Teen Challenge of Southern California

God did not transform alumni just so they could have a better life. He transformed them to become kingdom servants, kingdom warriors, and living signs of His power. At the Spiritual Emphasis Alumni Luncheon, Ron Brown spoke from Psalm 71 and reminded alumni that they are “miraculous signs” to many. Their lives tell the world that God still heals broken hearts, sets captives free, delivers the oppressed, and restores what others thought was finished. “You are a miraculous sign,” Ron said. He also declared, “God doesn't do miracles just to do miracles, but He always has a purpose for a miracle.” This message looks back to the original vision of Teen Challenge in Los Angeles and looks forward to what Ron called Mission LA, a renewed call for alumni to pray, serve, and believe God for revival in the greater Los Angeles area. With millions in California still battling addiction and many never accessing help, Ron challenged alumni to ask what God may want to do through the testimony, wisdom, and spiritual authority He has placed in their lives. The call is not to abandon what God has already placed in their hands, but to listen for the prophetic invitation of Jesus. Like Peter stepping onto the water, alumni are called to keep their eyes on the Lord and move beyond comfort into mission. The application is simple: continue in Jesus, keep your life filled with praise, let your testimony show forth the splendor of God, and ask, “Lord, what is my part?” There is more to be done, more darkness to push back, and more lives waiting to see the awe and wonder of God through miraculous signs who are still standing.

After powerful worship, preaching, and altar moments, the question becomes simple: how do we walk this out tomorrow? Mike Conway preached from Colossians 3 and gave students a practical word for coming down the mountain and returning home with clarity. Victory is not sustained by hype, human effort, or trying harder. It is sustained by a clear vision of Christ, seated at the right hand of God, and the truth that we have already been raised with Him. “There's victory with clear vision,” Mike said. He also reminded students, “The miracle is already yours.” This message calls us to set our hearts and minds on things above. Our old desires, false beliefs, destructive patterns, and earthly attachments no longer have the final word. The old life is dead, and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. When old thoughts, temptations, anger, lies, and desires try to rise again, we do not have to believe them or return to them. We can see them for what they are and put them to death. Mike reminded students that freedom is not merely changed behavior. It is a transformed mind, a renewed heart, and a restored identity. God is making us image bearers again, people who reflect the Creator through love, patience, forgiveness, truth, and obedience. The application is simple: keep your eyes on the throne room. Set your heart on Christ. Set your mind on what is above. Put off the old self, put on the new self, and walk out the victory Jesus has already won.

A transformed life is one of the clearest displays of victory in Jesus. Jonathan Skiles preached from 1 John 1 and reminded students that the Christian life is not built on theory alone. It is built on what we have seen, heard, received, and experienced through the power of Jesus Christ. Our testimony becomes evidence that the gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. Jonathan connected 1 Corinthians 15:57 with Revelation 12:11, showing that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The testimony does not exist apart from the blood of Jesus. It is the blood of Christ that saves, cleanses, heals, restores, and gives us something worth declaring. “We don't have a testimony without the blood of Jesus,” Jonathan said. He also declared, “The power that saved me is the power that keeps me.” Through personal stories of salvation, healing, prison ministry, and God's faithfulness in moments of great need, this message reminds us that Jesus is not weak, distant, or limited. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His power still saves. His power still heals. His power still delivers. His power still gives people a testimony that can be shared with the world. The application is simple: give God thanks for the testimony He is writing in your life. Believe Him for the victory you have not yet seen. Finish the course He has placed before you. And as God continues to disciple, heal, and strengthen you, carry your testimony into a world that is still bound, still hurting, and still in need of Jesus.

The communion table reminds us that our salvation is not based on our good works, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Walter Colace opened this message by leading students in the Lord's Supper, calling them to remember that they were purchased with the blood of Jesus and given immeasurable value before God. Communion is not just a ritual. It is a reminder that Christ's body was given, His blood was poured out, and His death is proclaimed until He comes again. From there, Walter preached from John 12 and the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The crowd waved palm branches, a symbol of victory in Jewish history, expecting Jesus to deliver them from Rome. But Jesus came to bring a greater victory than political freedom. He came to conquer sin, the world, Satan, and death. “Jesus wasn't just coming into Jerusalem to give victory to Jewish people,” Walter said. “He was giving the victory to all of humanity that would come to Him in faith.” He also declared, “You have the victory because your victory is tethered to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This message points us to the Lamb who was worthy, the Savior who triumphed, and the King who is coming again. Jesus conquered sin so we no longer have to be enslaved to it. He overcame the world so we can have peace in tribulation. He defeated Satan and put the powers of darkness to open shame. He conquered death so that all who are united with Him will also share in His resurrection. The application is simple: receive the victory Jesus has already secured. Keep the Word of God in your heart. Guard your testimony. Stop living as though defeat is your only future. In Christ, you are an overcomer, and your victory is anchored in the cross, the empty tomb, and the Lamb who sits on the throne.

