Teen Challenge of Southern California

Welcome back to the New Life Community Podcast! In this episode, host Nolan Crooks and Pastor Ron Brown, Executive Director of Teen Challenge of Southern California, unpack Chapter 1 of the New Life Community curriculum: Finding New Life When You’ve Lost Yourself. 🌱 Key Themes We Explore Together: ✅ What does it truly mean to find new life in Christ when you’ve lost yourself in addiction and brokenness? ✅ Why your true identity in Christ is the foundation for lasting freedom. ✅ How to break free not just from substances, but also from shame, bitterness, and the old labels that chain you to the past. ✅ The power of forgiveness — forgiving others, receiving forgiveness, and learning to forgive yourself. ✅ How your brokenness is not your disqualification — it’s an invitation to intimacy with the Father. 💬 Key Questions to Ponder This Week: Who or what have you allowed to define your identity? Have you accepted that Jesus came looking for you, even when you felt unworthy? What labels from your past do you need to lay down today? Is there bitterness or self-loathing you need to surrender so you can walk freely as God’s child? How could your brokenness become a place where God’s glory shines through you to others? 📖 Powerful Quotes from This Episode: “When I thought I lost me, He knew where I left me — and He reintroduced me to His love.” “Addiction robs you of your humanity and traps you in guilt and shame — but Jesus paid it all, and cleared the debt so you can live free.” “If you believe you’re an addict, you’ll act like an addict. But if you believe you’re a child of God, freedom follows.” “Self-loathing is the enemy of freedom. Magnify God more than your mistakes, and watch chains break.” “Brokenness is an invitation for God’s glory to flood in and flow out — just like the alabaster box poured out its fragrance when broken.” “God places the lonely in families — that’s what New Life Community is: your spiritual family for this journey.” “Bless the Lord, O my soul… He redeems your life from destruction!” (Psalm 103) 📖 Key Scriptures: “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free…” (Galatians 5:1) “As a man believes in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7) “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits… who redeems your life from destruction…” (Psalm 103:2–4) “God places the solitary in families…” (Psalm 68:6) 🌍 Ready to Go Deeper ➡️ Visit newlifetc.org to: ✅ Download the New Life Community curriculum FREE ✅ Watch real stories of freedom and redemption ✅ Find practical tools and resources to start a group in your church or community 📲 Stay Connected & Encouraged: Follow Teen Challenge of Southern California for stories, hope, and fresh encouragement: 👉 Facebook | Instagram | YouTube: @socalteenchallenge 🎧 Keep Walking the Journey: This podcast is just one piece of the journey — subscribe, comment, and share so more lives can find new life through Jesus. No matter how far you’ve fallen, no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s redemption. Let’s walk in freedom together.

🎧 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’s a Holy Spirit–fueled movement designed to empower leaders, ignite healing, and awaken people to the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ How no one comes out of addiction alone — it takes the whole Body of Christ, walking together in grace. ✅ Why leaders must walk closely with the Good Shepherd to effectively minister to the addicted and broken. ✅ How New Life Community creates an atmosphere not just for teaching, but for encounter — where the Holy Spirit moves and transforms. ✅ Why every leader must believe: no one is too far gone, and nothing is impossible with God. ✅ How God’s design is not just to set you free but to lift you up so you can bring freedom to others. 💬 Key Quotes from the Episode: “We’re not here to run programs — we’re here to create a space where the Holy Spirit shows up and people encounter God.” “If your heart doesn’t break for the addicted, this isn’t your role. We must carry the Father’s heart.” “Jesus can do more in one encounter than we could ever do in years of counseling.” “The church is God’s answer to the fentanyl crisis, the opioid epidemic, and the hopelessness gripping our generation.” “Our transformed lives become Exhibit A — proof that Jesus is still setting captives free.” 🌍 Get Involved Today → Visit newlifetc.org to: ✅ Download the New Life Community curriculum FREE ✅ Watch powerful transformation stories ✅ Get leader resources and tools to launch a group 📲 Stay Connected with Us Follow Teen Challenge of Southern California on social: 👉 Facebook | Instagram | YouTube → @socalteenchallenge Tag us and share your testimony, your group moments, and what God is doing in your community! 🙏 Stay on the Journey This is just the beginning. Subscribe and join us each episode as we walk together on the New Life Community journey — trusting God for the impossible, believing that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s redemption.

