Adult & Teen Challenge Sandhills is a faith-centered, adult, long-term, residential, recovery program for individuals struggling with life-controlling addiction.
Vision
To become the premier provider of faith-centered treatment for life-controlling addictions across the Carolinas.
Mission
Our mission is to develop physically fit, mentally sound, emotionally stable, and spiritually-alive world changers through Christ-centered treatment and solutions.
Core Values
INTEGRITY: We are wholesome, trustworthy, honorable, and honest in all of our endeavors as an organization.
EXCELLENCE: From our long-distance vision to day-to-day tasks, our contribution is worth our very best effort.
SERVICE: The students in our care, along with their families are treasured by God, and we are honored to serve them.
LEADERSHIP: We cultivate and develop leaders who become contributors in the home, at work, and in the community.
2025 Program Statistics
Success Rate
This report was commissioned by ATC leadership to examine the long-term impact of programming on the lives of ATC graduates. Results indicate that 78% of the sample respondents are sober and substance abuse free after participating in the ATC program. While the entire sample indicated high levels of sobriety, those who remained at ATC as staff or interns were less likely to use the legal substances of alcohol and marijuana than graduates who were not at ATC. Further, on average ATC graduates self-report that they are engaging in spiritual practices such as praying, reading the Bible and attending church, at least on a weekly basis. However, individuals who were sober were far more engaged in spiritual practices, experienced a greater connection to God, higher levels of self-acceptance and love of others. Overall, sample respondents reported increased holistic health indicators in multiple dimensions, following their graduation from an ATC program. Finally the data indicates overwhelming satisfaction in the ATC program.
Student Success Guide
Learn what it’s like to be a student in our programs. This handbook details the program’s structure, policies, and various components designed to help students achieve lasting freedom and spiritual growth.
Corporate Office
Russ Cambria
Chief Executive Officer/President
Russ Cambria
Russ Cambria serves as the Executive Director and CEO of Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge, where he provides visionary leadership, organizational redevelopment, and strategic growth for one of the most rapidly expanding recovery ministries in the region.
A skilled executive with a proven record of revitalizing and advancing mission-driven organizations, Russ specializes in leading ministries and nonprofits through periods of transition—particularly those following long-term founders or executive directors.
Russ holds a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Counseling and a Master of Arts in Leadership from the University of Valley Forge. His career reflects a consistent pattern of innovation, fiscal responsibility, and transformational leadership.
Before joining Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge, Russ successfully led Buffalo Teen Challenge (NY) following the retirement of its 40-year director. Under his leadership, the organization was brought out of debt within one year and achieved profitability by year three. Later in his career, he served as a university registrar for six years, modernizing the department through technology upgrades and innovative record-keeping systems that enhanced the university’s operational efficiency.
Russ later served at the Adult & Teen Challenge USA corporate office, where he helped design and implement a new national accreditation strategy. He continues to serve on committees helping to continually improve these services globally.
Since joining Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge in 2021, Russ has led the organization through a remarkable season of expansion—from two men’s centers to five locations across North and South Carolina, including the ministry’s first women’s program and a dedicated military specialization program. He has also overseen a comprehensive redevelopment of the organization’s structure and leadership team, contributing to an increase in fundraising to support the annual budget.
Under Russ’s leadership, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge has secured substantial funding through Federal Opioid Settlement Funds, enabling reimbursements for strategic salaries across the organization, curriculum, and student clinical services. He is currently leading the organization’s initiative to pursue state licensing in North Carolina as a drug and alcohol treatment provider, further solidifying its impact and long-term sustainability.
Steve Coleman
Chief Operating Officer
Steve Coleman
Rev. Steve Coleman is a 1996 graduate of Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge and alum of Teen Challenge Ministry Institute (TCMI). God restored his life and marriage in 2003. Since then he and his wife have raised 3 boys. Following several years of urban ministry in California, Steve returned “home” to Sandhills ATC in 2017 at the invitation of Sal Di Bianca, Founder. Steve now occupies the same office where his life was changed! As Chief Operating Officer, he lends his skills, experience, and knack for strategic planning to each of our campuses and their Center Directors, ensuring each program is in alignment with the organization’s vision and mission.
Brian Decker
Chief Financial Officer
Brian Decker
Brian Decker is a 2009 graduate of Adult and Teen Challenge who has had the privilege of serving in leadership for this organization since 2017. Brian is passionate about fundraising, donor relations, and making strategic connects within the community to help fund the mission of helping men who struggle with addiction. Brian firmly believes that freedom is found through relationship with Jesus Christ. Brian’s life verse is James 1:22, but don’t just listen to God’s words. You must do what it say or you are only fooling yourselves.
