As Steven Paulson hands over the reins of Executive Director, he is stepping into a new, international role.

Paulson has spent much of his life building Adult and Teen Challenge (ATC) locally in Manitoba and Ontario. He now has a new role with ATC Global but fondly reflects on his previous work in central Canada.

"This has been our life`s work," Paulson says. 

Beginning in 1993, Paulson and his wife, Margaret, began the ministry's first chapter in Manitoba. 

"The ministry has really taken off, particularly in the past seven years. I think was happened was some of our social enterprises, such as the vehicle donation a number of years ago began to generate extra revenue back into the revenue, which allowed us to focus more on staff development." 

atc throwback(Supplied)

Expanding the ministry even further, ATC has grown to reach further into other parts of Manitoba and Ontario.

"Now we have got community offices in Winker, Dryden, and Steinbach soon to be, and we are working closely with a group up in Flin Flon as well."

Each day, Paulson encounters people on their journeys, whether they are going through good or bad days, and is present as they venture on their journeys. 

"Every day it is a new story," Paulson says. "I could write an encyclopedia of things that we have seen that have been miracles, every day. That is the thing that is with teen challenge, lives are changed. It is a legitimate change."

Paulson shares that his day on Friday was a great example of watching that change. He says 13 months ago, a young woman struggling with addiction was talked off of the edge a building by an ATC graduate, Lighthouse Mission's Donald Froese and was brought to ATC. On Friday, Paulson attended the same woman`s graduation in Brandon.

"Here is the word of God, the son of God, the spirit of God, and your life will change."

atc gradFrom left to right: Don Wilkerson, founder of Global ATC, Dana Mason, an ATC grad, and Steve Paulson. (Supplied)

With his wife recently retiring, Paulson has also made a career change. Stepping down as Executive Director of ATC Central Canada, Paulson is going international.

Paulson says his new role as Regional Director for Global Teen Challenge North America/Canada, which began a year ago, will be going to other regions that are struggling and helping them plan for success.

"Global has asked me to help with putting together strategic plans in our regions, and interestingly enough, two of our regions already, Kazakstan I was supposed to be going there in September but because of COVID that has been cancelled, and I am supposed to be going to Cambodia in November and that has been cancelled."

The new role will allow Paulson to live in Winnipeg but travelling to other areas of the world when he is needed. 

"My wife and I have grandchildren that live in Winnipeg so we won`t be far."

Staying in Winnipeg means Paulson can be on the Central Canda board, acting as treasurer. His presence in Winnipeg means Paulson can guide the new Executive Director, Daniel Emond, as the transition is being made.

"If you have been in ministry for 30 years like I have, and you do not have a successor trained up and you feel like you really have to hang on to it, you have not really done your job fully," Paulson says. "This is the right time, and God has been very faithful to Margaret and me, and God has been very faithful to Adult and Teen Challenge."

Margaret  and Steven Paulson (Supplied)Margaret  and Steven Paulson (Supplied)

Paulson believes that ATC`s success is due to having well-trained staff members who are passionate about their work. He says that finding specialists has led to many success stories and allows Paulson to leave the Executive Director position in good standing.