Yes, I was ready for all the political ads to go away. And the first normal commercial I saw could not have made me happier. It was for the Big Oak Ranch for Boys and Girls reaching their 50 Years milestone.
At a time when our country is struggling with differences, nobody in my opinion has made a more positive footprint of difference than Big Oak Ranch founder John Croyle and for the past several years, his son, Brodie. I invite you to visit their website and get the full story of how their mission began in Gadsden, AL and how it has endured for 50 years.
Here is an excerpt from the Big Oak Ranch 50 Years website:
“Hope still changes everything. What started with one home for five boys is now a network of ministries dedicated to giving abused, abandoned, and neglected children a stable, loving Christian home and the opportunity to experience God’s grace…
This mission is deeply rooted in the four promises we make to every child who calls Big Oak Ranch home.
We Love You. We Will Never Lie to You.
We Will Stick with You Until You Are Grown. There Are Boundaries.
In those four promises, our children find love and emotional support…But mostly, they find hope and the chance to discover God’s true purpose for their lives.
Since 1974 more than 2,000 children have called Big Oak home. Today, we have 11 homes for girls and 14 homes for boys. In the past year alone, we’ve served 205 children from 12 states. Through Planting Oaks, we’ve helped like-minded ministries serve more than 6,500 children in 33 states.”
The Big Oak Ranch mission for the past 50 years has been Changing More Lives, and focuses anew on the next 50 year of caring for children through the love of Christ. Give a gift in support of their 50/50 Vision. Heading into the holidays, this is a perfect time to help children in need see the bright light of hope in their world.