Teen Challenge was started in 1961 in San Francisco and was legally incorporated in Northern California in 1964. Street rallies and evangelism were conducted in San Francisco during the early years. Teen Challenge ministries sprang up throughout the Northenr California area over the next several years.

Teen Challenge was started in Sacramento in 1965, Oakland in 1967, San Jose in 1971, Nevada in 1998, and Redwood in 2005. In San Jose, Teen Challenge operates the Alum Rock Women and Children's Center, one of only two centers in the nation that accepts women and their children. Asbury Family Center, also in San Jose, is the only center in the entire United States that allows the entire family unit to receive ministry all together. The Oakland Men's Center is located in the East Bay, and an Adolescent Boys' Center is located in Reno, NV. Our most recent Teen Challenge additions are the men's center and women's center in Eureka, CA.