Prayer at 57 feet; Teen Challenge hopes tower helps addicts' prayer time

Outside the east-facing window of the 57-foot-tall Teen Challenge tower is a lush, green valley.

Teen Challenge executive director James Bolin said his idea behind building the tower was giving Teen Challenge International of Mid-America students an elevated view of nature, which might provide a meditative environment suitable for prayer.

“It’s like you can see the goodness and greatness of God out there,” Bolin said.

Teen Challenge dedicated the tower Wednesday, and it will be accessible to the approximately 130 students of Teen Challenge.

The top of the tower looks like a 400-square-foot house. The inside features a small alter and inspirational quotes, including “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still” and “For where two or three gather in my name, I am with them” from the book of Matthew.

Guests take in the view Wednesday from the new 57-foot-high Prayer Tower at Teen Challenge International of Mid-America in Cape Girardeau.Laura Simon

However, there are no overt religious symbols.

Daniel Petrus, 26, originally from Chicago, said the tower will give him another outlet for prayer. He said before he came to Teen Challenge, he had never had a relationship with God partly because he had spent six years in prison and was involved in gangs and drugs before that.

“I start every day off talking to God,” Petrus said. “I now have a place to come to get things off my chest.”

Teen Challenge in Cape Girardeau is a ministry for boys and men age 16 and older, mainly to treat drug addiction, according to the ministry’s pamphlet. Staff members focus on spiritual, academic and vocational tracks to deliver treatment.

Student Thomas Shepard said a spiritual awakening he received at Teen Challenge transformed his life.

“I never had a relationship with Jesus Christ before,” Shepard said. “You can go to church all you want, try to be a good person, but if you don’t have that relationship, you’re not going anywhere.”

Bolin was struck by the idea for a prayer center when he was in the midst of prayer last fall, he said.

He later thought a tower would give the students a unique perspective.

Randy Cave, a private contractor for 37 years, led the construction of the tower beginning Jan. 3.

Cave has volunteered with Teen Challenge before and views construction projects at part of his personal ministry.

Cave also could teach Teen Challenge students about construction while working on the tower, he said.

“I was directed by God to be a part of this,” Cave said.

Cave donated his time and expertise, and Robinson Construction provided expertise and labor, Bolin said. Many of the materials for the tower, including windows and an HVAC system, were donated.

Bolin said Teen Challenge spent about $1,000 on the project, but the total cost was about $150,000.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address: 303 MATC Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO