Director's View: The year in review

September 8th marked 55 years of ministry at Christian Encounter. Staff, students, and interns gathered together to look back at what the Lord has done and hear stories of God’s guidance and faithfulness in the early years. But we don’t have to look to the distant past to see clear examples of the Lord’s care for this ministry.

Last December we made a fundraising push for $45K for the down payment on a house to use as a Guys’ Transition House. We far surpassed our goal as a total of $193K poured in from generous supporters. This enabled us to pay cash, with the transaction facilitated for free by a couple of local Christian realtors. The Guys’ House opened in April – a long-held hope since its closing 11 years ago due to financial reasons.

The facilities staff and a team of skilled volunteers tackled another ambitious slate of projects, continuing a strong push to update facilities and enhance the ministry. The women’s restroom in the main lodge building was remodeled and the high school building was expanded by four hundred square feet. This project involved expanding the largest classroom to accommodate more students, adding two offices, and installing a new HVAC system for the whole school. This marks another dream fulfilled, enriching the educational experience for our students for years to come. Another crew of volunteers replaced the gazebo near the main lodge building and rebuilt the adjacent dock. A Bible verse was engraved in each plank of the dock, which is a favorite spot for students to spend time in rest and contemplation.

Our Meadow Venue continues to serve as a resource to churches and ministries throughout the summer and is offered free of charge. Adult retreats, evangelistic children’s camps, an evangelism training camp, college groups, and family camps are all meeting with the Lord and strengthening their connections with His people. One of the events this summer was a weeklong camp for teenage refugees from Russia and Ukraine, and afterward the leader reported 60 teens responded to a call to repent. Most of these teens have remained connected to the church following the camp.

Funding for student scholarships through the 43rd Agony Ride enabled us to continue offering aid to every student – even if they have no other resources at all. About $465K was raised by 139 riders and their teams of sponsors this year.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Sunday School ministry team which is caring for the exploding number of little children at Ranch Church. And just a week before, a couple of boys who are part of church were baptized on a chilly Sunday morning, testifying to Jesus’ love and their commitment to follow Him. Sunday services at the Ranch, which began in the first few years of the ministry’s existence, continue to anchor the community as we worship Jesus together. (If you’re in the area, come visit on a Sunday morning at 9:30!)

Over the course of the year, several vehicles were donated, in addition to thousands of pounds of food and truckloads of other supplies. God’s provision for our needs has continued unabated in year 55. This is important for us to remember and celebrate, even as the list of needs and projects for next year is already taking shape. We’ve also begun pursuing another big development project that will meet a long-term need, and we hope to have more good news to share soon. The Lord knows each need, and He knows the name of every student that He will lead to the ministry. And He is working!

As we wrapped up our celebration of the Ranch’s 55th birthday, we spent time praying for the fullness of God’s vision for the Ranch to shape its future – and that Jesus would always be the strong foundation everything else is built on.

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