If you feel called to work or volunteer in the ministry, please take an opportunity to print off and fill out the job application provided. You may mail the completed application to:
Troy Clawson, Executive Director
PO Box 251
Midland, TX 79702
Please be sure to include your contact information.
Staff
At the heart of our ministry, you will find the people that keep this program alive and breathing. Many of our staff members have graduated from a Teen Challenge program or other similar discipleship program. Their individual testimonies speak of the life experiences which more than qualify them to be true leaders and examples to our students. Each individual who works for our program has been blessed with spiritual and vocational gifts, and together, they work to fulfill the call that has been placed on our heart--the call to change the lives of the lost and hurting who are in desperate need of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Troy Clawson, Executive Director
I am a 2001 graduate of Teen Challenge/Life Challenge of Dallas, TX. God has blessed me with two wonderful sons--Dylan and Cory. I have had some bumps along the way, most of which were alcohol-related, but drinking was merely a byproduct of my own arrogance and pride, and of not letting God work fully in my life. I worked for Dallas Teen Life Challenge from March 2006 until Sept. 2007, at which time I returned to my hometown of Austin. At that point, I was still not allowing God to do His work in me, and in May 2008 I came to Teen Challenge of the Permian Basin for restoration. I became a staff member here in October of 2008, and it has been the best decision and opportunity of my life. Instead of continuing to run from God, I have finally decided to join Him.
Brad Liles, Men's Director
My name is Brad Liles and I am a 1998 graduate from Teen Challenge/Life Challenge of Dallas. I was called to Teen Challenge shortly after my graduation but chose to run from that call untill 2006. I believe in what this ministry offers and I am blessed to be involved in it.
Robert Ricks, Assistant Men's Director
My name is Robert Ricks. I am from Washington, DC and I am a 1991 Muskegon Teen Challenge graduate. My life had become unmanageable and hopeless because of my choices and addiction. Today, however, I am proud to say that I'm a man after God's own heart, and seek to do His will.
William Walker, Office Manager
I come from a strong Christian home. I was always in church and I found a relationship with God at an early age. Through my teenage years, I began to rebel and soon found myself in a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol, and meaningless relationships. I knew that God had a calling on my life, but I was not willing to submit to Him and give Him control of my entire life. Finally, I came to a breaking point and found myself faced with time in prison. I cried out to God and told Him that I could not live my way any longer. I was so miserable and felt so alone. I came to Teen Challenge and turned my everything over to God. God reached down and pulled me out of the pit, and I came to realize that He never forgot about me, He never gave up on me, and His plan for my life never changed. The changes in my life have been incredible and I couldn't imagine going back to my old life.
Molly Walker, Intake Coordinator For Men's Center and Women's Center
Growing up in a Christian home, I always felt like I was saved. I went to church regularly and tried to "do the right thing." My parents were each wonderful examples, practicing at home what we learned in church that week. But when I left home for college, I was drawn away by so-called "friends" and began experimenting with drugs and alcohol. This led to a series of compromises, which left me so devastated I felt I could never recover or face my family and friends back home again. I got in and stayed in garbage relationships, I sabotaged one job after another, and my drug use escalated to the point that I totaled my car, lost my job, and was confronted with a family intervention within days. They told me about a place called Teen Challenge in the middle of nowhere. I came . . . practically kicking and screaming. It was the best decision I have ever made. I realize now that what I was missing is the spiritual discipline of praying and reading God's Word on a daily basis and allowing Him to be my guide. I realized that my parents' faith would not get me into heaven. I realized I had to make Him my personal Savior and Lord.
Ben Kuznicki, Education Director My name is Ben Kuznicki and I oversee the Education Department. I am a 2003 graduate of a Teen Challenge in Lansing, Michigan. Before going through the Teen Challenge program, my life was on a one way course to jail and death. I was court-ordered to Teen Challenge and that's where Christ showed me I not only had problems, but that He was the only way to true freedom. Since graduating, I have been blessed with a wife and five children and a great opportunity working here at the center. I praise God for the grace and mercy God has shown me in my walk so far.
Kenny Hepner, Mabee Shop Supervisor
Kelly Clark, Probation Liason & Men's Center Staff After realizing that I couldn't fix the problems controlling my life through Army enlistments, secular rehab and jail I reached out to God for help. God heard and assured my prayer for help. Now I am able to use my experience to lead others to the cross.
Gabriel Montoya, Men's Center Staff Member, Lawn Crew Supervisor, Outreach Coordinator
Chris Enderby, Catering and Events
Pastor Darrell Trout, Men's Pastoral Counselor/Advisor
Shelly Clawson, Women's Director
After years of searching for fulfillment in all the wrong things—relationships, alcohol, drugs—I finally experienced the weight of the poor choices I had made in my life. After three years in prison and total alienation from my family, including my children, I was sleeping on the sidewalk because I couldn’t stay sober long enough to hold a job or go to a shelter. I was homeless, hopeless, helpless, and useless. I remember walking the streets feeling so absolutely lost, not knowing how or if I would eat that day or where I might lay my head for the night. It was then that I gave up. But God. God had not given up on me. Not long after that night, God miraculously intervened in my life. I remember sitting in the back of a police car, knowing that God had saved me. I remembered the simple prayer of my youth and the joy I felt—the weight that had been lifted through sweet surrender. A 2004 graduate of Mission Messiah, I came to work for Teen Challenge in 2005 as the overnight staff for the Women’s Center. Then, in 2006, I came on staff full-time at the Women’s Center, and have served as the Assistant Women's Director, and in the Intake and Accounting Departments, until 2010 when I became the Director of the Women's Center.
Norene Gion, Women's Center Staff, Biblical Counselor/Advisor and Volunteer Coordinator
Norene accepted Christ at the age of 12, but it was not until a considerable time later that, as she states, "I was filled with the Spirit, had my spiritual gifts recognized, and was released into ministry." She has extensive experience working in the ministry, which has included singles ministry, small group leadership, healing ministry for those struggling with relational and sexual addiction, and soaking ministries. Norene shares, "my spiritual growth really began in earnest when I found myself single with two little kids. As I thought about what was really true, I knew that God was real, that the Word of God was true, and that God couldn't lie." She adds, "I learned that I could claim the promises in the Word for my own."
Kimberley Shocklee, CI, Women's Center Staff
Christy Wilson, Women's Center Staff
Sue Fenn, Administrative Assistant and Receptionist
Emily Spencer, Rally Coordinator and Events Planner
Carol Turner, Volunteer Staff
Mrs. Carol Turner has been volunteering at the Women's Center since it opened in 2005. She continues to help and encourage the lost and hurting women who enter the Teen Challenge program, and serves as an inspiring example to them as a godly woman. In a world in which values and morals are diminishing, Ms. Carol sets a higher standard for how Christian women must lead their lives.
Chris Solley, Volunteer Staff (photo not available)
