Fall OF 1972
Founded in 1972
In the fall of 1972, Don and Shirley Staires took a Sunday drive in the country that would change their lives and the life of their family completely. With the station wagon full of their four kids and a few from their neighborhood, the Staires headed north of Tulsa.
History
Founded
In 1972, a casual Sunday drive with Don & Shirley Staires turned into their own adventure of a lifetime. While exploring the Osage Hills in Avant, OK, a ranch appeared with a 'For Sale' sign in front. After taking a look, dreams and visions began to explode in the hearts of Don and Shirley for the possibilities at a place like this. Just 35 miles north of Tulsa was a ranch just waiting to be developed for families and kids. Don and Shirley said, 'Why not us?
Growth
In 1976, the land was purchased and the name changed to Shepherd's Fold Ranch. With less than 20 kids in attendance, the first summer camp was born in 1973. One week became three weeks, and year after year, more kids started to attend. Now, more than 800 children come to camp during June and July.
Legacy
Shepherd’s Fold Ranch has been 'a place called home' for the past 50 years to not only the Staires family, but to anyone who visits. It’s a place where God’s presence is felt and the love of the Lord touches your heart in a very profound way. Many relationships have been formed through the years, leading to lifelong friendships, ministries, marriages and a desire to belong.
Divine Guidelines
Guiding Principles To Honor God
Discipleship
Equip believers to walk in a confident relationship with God.
Christ Centered
Keep Christ & His gospel at the center of all we do.
Stewardship
Steward our business & finances with integrity & transparency.
Relationship
Be identified by the strength of lifelong relationships & the communities we build.
Service
Always serve in a way that glorifies God
Fun & Adventure
Ensure that fun & adventure are a high priority in our programs & activities.
Unity
Maintain a unity that reveals to people that God loves them & sent His Son to die for them.
Statement of Faith
We believe in: the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct; the triune God the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His substitutionary atonement for sin, His bodily resurrection, His personal, visible return to earth to reign in righteousness and glory; the Person of the Holy Spirit and His work of conviction, regeneration, and sanctification, Who indwells every believer, equipping them with gifts for service and witness; the necessity of new birth, in salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and the importance of a life fully committed to the will of God in Christ; the church as the one universal body of Christ Who is the Head, called to be God’s redeemed people.