Alec White
Human Resources
Alec White
Alec has served ATC Sandhills in various capacities since 2013. During his time as a full-time team member, he was actively involved in addiction recovery and prevention services across the Carolinas and contributed in supportive roles across organizational departments. He now serves in a part-time capacity, providing administrative and technological support to the organization. Alec holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and works as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in North Carolina.
Center Directors
Kim Edwards
Executive Director of Women's Center
Kim Edwards
My true relationship of surrendering unto God stemmed out of desperation for change in my life, and the life of my family, 28 years ago. I was in a place of turmoil and utter chaos, watching my life spiral out of control while trying to keep it all together to maintain the appearance of “normalcy”, though reality was, nothing was “normal” in my life. I reached a point where I had exhausted what I thought to be all options when I came to the realization that my only option was God. It was at that moment of complete surrender to God that my life changed for the better and I began the amazing journey with God that I continue on and will never turn back from. God has transformed my life and the life of my family, and it is my desire to share with others that there is freedom through the mercy, grace, love, and power of God.
It is an honor to serve as the Executive Director of the Women’s Center and Admissions with Adult & Teen Challenge of Sandhills. I spent 39 years bound by the stronghold of addiction over my family. Through those struggles, God took what the enemy meant for harm and completely turned the table on the enemy and used the very thing that was meant to destroy my life and used it to instead change my life. Over those many years through healing and deliverance, God placed a passion in my life to be a vessel that pours into individuals that struggle with addiction and life controlling issues just as God poured into my life. Though I did not understand then the trials that I faced, I understand now the impact of the trials and I praise God for the outcome and the strength to continue the race in which He has called me to run. John 13:7
I am a native of North Carolina and a resident of Raleigh for the past 25 years. God has blessed me with three amazing adult daughters who bring great joy to my life. Family is extremely important to me, and I love spending time with family every opportunity that I get.
Andrew Fitzgibbon
Center Director, Greater Charlotte
Andrew Fitzgibbon
I graduated from Sandhills Adult and Teen Challenge in December 2020. Following graduation, I knew I was called to give back the hope and freedom that was so generously given to me. I completed a six month internship, began attending college studying Psychology, and am currently serving as the House Manager of the Induction Center in Kannapolis, N.C.. I consider it a privilege to teach and be a life coach to the men in our program through the first phase of their journey.
Jeff Gautier
Center Director- Georgetown, SC
Jeff Gautier
Jeff Gautier is a 2020 graduate of Sandhills ATC. He currently leads the Georgetown, South Carolina campus and has previously been in leadership at two of our other centers, including our military specialization program for veterans with addiction. Jeff and his wife Stephanie, along with their two children are an asset to our team and are leading South Carolina into its next chapter.
Steve Brabant
Program Manager, Training Center
Steve Brabant
Bio coming soon
Taylor Creech
Director of the Military Specialization Program
Taylor Creech
Admissions/ Intake
Dorathea Schultes
Admissions Counselor
Dorathea Schultes
Bio coming soon
Jenn Kundinger
Admissions/ Administrative Assistant
Jenn Kundinger
Bio coming soon
Andrew Peters
Intake Coordinator, Program Manager Phase I
Andrew Peters
Bio coming soon
Development Office
Rev. Wayne Powell
Development, South Carolina
Rev. Wayne Powell
Bio coming soon
James Freeman
Director of Strategic Advancement
James Freeman
James Freeman is a 2023 graduate of Adult and Teen Challenge. Before coming to Teen Challenge, James worked for 15 years in the Behavioral Services/ Non-Profit world in a variety of roles. He holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration, Masters in Human Services Counseling and Masters of Executive Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. James found freedom through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and now serves the organization that helped him find freedom through Christ. James favorite verse is “God spoke the words, Be Healed, and we were healed, delivered from death’s door!! (Psalms 107: 20)
Pam Whitaker
Events
Pam Whitaker
Bio coming soon
Nick Strider
Development Staff
Nick Strider
Bio coming soon
Amber Didden
Development Specialist
Amber Didden
Amber Didden is the Development Specialist at Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge, where she supports the Development team in donor relations, data management, strategic planning, and organizational communications.
Previously, Amber served at Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge, where she played a key role in sharing the organization’s story and expanding its reach to both supporters and those in need of treatment. She holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Valley Forge and an MBA from Liberty University. Amber’s personal experience as a family member of someone in recovery deeply fuels her passion for helping others find healing and freedom.
