Volume 1 Issue 1  October 2007

Men's Crisis Center

PO Box 3382

Watsonville, CA 95077

Ph: 831.722.2274

Fx: 831.722.9410

Pajaro Men's Center

PO Box 3382

Watsonville, CA 95077

Ph: 831.722.2274

Fx: 831.722.9410

Freedom Women's Center

PO Box 1746

Freedom, CA 95019

Ph: 831.724.2898

Fx: 831.724.2811

Pajaro Rescue Mission

PO Box 245

Watsonville, CA 95077

Ph: 831.724.9576

Fx: 831.724.9410

We are very excited to share with you the exciting things God is doing here at Teen Challenge Monterey Bay and in the community. In June we saw the first student transfer come into our new Freedom Women’s Center. She just graduated and has decided to come on board as FWC Work Experience Intern. She will be helping young women get ready to be contributing members of their own communities.

We are partnering with the School of Urban Ministry out of Oakland, California. This summer, we took on an intern from SUM and it turned out to be quite an experience for both of us. SUM has agreed to offer their students summer internships at TCMB. We have also agreed to offer our students a fourth phase option to complete their program on campus at SUM. Our students can now pursue a degree and career in the ministry through this accredited college while going through our program. You can read more about the intern experience in our featured article below.

We have also partnered recently with  Deliverance Santa Cruz to help reach out into the community for those with life controlling issues and addictions. Deliverance is an exciting return to the simple message of the Gospel through modern day parables, music and movies. Deliverance works with other established programs and 12 step groups to offer a full package of Truth, Worship Fellowship and Accountability for those seeking true spirituality. We offer them the only true solution:  Jesus Christ & the Truth of His Word.

We continue to work with our local food banks to help them deliver thousands of meals and packages to the needy in our community. Our men volunteer every month to assist Second Harvest to package and distribute tons of food. Our men also volunteer to assist The Food Bank for Monterey County in their efforts to feed the needy.

And by the grace of God and through our partnership with the Pajaro Rescue Mission, we are still able to serve over 4,000 meals a month and offer over 30 beds per night for the homeless and hungry in our local community.

The most important thing is the lives that are being changed. Last month we were blessed to have Teen Challenge San Francisco down to join us for our monthly Beach Baptism BBQ. On that beautiful Thursday morning, 11 men came forward to boldly declare Jesus as their Lord and Savior and were baptized in the cold waters of the Santa Cruz Pacific. God Is Good!

This summer I had the opportunity to serve as an intern at Teen Challenge in Watsonville, near Monterey, California. I was touched and changed by God as part of my experience. He used thirty men as tools to mold, shape, and stretch me.

My first three weeks were very challenging as I was assigned to work in the Crisis Center with men that were twice my age. I came with an attitude and, over the first three weeks, God used his hammer to break me and abase me. Within me God broke pride, false humility, self-righteousness, envy, and procrastination. I fought it, but the Holy Spirit started to take away all the junk and corruption I had within me. I finally surrendered and gave in to the Holy Spirit. God has definitely renewed me from the inside out. He has placed within me divine truth that cannot be corrupted ever again.

God has given me a new and restored personal, intimate relationship with him. He has proven to me that His thoughts for me are for my benefit. The thoughts toward me are thoughts of peace and love. To sum up my whole experience let’s take a look at Psalms 66:10-12:

“For you, O God have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined, You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs, You have caused men to ride over our heads, we went through the fire and through the water, but You brought us out to rich fulfillment."

Praise God because He has done this for me!

Our 2007 Annual Banquet, Graduation  and Silent Auction is coming up soon. This year’s date is Friday October 19th, at 6:00 PM. It will be held at Green Valley Christian Center. Evening events include worship, testimonies, fun, food and fellowship.

This year's theme is John 8:12 “I am the Light of the World, he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life”.

Tickets are going fast. Please RSVP by October 12th. You can RSVP by calling us at (831)685-2423 or by simply emailing us at montereybayteenchallenge@yahoo.com Come and see first hand what God is doing both in the community and in the lives of these men and women. We look forward to seeing you there. 

2003: "Geno, leave everything behind in SB and stay in Sacramento. Watch me provide for you and come follow me".

Geno: 'Lord, I only know one person in Nor Cal. Are you sure this is where you want me to be, I will have to give away everything I own and quit my great paying job. So be it! I want to know you!'

October 2003: "Geno close the doors to your church and go into Teen Challenge with Matt. I have other plans for you."

November 2003: "Geno, now it is time for you to go back home to SB. There are things you need to do."

2004: "Vivien, leave everything & everyone behind in LA and stay in Santa Barbara. Watch me provide for you and come follow me".

Vivien: 'Lord, Geno and I are so different. Are you sure this is where you want me to be? I don’t like these feelings, I don’t like this pain. Why Lord?'

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Listen and obey, I will put godly men and women to help raise you to do the work I have planned for you. Patience my child, I’m right here."

February 2007: "Geno, the time is now. You know what I have called you to do"

Geno: "Yes Lord! What about the woman you gave me? Can't I keep her?"

February 2007: "Vivien, you and Geno are ready now. I want you to move to Watsonville to serve in Teen Challenge."

 Vivien: ‘But Lord who am I and where is Watsonville? What is Teen Challenge all about?'

"Now get engaged, start the program, and plan the wedding. I will open doors and make things happen for you. Trust Me."

9/7/07: And the 2 shall become one.

God provided and gave us peace beyond our understanding. He made the wedding happen beyond our imagination. We are honored to serve you Lord and grateful to serve together as husband and wife. Please bless those who pray and support us everyday. In Jesus’ Name. (To read more about our testimonies visit www.heartsforchrist.net)

Please continue to pray for the hearts of the men and women that we are reaching out to at the mission and in Teen Challenge. Your continued prayers for staff is always appreciated. TCMB does not charge people to come  Into our program and both our students and staff seek support primarily by voluntary  contributions from friends like you. We are a non-profit faith based 501(c)(3) organization.

Ride The Wave and help us impact the community, win lives to Jesus to continue to discipline these saved lives & walking miracles.  You can help by using our services or by supporting one of our Staff Missionaries. You can donate using your credit card online by visiting our website, or you can mail a check or money order to Teen Challenge Monterey Bay, P.O. Box 1807, Watsonville, CA 95077.

If you are choosing to support a missionary, please designate which missionary you would like to support. For a complete listing of missionaries, visit our website. Thank you again for your support and may God Bless you.