Romans 8 opens with one of the most powerful declarations in Scripture: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Gary Wilkerson preached a message about freedom from condemnation, freedom from self-effort, and freedom from the exhausting cycle of feeling “in and out” with God. Many believers wrestle with the thought that they are in the Spirit when they are doing well, but back in the flesh when they stumble, struggle, or feel weak. Romans 8 gives us a better word. Gary reminded students that the law of the Spirit of life has set us free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. The flesh could not save us. Trying harder could not save us. Religious effort, stronger promises, and moral performance could not deliver us. “For God” did what the law could not do by sending His own Son. “This is true all the time,” Gary said of the promise of no condemnation. He also declared, “You, however, are not in the flesh, but you're in the Spirit.” This message teaches that Jesus not only removes our sin, but gives us His righteousness. He changes the operating system of our lives. In Christ, we are not living in and out, up and down, condemned one day and accepted the next. We belong to Him. His Spirit dwells in us. His life is at work in us. The application is simple and powerful: stop trying to do in your own strength what only Jesus can do. Believe that there is no condemnation in Christ. Set your mind on the Spirit. Trust the righteousness Jesus has placed within you, and walk in the life and peace He has already won.

The victory God gives us does not mean we will never face a battle. It means we do not face the battle alone. John Burns preached from Exodus 17, where Israel fought the Amalekites while Moses stood on the hill with the staff of God in his hands. As long as Moses' hands were lifted, Israel was winning. When his hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur came alongside him and held them up until the victory was won. John highlighted three elements of victory in this passage: the struggle, the source, and the support. The struggle reminds us that battles are part of the Christian life. The source reminds us that the Lord is our banner, Jehovah Nissi, and that victory comes from Him. The support reminds us that we need Christ and we need one another. “Without the struggle, we don't have the victory,” John said. He also reminded us, “The Lord is the source of our victory.” This message also points us to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of Jehovah Nissi. Just as Moses lifted his hands and Joshua won the battle, Jesus was lifted up on the cross and won the victory for all of us. Through His blood, we have forgiveness, covering, intercession, resurrection life, and victory. The application is simple: stay under His banner. Stay connected to Jesus through obedience, praise, prayer, surrender, receiving His Word, and loving Him with your whole heart. When you grow weary, rest on Christ the Rock and allow the family of God to hold you up. His banner over us is victory.

Victory begins when we stop turning back to the past and start walking forward in the truth of who God says we are. Elizabeth Goodban shared her testimony of addiction, lost identity, motherhood, brokenness, and the restoring power of Jesus. Growing up around church and hearing about Teen Challenge, she knew about God, but had to learn what it meant to truly follow Him. Through her story, she reminded students that God can take what once felt hopeless and turn it into a life marked by healing, restoration, and generational change. Elizabeth taught from Proverbs 4:25 and Philippians 3:13–14, calling students to keep their eyes forward and press on toward what God has placed before them. Many of our battles begin in the mind, especially when memories, regret, shame, and accusations from the past try to rise up and speak louder than the truth. “Stop tripping over what's behind you,” Elizabeth said. She also declared, “There is no power in the past if I'm walking where God has told me to walk.” This message is a practical reminder that freedom requires more than a powerful moment at the altar. When the music ends and students return to their centers, the real work continues. We must read the Word, pray, take thoughts captive, tell the truth, ask for help, and allow godly people to walk alongside us. The application is simple: replace the lie with the truth. The past may hold memories, but it does not have to hold power. In Christ, your identity is not what you did, what happened to you, or what others said about you. You are a child of God, and He is calling you forward.

