Welcome to Teen Haven's website
Teen Haven is a regional, urban youth ministry working in South-east and South-central Pennsylvania. Currently, we operate youth centers in Philadelphia, Lancaster, and York, PA and the Teen Haven Camp in Brogue, PA. The combination of outreach through year-round camp ministry and the ability to follow-up in the cities with discipleship and leadership development at our cities centers allows Teen Haven to effectively guide teens through the journey of following Christ in the city. Teen Haven also works with dozens of urban churches and ministries to partner in achieving our mission, we recognize that we can’t do it alone. Through these partnerships, our reach is expanded and the quality of discipleship is improved.
Summer Camp is starting soon - check out how to Sponsor a Camper by clicking the link on the right side of this page.
Feel free to click on these information links to learn more about Teen Haven's: City Program Information, Camp, Testimonials, or Directions.
May God Bless you - thanks for your support of Teen Haven
Purpose Statement
To advance the kingdom of God by reaching urban youth with the gospel, discipling them to maturity, and equipping them to be leaders in their communities.
Teen Haven is a division of Water Street Ministries.
History and information on Teen Haven
Since 1963, when founder Bill Drury started knocking on the doors of teenage gang members in Philadelphia, Teen Haven has existed to see young people come to know Christ and grow to become agents of change for Him in their community.
When Jesus stood in the synagogue in His hometown to declare His purpose on earth, He quoted from Isaiah 61. This chapter has become an inspiration for the ministry of Teen Haven as we live out the Gospel among our cities’ urban youth.
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, … to comfort all who mourn … to bestow on them … a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild … ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” Isaiah 61:1-4
This passage shows the full-circle impact of the Gospel. The recipients of God’s grace become “oaks of righteousness” and “rebuilders of cities” bringing glory to God and hope to their communities. This is the hope and intent of the ministry of Teen Haven. Many of the kids we meet would be seen by the world as poor, captive, or despairing, but we also know that God sees their potential to be strong oaks and city changers.
At Teen Haven, we are blessed to share the Gospel with urban youth and disciple them as they grow in their faith, develop leadership skills, and impact their families, schools, neighborhoods, and cities. We’re seeing a generation of city changers growing in the name of Christ!
- Teen Haven has three city youth center locations: Philadelphia, York and Lancaster.
- Teen Haven Camp in York County operates year-round.
- About 60 youth are serving as teen leaders in the ministry of Teen Haven.
Teen Haven's Scholarship Program
Once again this year, Teen Haven had the privilege of awarding four college students with Scholarships! This was made possible through the generosity of supporters of Water Street Ministries and Teen Haven who created two scholarship funds to assist students to attend college. Both scholarships are intended to assist students with financial need to gain access to a quality post-secondary education.
We are hoping to continue offering both the Thomas Wolfe Educational Scholarship and the Michael Skinner Memorial Scholarship each year. Click Here to view the Scholarship application packet and details. For questions or more details, please contact us by calling Teen Haven at (717) 393-2716, or emailing TeenHaven@WaterStreetMinistries.org