Teen Ranch Ministries

Blindside

Sometimes life offers up a blindside, a sideswipe, an “I did not see this coming”. Suddenly everything changes, in an instant, or a day. Shock, paralysis of mind and heart, shame, confusion, pain and grief, can land in a life unexpectedly.

Countless counselors, self help books, youtube videos, and group meetings are offered to assist humans to deal with the burdens of life and have some success.

As believers, our great advantage is that we know a God who is constant, unfailing and forever faithful to His Word. But, are believers meant to smile their way through the angst, the blows and the tragedies of life? Maybe not. Some days it is sufficient to stand firm, other days it is necessary to put one foot in front of the other, some days, drawing the next breath is all that can be expected. In any event God has a promise, well more than one!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness”
2 Corinthians 12:9:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Faithfulness. That is our God. He says what He means and means what He says. No matter what blindside comes our way, we can trust Him, He will hold firm when we cannot, and we always know that we can stand confident in the goodness of God, what a blessed people we are!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness Austin Stone Worship Live from TGC Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

It’s Me Again Lord!

I am personally in an “It’s Me Again Lord” moment! It is only ten months until our 60th Anniversary!

God Moments is a project that we at Teen Ranch Ministries believe will bring honour to the Lord, highlight the history of the ministry and encourage seekers, new believers and the long time faithful. We would like to have it ready and published on time for our 60th anniversary.

In order for this to happen, we need stories of when God showed up for you at Teen Ranch. Here is a list of possible categories which may jog your memory, or help you to see an event as a God Moment.


The first of course is when you understood God is real and that Jesus is God in human form.
Perhaps your salvation experience happened at Teen Ranch.
Another, when God showed up as protection for you or another Rancher.
An all of a sudden answer to prayer when God’s wisdom became clear, is a God Moment.
Perfect timing. A situation becomes critical, and right then, God shows up, with a word or another person.
The Holy Spirit prompts and awakens an action which changes the course of the day, or even your life!
God’s love has a way of interrupting a bad day. That is a God Moment!
God has a tremendous sense of humour which comes as refreshing God Moments!
There are so many more possibilities, because, well it is just like God to do something new!
It is critical that we get stories from every generation and every decade, so, please, pass this along to friends and use it as a tool to reach out to people you have not seen for years! God is in the business of reminding, prompting, and reaching His people, through His people! Please join us in this exciting project!

Your God Moment story should include a brief intro, who you are, where you were on the Ranch, the situation, and how God showed up. Please include a Scripture that fits or highlights the event. Then, please put it in an email to
[email protected]

Whether you were at the Ranch for one week, one summer, one year, or for your whole life, your story matters! Please share, and encourage others to share as well!

PS. A story!
Nico and I are privileged to be involved with Christian Camping International, and we get to visit and meet many different camps, and their people. We met a woman who had started her extensive camping ministry at Teen Ranch and the song “It’s Me Again Lord” came up. She asked if they still sing it there and we said of course! She was pleasantly reminded of it and said she had never heard it in any other camp, nor had others at the table! How precious that this standard song at the ranch is unique and brings back fond memories, even decades later!

It’s Me Again Lord!

I am personally in an “It’s Me Again Lord” moment! It is only ten months until our 60th Anniversary!

God Moments is a project that we at Teen Ranch Ministries believe will bring honour to the Lord, highlight the history of the ministry and encourage seekers, new believers and the long time faithful. We would like to have it ready and published on time for our 60th anniversary.

In order for this to happen, we need stories of when God showed up for you at Teen Ranch. Here is a list of possible categories which may jog your memory, or help you to see an event as a God Moment.


The first of course is when you understood God is real and that Jesus is God in human form.
Perhaps your salvation experience happened at Teen Ranch.
Another, when God showed up as protection for you or another Rancher.
An all of a sudden answer to prayer when God’s wisdom became clear, is a God Moment.
Perfect timing. A situation becomes critical, and right then, God shows up, with a word or another person.
The Holy Spirit prompts and awakens an action which changes the course of the day, or even your life!
God’s love has a way of interrupting a bad day. That is a God Moment!
God has a tremendous sense of humour which comes as refreshing God Moments!
There are so many more possibilities, because, well it is just like God to do something new!
It is critical that we get stories from every generation and every decade, so, please, pass this along to friends and use it as a tool to reach out to people you have not seen for years! God is in the business of reminding, prompting, and reaching His people, through His people! Please join us in this exciting project!