Victory is not just a moment we reach. It is a way of life we walk out daily in Jesus. Kevin Nickerson preached from Matthew 14 and the story of Peter walking on the water, reminding students that victory in Christ means overcoming, prevailing, and continuing forward even when the storm is still raging. The world often defines victory as winning a game, reaching a goal, or arriving at a destination, but biblical victory is deeper than that. It is learning to live, move, and trust through Christ. Kevin walked through six practical movements for living a victorious life: desire, decision, dedication, distraction, deliverance, and declaration. Peter had a desire to be where Jesus was. He made a decision to get out of the boat. He stayed focused on Christ long enough to do the impossible. But when distraction came, he began to sink, and his deliverance came through one simple prayer: “Lord, save me.” “You're not fighting for victory,” Kevin said. “You're fighting from victory because Jesus has already won it for you and for me.” He also reminded us, “Victory is not necessarily a destination. Victory is actually a way of life.” This message is a practical call to get out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. The boat may represent comfort, control, familiarity, or fear, but faith requires movement. Desire alone is not enough. We must make the decision to trust God, stay dedicated to the process, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, ask Him for help when we sink, and declare the victory He has already won. The application is simple: desire more of God, decide to follow Him, stay dedicated when the emotion fades, overcome distractions, cry out for deliverance, and declare what God has done. In Christ, failure does not define us. Stumbling is a moment, not our identity. Victory is found as we keep walking with Jesus.

Who you believe Jesus is will shape the rest of your life. Jamal Alexander preached from Matthew 16 and 1 Corinthians 15:57–58, calling students to move beyond borrowed faith, religious language, or simply knowing about Jesus. When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered with the revelation that changes everything: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jamal shared his own testimony of walking into Teen Challenge, giving his life to Jesus, and remaining saved for nearly 38 years. His challenge was direct and personal: long-term victory is possible, but it begins with truly knowing who Jesus is and refusing to build your life on anyone else's version of Him. “Don't act like you think you know Jesus,” Jamal said. He also declared, “If you know who He is, then you know who you are.” This message reminds us that victory in Christ is not passive. First Corinthians 15 says God gives us the victory through Jesus, but the next verse tells us to stand firm, let nothing move us, and give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. Victory requires surrender, commitment, identity, and daily obedience. The application is clear: know who Jesus is, know who you are as a child of God, and stand firm in the calling He has placed on your life. God is calling pastors, missionaries, evangelists, worship leaders, church planters, and servants from Teen Challenge. The question is simple: will you say yes?

Joy is not the absence of difficulty. It is the strength God gives us to keep walking with Him through the journey, the obstacles, and the process of becoming mature in Christ. In this message from James 1:1–4, Joshua Canales teaches on “The Joy of a Life in Christ” and reminds us that God is not wasting the season we are in. The believers James wrote to were scattered, tested, and facing trials of many kinds, yet they were called to consider it pure joy because God was producing something lasting in them. Joshua breaks down joy through three key words: journey, obstacles, and youthfulness. Our journey is unique, and no one else can live it for us. Our obstacles are not random, but are used by God to shape us into the image of Jesus. Our youthfulness reminds us that we are still growing, still learning, and still under construction. “Your journey is not a mistake,” Joshua said. He also declared, “Joy is not an emotion. Joy is not a feeling. Joy is a state of spiritual being.” This message calls us to stop comparing our lives to others, stop rushing God's process, and stop condemning ourselves when we are still growing. Jesus has given us the grace and the space to finish the race. Now we must give ourselves that same grace, keep pressing forward, and let perseverance finish its work. The application is simple: embrace the journey God has given you, trust Him through the obstacles He allows, and do not quit before the work is complete. Your joy starts, continues, and ends in Jesus.

Victory in Jesus is not only about beginning the race. It is about finishing the race with faithfulness, obedience, and love for Christ. Rich Guerra shares the powerful story of his grandfather, whose encounter with Jesus in a revival tent changed the direction of his family for generations. One decision to surrender to Christ became a legacy of faith that reached his children, grandchildren, and beyond. In the same way, the decisions we make today can impact the generations that come after us. Preaching from Galatians 5:7–8 and 1 Corinthians 9:24, Rich asks a direct question: will you run to win? He reminds us that many people start well, but not everyone finishes well. The Christian life requires endurance, responsibility, perseverance, renewed love, connection to the body of Christ, and simple daily obedience. “Many start well, but they don't finish well,” Rich said. He also declared, “There are no winners and losers in God's kingdom. There's just finishers and quitters.” This message gives practical biblical lessons for anyone who wants to finish strong. Refuse to blame others for your struggles. Don't quit when life gets hard. Restore the love of your calling. Don't try to do it alone. Remain in Christ, stay connected, and keep obeying God one day at a time. The application is clear: the baton is in your hands. Others have run before you, and generations may be affected by how you run now. Keep your eyes on Jesus, refuse to give up, and run the race to finish well.

