America has a history of adventurers willing to explore (go to) uncharted territory realizing the great potential which could be harvested.
The church of America has had adventurers also, individuals who realized uncharted fields of potential among different ethnic, sociological cultures.
Today, the launching of a new ministry "Freedom Challenge" into the subculture of America that many try to avoid, made up of embezzlers, thieves, muggers and yes even murderers - the prisons of America, has been initiated. Freedom Challenge, a new work of TCI-USA has begun by an invitation of the Kansas Department of Corrections, specifically the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas.
In 1995 Rev. Tom Bevard founded Freedom Ministries of Kansas, Inc. to assist the Kansas Department of Corrections through a variety of events and activities aimed at improving life within the prison and reducing recidivism through spiritual renewal. Through numerous events Freedom Ministries has impacted thousands of inmates.
Teen Challenge is a program assisting individuals struggling with life controlling problems started in 1958 in New York City by Rev. David Wilkerson. Today, over 170+ centers operate in 46 states, with 250 operating in 70 different countries. Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well and spiritually alive. Since it's founding by David Wilkerson in 1958, this faith-based network has grown into the largest of its kind in the world.
Both of these highly regarded organizations have partnered together to create Freedom Challenge in an attempt to respond to the tremendous need in the Kansas Department of Corrections regarding life-controlling issues.
Many have found great support through their faith and spirituality in walking the road to recovery from the destructiveness of their life controlling problems. Freedom Challenge seeks to facilitate healing and rehabilitation in inmates whose crimes have been associated with life controlling issues.
Through the implementation of Freedom Challenge into the Kansas Department of Corrections, we believe that inmates' lives will be changed; thus, impacting both the individual and the facility in which they are incarcerated. This change will result in lower recidivism for those who participate in the program, improve the Correctional facility's environment and impact society outside the prison walls
The following is part of an article taken from the HCF staff newspaper "The Review:".
"On September 10, 2004 a proposal, written by Teen Challenge International - U.S.A. in conjunction with Teen Challenge of the Midwest and Freedom Ministries, was approved by the Kansas Department of Corrections for the opening and operation of a Teen Challenge program within the HCF. Teen Challenge is excited about the prospect of helping people change their lives and address their life-controlling issue(s) within the prison's walls. The 8-month program has been named "Freedom Challenge."
The program consists of daily classes structured for group and personal study opportunities much like Teen Challenge programs across the United States. Don Starnes and Paul Hughes, both of Wichita, have initiated the Freedom Challenge program in HCF."