Native American Teen Challenge to open this year
Fred Lamberson (right) with his father. Lamberson plans
to open a Teen Challenge geared specifically for Native
Americans.
By Patty Baker
Fred Lamberson, a member of the Trinidad Rancheria tribe, a Tribal Council Member, director of Redwood Teen Challenge and current Pastor of Trinidad (California) Assembly of God, has a vision for the first Native American Teen Challenge. Lamberson’s vision is intensely personal; he was freed from his addiction at Teen Challenge.
Native Americans experience substance abuse disproportionately compared with other racial groups in the U.S. according to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In this group, the rate of “binge drinking,” defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion on at least one day in the past 30 days, is 28.2 percent, the highest of any ethnicity. Native Americans also were described as having the highest rating of “heavy use,” defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of five or more days in the past 30 days.
According to Lamberson, Native Americans are typically wary of “white-man’s” Christianity and thus help from the Christian community. However, once any person is saved, they are less bothered by racial barriers. Therefore, a staff of Spirit-filled Native Americans would provide the opportunity for Native Americans to experience the life-changing transformation that so many others have at Teen Challenge.
This innovative approach by Teen Challenge would accept Native Americans from across the country. There, they would learn they can find power through Christ, gain the ability to cope with problems and live a more effective, productive life, instead of escaping from problems with alcohol or drugs.
The ultimate goal is to build a Native American-focused Teen Challenge dedicated to producing radically saved Native Americans, trained to the standards of, and available for placement via, the Assemblies of God U.S. Missions and World Missions programs.
“There is a great untapped spiritual openness within the Native American people that is ready for the harvest. This is an exciting opportunity to reach out and offer the message of Christ to a community that has been under-reached,” Lamberson says. “By doing so, we can bring forth spiritual warriors for Christ; ready and prepared to enter the mission field and spread the good news of the gospel to the entire world.”
For more information visit the Teen Challenge booth in the Exhibit Hall or see www.teenchallengeusa.com.