September Newsletter
New Beginnings
"The Journey"
This is the letter I never thought I would be writing. I am experiencing emotions and feelings ranging from sadness to gladness. Sadness, because after twenty years I will be leaving Teen Challenge, partners like you, Board Members, staff and students whom I have grown to love and appreciate so much. Glad because of the opportunity I was given to have served the Lord here.
This journey began over forty years ago, in 1970, when our four year old son was hit and killed by an automobile. As a result of that tragedy my wife, Hilda, and I both came to know the Lord as our personal Savior in a very miraculous way. We were two shattered parents standing over a little white casket, sobbing, as we looked at our son. Then, the most amazing thing happened; the presence of God just engulfed both of us and we felt something move on the inside of our chest. The peace and love of God lifted the burden of pain and hurt from both of us. God spoke to me and told me I would find the answers to what had just happened in the Bible.
Almost immediately I surrendered to serve Him in the ministry. At that time we were living in south Florida. A few years later I came to own a sporting goods store, had a beautiful home, three vehicles, two bass boats and attended a good church. To everyone else, it looked like we had it made. However, after such a miraculous conversion experience, we both hungered for more of Him.
In 1975 the Lord led us to sell all we had and go to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Everyone thought we were crazy to give it all up to seek God's will for our lives. This was a call to the wilderness. In scripture, the word wilderness means the place where God speaks. We had no family or friends there - only a call. On the way there, the Lord gave me a vision of the place we were to buy and how much to pay. You can imagine how the realtor felt after I walked into his office and described a small ten acre place that they had just listed the day before.
In 1981, God called me to Heritage School of Evangelism located at PTL in Charlotte. This call was just as miraculous as the calling to go to Arkansas. Because of the way in which He called me, I have never doubted that He did. When the times got rough, finances almost gone, I always knew that He who had called me would be faithful. After graduation I became the Program Director for a little more than seven years at the Christian Rehabilitation Center in Charlotte. Christian Rehab had actually been the old Charlotte Rescue Mission which was begun by Billy Graham's father. It was while I was doing an internship there as part of my schooling that God gave me a burden for the lost and addicted.
Miraculously, on August 27, 1990 I was invited to come and be the Executive Director of Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge. While I have been the boots on the ground, so to speak, my wife has been my prayer partner. She is a warring intercessor who sometimes spends hours at a time in warfare for this ministry. Her contribution to this ministry has been invaluable.
Now comes the difficult part. How do I say thank you to so many people who have partnered and stood by us over the years? I can't start naming names because there would not be enough paper if I tried to name everyone. You know who you are. As the tears are welling up in my eyes, I see the faces of so many of you as I recall coming to your church with the men of Teen Challenge to do a service. I see the faces of the many students who I have had the opportunity to work with. I remember children coming to visit their father, running to him calling "daddy, daddy". I still hear the voices of mothers and/or wives calling me on the phone and sharing with me their feelings of desperation, begging me to let their son into our program.
And how do I just pack up and leave? But I must. God has provided my wife and me with an opportunity to move into a condominium at Momingstar Heritage International Ministries in Charlotte. It's time to hand the reigns over to another man of God, Dr. Robert Harman. He is including some information about himself in this newsletter. He will be taking over on November 1, 2010. I know that you will continue to be as faithful to Teen Challenge and him, and support him as you have me.
I love all of you and will miss you very much. But the wonderful thing about being a Christian is that we never have to say goodbye, just "I'll meet you over the treetops".
Thank You and God Bless You
After 2
0 years of faithful service, Rev. Dennis Kyseth, has decided to retire from the Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge Ministry. The ministry has grown and flourished under his leadership. I have witnessed and can testify about several outreach programs instituted under Dennis' leadership, such as: Marriage Restoration, Celebrate Recovery, Pacer, Hope House and a prospering Thrift Store.
Many of our readers have known Dennis as a spiritual leader and friend. In order for those who may want to personally say farewell to Dennis and Hilda, we invite you to stop by the campus any week day from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., between now and October 31st, his last day here before moving on to Charlotte. Any love gifts you may want to leave or send, should be made out to Dennis Kyseth, personally and not to Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge.
Your Brother in Christ,
Mel Reich,
First Vice-President
From the New Director...Robert J. Harman, PhD.
My name is Robert Harman. I am excited about the challenges and changes ahead as the new Executive Director. I start working full-time at Teen Challenge November lst.
Our family was drawn closer together because of Teen Challenge. I grew up in a Christian home. However, my brother Jim got into trouble selling drugs. Our pastor recommended Teen Challenge. Jim went to the program and graduated. That was over 30 years ago. Today, he is a successful builder and contractor. God is so good.
As a child, I learned the verse in Proverbs 11:30, "He who wins souls is wise". I adopted this verse for my life's goals and purpose. I want to win one million people to Christ through the leadership and influence of my life.
For 15 years, I served as a Teen Challenge Executive Director prior to coming to Greensboro. Additionally, I served as an Associate Pastor and Lead Pastor.
Currently, I am serving as a missionary with Mercy Mission Teams. We travel to Central and South America sharing the good news of the gospel. I will continue to make several mission trips a year while serving at Teen Challenge.
I am looking forward to my new ministry post. I appreciate your prayers and faithfulness to this much needed ministry.
Blessings,
Robert J. Harman, PhD.
