People were on their feet clapping as several men in Alabama Teen Challenge performed an interpretive dance that told of their struggles with alcohol and drug abuse and how they are overcoming their addictions through the 12-month discipleship program. The dance was part of Alabama Teen Challenge’s annual banquet Thursday night at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

“It is absolutely amazing having support from the community because really the community is what built this place,” said Bruce Purvis, program director.

“They’re continuing to help us every single year. We’re definitely grateful. If something was different — if they didn’t support us — things would be different with our ministry. We wouldn’t be able to stay open.”

During the program, a few men shared their testimonies and what ultimately led them to the program.

“I woke up one day in a mental institute. I had overdosed, and I just woke up and didn’t know where I was. Luckily, I had a family member that was still in my corner… and she told me about Teen Challenge,” said one man. “At that point, I was willing to do anything. I had been to seven other rehabs and that was the third mental ward I had been locked up in, so I was willing to try anything. Little did I know, I would find Jesus in Alabama. I just feel more and more blessed everyday.”

Purvis said the banquet allows the men in the program to really show the community what their support means and thank them for all that they have given — financially and spiritually.

“We have a lot of time to share personal testimonies and show that the program works,” Purvis said. “Our program has an 86 percent success rate of people who graduate from the program.”

The guest speaker for the night was Rick Madison, an international evangelist who shared his personal testimony and praised the efforts of Teen Challenge.

“It’s awesome to be here tonight. I thank God for Teen Challenge, and I thank God for all these men’s’ lives that have been changed,” Madison said.

“I pray that you continue to support Teen Challenge because they are changing peoples’ lives.”

Teen Challenge was started by David Wilkerson in 1958 in New York.

The program is intended for anyone age 18 and up.

There are three centers for men in Alabama, including Selma, Bay Minette and Lincoln as well as a women’s center in Warrior.

A fifth center is planned to open in Ozark in the spring of 2016.