History

Roger Helle Ministries is an outgrowth of Roger & Shirley Helle’s 40 years of ministry with Teen Challenge.  Teen Challenge is a faith-based ministry that is known nationally and globally for helping those bound by “life-controlling” addictions.

 

The Helles began their Teen Challenge ministry by establishing new programs in the states of Nebraska and Iowa.  From 1978 until 1994, the Helles raised up new programs, residential centers and coffeehouse outreach ministries.  Hundreds of young men and women came through the doors every year.  The programs earned a reputation for operating with integrity and effectiveness.

 

In 1994, Roger accepted the position as Executive Director of the Teen Challenge Men’s Program in Chattanooga.  Over the next several years, he and Shirley worked to expand the short term program (3-4 months) to include all three phases (one year in length) of the Teen Challenge Residential Program model and added a Women’s Program as well.  In 2007 the Helles conducted a Capital Campaign raising $3.1 million dollars to expand the residential capacity by 150%.

 

Because of the reputation of the center in Chattanooga, many other ministries and Teen Challenge programs visited the Chattanooga Campus to observe how the program operated.  The Helles and their staff also helped mentor four new Teen Challenge programs, as well as assist a number of other faith based programs to become more effective in the work of the Kingdom.

 

In 2017, after 40 years of ministry, Roger & Shirley retired from Teen Challenge.  However, they felt there were still nonprofits they could assist to become more effective and thus continue impacting more lives and help expand the work of the Kingdom.

 

Roger Helle Ministries was established to help new and struggling nonprofit organizations benefit from their 40 years of experience.  The Helles want to offer hope and help to those nonprofits that want to take their programs to the next level of effectiveness.