Teen Challenge opens new chapel

Teen Challenge, a faith-based organization that helps addicted men recover, on Monday dedicated a 5,500-square-foot chapel that seats 325 people.

About 160 residents, mostly men in their 20s, joined a crowd of supporters for the dedication.

The chapel cost $300,000 and was completed in less than a year. It opens debt-free, thanks to money donated to the organization. Read more about the dedication on today's Faith page.

The Teen Challenge facility is just north of Cape Girardeau on County Road 621. The Cape Girardeau branch is part of a worldwide network of ministries that includes about 200 centers.

The addiction recovery program, which includes spiritual, academic and vocational components, lasts about 10 months and has an 85 percent success rate.

This is an exciting development and accomplishment for Teen Challenge in Cape Girardeau. Congratulations to the leadership at Teen Challenge and for the community for helping raise the funds to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Teen Challenge is a gem in terms of changing the hearts of addicted men. We hope the new chapel helps the organization, through its Christian values, continue to make men whole again.