Year End Letter 2012

November 2012

Dear Shepherd’s Fold Friends and Family, Greetings from the Ranch. What an amazing year we have had! We saw increases in campers, retreats, staff, and impact. The Lord is continuing to bless this ministry and we are more determined than ever to increase our ministry to change more hearts to the Lord. I attended SFR as a child and was impacted by the awesome experience I had summer after summer. Every day I am amazed and blessed that I have the privilege of being the Executive Director of such a great ministry. Over the past two summers, I have had the opportunity to see many children and young adults positively impacted by the ministry work done out here. Studies show that kids today spend about 7.5 hours every day using electronic media – that includes cell phones, ipods, video games, and computers. Astonishingly that adds up to 113 days per year!

While media can be a benefit to society, I am finding out that it is now more important than ever that SFR continue to be a haven for children to unplug and truly be a place in the country where kids can do business with God. These past two summers I have seen spiritual and emotional growth occur in our campers while outside and in the presence of God. It has been amazing.

This year, instead of our normal end of the year fundraising campaign for the Ranch, the Board and I have decided we will primarily raise funds to support our new scholarship initiative. The “Don Staires Scholarship Fund” will supply families in need the ability to send their kids to a week at Shepherd’s Fold and experience that same power of camp that has been changing and impacting lives for 40 years. I know this because Don Staires gave me a scholarship to attend SFR when I was a kid and it changed the direction of my life forever. I now feel the Lord pulling me to ensure that money will not be a barrier for kids to come to camp this summer.

The most exciting part is that until the end of the year we have a MATCHING DONOR. This means that for every dollar you are able to donate to Shepherd’s Fold Ranch, the Scholarship Fund will receive two dollars. This is H-U-G-E! We have the opportunity to broadcast the influence of Christ into places we have never gone before. Let’s do it folks…let’s change some lives. Will you join me in ensuring that more children will be available to attend camp and learn about the Lord this summer?

Please donate to the Don Staires Scholarship Fund and change a child’s life forever because learning about Christ at summer camp should be available to everyone.

God Bless You,

Ron Griffin Executive

Director Shepherd’s Fold Ranch

*If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to The Don Staires Scholarship Fund before the end of the year, follow this link.*

By rongriffin