My name is Ron Jett.
I have been appointed Executive Director for the San Francisco Teen Challenge. I have been on staff at SFTC serving for the last 10 years. I am a graduate of Teen Challenge, and my story is one like many others who have come through this ministry. I was homeless and helpless and strung out on drugs for many years, living day by day just trying to get my next fix. I can remember many Christmas days which were cold, lonely and hurting. I could only see the worst in me: drugs, immorality, pain, hopelessness. It seemed this was what my life would always be.
But God didn’t see the worst in me. He saw the best. He saw potential I could not see. By God’s mercy and grace I am here today a brand new man ready for this great task. My hope in these quarterly newsletters is that you start to see my heart for God and Teen Challenge. As I assume this new position, I’m not unaware of the challenges that lay ahead. In fact, I am heading into the holidays with a renewed sense of passion and drive to see many get out of their hopelessness, homelessness and come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Today, as my wife Janet and I drive to work, we literally hurt inside as we consider the lost and hurting people throughout the bay area like the pain I felt while I was homeless. Many of the men here have shared they now have a sense of purpose and that this Christmas will be different from last year because of what God has done in their lives. Some will be having Christmas at home with family and are excited because they are not just clean and sober, but that God has done a restoration and healing with their loves ones. Some were in prison cells locked up with no hope of ever enjoying Christmas with family.
They find out that God is so good and that He loves each one of them with an endless love. They are finding out that they can trust Him and rely on Him through their ups and down. Teen Challenge through the power of God is helping our men become all that He has called them to be. Men with strong morals and values.
Both Janet and I want to say thank you to all our supporters and that we at Teen Challenge appreciate your faithful giving and prayers. Your support is a mainstay in our ability to remain a strong and viable ministry through the power of God. Over the past few years, we have faced many difficult seasons and situations. We are so thankful for people like you who have helped us through those tough times.
Ron and Janet Jett
