Paul Burek
I am very grateful for the ministry of Teen Challenge because it is where my life was given back to me.
Forty three (43) years ago I took my first hit of marijuana. I can remember laughing so much on my first high.
The downward spiral begins
I was introduced to pharmaceutical medications, Quaaludes and Black Beauties, and the home made street drugs, crystal meth, and PCP. Frustrated with the inability to concentrate, and realizing I had a serious problem I dropped out of high school to enlist into the Air Force. I wanted to learn a trade and get my life together.
The downward spiral continued, more introductions to other drugs would follow... LSD, mescaline, and peyote mushrooms. Then I was stationed to a small air base north of Bangkok Thailand. There I was introduced to even more powerful drugs, opium and heroin. There I was 18 years old and a full blown junkie.
I arrived back in the states, longing for success and happiness but finding only dead ends and emptiness. I landed a great job in Pittsburgh making very good money. I thought I finally had it made... a nice apartment, stereo equipment, sports car... living life in the fast lane, and reaping the fast lane fruits. Cocaine came next, and it took everything I had. My life had been totally devastated by drugs and alcohol, and I could not stop. After several unsuccessful attempts in NA, AA, and secular rehabs, I finally hit bottom. Guess what? I wasn't laughing like I did when I smoked my first joint.
Now the upward spiral begins
At age 31 I walked into a Teen Challenge center, gave my heart and Life to Jesus Christ, and I never been the same since. I received my GED in Teen Challenge and graduated the program. I worked on staff at Cleveland TC for the next 18 months, and it was there that I sensed a call into full time ministry.
I enrolled into Central Bible College, in winter of 1991, and met my beautiful wife Lori, of 18 years. I graduated with a BA in Bible, and Pastoral Ministries. I then became a credentialed Assembly of God Minister, and have had the privilege of serving at various Teen Challenge centers across the U S.
I'm smiling again, this time without drugs/alcohol and with Jesus. Jesus has given my life significance, purpose, and hope. II Cor. 5:17 rings true for me: "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things are passed away behold, all things become new." I give God all the Praise!
Lori and I are absolutely delighted to serve as Executive Directors for Seattle Metro Men's Teen Challenge. We look forward to ministering in the Pacific Northwest Region and seeing lives changed through the power of Christ, and for the Glory of God.