Our History

Led by incredible faith, David Wilkerson made a seemingly bizarre step from his country pulpit in 1958 to the streets of New York City, where a murder trial of seven teenage boys churned society’s antipathy toward them. Even Wilkerson was bewildered by his sense of compassion, but despite doubt, he followed the Spirit’s prompting to help the boys.

Wilkerson’s outreach to gangs in New York led to the development of Teen Challenge. From our simple beginnings, Teen Challenge has grown to over 215 locations in the US and over 1000 around the world. The explosive growth of Teen Challenge continues to be a true move of God.

“Go and help those boys”

After seeing an article in Life magazine about a murder by teenage gangs, David Wilkerson heard God speak, “Go to New York City and help those boys.”

1958

February 28, 1958

Escorted from the courtroom

David went to the trial but was escorted from the courtroom after being denied access to the boys. The next day his photo appeared in New York Daily News. Later, teens on the streets recognized and accepted him from this picture in the paper.

The hardest to believe

On the last night of a series of rallies, dozens of gang members came forward to accept Christ as their Savior, including Nicky Cruz and Israel Narvaez from the Mau Maus. Nicky was the hardest to believe, David Wilkerson later related. The next morning they traded their weapons for Bibles.

July 12, 1958

August 26, 1965

Teen Challenge in BC

In 1965, Vancouver Teen Challenge was started to work with the people on the streets of Vancouver.

Change of Name

In 1993, the name was changed from Vancouver Teen Challenge to BC Teen Challenge as street ministry was going on across the Lower Mainland.

May 11, 1993

2000

Live-in Discipleship Starts

In 2000, Christian Life Assembly in Langley helped the ministry of then BC Teen Challenge purchase the Chilliwack Men’s Centre. The live-in program began with a few students building up to 16 within a few years.

First Women’s Centre in Canada

The Abbotsford Women’s Centre became Teen Challenge’s first women’s centre in Canada when it opened its doors in March 2003. Located just east of Abbotsford, on a beautiful 54 acre mountainside property overlooking the Fraser Valley, it could accommodate up to 10 students at a time.

March 2023

2005

In 2005, Teen Challenge expanded its reach into the Okanagan with a 22 bed facility in Lake Country BC. In 2016, a 3000 square foot chapel was added to the property.

November 2013

In April 2013, the original Abbotsford Women’s Centre suffered a catastrophic mudslide and the women were displaced for 6 months. In November of 2013, the Fraser Valley Gleaners offered their farm house for the women to call home.