Portland Teen Challenge chief ousted, plans new ministry

By JOHN FORTMEYER
CNNW publisher
   PORTLAND — Suddenly ousted from the local ministry he founded 18 years ago, Rev. Jim Cottrell is moving quickly be-yond shock and disbelief over his firing and is now making plans to launch a similar new outreach called Freedom House.
   Cottrell, who guided the growth of Teen Challenge of Portland to three programs with a total annual budet of $970,000, was removed in late August from his post as executive director by Teen Challenge’s Northwest regional board.
   Teen Challenge, begun internationally by Cross and the Switchblade author David Wilkerson, evangelizes and disciples people who have life-controlling problems so they can live productive Christian lives. The ministry is particularly known worldwide for a high success rate with people who are battling substance abuse problems.
   Describing the “emotional tsunami” he experienced after the board decision, Cottrell said his firing took place not because of any moral or integrity problems on his part, but because of “major philosophical differences in leadership regarding the vision and direction of Portland. Teen Challenge.”
   Specifically, he said, he opposed a board decision to split Portland Teen Challenge’s three programs — a men’s program, a women’s program and a Bible study institute — into fully separate entitities. The board also intended to place Cottrell in charge of the men’s program only.
  “I built them. I put them together as one,” he said. “We have presented a common face to all the region as Portland Teen Challenge. I couldn’t agree with that decision, which I either had to submit to, or step away.”
   But Les Achenbach, who is temporarily serving as regional board chair, said the board had no choice but to fire Cottrell for insubordination and a growing refusal to even communicate with them.
  “He put everybody in an awkward position,” said Achenbach. “Nobody wanted Jim to leave. It was not our intention.”
   Achenbach said Teen Challenge programs elsewhere nationally that have both men’s and women’s programs maintain them as separate entities. He said the women’s program here was started not by Cottrell but by others, but that Cottrell insisted on treating the men’s and women’s programs as one despite board opposition.
  “That created a lot of problems,” said Achen-bach,.
   One point on which Cottrell and Achenbach agree is that the problems leading to the firing had brewed for about two years.
   Cottrell said, though, that he was still taken totally by surprise. “It was an abuse of power in my estimation,” he said. “You don’t take the people who have labored to build the thing from scratch and then throw them out.”
   Cottrell also contended the board disregarded a policy calling for Christian conciliation and mediation to resolve such personnel conflicts.
   But Achenbach said conciliation efforts are not pursued when there is clear reason for a termination. “Jim was terminated with cause,” he said.
Achenbach said removing Cottrell was indeed hard, in light of what he had accomplished over the years at Teen Challenge and his high visibility as a locally respected ministry leader.
  “I think when he stayed within his calling, he did very well,” he said. “I think Jim is very gifted.”
   Achenbach added that it is regrettable to have such sharply different perspectives between the board members and Cottrell over the situation. “I hate to see discord among the brethren,” he said.
   Now directing the three local Teen Challenge programs are John Jefferies, over the study program or “Ministry Institute”; Mike Mikaele, program director of the residential men’s center in northeast Portland; and program director Becca Barrow, for the women’s residential program in Oregon City.
   Achenbach said he is not surprised that Cottrell is launching another work.   “There are so many people out there who need help, that doing another ministry is not a bad thing,” he said.

Vision for new 'Freedom House' ministry in Portland outlined

  PORTLAND — In launching a new ministry in the Rose City, Jim Cottrell says he is not asking people to discontinue their support for Teen Challenge.
  “But should the Lord lead them to help us, I believe this ministry of Freedom House will be every bit as successful,” he said.
   Cottrell said Freedom House will be a non-profit residential discipleship program, building consistent Christian character.
  “It will be similar to what we have done for years,” he said. “My calling and vision haven’t changed.”
   Acknowledging that at age 55 he is again starting a ministry literally from scratch, Cottrell said he is open to suggestions about suitable properties for a residental program. The program does not have to locate initially in Portland itself, but could start out in one of the city’s suburbs, he said.
   Joining Cottrell in his new effort are Lynn Randall, who had worked as his executive assistant at Teen Challenge; Jon Anderson, a communications consultant; and some former Teen Challenge committee members and local pastors.
  “We need some real champions for the cause of reaching the addicted with the truth that will set them free,” Cottrell said. He said the guiding Scripture for Freedom House will be John 8:30-33.
   To learn more about plans for Freedom House, contact Cottrell at 503-347-9966 or by writing him at P.O. Box 33150, Portland, OR 97292.