at Living Free, with input from many of our Teen Challenge leaders, are working vigorously to provide a reproducible ministry model that is relevant, relational, and a reliable witness. May the Lord continue to give us wisdom and anointing as we strive to reach more of the addicted and hurting, both in our centers and with non-residential strategies.
Leaders who are active and serve our Non-residential Ministry Team;
- John DeSanctis, Raleigh Assembly of God, Raleigh, TN. jdsbldr@yahoo.com
- Jeff Arp, Teen Challenge of the Midlands, DesMoines, Iowa. J.arp@tcmid.org
- Gene Woods, TC Ranch of NW AR, Morrow, AR. genewoodsrr@gmail.com
- Gregg Fischer, Global Teen Challenge, Columbus, GA. gfischer@globaltc.org
- Dolly Thomas, TC of South Texas, San Antonio, TX. Dolly.thomas@tctexas.org
- John Franich, Shenandoah Valley TC of VA, Bayse, VA.pastorjohn@svtc.info
- Jim Forakis, TN Valley TC, Savannah, TN. tnvalleyteen@bellsouth.net
- Barbara & Manly League, retired TC Director, Covington, KY. lmci@fuse.net