Victory in Jesus is not a temporary fix. It is an eternal victory secured by the finished work of Christ. In this powerful message, Ron Brown preaches from Revelation 15 and Colossians 2, reminding students that the battle has already been won by Jesus. Because of the cross and the empty tomb, sin, death, bondage, and the accusations of the enemy have been defeated forever. Ron calls us to live in agreement with the Word of God and to continue our lives in Christ, rooted, built up, strengthened in faith, and overflowing with thankfulness. He warns against every hollow philosophy, false belief, and spiritual distraction that tries to pull us away from the truth of who Jesus is and what He has already done. “We came to Teen Challenge to be transformed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ forever,” Ron said. He also declared, “The devil has been disarmed.” Through Christ, we have been made alive. Our sins have been forgiven. The charges against us have been canceled. Every power and authority that stood against our salvation has been defeated at the cross. This message calls us to stop living like captives when Jesus has already opened the prison doors. Receive His forgiveness, walk in agreement with His Word, and stand in the eternal victory that belongs to every son and daughter of God. There has been a jailbreak in the spirit, and the captives have been set free.

Gary Wilkerson's first message at Spiritual Emphasis began with a powerful call to worship, inviting the room to slow down, praise Jesus with real words, and behold the beauty of the Savior. Drawing from the hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus” and the writings of Samuel Rutherford, Gary reminded us that Jesus is more beautiful, more glorious, and more sufficient than anything creation can offer. Preaching from Romans 5:15–21, Gary then unpacked the difference between Adam's trespass and Christ's free gift. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and brought death, guilt, condemnation, and separation from God. But through one man, Jesus Christ, grace abounded, righteousness was given, and eternal life became available to all who believe. “The free gift is different,” Gary said. Adam unleashed sin into the world, but Jesus absorbed it on the cross. Adam's disobedience made many sinners, but Christ's obedience makes many righteous. What Adam brought through sin, Jesus reversed through grace. This message calls us to receive the full confidence of what Jesus has done. In Christ, we are not simply trying to act righteous. We have been made righteous. We are not the old person we once were. We are a new creation, cleansed by the blood of Jesus and held securely in His hand. The application is simple and life changing: do not call unclean what God has made clean. Start speaking, believing, and living from the truth of who you are in Christ. The old has passed away, the new has come, and grace reigns through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In this Spiritual Emphasis message, Micah Hale preaches a powerful word titled “The Vows of the King,” showing how the love of Jesus brings true victory, healing, and transformation. Through the story of Hosea and Gomer, Micah reminds us that God does not wait for us to become worthy before He comes for us. At our lowest point, Jesus was already speaking His love over us. He came to find us, bring us home, wash us, heal us, and remind us that we belong to Him. “Your victory doesn't rest on your promise. It rests on His promise,” Micah said. He also reminded us, “You're not scattered anymore. You are planted.” This message speaks to anyone who has felt scattered, unloved, unwanted, or alone. In Hosea, God takes names marked by judgment and turns them into names of restoration. The valley of trouble becomes a gateway of hope. The scattered become planted. Those called “not loved” are called loved. Those called “not my people” are called children of the living God. The application is clear: victory in Jesus looks like intimacy and surrender. We learn to hear His voice, trust His promise, guard our hearts, and say yes when the King says, “I choose you.” His love is enough to settle us, heal us, and keep us from running back to the things that once held us captive.

In this Spiritual Emphasis message, Ryan Lawrence teaches from Ecclesiastes 3 and reminds us that God is sovereign over every season of life. There is a time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Some seasons are filled with joy, while others are marked by pain, confusion, waiting, and surrender. Ryan shares his own testimony of addiction, brokenness, and how God used Teen Challenge as a turning point in his life. What once felt hopeless became part of the story God was writing. Looking back, he reminds us that God uses seasons, moments, failures, and victories to shape us for His purpose. “God is still in control. He is not absent from your story,” Ryan said. He also challenged every student, “Don't waste the season. Don't waste this time that you have with God.” This message is a call to trust God when His timing does not match ours. In seasons of waiting, recovery, healing, and restoration, God is still working. He is building faith, shaping desires, teaching dependence, and making something beautiful in His time. The application is clear: worship instead of worry, pray instead of panic, lean into God instead of isolating, and trust that the season you are in right now is not wasted. Your story is not at its end. In Jesus, it may just be the beginning.

n this Spiritual Emphasis message, Daniel Bentley preaches a powerful word, calling us to fix our eyes on Jesus in a world filled with distraction. In a culture trained to scroll, glance, and move on, Daniel reminds us that the invitation of Scripture is to slow down and truly behold the Lord. Drawing from the writings of John, Daniel walks through three powerful pictures of Jesus. First, we behold the Lamb of God, the sinless sacrifice whose blood was shed for us. Then we behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the conquering King whose victory was revealed through the cross. Finally, we behold the love of the Father, the otherworldly love that calls us sons and daughters of God. “What you continually behold, you eventually become like,” Daniel said. He also reminded us, “Don't scroll past the cross.” The cross is not just an event to be remembered. It is an invitation to be received. This message challenges us to recognize what has captured our attention. The enemy wants us to fix our eyes on our past, our shame, our failure, and ourselves. But freedom begins when we lift our eyes and behold Jesus as He truly is. He is the Lamb who was slain, the Lion who reigns, and the love of God revealed. When we look to Calvary, we are changed from the inside out. We are reminded that we are chosen, wanted, accepted, forgiven, and free in Jesus.

