Mission and History
Delivering Hope and Freedom Since 1968
Our Vision: To put hope within reach of every person facing life-controlling issues.
Our Mission: To offer men and families a Christian, faith-based path to lasting life change through long-term residential discipleship and practical life development.
Our Core Values:
- Outreach – Reaching people where they are with the love of Christ (Matthew 28:19)
- Fellowship – Living in community and walking through life together (Ephesians 2:19)
- Discipleship – Teaching, mentoring, and equipping for spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:12-13)
- Compassion – Meeting the practical needs of individuals and families (Matthew 10:42)
- Worship – Seeking God above all else (Matthew 4:10)
- Integrity – Practicing honest and ethical stewardship (2 Corinthians 8:20-21)
Our Strategy:
- Provide Christ-centered mentoring, education, work experience, and life skills for men and families seeking freedom from destructive behaviors.
- Operate residential centers and support networks in major cities across Texas.
- Develop sustainable business models to support and grow our ministry efforts.
- Raise up and equip servant leaders who are called to ministry.
- Train and empower interns and volunteers through practical, mission-focused programs.
The Challenge We Face: Nearly 2.5 million adults in Texas are affected by life-altering struggles.
- Incarceration costs Texas taxpayers an average of $29,000 per offender annually.
- Substance-related job loss costs the economy $35,000–$45,000 per individual.
- Families and communities suffer from increased crime and broken relationships.
What Many Programs Offer:
• 30–90 days in a facility
• Average cost: $7,000/month
• 28% success rate after 5 years
What San Antonio Wellness Offers:
• 13–15 months of voluntary residential discipleship
• No cost to join
• *70–86% success rate after 5 years
Our History:
In 1958, Pastor David Wilkerson followed God’s call to New York City to reach young people trapped in gang life and hopelessness. As he ministered in the streets, he witnessed firsthand the deep brokenness caused by life-controlling struggles and behaviors. That same year, the first Teen Challenge Center was established in New York City to offer these young men a new way forward through Christ.
Since then, Adult & Teen Challenge has grown to more than 200 centers in the U.S. and over 1,000 worldwide. In 1968, the movement came to Texas with the opening of what is now San Antonio Wellness, originally called the Westwood Center. Today, the Texas network includes four men’s campuses, two women’s programs, two re-entry centers, and an adolescent boys’ program near Austin. Over 350 individuals enroll each year in these life-transforming, faith-based residential programs.
