Category: Announcement

THE 41ST AGONY RIDE

5/10/2023

We have 61 riders committed to ride in the 41st annual Agony Ride! Among them will be four of our staff members, featured below. To sponsor a rider, visit agonyride.org.

Last year’s Agony brought in over $370,000, surpassing the previous record by over $110,000. We are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity from our riders, saggers, and donors! We hope you join us again this year.

JULY 28-29 | SIERRA VALLEY

Kevin Campbell, Business Office Assistant
Mileage goal: 266 miles

I am riding in the Agony Ride this year to extend and experience the love of God. By no means am I claiming that we must ride hours on a bicycle to encounter God’s love, but I have found in my own life, when it gets hard and painful I become more aware of the Lord’s peace and comfort. I believe the same to be true for students at Christian Encounter. I believe students all have the opportunity at the Ranch to allow the Lord to meet them in their pain, suffering, and uncertainty and to restore, heal, and give hope. If I can jump on a bike for 24 hours to give students a chance, count me in.

Paxton Fitzpatrick, Assistant Intern Director
Mileage goal: 300 miles

My favorite day of the year at the Ranch is Agony Sunday. Like so many associated with the Ranch, a personal goal of mine has been trying to get people I deeply care about to come participate in the Agony Ride. I’ve been blessed to have my family and friends get involved. It’s important to me because I just know that if they can experience the sacrificial love on display, they will forever be changed. I was forever changed coming as an intern back in 2015. I hope this year that I can be the example to the next set of witnesses to a couple of things: the students are worth it, the Church is at work, and the Kingdom is at hand. In the 300 miles that I plan to ride, pray that suffering/serving leads to real spiritual transformation in me, the students and all the participants this year.

Zach Malech, Outreach Pastor
Mileage goal: 275 miles

As I process with students about their time at Christian Encounter, they all share about the genuine love and care they received here. Love is powerful. Unfortunately, too many people exist unaware of the depths of the relentless love of Jesus Christ. The kind of love that fights for, sacrifices for, and champions His children. The kind of love that says “you matter, you have value, you are worth it.” That kind of love is transformational at its core. And when you experience it, you can never be the same. At the Agony, riders and saggers become the physical embodiment of that kind of love, and this year I want to join the riders in the proclamation of that message to those who need to hear it.

Salena Unitt, Executive Assistant
Mileage goal: 202 miles

Recently a former staff member likened the Agony Ride to a story in the Bible. As told in Joshua 6, God collapsed the walls of Jericho after the Israelites marched around it for 7 days. They devoted the city to the Lord and protected those inside that feared Him. Although we (luckily!!) won’t be riding for 7 days, I love to imagine that the Agony is a similar special event, circling and destroying the walls in our hearts of hate, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Sometimes God has crazy ideas that I may be hesitant to participate in, but He is pleased by our obedience!

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DUPLEX REMODEL COMPLETE

2/22/2023

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Foreman Aaron Pellerino worked with a team of volunteers spearheaded by Dave Russo to see this renovation to completion. We are so grateful for the addition of two staff housing units on our property!

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STAFF INTRODUCTION & special recognition

8/11/2022

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Staff introduction: Carissa miller

We are pleased to share that Carissa Miller joined our staff last month as the new Food Service Manager. Carissa graduated from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO with a major in biblical justice before moving to California to intern with us. Having already served in the internship capacity for nine months made for a seamless transition for her to continue to serve the students and interns in the kitchen. Carissa values the approach to ministry here: “The Ranch sees the students as a whole person and cares for each aspect of their life - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This is what leads to healing. I’ve seen ministries only focusing on physical needs while ignoring the others - the Ranch provides holistic care.”

SPecial recognition: Caryn Galeckas

Staff member Caryn Galeckas was honored for having served at Christian Encounter for 40 years. Caryn serves as the office manager, has been an integral part of the wilderness program, and serves a major role in events including Family Camp and the Agony Ride.

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Alumni News & Staff Introductions

6/28/2022

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Alumni News

CER Staff member Salena (Berger) Unitt (intern ‘16-’18) and husband Josh tied the knot on January 1st at Auburn Grace Community Church. Staff member Zach Malech officiated the wedding. Former Food Service Manager Chris Unitt, also mother of the groom, joined then Food Service Manager Kathleen McNama in catering the event.

Since 2017 Mike Ritter (intern ‘10-’11) has been a missionary with Steiger International, which mobilizes followers of Jesus to reach young people who would not walk into a church. He has gone on numerous missions to eastern Europe, where he met his wife, Annie.

Megan Moreno (student ‘14-’15) graduated from CSU Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2021. She is working as a patient access representative at Adventist Health Sonora.

Rogelio Batson (intern ‘16) graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Master’s in social work in May. Rogelio resides in Hacienda Heights, CA and started working as a case worker for a local nonprofit helping foster youth.

STAFF INTRODUCTIONS

Kevin Campbell joined the business office staff after finishing his nine-month internship. Kevin completed his Master’s of Business Management at Azusa Pacific University while assistant coaching Division II women’s volleyball.

Garrett Kronland came on as part-time staff to serve in communications and administration. Garrett is also an LMFT and works at the local counseling center, Anew Day. Garrett and his wife, Jenny, have been married for three years.

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FAMILY CAMP AT THE RANCH

6/2/2022

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Family Camp 2022 JULY 1, 6PM - JULY 4, 12PM

Enjoy a memorable weekend for the whole family at a bargain price.
We do all the cooking, so you are free to spend quality time as a family.

Family Camp includes morning seminars and a Sunday morning worship service in the Meadow (childcare is provided). Families have free time in the afternoons to participate in recreational activities including swimming, boating, tubing in the NID ditch, archery, horseshoes, and fishing. There will be a campfire each evening as well as a family-friendly program on Saturday and Sunday.

**NOTE: Cabins and RV sites are all sold out, but we still have plenty of tent sites.

Details:

Cost: $60 per cabin (5 beds); $50 per family for RV and tent sites (registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid in advance)
Check in Friday evening from 6-8 p.m., or any time Saturday
Camp ends Monday at noon
Full schedule
Things to Bring

COVID-19 Protocols:

Outdoor seating will be available for all meals.
Cabins will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before camp begins.
Restrooms and other public indoor areas will be sanitized regularly.
Hand sanitizer will be provided at convenient locations.

THIS ISN'T ORDINARY CAMP FOOD...
Below is a tentative menu for the weekend. GF options will be available at every meal.

Saturday
Breakfast: Egg & sausage burritos, cereal, fruit, potatoes, yogurt & granola, OJ, coffee, milk
Lunch:  Deli buffet, pb & j, macaroni salad, asian salad, melon, chips, cookies
Dinner:  Taco salad, nacho bar, pico, tortilla chips, Spanish rice, s’mores, soft serve

Sunday
Breakfast: French toast casserole, egg casserole w/ ham, cereal, fruit, croissants
Lunch:  BBQ hotdogs, chili, cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, green salad, cookies
Dinner:  BBQ chicken, Parmesan orzo, hasselback potatoes, corn, salad, veggies, popcorn, cotton candy

Monday: continental breakfast: banana, OJ, bread (muffin, bagel, croissant), fruit cup

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News & Stories

THE 41ST AGONY RIDE

DUPLEX REMODEL COMPLETE

STAFF INTRODUCTION & special recognition

Staff introduction: Carissa miller

SPecial recognition: Caryn Galeckas

Alumni News & Staff Introductions

Alumni News

STAFF INTRODUCTIONS

FAMILY CAMP AT THE RANCH

Family Camp 2022 JULY 1, 6PM - JULY 4, 12PM

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