Ranch Life

By: Ann Hawley

The volunteers at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch are the backbone of our ministry. To commemorate their importance and the teamwork that they represent, we wanted to create a new t-shirt that reflects the aim of our volunteer program.

The name “Team Workhorse” was chosen to signify the strength and unity of our volunteers. The byline “Pulling Together for Families in Need” represents the Ranch’s mission statement.

Our Short Term Volunteer supervisor Sarah Robinett sketched the design.  Sarah’s artistry depicts a powerful image of four horses joined together with breast collars, pulling forward against a backdrop of the Three Sisters. The horses are an obvious creative choice, but they also represent strength, teamwork, and forward motion straining toward a common goal.

At the top of the graphic design is the Bible verse, Zephaniah 3:9 – “Call on the name of the Lord and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.” This scripture illustrates the like-mindedness of a group of volunteers who are bearing a single burden, and it’s symbolic of the unity required to press toward a goal.

In Christ, we’re called to walk together as if we were linked by a single shoulder. This means everyone stays in step and no one shirks his or her part of the task.  Our objective is to carry out the Lord’s work with His direction, with solidarity, and with singular vision. By pacing together in unity, our individual burdens are lightened and we can obediently complete the responsibilities that are placed before us.

The entire design is encompassed in a circle, representing unity: a continuous line with no discernible beginning or end.

Sometimes a t-shirt is just a t-shirt.  We hope ours will inspire everyone to reflect on the generosity of our volunteers and the beauty of true teamwork!

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By Josie Gwin

Our amazing volunteers form a key part in keeping the Ranch running smoothly. Daily, they work together and add to the growing foundation the Lord uses to keep the Ranch facilities and programming strong. Through each of our Local Volunteers faithful and sacrificial gifts of time, His Kingdom grows. It’s our great privilege and honor to walk in friendship and support with every one of these generous hearts.

Together we celebrate the opportunity to shoulder with each other in serving the Lord through this ministry. For a glimpse of what some of our volunteers do, please view the video below.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, click here.

By Josie Gwin

Do you love kids?  Do you love horses?  Do you have a heart to serve God’s Kingdom? Do you have a passion to share the love of Jesus with others?

If you answered ‘yes’ to the above questions, are over 18 years old and willing to commit 2 – 7 months of your time—then Crystal Peak’s 2015 Full Time Volunteer Program may be what the Lord is calling you toward.

Below is a video that shows a glimpse of our program through the heart-spoken words of this year’s Full Time Volunteers.   As they share, prayerfully consider what the Lord may be asking from you for our 2015 season!

Applications will be accepted and considered in November and December of 2014.  Prayerful decisions will be made and notifications given to prospective volunteers in January, 2015.

Click here to view our Full Time Volunteer Application.

Special thanks to Troy Meeder for filming and Sarah Aydt for editing.

Every year, our ranch is deeply blessed by those who travel from near and far to serve—FULL TIME—the needs of the children, families and horses that make up the whole of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. Each of their individual giftings weave together to become part of the total fabric that God uses to heal the hearts of those who come to this special place.

Our “FTV’s” are unique, funny, tough, playful, determined, perseverant, selfless servants. We are grateful for each of their strong hearts.

We hope you will enjoy them as much as we do . . .

Special thanks to Jeff Gorham for filming and Kelsie Woodford for editing.

By Sarah Drost

Prior to coming back to the ranch in 2011, I worked for 6 years as a Certified Veterinary Technician at a local mixed-animal veterinary practice. A Certified Veterinary Technician would be the equivalent to a nurse in the human field. Earlier this year, the Lord pressed upon my heart to keep an eye open for other work opportunities. Somewhat out of the blue, a dear friend and fellow technician let me know about an open position at a veterinary clinic in Bend. I was invited in for an interview and shortly following, I was offered the position. After much consideration and prayer I accepted.

My time at the ranch has been one of growth and stretching, as well as a time to build some of the most amazing and lasting friendships. I will miss the children and families who have made such an imprint on my heart, and I will miss the staff—my ranch family; but I feel excited and confident that the Lord is asking me to step away for this new chapter of life.DSC_4529Benjamin Edwards Photography-120525-177

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