In this powerful message from Spiritual Emphasis, Alex Delgado preaches from Jonah 1–2 and reminds us that what feels like rock bottom may actually be the mercy of God at work. Jonah thought he was drowning, but God had prepared a fish, not to destroy him, but to deliver him. Through his own testimony of addiction, fear, brokenness, and restoration, Alex challenges students to believe that their current season is not the end of their story. “Sometimes the very thing you think is killing you is actually what God is using to save you,” he said. “Your pit will either be your prison or your platform. You decide.” This message calls us to stop identifying with our past and step into the purpose God has already written. Victory in Jesus means we no longer fight for victory. We fight from victory, trusting that God does not merely rehabilitate lives; He transforms them.

In this opening message from Spiritual Emphasis, Evan Wickham teaches from Ephesians 3:14–21 and unpacks the heart of true victory in Jesus: union with Christ. Paul's prayer reminds us that we are not called to overcome shame, fear, addiction, or failure by willpower alone, but by being strengthened through the Holy Spirit and rooted in the love of God. Evan shows how shame can become a prison, the belief that God may love others, but not fully us, and how Christ's love breaks through that lie. As he said, “God's love just is the soil you're planted in,” and “there is no basement in your life that the depth of His love hasn't already been to.” Through the wide, long, high, and deep love of Christ, this message calls us to stop striving for worth and begin living from the truth that we are already rooted and established in Him. Victory in Jesus is not distant or theoretical. It is found as we turn our hearts toward Him, receive His love, and live daily in the shelter of His presence.

The opening message of Spiritual Emphasis began with one question from Psalm 24: Who is this King of Glory? Ron Brown called students to prepare their hearts for God to do defining things in their lives. Through Psalm 24 and Isaiah 6, he reminded us that when we truly see the Lord, our eyes are opened to the truth. We recognize our need, we see our own condition, and we discover that Jesus is the King who meets us in brokenness, addiction, despair, and hopelessness. “When the King of Glory comes in, everything changes,” Ron said. He also reminded us, “Victory in Jesus is about being conformed to the image of His Son.” This message points to Jesus as both the victorious King and the suffering servant. He did battle for our souls at Calvary, bore our sin and pain on the cross, and initiated a relationship with us long before we ever knew Him. Victory begins when we step into that relationship and allow Him to become the center of our lives. Ron also challenged students to understand that new life must be practiced. We practiced sin for years, but now we learn how to practice being Christians. We learn to love, forgive, trust, obey, worship, and renew our minds through the Word of God. The application is simple: let the King of Glory come in. Lay down the burdens of sin, shame, brokenness, and addiction. Build a real relationship with Jesus. Let Him renew your mind, reshape your identity, and teach you how to walk in the new life He has already made possible.

In this deeply personal and faith-filled message from Day 3 of Fire in Our Bones, Gary Wilkerson weaves together testimony, mission, and exhortation to remind the church that prayer and compassion remain central to the heart of God. Sharing powerful stories of healing in his own family and testimonies of rescue among widows and orphans through World Challenge, Gary points the church back to a simple but urgent biblical call. At the center of the message is Paul's short but weighty appeal: “Brothers, pray for us.” Through that lens, Gary reminds believers that ministry is sustained not by activity alone, but by prayer, focus, and a heart aligned with what matters most to God. With tenderness, clarity, and conviction, Gary also reflects on the importance of clarifying calling in a distracted age. Rather than trying to do everything, he emphasizes the power of identifying the one thing God has especially entrusted to you and giving yourself fully to it. The message is filled with compassion for the vulnerable and gratitude for what God continues to do through surrendered lives. One of the clearest themes throughout is that “pure and undefiled religion” is not mere performance or appearance, but love expressed through prayerful, practical care for those in need. This session becomes both a testimony of God's faithfulness and a call to keep praying, keep focusing, and keep serving where God has truly called.

