December 6, 2010

The Assemblies of God Executive Presbytery recently ratified the appointment of Jackie R. (Jack) Smart to serve as the president for Teen Challenge International USA. Smart was appointed by the Teen Challenge International USA board of directors. The appointment was approved by AG Executive Leadership Team, with the EP confirming the appointment in its November meeting.

Smart began serving in Teen Challenge in 1979, first as a staff member, then as assistant director at Teen Challenge International of Mid-America in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Before accepting the national leadership position, he served as executive director of Teen Challenge International of Mid-America and Teen Challenge of Missouri Boarding Academy.

"Jack brings decades of quality experience to the Teen Challenge leadership post," says Zollie Smith, executive director of U.S. AG Missions. "His expertise and compassion for those struggling with life-controlling issues combined with his desire to serve those he leads, offers an even brighter future for Teen Challenge."

"The Lord has given me a passage of Scripture to use as my guide," Smart stated in a recent online post. "That passage is John 13:3-17, where John describes how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. My goal in this position, and my goal for the national office, is for us to serve. . . . we are here to serve: the executive directors and program directors who lead our centers . . . the staff members who serve in our centers . . . and the students we minister to."

Smart fills the position vacated by Mike Hodges, who served "with distinction" for five years as president of Teen Challenge USA until August 2010. According to AG U.S. Missions, Hodges and his wife, Betty, moved back to the Northwest to be closer to their family. Mike is currently serving as a consultant to his son, Chris Hodges, who is director of the Northwest Region Teen Challenge office.

For more information about Teen Challenge International USA, see its website at http://teenchallengeusa.com/.

AG News