Winter Newsletter for Teen Challenge
A Testimony by Doug Rebholz
This recent picture(not shown here) of myself with my son Dakota is nothing less than an amazing miracle. I’m 25 years old and grew up in Grants Lick, Kentucky. As a child I had everything that I would ever need or want, but at age 13 this all changed. Through drugs and alcohol I began to search for “something” not even knowing what I was searching for. I spent ten years of my life in bondage to these strongholds. What started out as an attempt to escape from reality and a means to medicate my depravity ended up almost costing me my life.
I was involved in 6 totaled vehicle wrecks and walked out of every one of them, which I know now was not by mistake. On July 11, 2005 a tragic fatality was a result of one of these accidents. I deeply internalized my actions and their consequences for her death. As a result I hoarded guilt and unforgiveness towards myself. Through the bondage of guilt, shame, regret, and remorse I sought refuge through more drugs which led to a heroin addiction. This bred a daily lifestyle of lying, cheating and stealing. My addiction left me mentally hopeless and now in physical bondage carrying the Hepatitis C virus.
Before coming to Teen Challenge I sought freedom from this through medications and psychiatrists. I was put on 8 different medications which ultimately led to more bondage. After trying many different treatment methods, my grandfather came and got me one day and said that all I needed was the Lord. Less than 2 weeks after that, on February 12, 2007, I entered Teen Challenge Cincinnati. Here I found Divine freedom, healing, and deliverance I had been searching for and trying to substitute my entire life – Jesus. Through the discipleship process at Teen Challenge, I was able to get off every one of my prescribed meds through the resolution and healing for my issues and woundedness. I began to experience a physical freedom and mental liberty such as I have never had.
I can testify openly that I now live free from a self centered life of hoarded feelings and addiction, but am also healed (medically tested and certified twice) of Hepatitis C! That’s a whole other testimony that would not fit in this entire newsletter! After graduating in September 2007, I entered in to the Re-Entry phase of the program where I received further discipleship for another year. Throughout the year I spent in Re-Entry, God has restored all the relationships that I had previously worked to destroy! I now have the joy and honor of raising my son in the manner God predestined him to be raised. While at Teen Challenge I received my driver’s license a year before my suspension was up. With the help of George Martin I was able to begin a career at Odom Industries here in Milford where I am now a Team Leader (that’s another God thing and whole other testimony). Diligence in God’s instruction has rewarded me greatly. I now reside at Teen Challenge Staff Housing where I also serve as an intern working 8 to 10 hours a week. My desire is to continue to grow in humility, serve and participate fully in His will for my life.
Teen Challenge Planning Women’s Maternity Home – Launch!
With great enthusiasm we are now in the process of bringing in our first ladies! Our goal is to rescue women in their distress and their children from death. How? Through the life changing process of discipleship! An important aspect of our program is the transition process we call “Mentoring Homes”. If you are interested in bringing into your home a mother and her newborn to continue the discipleship process, contact us at email@TeenChallengeCincinnati.org or 513-248-0452 x105
We will be mailing/emailing out a separate Women’s Home newsletter soon to keep you well informed on this part of the ministry. The purpose of the women’s home is to break the cycle of bondage (emotional, physical and spiritual) in needy and destitute women and ultimately their children through the discipleship process. We have approximately $190,000 remaining in capital funding. Please consider giving to this great cause of redemption and changing the way these children will be raised!
Teen Challenge Women’s Maternity Home framed ink sketch fundraiser
(Crystal – include women’s home sketch & size it to show the whole print – no croppin)g
We are offering this beautiful 14” x 8 ½” ink sketch of the Women’s Home, double matted and framed (16 ½” x 22”) on archival paper and a weathered wood appearance frame with non glare glass. Professionally framed and ready to hang. $250.00
Please specify “Women’s Home Print” and allow 30 days for delivery.
Did you know? (Crystal – same, no change)
We are completely privately funded and do not rely on any state or federal monies. It is through the generosity of individuals, businesses and churches that give us the freedom to do this great work changing the hearts and minds of individuals. Also, you can contribute safely and securely online via our website.
Get Connected Online! (Crystal – I made a change)
Check out our informative and dynamic new web site! www.teenchallengecincinnati.org
Monitor current events, listen to chapel speakers, testimonies and direct others to it who are in need, email, and donate easily and securely online!
Would you like to also get this newsletter electronically? What an opportunity to “forward” the work of the Ranch to your friend! Just let us know by emailing us at email@teenchallengecincinnati.org
Learning how the Serve Others (Thursdays have become one of my favorite days of the week. No, it’s not a day off for me but rather a day to meet a new friend. You see I have a 7 to 9 hour window each week to share my ministry and passion with the young men from Teen Challenge.
We go through greater Cincinnati and live out serving the “least of these.” Because of our transparency and willingness to work together, each week brings new encounters, divine appointments and opportunities to share testimonies and Jesus Christ. Day care centers, pastors, food pantry workers, and homeless people are transformed and are given hope for another day as we stop and share a loaf of bread, (and whatever product we have that day) a hug, a kind word and a sincere prayer-many times accompanied by tears. I thought I’d be mentoring the men of Teen Challenge but God has shown me discipleship can work both ways. These young men have experienced more pain and suffering than most, but God has chosen them and protected them to now begin the process of refining and sanctification. Their passion for Jesus and purpose for a new beginning truly inspire me. I am proud of each of these young men and they have touched my heart in ways that they will never know. I am honored to be their “dad” and call each of them son.
Jerry Reiner
Project 5-2
Project 5-2 is a distribution service/ministry that provides hope and basic needs to the tri-state area. www.foundationbuildersinternational.org
“The Good Report”
Brian Hogg (1983) stopped in to deliver fresh flowers for the office and then delivered a carload of meat, dairy products and fresh produce to the kitchen … just as a way of “giving back” for what the ministry invested into his life! He has been operating a basement finishing franchise for the past 8 years and is now opening his own attic insulation business. He is the father of 3 and is deeply grateful for the second chance the Lord has given to both him and his family.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU……(same as previous news – please put this right after Good Report)
Remember Teen Challenge when Estate Planning
CRYSTAL – same as last newsletter
Needs List
Volunteer Needs: (Crystal I made changes to last item)
Local churches are involved with our ministry in a variety of ways ...
Serving (not cooking) the food at a monthly Family Night dinner
Preparing a meal and serving it to our students
Praying for monthly prayer requests from the students
Bringing a men’s group to do an evening devotion with the men
Supporting what we do financially on a regular basis
Women volunteer drivers for the Maternity Home.
Women who would volunteer to asst. staff & watch over the ladies at the home.
Financial needs: (Crystal I made changes)
Financial founders who will help make the Women’s Maternity Home possible.
Please consider sponsoring the cost of discipling a young man for an entire month - $1,800
We can always use:
Nice, clean men’s dress and work clothing and shoes
Cars or Trucks in good working condition
Automotive mechanic’s tools
Remember Teen Challenge when estate planning blurb
Visa/MC (blurb) wherever you fit it