In this encouraging closing message from Fire in Our Bones, Ron Brown reminds pastors, leaders, and servants of God that the call of ministry is not to manufacture results, but to remain faithful in the work God has assigned. Drawing from Acts 10 and Ephesians 2, he points to Jesus as the model of Spirit-anointed ministry, one who “went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” From there, Ron calls the church back to a steady, surrendered faithfulness: plant the seed of God's Word, water it with prayer, obedience, and love, and trust the Lord Himself to bring the increase. With warmth, gratitude, and pastoral wisdom, Ron urges leaders not to measure their lives or ministries by artificial standards, outward appearances, or pressure to produce visible success. Instead, he calls them to serve with thanksgiving, blessing, and endurance, remembering that God is always at work in hidden places. One of the clearest burdens of the message is this simple but powerful charge: “You just keep on planting. You just keep on watering. You just keep on praying.” At the heart of the sermon is a call to live from gratitude, trust God with the harvest, and remember that every good work prepared by God carries eternal significance, even when the fruit is not yet visible.

In this urgent and Spirit-filled message from Fire in Our Bones, Ron Brown calls the church to awaken to the season we are living in and reclaim the prophetic mantle God has entrusted to His people. Drawing from Ephesians 5 and Joshua 1, he reminds us that the church is not called merely to survive dark times, but to speak, live, and minister with a Spirit-led clarity that reveals the heart and wisdom of God to the world. This prophetic mantle is not about religious performance or empty language. It is about a life aligned with God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and able to discern what the Lord is saying and doing in the hour we are in. As Ron declares, “We must reclaim our prophetic mantle as the church of the Living God,” and that begins with learning to inquire of the Lord again. With pastoral authority and prophetic urgency, Ron emphasizes that this new season cannot be navigated with old patterns, human wisdom, or ministry momentum alone. The church must become a people who wait on God, pray deeply, and receive fresh instruction from the Holy Spirit for the challenges of this hour. He points to Joshua as a model of Spirit-led leadership, one who needed humility, wisdom, courage, and strength in order to lead people into their inheritance. At the center of the message is this conviction: “It is time for us to reclaim the prophetic mantle of the church, walking in lockstep with the Holy Spirit,” so that the people of God can bring real answers, real hope, and real deliverance to a broken world.

In this powerful and freeing message from Fire in Our Bones, Daniel Bentley opens Romans 6 to remind believers that too many Christians are still fighting like prisoners in a war Jesus has already won. Through the cross and resurrection, sin's authority has been broken, the old self has been crucified, and a new life has already begun for every believer in Christ. As Daniel declares, “The war is over,” and the call now is to stop living like spiritual prisoners of war when heaven has already announced our freedom. With clarity, pastoral honesty, and deep gospel hope, Daniel shows that grace is not permission to stay bound but power to walk free. He urges believers to stop defining themselves by old patterns, old reflexes, and old shame, and instead come into agreement with what God says is already true. At the heart of the message is this liberating reality: “You're not fighting for victory. You're fighting from victory,” because “sin shall no longer be your master.” This is a call to believe the gospel more deeply, renew the mind, and live like sons and daughters who truly belong to a new King.

In this urgent and sobering message from Fire in Our Bones, Gary Wilkerson delivers a prophetic warning to the church about the spiritual condition of the culture and the danger of mistaking outward improvement for true transformation. Preaching from Matthew 12 and Romans 1, he warns that temporary moral cleanup, political shifts, or cultural corrections are not the same as revival. If a generation is merely swept and ordered on the outside but remains empty on the inside, darker forces will return with even greater intensity. As Gary says, “We have not had a real revival,” and the church must not be lulled into comfort by appearances. At the same time, this message is not one of fear, but of holy resolve. Gary calls believers to prepare for a darker hour by becoming a stronger, purer, more Spirit-filled church. Rather than shrinking back, the people of God are called to stand, resist, pray, fast, and live with uncompromising love and holiness. One of the strongest burdens of the message is his conviction that “These are not going to be the darkest days for the church. I believe they're going to be the brightest days for the church,” because when evil rises, God raises up a people who are ready to shine. This is a call to spiritual resistance, deep consecration, and courageous faith for the days ahead.

