Celebrating the past and pushing into the future

In 2014 CEM entered a time of great change. Several long-term Ranch leaders began to reach retirement age and transition out, beginning with Jim and Marion Parker. Mike Petrillo followed shortly after, and a couple of staff changes have happened each year since. Late last year, our beloved Counseling Director, John Cox, announced his imminent retirement in June of this year. Mike Petrillo has written a beautiful and spot-on article about John and his impact on the Ranch family featured in this issue.

​Personally, back in 2014 I wondered how CEM as an organization would handle the retirements of these key leaders. Losing them was a huge blow to the ministry! But the Lord has clearly not withdrawn His blessing and provision from CEM: He has been calling talented, committed, high-integrity, and creative new people to come join our ministry team. 

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​The last couple of generations of Ranch staff took some oak-covered hills, built this ministry, and then delved deeply into the work of caring for souls. Now a new generation of staff is assembling, and we’re passionate about the next phase of CEM’s growth.

"We are fully committed to stewarding this ministry the best we possibly can, knowing there’s a multitude of young people hungry for hope and desperately in need of the life-saving love and truth they can find at the Ranch."

As an organization, we always want to be moving forward: there is more; we haven’t arrived. Thankfully, a rock-solid foundation of core values has been laid for us: treasuring every soul that comes here; striving to do what’s best for each person; clearly presenting the Gospel; and nurturing strong and healthy community that grows out of participating in Christ’s sacrificial love.

​We want to keep building on this foundation, and this new staff team is already starting to take the next steps forward. Our to-do list is long but exciting! In 2017 we wrote—with much prayer—a comprehensive strategic plan detailing extensive updates and development for the next two years. I look forward to sharing some of the goals we’re working toward. If there’s some way you would like to be part of what God is doing here, please send me an email at nate@christianencounter.org.

As we enter the next phase of the life of the Ranch, please pray that each of us on staff will clearly understand God’s vision for this place. We don’t want to go one step beyond His plans; we don’t want to stop one step short. We are fully committed to stewarding this ministry the best we possibly can, knowing there’s a multitude of young people hungry for hope and desperately in need of the life-saving love and truth they can find at the Ranch.

Nate Boyd

CEM Executive Director