Long Island Teen Challenge- Intake Information

AMAZING 86% SUCESS RATE

Burrell

I thank God for Long Island Teen Challenge! My name is Brian H. Burrell, and I was born and raised in the Washington Metropolitan area. I spent 25 years of my life addicted to drugs and alcohol. I did not discriminate; I used PCP, cocaine, crack, pot, and whatever alcohol I could get my hands on. Because of my addictions, I lost a promising career in sports, many jobs, the trust of my family, a career in the Navy, and in 1988 my wife. After many broken promises and a life of uncertainty, she left and moved back to New York.

For the next six years, I was in and out of rehabilitation programs. Finally, in 1994, while sitting in my car smoking crack, I realized the truth. If I did not stop now, I would die or end up in jail. In 1994 I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

I cried out to God, "If you are real, you have to save me, and if you do I will serve you for the rest of my life." That day God set me free! Two weeks later I went to Long Island Teen Challenge.

As I stood outside the door, the devil tried me. I felt the doubt begin to creep in, skepticism. But determined, I knocked on the door, and an old friend of mine answered. I thanked God; I knew I was home. That was in September of 1994, and I have been with Teen Challenge ever since

Drugs and alcohol had become my way of life. I used when I was depressed, I used when I wanted to celebrate. Teen Challenge taught me to praise and seek God when I am down and to praise and seek God when I am up. I thank God for the ministry of Teen Challenge, the ministry He used to change my life. I thank God for keeping me clean and sober since that day in 1994.

God's promises are true! God has restored my relationships with my family. God gave me the courage to address the Navy and change the status of my discharge to honorable. I have good credit for the first time, and when I smile, it comes from my heart.

In June of 2000, my then ex-wife, after not returning my calls or letters for 12 years, called me. We went out to dinner and held hands. God was working overtime! A very short time later, she received Christ, and on December 16, 2000, the Director of Teen Challenge remarried us.

I have kept my promise: God has allowed me to work as a counselor at Capital Heights Teen Challenge, serving others with life-controlling problems. I have learned to teach from my failures as well as my accomplishments. I thank God for Teen Challenge because without it I would not be the man I am today.