Amber enjoys life with her husband, Josh, and their two sons, Wyatt and Levi, along with their cats, Nut and Karen, and dog, Loki. She enjoys trying new foods, traveling, and meeting new people. Driven by her faith in the restorative power of Jesus Christ, Amber is committed to making a meaningful impact and seeing lives transformed for the glory of God.
William Clarkson, PhD.
Consultant, Strategic Planning
Dr. William Clarkson
As a nonprofit strategist, Bill’s current days are filled with executive coaching and mentoring C-suite directors, primarily in faith-based community impact organizations and churches. Clients currently include Christian schools, addiction recovery organizations, multi-campus churches, and a nonprofit fighting to eradicate human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Dr. Clarkson additionally brings expertise in strategic planning, fundraising, process improvement, and board relations. He has a wide range of nonprofit leadership experiences which include such roles as Executive Director, Board Chair, and the President of the Board of Trustees of a large mainline denomination church.
Dr. Clarkson retired in 2017 as Full Professor and Chair of the Business Administration Department at the University of Valley Forge, in Phoenixville, PA. Course teaching included business and economics courses, Nonprofit Start-Up and Fundraising, and Church Finance. Other assignments included chairing academic and strategic planning committees, as well as leading the university’s Middle States Accreditation Finance and Resources Committee.
Bill’s nonprofit sector experience is extensive. In 1995 he co-founded Mid-Michigan Royal Family Kids’ Camps, a faith-based nonprofit ministering to the unique needs of children that have suffered the nightmare of abuse and/or neglect in their lives. As part of an international ministry (Royal Family Kids™), he served for 12 years at the national level as part of that organization’s Director Cabinet. Over the past 45 years, he has been active on the boards of several secular and faith-based nonprofit organizations including: The Salvation Army, Midland County DARE, Midland County Shelter House, the Midland County United Way Camping Council, Fostering Hope in Michigan, and Hope Inspire Love.
Dr. Clarkson holds a Bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Ball State University. He holds a PhD in Administration, with a concentration in Organizational Development & Christian Leadership from Trinity Theological Seminary. His dissertation is titled, “The Impact of Founder Succession on Loyalty Factors in Faith-Based Nonprofits.” He is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God.
For 27 years he was listed in Who’s Who in America, and was one of their 100 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2018. He has been a Kern Fellow, attending Acton University for several years, as well as an Economics Educator/Scholar attending the Hillsdale Free Market National Forum. He has been a PovertyCure Fellow, and was a member of their consulting team in 2015 for Latin American Intermediary Poverty Solutions. He is the co-author of “Poverty in Reading, PA: An Academic Case Study with Adaptable Template,” as well as several other academic works.
Programming/Direct Care
Ashley Stallings
Program Director, Women’s Center
Ashley Stallings
Ashley Stallings serves as the Women’s Center Program Manager, where she extends her work to teaching, discipling, and counseling the women in the program. She is deeply passionate about helping individuals find freedom from addiction and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having personally graduated from Adult and Teen Challenge, Ashley finds it a privilege to be part of the organization and witness the profound life transformations it facilitates.
Renee Bell
Direct Care, Women’s Center
Renee Bell
Bio coming soon
Kyler Clark
Direct Care, Men’s Center
Kyler Clark
Bio coming soon
Nathan Manley
Program Manager- Greater Charlotte
Nathan Manley
Bio coming soon
John Stiegler
Direct Care
John Stiegler
Bio coming soon
Carol Stiegler
Direct Care
Carol Stiegler
Bio coming soon
Dave Scotch
Academics & Finance
Dave Scotch
Bio coming soon
Board Members
Larry Caddell
Chairman
Former Mayor of the City of Carthage and Former Moore County Commissioner
Randall Rogers
Vice Chairman
North Carolina Assembly of God District Officer
Greg Davenport
Secretary
Lead Pastor of One Hope Church, Sanford, NC
Dr. Doug Witherup
Treasurer
Lead Pastor, Multiply Church, Concord, NC
Sal DiBianca
Board Member
Former Executive Director, Founder of Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge
Tommy Scarboro
Board Member
Owner, Proscapes Landscaping
Dr. Robbie Smith
Board Member
D.D.S., Business Owner and Dental Surgeon
Aaron Cooper
Board Member
President and Founder of Cooper Ford Dealerships, Southern Pines, NC
Russ Cambria
Board Member (non-voting)
Chief Executive Officer, President, Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge