Living the Legacy: National Conference 2018
Welcome!
This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of Teen Challenge. The beginnings were humble, challenges abounded, but the Lord worked mightily and faithfully every day. Tens of thousands of men, women and adolescents, trapped in addiction, have found freedom through the power of the Gospel.
The conference theme is “Living the Legacy.” It highlights the core values of evangelism and discipleship, upon which Teen Challenge was founded, and it’s the DNA that drives every decision every day. That heartbeat continues today stronger than ever in the leaders and staff, as well as in the lives of individuals trapped in addiction. A lot has changed, but the foundational truth of “Freedom through Christ” remains steadfast.
Thank you for being part of this great celebration and thank you for the special place that you fill in Adult & Teen Challenge.
“For the sake of the Gospel” 1 Corinthians 9:23
Joe Batluck
President, Adult & Teen Challenge USA
Plenary Session Videos
Eric Samuel Timm is an orator, author, artist and visionary.You may have seen him on tour with Toby Mac, Kari Jobe, or Hillsong this past year. Eric’s first book, Static Jedi, equips a generation to hear God through the noise. Already speaking to over 2 million people, Eric continues to travel throughout the world each year using art as a weapon and a vehicle to help audiences see what they could never hear. Working his way toward a Doctoral degree after finishing a Master of Divinity from Northwestern University, Eric serves his local church and community as teaching pastor. Residing in Minnesota, with his wife and 3 children.
An integral part of Adult & Teen Challenge, Don Wilkerson led Brooklyn Teen Challenge for 26 years, developing the residential/discipleship program. He founded Global Teen Challenge – now in 100 countries, and has authored several books, including Dear Graduate.
Former Pastor, General Presbyter, and now Executive Director for US Missions, Malcolm Burleigh leads a stateside missions team that includes over 18,000 missionaries, chaplains, and project volunteers, as well as serving on the board of Adult & Teen Challenge USA.
Once known for his basketball talent at the U.S. Naval Academy, Jim Cymbala is now renowned for his anointed ministry as the Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and noted as an author of inspirational best-sellers, including Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.
Peter Greer is the President and CEO of Hope International, a global Christ-centered micro-enterprise development organization serving throughout the underdeveloped world. He is the author of several books, including Christianity Today Book Award Winner, Mission Drift.
Joshua Rockwell is a financial services professional with a special focus on helping people become debt-free. He has a passion to serve the military personnel in his home area of Virginia Beach, VA. Josh is a graduate of Old Dominion University and is very active in the men’s ministry at Beach Fellowship in Virginia Beach. He regularly volunteers as a literacy tutor at The Life Enrichment Center and is also a board member at the Lions Medical Eye Bank. He was recently elected as Chairman of the Board of Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge. He is an alum of Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge and completed the program in 1994.
Once known for his basketball talent at the U.S. Naval Academy, Jim Cymbala is now renowned for his anointed ministry as the Pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and noted as an author of inspirational best-sellers, including Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.
Jerry Nance is the president of Global Teen Challenge. He began a career in ministry as an associate pastor and senior pastor of a local church and later, Crusade Associate for Teen Challenge founder, David Wilkerson. His education uniquely qualifies him for addiction outreach and recovery. He holds a B.S. in Religious Studies from Southwestern University, a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Barry University, and a PhD in Philosophy in Leadership, Education with a specialization in Counseling from Barry University.
Joseph S. Batluck, Sr. is the president of Adult & Teen Challenge USA.
Break Out Session Audio
Joel Jakubowski
Certified Recovery Specialist, Adult & Teen Challenge Training Center
This session considers the impact of addiction on the brain from a biblical perspective. It also looks at the healing process and what can be practically done to bring about lasting change in the lives of Adult & Teen Challenge students.
Mark McDonald
Program Director, Ascent Recovery Residences
The 4 C’s: Adolescents & How Addiction Progresses
What calls kids to begin certain behaviors–using alcohol or other drugs, gambling, sex, or falling into any other temptation? This session will consider how addiction progresses and becomes problematic . . . so problematic that the behavior continues despite catastrophic consequences. It will look at how the same drive to turn toward addiction can be turned toward the positive experience of knowing Christ.
