God Still Changes Lives

This past Sunday my wife and I had the privilege of attending a local church where we heard the choir from Minnesota Teen Challenge. There were about 40 men and women in the choir and all were students in the Teen Challenge Program. As many of you know, Teen Challenge is a ministry for those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, seeking to help them find total release and healing through the Lord Jesus Christ. Minnesota Teen Challenge is one of the largest such ministries in the country. The results are highly successful.

We sat there Sunday listening to one testimony after another of men and women whose lives had been severely impacted because of either drugs or alcohol. Some had a criminal past because of their addiction problems. Most had destroyed their jobs and careers, their families and friends because of their addiction. Several had tried other treatment programs but had reverted to their addicting ways following those treatments. As one student expressed it, "All hope seemed gone."

But then they were introduced to Minnesota Teen Challenge, who in turn introduced them to Jesus Christ, who changed their lives completely. As one of the directors of Minnesota Teen Challenge put it so clearly, "Addiction is not a disease, it is a problem of sin. And once you make that discovery, then healing can begin."

Several of those students who gave their testimonies indicated that they believed God was now calling them to help others who were addicted. One man said that he knew God was calling him to the mission field.

As I listened to their testimonies, my heart rejoiced realizing once again that God indeed does change lives. I was reminded of those words of the Apostle Paul, "If any man is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things are new." The old was gone in the lives of these members of the choir; the new life given by Christ was evident in their singing and in their testimonies. As some of them were to soon experience graduation from the program, it was with confidence that they knew they were leaving Minnesota Teen Challenge in an entirely different way than when they had entered. For there they had met God...and that made all the difference.

Perhaps you have a Teen-Challenge type of ministry in your area. I would encourage you to give it your support. Friends, it is the power of God that can still change lives today. And each life changed is a miracle of God's saving grace.