"I started abusing alcohol at age nine. I could not handle the idea of my dad leaving me! I remember hanging onto my dad's leg screaming, ‘Please don't leave me!’ Eventually I began drinking and using large amounts of LSD. I knew something had to change. I entered the Teen Challenge program...Teen Challenge...I just want to say, ‘Thanks for turning my life around.’" - Joe

Entrance requirement is a willingness to change the habits that led the person to alcohol and drug addiction. The students are free to leave at any time, but their counselors encourage them to stay.

Teen Challenge of the Mid-South, Inc. offers all four phases of the program:

Phase I: Crisis intervention, pre-induction, and referral - one month. Persons with life-controlling problems are provided with an evaluation on whether they need long-term discipleship training offered by Teen Challenge.

Phase II: Induction. This discipleship process involves Three months of Bible study and character refinement.

Phase III: Training Center. Long-term residential program involves four months of Christian growth, and vocational development. Basic outreach evangelism to the community; i.e., prevention programs, drop-in counseling, literature distribution, street meetings, jail, and prison services.

Phase IV: Re-entry. This four-month process provides temporary housing, personal and family counseling assistance in finding employment, and a home church.