Adult & Teen Challenge says building is an answer to prayer

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This article was published 24/05/2022 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As Adult & Teen Challenge Central Canada President and CEO Daniel Emond reflected on the ribbon cutting of their new Steinbach facility only minutes before the official ceremony was set to begin, he recognized the many roles volunteers and donors had in making it possible. But it was more than human factors that Emond said brought them to this day. “I would say it’s an answer to prayer,” he said.

The ribbon was cut on the new facility, donated to Adult & Teen Challenge by Southland Church. The facility will be home to long term students in the 4-Tier program. A live-in discipleship program, according to their website it “provides a structured environment that includes individual and group mentoring, counselling, spiritual disciplines, life-skills training, employable skills certification and on-the-job training.”

The building has 30 beds, and while not filled to capacity at this point, has still made a big difference.

“Some nights we couldn’t sleep because we were having to tell people that we couldn’t help them,” he said of he and his wife Katie who’s the organizations’s Chief Operations Officer. “I was getting personal phone calls at home from people that knew that I was the leader of the organization and had tried to go through the admissions process to no avail.”

Only months after being offered the building on Westview Drive in Steinbach, the first students were coming through the door.

Having a short waiting list is essential for any addictions program and the faith based Adult & Teen Challenge is no exception.

“When people finally work up the courage to get help for their addiction and they have to wait, it’s very dangerous and it’s hard because you can lose them within a day or two,” he said.

There is still work to be done. Donors have to be found to support the estimated $50,000 per month cost of running the facility. One time donors are also needed for items such as a kitchen renovation, 10 leather sofas and a 7-10 passenger vehicle for the facility.

The ribbon cutting ceremony included a message from Rev. Steven Paulson who with his wife Margaret founded the Central chapter of Adult & Teen Challenge in 1993.

He told the crowd there is a “plague on this nation”, referring to rising addiction rates.

He added that while the ministry in Steinbach is being blessed, that comes with a responsibility.

“That responsibility is that God has given this to teen challenge, but bigger than that, He’s given it to the community of Steinbach and southern Manitoba,” he said. “And in order for that to work we all have to buy into it.”

Provencher MP Ted Falk thanked the volunteers, board members, past graduates and current students.

“To the students that are enrolled here, thank you for the courage that you’ve shown in stepping out and admitting that you need help and that you know that help is going to be found in Jesus Christ,” he said.

Falk transitioned from freedom from addictions to his stance on COVID restrictions.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if they would mandate freedom instead of mandating lockdowns and restrictions,” he said.

Falk referenced a report issued by the Manitoba Chief Medical Officer that stated 2021 saw a record number of overdose deaths. “We know that’s been contributed to by COVID, the lockdowns and the restrictions that we’ve experienced right across our country,” he said.

“There’s an increase demand for places like Adult & Teen Challenge to offer the hope through Jesus Christ for people to be free from their addictions,” he added.

Mayor Earl Funk told the crowd that during his election campaign in 2018 there were times he felt down. He said one morning while reading the Bible, he was given text, Habakkuk 1:5. “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” (New International Version).

He then said one of his first visitors was an advocate of Adult & Teen Challenge, and both agreed a facility of some kind was needed here.

“We didn’t know where to start,” he said. “In the office at city hall, we folded our hands, bowed our heads and we prayed.”

Funk told the crowd one of the things they prayed for was God’s will.

“This is what God’s will looks like,” he said pointing at the building behind him. “When you ask for God’s will, this is what God’s will looks like.”

RM of Hanover Deputy Reeve Bob Brandt also brought greetings and a grant of $7,000 from the RM.

“What you’re doing in the community and the community at large, the impact you’re having is huge,” he said. “The work is just fantastic. Lives are changed and that’s what it’s all about.”