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 from Isaiah 26:3, Isaiah 50:10, Psalm 103:1-5, and Daniel 3, Pastor Walter speaks candidly about fear, faith, and the supernatural peace that sustained him: “Ever since I came to Teen Challenge almost 34 years ago, God has had my life in His hands.” “When there was no answer from doctors, I leaned on God’s Word.” “You say, 'You're a puzzle to us.' No, I'm a miracle because Jesus is my healer.” Even as he sat in the darkest rooms of the cancer center, Pastor Walter carried a radiant hope and used every moment to share Christ with patients, nurses, and even his oncologist. When doctors said he would lose his ability to eat, speak, or avoid a feeding tube, the Lord sustained him with energy, healing, and boldness to pray for others. “Suffering will always squeeze out of you who you really are. And when the pressure came, Jesus came out.” This message reminds us that suffering is not the end of the story. Just as God protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3), Pastor Walter reminds us: “They said I would burn, but God said, ‘I’ll shield you from the effects.’” At the core of this message is the unshakable truth that the light of Christ shines brightest in our darkest seasons. “God puts a comma where Satan tries to put a period. The story isn’t over.” If you or someone you know is walking through a season of pain, trial, or uncertainty, let this message give you fresh faith. God is not finished with you. His light will break through. ✨ Stay connected:YouTube | Instagram | Facebook: @socalteenchallengeX (Twitter): @scteenchallengeWebsite: teenchallenge.org

“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 prophetic challenge, Micah shares what it means to secure your spiritual oxygen mask, put on your new identity, and live out the calling God has placed on your life. From personal stories of loss and transformation to strong reminders about gossip, honor, gentleness, and sacrificial love—this message is a spiritual wake-up call. “Faith isn’t just what you say with your mouth. Faith has feet.” “Put off gossip. Put on gentleness. You’ve never tried this new wardrobe on before.” “Stop trying to earn God’s love—He already put His name on you.” “You’ve been baptized in His love so you can go show it to the world.” 🗝️ Key Themes: • Continuing to walk in Jesus after receiving Him (Colossians 2:6) • Depending on God daily—like securing your own oxygen mask before helping others • The struggle between old identity and new creation • Putting off shame, gossip, pride—and putting on gentleness, honor, and forgiveness • Living as a spiritual warrior born and trained in God’s house • Showing others the love and mercy you’ve received 📖 Scripture References: • Colossians 2:6–7 – “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” • Colossians 3:10–14 – “Put on the new self… put on compassion, kindness, humility…” • 1 Corinthians 13:11 – “When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” • Romans 12:10 – “Outdo one another in showing honor.” • Exodus 6:9 – “They did not listen… because of their broken spirit and cruel slavery.” • Ephesians 6:15 – “With your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” 🙏 A Word for You: Have you started the walk, but you're struggling to keep going? Are you facing daily decisions where your flesh wants to go back, but the Spirit is calling you forward? God is not finished with you. He’s training you, clothing you, strengthening you—and He’s not giving up. 👟 Faith has feet. Keep walking. 🧥 Put on your new self. You were made for this. ❤️‍🔥 You’re loved—and it’s time to share that love with others. 🔗 Follow & Connect: 📲 Instagram: @socalteenchallenge 🐦 X: @scteenchallenge 📘 Facebook: @socalteenchallenge 🌐 Learn more or get help: teenchallenge.org

“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 stone brought condemnation, but the ministry of the Spirit brings freedom and lasting transformation. What God is doing in you may look messy—but that’s exactly where His glory shows up. “God doesn’t want your effort—He wants your face.” “Hope glows in the dark.” “God’s glory rests on the biggest mess.” Using the contrast between a veiled and unveiled life, this message challenges you to let go of fear, control, and performance and step into the childlike dependence that invites God’s presence. You don’t have to figure it all out—just reflect His light. 🗝️ Key Themes: • Living with unveiled faces: surrendering control and embracing dependence on God • Process sanctification vs. religious performance • The difference between fear and freedom • Reflecting God's glory in our weakness • The presence of God as our greatest treasure 📖 Scripture References: • 2 Corinthians 3:7–18 — “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” • Exodus 32–34 — Moses' encounter with God, the golden calf, and God's glory • Jeremiah (referenced) — “Return to Me, give Me back your face…” 💬 Viewer Invitation: Are you still striving? Still trying to hold it all together with religious effort? Jesus invites you to let go of the pegs, take off the veil, and come back to Him with your whole heart. Return to the presence. Return to love. And let His Spirit transform you—glory to glory. Drop a comment below if God spoke to you through this message. We’d love to hear how He’s unveiling His glory in your life. 🔗 Follow & Connect: 📲 Instagram: @socalteenchallenge 🐦 X (Twitter): @scteenchallenge 📘 Facebook: @socalteenchallenge 🌐 Learn more or get help at: teenchallenge.org