New Ministry Leader

The Assemblies of God U.S. Missions and Teen Challenge International, U.S.A., have announced the appointment of Joe Batluck Sr. as president of Teen Challenge International, U.S.A.

Batluck will begin his leadership role effective Aug. 1. For the past nine years, he has served as executive director and president for Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehrersburg, Pennsylvania. During this time, he has overseen the 10 locations in the corporation, including the Training Center in Rehrersburg, where centers send their male students to complete Teen Challenge training.

During his tenure, Batluck has brought the Training Center into a greater sense of financial stability. Prior to his time with the training center, Batluck served for 30 years as a chaplain for the U.S. Army, both stateside and overseas.

"I look forward to the direction and the leadership Joe will bring to Teen Challenge and its centers across the nation," says Zollie L. Smith Jr., executive director for U.S. Missions. "We are extraordinarily blessed to have him on our team."

In addition to his responsibilities as president for Teen Challenge International, U.S.A., Batluck also will serve as a member of the U.S. Missions Executive Committee and as an AG general presbyter.

Batluck succeeds Jack Smart as Teen Challenge president. In the 19-month search for a replacement, Tim R. Culbreth, executive director of the Arkansas Teen Challenge in Hot Springs has served as interim president of Teen Challenge International, U.S.A.

Founded in 1958, Teen Challenge International, U.S.A. offers Christ-centered, faith-based solutions for youth, adults, and families struggling with life-controlling problems such as alcohol addiction, drug addiction, and gambling addiction.

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