In July 2011, Raul Cornejo and his wife Claudia entered a new door of ministry at Gateway Boys Academy. Raul serves as a Biblical counselor to a number of assigned students as well as the Facilities Manager for our facility
Raul Cornejo is a native of Baldwin Park, California. Although his single mother took him to church faithfully, as a teenager Raul began to drink alcohol and loved to party with friends. But at the age of 19, a fun lifestyle had progressed to a meth addiction which would drive his life for the next 10 years. This addiction tore Raul’s life to pieces and brought him to the brink of homelessness. He recalls the moment when he fell to his knees and cried out to God. God’s answer was clear- “Rise up, take hold, and do not give up!”
On October 19, 2004, Raul entered the doors of Riverside, California Teen Challenge. His life is truly an example of Mark 10:27 which says, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
Raul went on to attend the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute in South Gate, California, a one year staff training school that serves to equip students to address the needs of those with life-controlling issues. Raul served at Los Angeles Teen Challenge as a Bible teacher and counselor, as well as a food manager over two Teen Challenge centers simultaneously.