Mandy Bristol-Leverett
Founder & Executive Director, CAN
Evelyn Badillo-Cordero
Missionary, Times Square Church
This session defines human trafficking and explores simple and successful ways to identify it.
Mike Flink
Executive Director, Ministry Ventures
Emily Fitchpatrick
Director of Client Services, Ministry Ventures
If your fundraising revenues are static or declining, there is a good chance you are making one of these five common mistakes. Mike Flink and Emily Fitchpatrick will help you quickly correct and avoid these pitfalls.
Tim Walsh
Vice President of Long Term Recovery, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge
This session continues the neurocognitive science of spiritual practices and the healing and transformation of the body and brain. It will also look at how spiritual practices like counseling and supporting science align with the Bible.
Mark McDonald
Program Director, Ascent Recovery Residences
This session looks at the struggle of individuals with life-controlling problems and considers how society contributes to the existing void in their lives. It then asks what we are offering to replace the life-controlling problem with.
Mandy Bristol-Leverett
Founder & Executive Director, CAN
Evelyn Badillo-Cordero
Missionary, Times Square Church
This segment helps Adult & Teen Challenge identify the trauma informed practices it already employs, the scientific explanation of the impact of trauma on humans, and best practices from a Christian medical perspective.
Mike Flink
Executive Director, Ministry Ventures
Emily Fitchpatrick
Director of Client Services, Ministry Ventures
Mike Flink and Emily Fitchpatrick walk through practical ideas on how to reach new donors and share stories in a clear, compelling way. They present actionable ideas that you can put into practice right away.
Anna Ramos
Clinical Director, Long Island Teen Challenge
This session highlights Start Right Mentoring and considers how mentoring and discipleship relationships can bring about healing in Adult & Teen Challenge students.
Mark McDonald
Program Director, Ascent Recovery Residences
This session looks at motivation as modeled by our Savior, and how He empowers people to change. Jesus is the ultimate motivator to bring about change in Adult & Teen Challenge students, and He can provide strength, courage, and boldness to change as students realize His promises.
Mandy Bristol-Leverett
Founder & Executive Director, CAN
Evelyn Badillo-Cordero
Missionary, Times Square Church
This segment explores ways Adult & Teen Challenge can develop community, business, education, and other partnerships for symbiotic purposes concerning everything from human trafficking prevention to survivor independence, all while maintaining the missional purpose of Adult & Teen Challenge.
Robert Wise
Executive Vice President, Emery & Webb Insurance
Ministry is risky. It takes courage to move forward and help others. The litigious culture we work in can cause fear and ministry paralysis. It does not mean we stop moving forward. Instead, we identify risk and create methods to reduce its impact on people and ministry operations. This workshop is designed to help leaders identify and tackle common liability pitfalls that are part of Adult & Teen Challenge’s work.
Joel Jakubowski
Certified Recovery Specialist, Adult & Teen Challenge Training Center
Tim Walsh
Vice President of Long Term Recovery, Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge
Anna Ramos
Clinical Director, Long Island Teen Challenge
This session covers practical application and best practices of today’s counseling training.
Michael Buttacy
Executive Director, Ozarks Teen Challenge
Darren Reynolds
Executive Director, Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch
This session considers best-practices specifically as it pertains to Teen Challenge adolescent centers.
Don Coley
COO, Southern California Adult & Teen Challenge
This session will build on Scriptural principles, examine ministry and business examples and explore ways they can be used by Adult & Teen Challenge staff members to improve long term success rates. It will specifically consider the importance of building life-long relationships in the discipleship process.
Peter Greer
President and CEO, HOPE International
Peter Greer presents on micro-enterprises and the power of a job, specifically in relation to Adult & Teen Challenge.
Conference Photos
Click the button below to view and download the photos from the conference.
Award Photos
Photo Contest Winner
Cassandra Hayworth took the winning photo in the elevator of the Hilton.
Runners-up
