Teens for Christ Leave!

The Daily Pilot, California

February 24, 1969, North America

The militant Teens for Christ group noted for picketing schools and hassling organized religion, is planning to flee Huntington Beach for fear of the destruction of California.

Leaders of the teen organization assert that predictions from the Lord indicate California, as a land of sin, will be destroyed, perhaps by the predicted great earthquake of April 15.

Thus the young followers of Jesus are packing their bags and preparing to flee the state. They are going to Tucson, Ariz.

“We’d be gone by now,” declared Miguel Ward of the Teens group, “except that some of our followers are still in court in Costa Mesa.”

For the past year, they have been based at the “Light House” club on Main Street in Huntington Beach, and led by Pastor Dave Berg who began his preaching to youth in Miami.

Their new home in Tucson will also be called “The Light House.” It’s based in an old church at 2568 Menor Stravenue.

“About 40 of our members are leaving here for the Tucson mission,” says Miguel. About 30 Teens for Christ revolutionaries are already based in Tucson.

Huntington Beach won’t be left entirely without guidance. “About five of our members will stay here until just before the bitter end,” said Miguel.

According to the youthful Christian revolutionaries, California is a modern day parable to ancient Sodom and Gomorrah, just a hedonistic society languishing in sin.

In Tucson, the Teens for Christ claim they have been drawing 200 kids per night to their meetings and have even spoken in some of the schools.

Now their youthful followers are shifting their base to Tucson, leaving California on the brink of disaster.