For over 38 years, Dr. Jerry Nance worked with Teen Challenge in various leadership roles. He began his time with Teen Challenge by serving as an instructor at the first Teen Challenge staff training school, and he later served with World Challenge on David Wilkerson’s crusade staff. In 1991, he became the President/CEO of Teen Challenge of Florida, Inc. and served in that capacity until 2021.

Under his leadership, Teen Challenge of Florida grew from one rented facility in the orange groves of Winter Haven, Florida to include 23 residential centers in six states. With over 1,100 beds to serve boys, girls, men, and women, who were struggling with life controlling problems. This is currently the largest Teen Challenge system in the world. Under his leadership, multiple micro-businesses were launched, including 9 thrift stores. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of both Teen Challenge Southeast as well as Chairman of the board of Global Teen Challenge..

In 2006, Dr. Nance was asked to serve as the President/CEO of Global Teen Challenge, which provides leadership and training tools for Teen Challenge leaders and programs around the world. Since that time, Global Teen Challenge has grown to serve over 1,400 Teen Challenge programs in 143 nations.

Dr. Nance has been a leader in fund development for launching and building Teen Challenge facilities. He has been involved in raising over 75 million dollars in funding for program development and recruiting well-known leaders to serve on an advisory board to Global Teen Challenge, such as John Maxwell, Dan Cathy, Dr. Ken Blanchard, James H. Blanchard, Dr. Henry Cloud, and others. He is an advocate for mentoring, training, coaching and releasing young leaders for the work of Teen Challenge. He has authored several books, including Dream to Reality and Core Values, which are used extensively in Teen Challenge programs around the world. He wrote Finding the Fun in Fundraising and just recently co-authored FUNdamentals of Family Life.

Dr. Nance and his wife, Libby, have three children and ten grandchildren. Though now retired, He continues to travel the globe speaking in leadership conferences and invests himself totally to the Teen Challenge mission of putting hope within reach of every addict.