Living For Jesus – Rebecca's Story

Rebecca grew up in a home with two functional alcoholics. Both her mom and dad were amazing, loving parents but she was surrounded by drinking. Eventually, Rebecca started to smoke, drink, and experiment with other substances. For more than a decade, these choices continued to control her life and limit her opportunities.

Throughout this time, Rebecca had five children and eventually lost custody of all of them. She was in a desperate place but unsure how to make meaningful changes in her life.

One couple, in particular, stood out as distinctly different. The foster parents of one of her daughters were kind and loving people. At the time, she didn’t understand what set them apart, but in hindsight she knows it was Jesus. They are faithful Christ followers and Rebecca could sense a loving peace from them.

Meeting Jesus

When they invited her to church, she figured she had nothing to lose so she accepted their invitation. She started attending regularly and asked Jesus into her heart. She thought everything would change – but it didn’t.

In fact, things got worse. What Rebecca didn’t realize was that she needed to fully surrender to Christ. She couldn’t have one foot in the world. She was going to church under the influence, hiding it, and acting like everything was ok but really, she was falling apart.

Rebecca had already completed six secular rehab programs and each time she relapsed. When the Teen Challenge ministry team came to her church, she was intrigued but, ultimately, decided a year was too long. Instead, she entered a 10-week program and quickly relapsed after completion. That setback went on for about a year before she hit her rock bottom. She lost her kids, her home, everything she had. It was at that point she agreed to give Teen Challenge a try.

Rebecca was ready for change and ready to surrender. She says 

“The goal when walking through those doors was to build a relationship with Jesus. I knew that was my only hope.”

Getting to Know Him

The early days were challenging – she relocated to another province and had to give up not just her cell phone but cigarettes too. It was rough. She wanted to quit. It would have been easier to go home. But that’s when Rebecca got on her hands and knees and started praying. She cried out to God.

“I told God ‘I want to stay in this program, but I really need your help. I need strength, energy… I need YOU.’ ”

Weeks passed and Rebecca started to feel joy, peace, and happiness. She started to feel like she could tackle the program and decided to put her ALL into it. Once she had that mind shift, Rebecca could see God moving in her life.

Living God’s Way

The TC program was a completely different way of life than what she was used to. There was a dress code and expectations for attending program and counselling sessions. This was a stark contrast to the other programs she had completed. Smoking and her cell phone were the biggest things to surrender for Rebecca but it made all the difference.

When staff encouraged her to set goals and write them down, she thought it was “a stupid waste of time”. However, she remembered her commitment and gave it a try. She discovered it was actually good advice! She started achieving goals by putting action steps into practice!

Her attitude shift meant that Rebecca was wholeheartedly learning and putting it into practice everything staff were teaching. In hindsight, she says TC gave her the tools and a firm foundation to succeed and she still uses strategies she learned during the program to handle situations that arise in everyday life.

Rebecca reflects that the staff are strict, but they do it because they love you. They are monitoring your behaviour, guiding you, and showing you what’s expected.

“When I was fully honest and willing to give up my ways for God’s ways, that’s when things changed – the way I think, the way I act, the way I treat people.”

Life After Graduation

Rebecca graduated from the program and moved back to her home province in time to see her daughter graduate from grade 12 and attend prom. She got a job at a Christian camp and stayed in a beautiful cottage while she worked for the summer. Before that seasonal job ended, God provided another job at a local farm market owned by a Christian woman. She is now the manager of their new location and loving life. She credits God for this transformation.

Restored Relationships

Rebecca's parents took custody of her oldest daughter at just a year old. Rebecca was in and out of addiction which meant she was in and out of her daughter’s life. She offered a lot of empty promises that hurt that relationship. During her time at TC, she started to take ownership for what she had done. She began writing letters and calling her daughter to share what Jesus was doing in her life.

She has now moved back in with her parents and oldest daughter, and they are rebuilding a relationship that was lost for many years. She is also working on establishing relationship with her three other children who are in foster care.

In the final months of the Teen Challenge program, her Ongoing Care Coach asked if there were any stones left unturned. He encouraged her that it would be better to deal with them now than wait until after graduation.

Immediately, Rebecca knew what she needed to do. One of her friends had custody of her daughter and they had not spoken for a long time. She prayed about the situation and took ownership and apologized for the ways her addiction had hurt both her daughter and her friend. When they finally connected, her friend was so grateful. She had been waiting for Rebecca to apologize and recognize the sacrifice she had made by caring for her daughter. God answered her prayer and that friendship has been restored, and her daughter comes to visit every Sunday.

In fact, every Sunday all of her kids come to spend the afternoon. They can see a change in their mom as she shares with them what Jesus has done in her life. They are coming to church, and the family tree is being changed!

Walking the Road of Recovery

Recovery is a journey – not a destination. Rebecca still experiences temptation; while walking past the variety store, she could buy a pack of cigarettes, but she knows what that would do. It would derail her life. Instead, she leans on Jesus during those times. She is constantly praying and taking negative thoughts captive – just like she learned to do at TC. All of the tools she acquired, she puts into practice because they work!

Rebecca has built a support network around her and each morning starts with coffee, devotion, prayer, and journaling. She says it’s the best part of the day and her lifeline. She surrounds herself with Christians because that’s what she needs in her life. Bible studies, Celebrate Recovery, church – that’s what keeps her going.

“If you would’ve told me I’d be a Christian and completely living for Jesus, I never would’ve believed it.”

A year seems intimidating when you’re taking the first step. But Rebecca reflects 

“I got to spend a whole year working on my relationship with Jesus. TC gives you the time to put the tools into practice. Now He’s using me. God has a plan for me.”

During TC’s one year program, men and women learn a lot of foundational truths that set them up for long-term success. The program is tough, but it refines who you are. Just look at the transformation in Rebecca's life! Despite moving to another province and being away from her family, she persevered and now she’s rebuilding relationships, working, and healthy!

“Everything about Teen Challenge shaped me into a Christ-like person. I’ve gone to treatment after treatment after treatment. They teach you things, yes, but nothing like Teen Challenge. It changed my life, restored my relationships and now I’m being a light to my family. Christ is the maker and when we look to him, he gives us the strength to do things we never thought possible.” 

** Rebecca's name has been changed to respect her privacy.