KGET Community

Thanks for putting up the new Sanford Scam page on your excellent site. Sanford is as bad, or worse, than anything out west. 

Sooner or later, this organization will make the headlines, but not in a way they'd ever envision.

john_burns_sucks:

A former Teen Challenge student exposes this abusive Christian alcohol and drug program. Although seen by many as a worthwhile organization, Teen Challenge has a dark side, one of pathological abuse and an obsession with the almighty dollar.

http://www.teenchallengeexposed.com

For Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life and without Teen Challenge a-lot of people would not have a life.

John:

For Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life and without Teen Challenge a-lot of people would not have a life.

They still have to follow secular laws, John. Even if they helped 100,000 people every day, they still must do so within the parameters of federal, state, county and municipal laws. Claiming to "represent God" (which is asinine at best) does not relieve them of this requirement.

First of all, thank you for your informative and honest site exposing the Teen Challenge franchise.

I am a Farmer on the Big Island of Hawaii, and in 2006 I was introduced to Pastor X and his franchise.

My property is adjacent to a large parcel of overgrown Rainforest near Pahoa Hi., which had a small, rotting single family residential house, which was owned by the Hawaii Assemblies of God. 

One day, I saw a strange car and walked around the back where two men were laying out “The Pulpit” form what I overheard with discarded PVC pipe.  I introduced myself, and they informed me that they had “Taken Over” the property and were going to start managing it.  They were from the Hawaii Assemblies of God Church in Kurtistown, at least 15 miles away.

This started my ongoing conflict with Teen Challenge.

I contacted the Building Department, and low and behold, No Permits!  No Backflow Device!  No Special Permit for a Recovery Home on Ag Land!  In fact, they hadn’t even applied for a permit.  To me, it looked more like a bunch of squatters than a viable organization.  It was apparent that Fact, Rule of Law, and Building Permits were alien to these people.

So, I did what every law abiding citizen would do.  I filed a complaint with the Building Dept regarding unpermitted construction.  I filed a complaint with the Water Department regarding the requirement that all Churches must have a Backflow Device, and I contacted the Planning Department regarding the proposed Rehabilitation center.

I also filed a formal Police Report for the Trespass, Destruction of Property and Littering with the local Police Department.

I recall arriving at the Teen Challange sit, just as a Building Inspector was finishing up. I observed him smiling Ear to Ear, and apparently chuckling to himself for some reason, while Pastor Keith and one of his flunkies were seriously concerned about the event. I could tell they were very disturbed by what they were told.

I feel sorry for the people who are so down on Teen Challenge. Yes, it is hard work and yes you will be dropped off at the bus station if you don't follow the rules but, why were you there in the first place? Because you were following rules? Because you were doing Great? Have you ever heard of Tough Love? Have you ever done something you didn't want to do but sucked it up and came out feeling great that you did? 

Have you noticed the same person is writing all the negative comments??  Maybe not the same person by name ( although I think Michael has written his share of comments). It's sad. The people who didn't finish the program are still those same people that Need to finish the program. The people who want someone to do the work for them...someone to take care of them.

I for one am hoping and praying for my loved one to go into Teen Challenge with the attitude that they Really want help and change! I pray they will stay the course and be truly victorious over their demons, and will come home the person God intended them to be.