From a small-town church in Pennsylvania, Pastor David Wilkerson heard the call of the Lord to go to New York City. Pastor David Wilkerson was compelled by an article in Life Magazine regarding the emerging addiction and crime crisis among teenagers in New York City. Wilkerson went to the courthouse in hopes of sharing God's love with the boys but was turned away by the Judge.

At the young age of 19, Nicky Cruz was a leader of a New York Gang called the Mau Maus. They were considered the most violent gang in NY. One fateful day Nicky and David met. Nicky threatened to kill David. But David told Nicky that "God has the power to change your life" and the two parted ways. Little did Nicky know that those words would remain with him. In July 1958 David held an evangelistic rally for the New York gangs. On the day of the rally, Nicky and most of his gang members would surrender their lives to Christ. A movie would later be made about the story of Nicky and David. It was called The Cross and The Switchblade.

In December of 1960, Teen Challenge would open its doors in its first-ever location in Brooklyn, New York. But this would be the start of something special. Adult & Teen Challenge would establish 200+ other sites across the United States, bringing freedom from addiction to men, women, and teens and emerging into a global ministry.