{"id":947,"date":"2010-07-22T13:42:29","date_gmt":"2010-07-22T20:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sharefaithblog.wpengine.com\/?p=947"},"modified":"2017-10-09T10:25:21","modified_gmt":"2017-10-09T17:25:21","slug":"crystal-peaks-youth-ranch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharefaith.com\/blog\/2010\/07\/crystal-peaks-youth-ranch\/","title":{"rendered":"Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sharefaith does more than provide stunning media for churches<\/a>. It is also our goal to support organizations who love our God, serve the church, and are making a Great Commission impact in today\u2019s world. We\u2019d like to highlight one such organization–Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.<\/p>\n

What do you get when you combine a Christian veterinarian, a ranching couple who loves kids, and a tract of beautiful land in Oregon? The product of this combination is called Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, and their touching story is one of biblical love, brave rescue, and life-giving hope. Here\u2019s what they are all about.<\/p>\n

Because it\u2019s a ranch there are animals, but because it\u2019s a youth ranch, there are kids. What\u2019s the connection? To understand the connection, it\u2019s necessary to go back about fifteen years to the beginning of the ranch. Troy and Kim Meeder rescued two horses from abuse and neglect. As Troy and Kim invited disadvantaged children to their small ranch, they observed a remarkable connection between the kids and the horses. The youth, who themselves were facing life-damaging difficulties were trying to help the horses. In the process, these kids realized the life-changing power of reaching out, of healing, of caring. Healing wasn\u2019t just taking place in the bodies of the horses; it was taking place in the hearts of the kids.<\/p>\n

Healing didn\u2019t happen because of magical, mystical connection between animal and child. True healing\u2014life healing\u2014takes place through the miraculous transformation called salvation. All the ranch staff, according to Crystal Peaks, \u201cbelieve in God and the saving grace of His Son Jesus Christ.\u201d That\u2019s how transformation takes place.<\/p>\n

The transformation is still taking place\u2014healing horses and using it as a tool to heal children. Every year, thousands of kids come to the breathtaking Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in central Oregon to learn about horses. They come with their parents, with their guardians, and with their adopted parents. Most of the children come from situations of abuse, poverty, mental disability, or physical challenge. Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch seeks a long-term ministry with each child, not merely a one-time interaction. The ranch gives kids a family atmosphere by which they can help to heal the broken spot in the kid\u2019s heart where a family should have been\u2014to the family of their dreams. In so doing, many of the children are introduced to a family that is bigger, more loving, more powerful, and more life changing than they ever knew\u2014the family of God. That\u2019s why the ranch is known also known as \u201cThe Ranch of Rescued Dreams.\u201d In the words Kim Meeder it\u2019s \u201cnot just being a survivor, but being a victor.\u201d<\/p>\n

More about Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch:<\/p>\n