Get to Know Our Leadership
Pastor Don Wilkerson
Don Wilkerson, co-founder of Brooklyn Teen Challenge, returned in June 2008 to the Center where it all began more than 50 years ago. He now leads the ministry for a second time and has been elected by the Board of Director’s as President of the organization.
Don joined his brother David at the beginning of Brooklyn Teen Challenge serving in various capacities and early on became the Executive Director where he served for over 26 years. Don was instrumental in developing the residential rehabilitation/discipleship program that has been the success in changing lives for so many students of the program. He, along with Frank Reynolds, had the vision to have the biblical curriculum that eventually became the standard teaching for the residents. The Brooklyn Teen Challenge Center also became the inspiration and model for similar programs to be launched across the United States.
In 1987 Don joined his bother David in founding Times Square Church on Broadway in Manhattan, New York. The church grew to a weekly attendance of 5,000. Don states, “being a pastor with my brother is one of the highlights of all my years of ministry."
Don also established Global Teen Challenge. The organization works to establish Teen Challenge centers overseas and provide resources for leaders. Today Teen Challenge has established 1,025 Centers in 90 countries and continues to grow.
Don Wilkerson’s years of experience and powerful leadership has brought this center to a greater level of effectiveness in its mission to save lives and has brought a greater outpouring of God’s Spirit.
Don and his wife Cindy have 3 children and 5 grand children.
Don joined his brother David at the beginning of Brooklyn Teen Challenge serving in various capacities and early on became the Executive Director where he served for over 26 years. Don was instrumental in developing the residential rehabilitation/discipleship program that has been the success in changing lives for so many students of the program. He, along with Frank Reynolds, had the vision to have the biblical curriculum that eventually became the standard teaching for the residents. The Brooklyn Teen Challenge Center also became the inspiration and model for similar programs to be launched across the United States.
In 1987 Don joined his bother David in founding Times Square Church on Broadway in Manhattan, New York. The church grew to a weekly attendance of 5,000. Don states, “being a pastor with my brother is one of the highlights of all my years of ministry."
Don also established Global Teen Challenge. The organization works to establish Teen Challenge centers overseas and provide resources for leaders. Today Teen Challenge has established 1,025 Centers in 90 countries and continues to grow.
Don Wilkerson’s years of experience and powerful leadership has brought this center to a greater level of effectiveness in its mission to save lives and has brought a greater outpouring of God’s Spirit.
Don and his wife Cindy have 3 children and 5 grand children.
Pastor Will Kitchen
After wasting his teen years on addiction and partying, Will Kitchen woke up one day with a burning question in his soul, “What am I alive for?” He prayed, “God, if you’re real, help me out of this horrible life.” Not a few days after that, a stranger approached him. The man claimed God told him to buy Will a Bible and mentor him. God had answered Will’s prayer and truly revealed Himself as a God who loved him and had a purpose for his life. A year later God opened the door for Will to attend Central Bible College. As a sophomore, he was elected captain of the basketball team and finished his senior year as an All American player. God used this experience to develop leadership skills that he would use in the future. Even during his college years in Springfield, Missouri, God was putting a burden on Will’s heart for New York. He joined the Teen Challenge staff in 2006 and has served in various capacities with teaching, counseling, and worship leading. Last year he launched the Brooklyn Teen Challenge Ministry Institute (TCMI) for TC graduates who feel called to the ministry. Here they receive college-level Bible courses and hands on experience to prepare them for their future. He now serves as the Program Director for Brooklyn Teen Challenge, overseeing the Men’s Program, Women’s Program, and TCMI. He and his wife Mary, who serves as the Project Manager for Brooklyn Teen Challenge, were married in 2008.