Your God Moment story should include a brief intro, who you are, where you were on the Ranch, the situation, and how God showed up. Please include a Scripture that fits or highlights the event. Then, please put it in an email to
[email protected]

Whether you were at the Ranch for one week, one summer, one year, or for your whole life, your story matters! Please share, and encourage others to share as well!

PS. A story!
Nico and I are privileged to be involved with Christian Camping International, and we get to visit and meet many different camps, and their people. We met a woman who had started her extensive camping ministry at Teen Ranch and the song “It’s Me Again Lord” came up. She asked if they still sing it there and we said of course! She was pleasantly reminded of it and said she had never heard it in any other camp, nor had others at the table! How precious that this standard song at the ranch is unique and brings back fond memories, even decades later!

The same faithful God—yesterday, today, forever.

The same faithful God—yesterday, today, forever.

Abundance!

Here is a question for you. Why do “Ottawa Valley” people only lock their cars when they go to town, in the fall?

Give up?

If they don’t, their car will be full of zucchini when they get back!

One can barely go anywhere in the valley without being offered apples, cucumbers, potatoes or yes, even zucchini! In tiny hamlets it is not unusual to see a basket of produce free for the taking at gas stations, post offices or convenience stores.

The abundance is noteworthy!

Jesus saw an abundance over two thousand years ago, an abundance of souls!
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

We have just wrapped up an extraordinary summer at Teen Ranch but the job is not done! The seedlings and saplings birthed this summer need attention and as a ministry we have plans to keep in touch with them over the next few months. However, the most important thing we can do is to pray for each of our campers and their families over the ensuing months; it would be wonderful to have a high percentage return!

So, here is the call again; we need harvesters to pray! Pray the prayers of Paul from Ephesians and Colossians for everyone who was involved in Summer of 2026!

Growing fruit that lasts.

…and Finally Then

Sigh…another wonderful, fun, productive, meaningful summer. What an indescribable honour to be chosen to host hundreds of youth, teens and campers and their families.…and just what did they find when they came to Teen Ranch? Possibly something very different from what they are accustomed to, the Gospel.

Many years ago a preacher named Charles Spurgeon posed a question, and answered it succinctly.

“What is there about this Gospel that seems to touch the soul of man and makes him quite another creature— makes him joyous instead of sad, and makes him so mighty that he dares to defy death and hell in defense of it? The reason is, because this doctrine cures the woe and misery of the soul and brings light, comfort, happiness, and hope to it. It is made by God on purpose to touch the heart of man and stir it to its very depths.”
Charles Spurgeon Adorning the Gospel

The gospel story was written, in real life, on purpose. It started at creation and is revealed throughout the Scriptures, and ultimately to the life,death and resurrection of Christ, as well as the continued proclamation of this account to our day. All of it.

9” he[a] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,” Ephesians 1:9

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 3:10-11

God intended for all to know Him, on purpose.

We can be sure that the idea of summer camp was God’s idea and the remarkable record of the founding of Teen Ranch is a testimony to God’s intentions. He wants everyone to know His plans and intentions, not just for humanity, but for every single individual. He wants everyone to know the “doctrine that cures the woe and misery of the soul and brings light, comfort, happiness, and hope to it.”.

…and that is why we do what we do at Teen Ranch. Another summer in the books!

Somebody Prayed

For all who have prayed for the summer of 2026, thank you. There are so many prayers that have been prayed for the team and the individuals involved. We are confident that prayer brought each one to the Ranch, and our prayers can reach the God who reaches them as they return to their homes and schools.

2 “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, “ Colossians 2:1-2

You and I know some of our own backstory as to how we came to the reality of Jesus and our subsequent walk with Him. However, I think we may all be surprised at the prayers of those we don’t know or recall, who had a vital part in our journey. Our prayers for the campers, families and staff of Teen Ranch have been heard by our gracious God whose love for them extends into their lives, whether they know it or not. Our prayers are valuable and meaningful!

Somebody prayed, and Teen Ranch became a vital tool to reach the generations. Somebody prayed and thousands of lives have been changed, let’s keep praying!

Crowder - Somebody Prayed (Official Lyric Video) Official Lyric Video for “Somebody Prayed” by CrowderStream & Down...

May the Lord establish the work of our hands.

Raising disciples, not just campers.