History

50 YEARS OF HISTORY

In 1958, Pastor David Wilkerson reached out to troubled street youth in New York City. Teen Challenge was created to meet the needs of these youths. This is how the ministry of Teen Challenge began and has spread literally around the world.

Today, Teen Challenge is a non-profit, interdenominational, faith-based program operating in 82 countries, with over 1,100 autonomous locations internationally, and continues to grow at a dramatic pace worldwide.

Teen Challenge Sault Ste. Marie opened as an induction centre in 1999 and in 200 became a fully functioning, year long program. In 2001, Teen Challenge Sault Ste. Marie celebrated their first graduation.

The Teen Challenge story is told in the best-selling book and movie The Cross and the Switchblade.