In this rich and practical panel conversation from Fire in Our Bones, Jonathan Skiles, Alberto Bello, James Force, Gary Wilkerson, and Ron Brown reflect on the church's calling to minister faithfully across generations. Together, they speak with honesty about the challenges facing the church today—division, consumer Christianity, fear of releasing younger leaders, and the tension of leading in a rapidly changing culture. Yet the heart of the discussion is deeply hopeful. Again and again, the panel returns to the conviction that God is moving powerfully in this moment, especially among younger generations who are hungry for truth, community, and the real presence of God. As one of the clearest themes of the panel puts it, “The message never changes, but the vehicle does.” With wisdom, humor, and pastoral depth, the conversation highlights both the burden and the beauty of ministry in this hour. The panelists emphasize the importance of sound theology, authentic discipleship, intergenerational unity, and a willingness to release the next generation into real responsibility. They also remind leaders not to lose sight of the joy of ministry itself—seeing lives transformed, families restored, and the gospel carried forward in fresh ways. At the center of the discussion is a call for the church to remain anchored in Christ while adapting its methods, building true community, and creating space for sons and daughters to carry the mantle into the future.

In this stirring message from Fire in Our Bones, James Force calls believers to recognize that we are living in the fruit of someone else's obedience, and now it is our turn to carry that same mantle for the next generation. From Elijah and Elisha to Peter, Paul, and David Wilkerson, James shows that God moves powerfully through ordinary people who simply say yes. At the center of the message is a clear challenge: “It's our turn now,” and the question is whether we will live open-handed before God, ready to obey whatever He asks. With urgency and encouragement, James reminds listeners that obedience is not about having every detail figured out, but about surrendering our will to God's. He warns against trying to control the outcome, waiting until we feel qualified, or asking God to simply bless plans we have already made. Instead, he calls the church back to a life of yielded prayer, active faith, and immediate response. As he says, “You will never know what your obedience today will lead to tomorrow,” and that truth becomes a call to trust God fully, remove distractions, and say with sincerity, “Lord, whatever You want me to do, I'll do.”

In this tender and deeply pastoral message from Fire in Our Bones, Micah Hale calls believers back to the heart of the Beatitudes with Jesus' words, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” He reminds us that true blessing is not found in prestige, control, or outward success, but in the deep, unshakable peace that comes from living near the Father. This peace is not fragile, borrowed, or dependent on circumstances. As Micah says, “No one can take my peace because they didn't give it to me,” and that peace becomes the mark of those who truly belong to God. With honesty, compassion, and spiritual clarity, Micah shows that peacemaking is not passive. It is forged in conflict, refined through mercy, and lived out in real relationships marked by offense, betrayal, misunderstanding, and reconciliation. He urges listeners not to react in the flesh, but to let the Holy Spirit heal what is broken so they can become people who carry peace into chaos. At the center of the message is a call to reflect the Father's heart, to become, in his words, “an expert in the mercy of God,” and to live as sons and daughters who leave a trail of peace, healing, and restoration wherever they go.

In this faith-filled and timely message from Fire in Our Bones, Alberto Bello challenges believers to reconsider what they are calling delay, disappointment, or unanswered prayer. Preaching from Numbers 13, he reminds us that God may already be moving, bringing change, and positioning us for promise, even when we cannot yet see it clearly. The issue is not always God's activity, but our perspective. As Alberto says, “What if God was bringing change and change was already on its way, but you just didn't have the faith to see it?” This message calls the church to see with fresh eyes, trust God's timing, and stop letting fear, past pain, or limited thinking distort what He is doing. With passion, humor, and conviction, Alberto contrasts the fearful report of the ten spies with the spirit of Caleb, who saw promise where others saw problems. He reminds listeners that obstacles do not mean God is absent; often they are the very place where His promise is waiting to be revealed. In one of the strongest themes of the message, Alberto declares, “The promises of God are always wrapped in obstacles,” and urges believers to stop viewing life through the wrong lens. He closes with a call to worship, faith, and spiritual perspective, reminding us that “Maybe change is closer than we think.”

In this sobering and deeply pointed message from Fire in Our Bones, Gary Wilkerson calls the church to honest repentance and spiritual wakefulness. Drawing from the life of Samson, he warns against the subtle compromises, tolerated sins, and repeated moments of disobedience that slowly drain spiritual strength and dull discernment. This is not a message of condemnation, but of mercy—a call from the kindness of God to deal with what has been left unchecked before it destroys intimacy, authority, and anointing. As Gary says, “The Holy Spirit is now trying to grab you by the scruff of the neck and pull you out of that fire,” and that urgent call is meant to rescue, not shame. With gravity, tenderness, and clarity, Gary reminds us that compromise rarely begins with a dramatic fall, but with small agreements, subtle seductions, and the false belief that sin can be managed. He warns that many can continue preaching, leading, and ministering without realizing how much strength has already been lost. Yet even here, grace is still reaching. In one of the strongest threads of the message, he points listeners back to the goodness of God, reminding us that “He wants you to leave here tonight knowing he's going to restore you,” and urging us to stop lingering near the fire and return fully to the presence of the Lord. The call is simple and urgent: “Deal with it tonight.”

