Son of evil street

No matter how many times we turn our backs on God, He is always there for us, welcoming us back home. Victor Torres is a prime example of Christ's grace. Torres started using heroin at age 14. He spent his teenage years as a drug pusher and got into a lot of trouble as a gang member. When Torres was 21, he became another Teen Challenge success story. He gave his life to Christ.

Since that time, Torres has been changing others' lives. He attended Bible school in California, founded a drug addiction rehabilitation home in Richmond, Va., and now is the pastor of New Life Outreach International Church.

Torres chronicled his life in a book called "Son of Evil Street". Thank goodness for Christ and His ability to transform lives.

The 50th anniversary of Teen Challenge

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Teen Challenge, an evangelical Christian recovery program. LubbockOnline recently ran a story on their local Teen Challenge center. For Kevin Thompson, a graduate of that program, God was the reason that he entered the program:

'I was sitting in the backseat of a patrol car,' he says, 'and I looked out the window and saw a church. God spoke to me - Are you tired of running yet?' That's the moment I decided to change, and I said, Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.''

I'm sure that there are many amazing stories about how people decided to go into the Teen Challenge program. In addition, I have heard many amazing stories personally from graduates of Minnesota Teen Challenge of how the program has changed their lives. So many broken families and hearts have had an opportunity to mend thanks to this program.