Teen Challenge of Southern California

🎧 New Life Community Podcast: Episode 1 — Carrying God’s Heart to the Addicted and Broken

In this powerful launch episode, Nolan Crooks (host) sits down with Pastor Ron Brown, Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Southern California, to unpack the heartbeat of New Life Community — a brand-new ministry calling local churches to the frontlines of addiction recovery.

🔥 What is New Life Community?

It’s more than a curriculum — it’...

In one of the most personal and powerful messages of Spiritual Emphasis 2025, Pastor Walter Colace shares his journey through cancer, radiation, and chemotherapy — and how God used every step of suffering to shine His light more brightly. Preached directly to our Teen Challenge alumni, this is a testimony that goes beyond healing; it is a lesson in walking through the fire with the peace of God and the presence of Jesus.   Drawing ...

“Just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” – Colossians 2:6

In this passionate, down-to-earth message, Micah Hale returns to the house where his life was radically changed—Teen Challenge. Preaching from Colossians 2 and 3, Micah urges us to not just start the journey with Christ, but to continue in Him. The walk of faith isn’t just about a moment—it’s about every step after.

With humor, vulnerability, and prophet...

“This is not a sunset—this is a sunrise.” In this powerful message from Mike Conway, we are invited into a deeper revelation of what it means to live unveiled—free from religious striving, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and transformed by the glory of God.

Drawing from 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, Mike calls us to stop clinging to performance-based religion and instead surrender to the radiant love and presence of God. The law engraved on ...

The Ready Heart: Living Fully Surrendered to God

Walter Colace delivers a Spirit-led, heart-searching message about what it means to be ready for God's presence. Drawing from Scripture and a lifetime of faithful ministry, he calls us to examine our hearts, lay down our pride, and allow the Holy Spirit to prepare us for a move of God.

💬 “The fire of God only falls on the altar of full surrender.”

💬 “Don’t harden your heart—let the...

He Took the Stone Away: Resurrection Life Is Yours in Christ

In this powerful Spiritual Emphasis message, we are reminded that the same Jesus who rose from the grave is still rolling stones away today—stones of addiction, shame, spiritual death, and broken identity. But more than just moved aside, the stone was taken away. Gone. Removed forever.

💬 “Jesus ruins every funeral He walks into.”

💬 “That old man is not in there anymore—...

From Death to Life: Your New Identity in Christ

In this moving and powerful message, Evan Wilkerson opens up about his personal journey through addiction, shame, and hopelessness—and the overwhelming mercy and love of God that brought him back to life. Preaching from Ephesians 2, Evan reminds us that we were once dead in sin, but God, rich in mercy, raised us up and seated us in heavenly places with Christ. You are no longer define...

The Word Will Keep You: Finding Light in Dark Times

Rosie Weir delivers a passionate and truth-filled message on the transforming power of God’s Word. With bold conviction and motherly love, she reminds us that we are here today by the grace of God—and if we want to stay free, we must let the truth of Scripture renew our minds, expose lies, and fill our lives with light.

💬 “You didn’t save yourself. You didn’t even know how to get...

Don’t Be Scared. Don’t Run. Just Walk.

In this passionate and deeply personal message, Pastor Jamal Alexander speaks to the heart of every man and woman in the fight of their life—walking through darkness, struggling with purpose, and tempted to give up. With clarity, compassion, and conviction, he reminds us that darkness is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of creation, the stage of redemption, and the proving ground of...

Your Attitude of Approach: Finding Joy in Life’s Roller Coaster

Life has its ups and downs—twists, turns, and unexpected drops. In this powerful and deeply personal message, John Meadors shares how your attitude of approach to life determines whether you live defeated or full of joy. From wooden roller coasters to painful trials, this message weaves humor, heartbreak, and hope into a compelling call to rejoice in the Lord always.

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Faith That Moves You Forward: Step Out and Trust God

In this dynamic and faith-building message, Pastor John Martin delivers a powerful reminder: God didn’t call you to stand still—He called you to walk by faith. Whether you're just beginning your journey or have been following Jesus for years, this message will stir your heart to move forward with bold, persevering, life-transforming faith.

💬 “If you want to walk on water, you’ve...

The Wonderful Cross: From the Thief’s Last Breath to Eternal Life

In this compelling and grace-filled message, Pastor Daniel Bentley walks us back to the scene of Calvary—where two criminals hung next to Jesus, but only one walked into Paradise. This is the story of that man, the thief who put his faith in the dying Savior. It’s a story that reveals the beauty, simplicity, and power of the Gospel.

💬 “The cross may seem foolish to ...

The Battle of Submission: Letting God’s Will Win

In this anointed message, Pastor Ron Brown delivers a heartfelt call to deeper surrender. Drawing from James 4, John 8, and the lives of Peter, Paul, and Moses, Ron calls us to stop trying to do things our way—and let Jesus have full control. Because real spiritual warfare begins not with shouting at the devil—but with submitting to God.

💬 “Submission is not about being passive. It’...

Be Afraid—Be Very, Very Afraid: Harnessing Healthy Fear

What if the very thing you’re told never to feel—fear—could actually propel you into the life God has for you? In this candid message, Gary Wilkerson reframes fear from a paralyzing enemy into a healthy signal that you’re on the brink of something significant. Drawing on heroes like Nehemiah and David—men who admitted their fear yet pressed on—Gary shows how “good fear” prompt...

“The devil has tried to de-story your life—through addiction, trauma, and shame. But this is not where your story ends. God is ready to re-story your life by His love, grace, and power.”

In this deeply personal and Spirit-filled message, Nolan Crooks shares his journey of deliverance—from addiction and brokenness into restoration and purpose. Speaking with raw transparency and Holy Spirit fire, Nolan draws a line in the sand for ev...

"God, we’re not just asking You to clear the cobwebs—we’re asking You to kill the spider.” 🔥

In this raw and powerful message from Pastor Jeremy Mayol at Spiritual Emphasis, we confront the deep-rooted idols that quietly steal our devotion, disrupt our purpose, and pull us back into captivity. With passion, humor, and a convicting biblical foundation, Pastor Jeremy exposes the lies we believe and the illusions we cling to—then poi...

In this tender yet bold declaration, Pastor Ron speaks freedom, identity, and spiritual direction over every listener. You are no longer being dragged from place to place by old wounds or former mistakes—you are led by the Spirit as a beloved child of God.

🗝️ Key Themes:

• God hears and responds to the deep cries of your soul

• Deliverance from spiritual bondage and emotional burdens

• Being unyoked from past pain and joined to th...

What a tragedy it would be to go through Teen Challenge and only leave sober.

In this vulnerable, Spirit-breathed message, Pastor Alex Delgado pleads with this generation to stop hiding behind sobriety, gifts, and good behavior—and let God shine His healing light on the root. “We’re asking for fruit—sobriety, a wife, finances—but God is after the root. Why are you going back? What’s the pain behind the pattern?”

“Let there be light...

This isn’t the time to play church. It’s the time to repent, get right, and follow Jesus with everything.

In this fire-filled message, Ryan Ries confronts a generation that’s addicted to comfort, compromise, and surface-level Christianity. Drawing from Luke 9:23, he reminds us: “If anyone wants to follow Jesus, you must deny yourself, pick up your cross daily, and follow Him.” Christianity isn’t a spectator sport. “Faith is a verb....