In this deeply encouraging message from Fire in Our Bones, James Force reminds pastors, leaders, and servants of God that while ministry is one of the greatest callings on earth, it can also be exhausting, discouraging, and heavy. Preaching from Psalm 23, he calls us back to the simple but life-giving truth that we are not just shepherds of others—we are sheep who still need the Shepherd ourselves. As James says, “The center of God's will will always be your favorite place to be,” and no matter where God leads, He remains faithful to provide everything needed for every assignment. With honesty, warmth, and pastoral strength, James urges weary leaders to stop living on performance, pressure, and constant output, and to let the Lord minister to them again. He reminds us that “The Lord is my shepherd. I lack no good thing,” and that even in dark valleys, God's presence is enough to carry us through. This message is a call to rest, trust, and renewed dependence on Jesus—to slow down, receive from Him, and remember that “Wherever God places you, your role will always be to point to Jesus.”

In this opening message from the Fire in Our Bones Conference, Pastor Ron Brown calls the church back to the burning flame of obedience. In a world filled with chaos, pressure, and distraction, he reminds believers that God is still calling His people to listen to His voice and walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Revival does not come through activity, strategy, or appearance, but through surrendered lives that simply obey what God says. As Pastor Ron declares, “To hear is to obey,” and when the church returns to that place of listening and responding, the power of God begins to move again. With urgency and encouragement, this message challenges believers to stop measuring their lives by success, results, or recognition and instead measure their faithfulness by obedience to God's will. Pastor Ron reminds us that “God is not counting your success. He's counting your obedience,” and calls the church to persevere even through difficult seasons of ministry and life. Whether the season feels fruitful or discouraging, the call remains the same: “Keep obeying until you can't anymore.” When the people of God live this way—praying, serving, loving, and proclaiming Christ—the flame of obedience becomes the very fire that sustains revival.

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.

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: @socalteenchallenge X (Twitter): @scteenchallenge Website: 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.”

“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.

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.

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.

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 defined by your past. You are now a beloved child of God, fully forgiven and deeply loved.

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.

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 purpose.

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.

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.

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 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.

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” prompts us to step out in faith and trust God for the extraordinary.

“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 every listener: “What will you do with this moment?” “Some of you have lived so long in the land of grief, you think it's home. But God is calling you out.” “There's a real enemy trying to steal your voice, hijack your identity, and lock you in silence—but God is the Author, and He's not finished writing.” “If you don't surrender it now, it will keep you bound later.” “You've gotten sober—but are you free?” “Every scar, every sin, every secret—God's not afraid of any of it. He wants to speak light into your darkest place.” “Jesus doesn't do partial healing. He comes to make all things new.” “You may have walked into this room in shame—but you can walk out in freedom.” This message is not entertainment. It's a summons.

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

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.

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 was not God's first suggestion—it was His first command.” “God won't reveal what He's not ready to heal.” “Stop begging for sobriety—you're already sober. Start thanking God and let the light go deeper.” This is more than a message—it's a moment. Alex shares his own story of father wounds, buried grief, and the 35 years of unresolved pain that God unearthed when it was time for healing. “I never let the light shine on the bitterness in my heart. I used to shine it on my calling, my gifts—but never on my brokenness.” “Hurt people hurt people. And hurt people in ministry is a tragedy.” “Ministry is not about a microphone—it's about washing feet.” “Let the light do its full work. Don't stay dead at the altar—let God resurrect what's been lost.” This message also carries a tender prophetic word for women who've experienced abortion: “When you release your grip on guilt and shame, the tide of God's grace will wash it away. That baby has been made new—and so have you.” Alex challenges the listener to shift how they see submission, leadership, and spiritual authority. “You're not submitting to Teen Challenge—you're submitting to Jesus.” “You may not understand the process, but God is already doing something in the spiritual. Your body's just catching up.”

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.” And it requires full surrender. “You can't follow Jesus and live in sin. It doesn't work like that.” “God's not looking for perfect people. He's looking for surrendered people.” Ryan shares his own story — the drugs, the porn, the money, the fame — and how it all left him empty until he met the real Jesus. And that same Jesus is calling out to you. “Some of you are addicted. Some of you are in sexual sin. Some of you are in religious bondage. And Jesus is saying, ‘Come out of the shadows.'” He doesn't pull punches: “You're either all in, or you're not in at all.” “You want to experience the power of God? Repent. Turn from your sin. Seek Him. And watch what He does.” Through story, scripture, and a powerful altar call, Ryan reminds us that Jesus didn't come to make us better people — He came to bring dead people to life.