Roger Helle

Roger Helle joined the Marine Corps right out of high school and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. Roger was wounded three times, the last time critically. In the hospital Roger heard the doctor tell his twin brother that he was going to die. Roger called out to God and asked Him to spare his life. God did, Roger didn't. Like many veterans, Roger would relive the horrors of war for nearly five years drinking to try to make the nightmares go away. Roger found peace from the nightmares of Vietnam through his personal faith in Christ.

Roger worked for what was once called Pinkerton's Detective Agency for 8 years becoming the District Manager of the Omaha Nebraska office. In 1978 Roger left Pinkerton's to work with young adults and adults with life-controlling addictions, starting programs across Nebraska and Iowa. After 16 years the Helle's moved to Chattanooga Tennessee where Roger became Executive Director of Teen Challenge of the Mid-South. He held that position until he and his wife Shirley retired in the fall of 2017. During their nearly 40 years of serving in Teen Challenge, they literally saw thousands of lives freed from addiction.

Since 1989, Roger has been going back to Vietnam with Vets With A Mission (VWAM), a group of Christian Vietnam veterans and friends who have been building medical clinics and taking medial teams to the rural areas of what was once South Vietnam. Roger has sat across the table from his former enemy, bringing a message of reconciliation to that once war torn nation. Roger serves as the Vice Chairman of the VWAM Board.

Roger is a speaker and author. He has spoken to groups big and small all across the nation and in other countries. From the Pentagon, the National War College to college campuses and many other venues, Roger brings a message of hope to those whose lives seem hopeless. Roger & Shirley call the Chattanooga Tennessee area home. They have been married since 1972 and have a son and daughter and five grand children. Roger currently travels speaking and consulting with struggling non-profits sharing lessons learned from his 40 years of experience.