Campfire 2024

 Before you ignite a fire, you have to start with building it. You may wonder "why do you have to build a fire? Can't you just find things that are flammable and light a match?" Though you may be able to start a fire by just lighting a match, there are a few other things that must be present for the flame or spark to actually ignite and turn into a flame. You must take your fuel or flammable items and create a FOUNDATION that will not only light, not only create a fire, but also become a FIRE that can be used. You must start with small, easily lit items and move to smaller, more dense, flammable items to your larger items. Once you have a good foundation and proper stack, depending on the FIRE needed, you can move to the next step. This is how the Ranch began. When we came here we had a dream in mind, a need for a FIRE, so we began to set up the foundation to Restoration Ranch.

-What was the beginning like? 

Our property was originally purchased by a ministry in California to be a place where retired missionaries, pastors, or full time Christian servants could have an affordable place to live. It was subdivided and mapped out with many houses spread over the 46 acre property. At that time the old farmhouse and unusable out buildings were not needed and in the way. That is how Jonathan and his family were able to afford to sacrifice their comfortable housing and career in Kansas City to come to this area to see God work!

-How we got to where we are today:

This was a generational dream/calling that has developed over decades but in God's perfect timing, 4 years ago it began to become reality. In a time of global tragedy and division, Restoration Ranch began to Restore and bring unity. From the purchase of this 46 acres 4 years ago, to the removal of the vines and rot, to the formation of leadership teams and volunteers that understood our mission, to the development of our programs, to the involvement of those that are coming alongside an investing in the expansion of our ministry, we continue to accomplish our mission to bring unity to our community!  We are so excited to see how God continues to add daily to this mission and those involved. 

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-Where did the idea and vision of Restoration Ranch come from?

Though the story is very long with so many miracles and evidences of the Lord leading through much wisdom of many Godly counselors, I will keep it short. We believed that following God to this location would require such a greater amount of risk/faith than to choose a typical full time position in a church. We truly believe that with great risk comes great reward but it is our small faith in a great God that gives us unfathomable rewards.  

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Restoration Ranch is an over 100-year-old farm on 46 acres in Shiloh, IL  we are restoring. We have lots of barns, grain bins, and historic outbuildings, we are "restoring". We have converted them to be a chapel, a cafe, an event barn, and we have even made one grain bin a coffee shop! 

But though we have made some pretty cool things with this property such as buildings, archery range, tree house, firepit area, and so much more it's not just about the facility. It's about the people, the connections, the friendships, the community. We belong together. 

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Once you have a great foundation you can light it up and see the flames start to accomplish their purpose. You will start to feel the warmth, produce the lighting needed or whatever the purpose of your FIRE was created to accomplish. At Restoration Ranch we began to develop our purpose through programs and events that spark interest and excitement for the community

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We use our facility to help families, churches, and organizations find unity in Christ, use recreation for education, and develop programs and events that further the Kingdom of God.  

 

Our mission is to provide a unique platform for the community that will strengthen and enhance relationships, fill gaps that will develop people and their families, and create a variety of activities in a convenient location, in order to share the Good News.

 

-How we are turning a dream into reality

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Though we can do this in many different ways, currently we have three main focuses to use our a unique and convenient location.

1. Rental Spaces for families, groups, and organizations to come together for meetings, fellowship, weddings, celebrations etc - see rental page for details​

2. Summer camp programs that enhance relationships and   provide valuable skills all while sharing the good news that brings unity in Christ!- see camps page for options and registration

3.  Classes all year round that fill gaps such as our PE co-op, Archery, Youth Leadership and Public Speaking Program, Christian counseling course etc. - check the classes page for updates

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RENTALS

• We are 2 full years ahead of our goal to have our infrastructure done and buildings restored and usable. That means that we, together with community volunteers, have restored enough of the property to be able to offer rental spaces! We have spots to hold meetings, celebrations, weddings and so much more!

• We have our First wedding in the Fall and we are so excited!

• Rent a plot in our Garden which has produced over 8,500lbs of produce for donation.

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MORE ON PE

• We currently have a Spring and Fall PE session in Belleville IL where we are blessed to instruct around 200 kids every friday afternoon.  Our PE program began 4 years ago with 30 kids on the Ranch property and has grown in number and location along the way. We currently hold classes in the Family Sports Plex in Belleville and partner with WCG.

• We couldn't do it with out or fearless PE volunteer parents and siblings who give their time and talents semester after semester.

• Our goal for PE is to growing physically and spiritually 

• Expanding the Restoration Ranch PE program is in the near future! If the Lord allows, we will be looking to open a second PE location in the Fall in order to provide the same opportunity to other Home School co-op groups. If you are involved a homeschool co-op group in the St louis area, and are interested in our PE program, contact us!

 

SUMMER CAMP UPDATES

• This year we have added a few new camps to include an overnight survival camp and an animal care camp. 

• We have been blessed to be able to partner with Mckendree Rec Plex now and the YMCA in O'Fallon IL, in the near future to provide out door space for some of their camps as well. 

• If you are a teen looking for volunteer opportunities over the summer,please reachout.

 

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM 

We couldn’t make all of this possible without our Leadership Team. This is something new for the Ranch that we hope to expand on in the future. Our Leadership Team is made up of committed individuals with spiritual gifts that we greatly value at Restoration Ranch! They are the ones behind the scenes establishing systems to help create success.                          

Meet our Leaders...

Angie Call, Dale Roberts, Suki Ross, Karen Garst, Jo Lawson, Roger Thomas, Lucy Detering, Ruth Campos, and Yolandea Wood- check out their profile on the "who we are page"

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CURRENT SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

• Some of our other key partnerships or connections that have been beneficial in our growth this year are The O'Fallon Chamber of commerce and The Belleville Sportsplex. Not to mention the many church groups and service groups that help out or benefit from what the Ranch has to offer and the small business sponsors that donate for our PE tshirts. (If you are interested in sponsoring our PE t-shirts please contact us)

• American Heritage Girls, through an individuals project, created, built and established a prayer walk on the property

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When you light a match, you have fuel, you have a flame, but without oxygen the fire goes out! Oxygen to a fire is the Holy Spirit to this ministry without it we go out. The Holy Spirit has moved this ministry from the beginning and is continuing to guide it. From the purchase of the land, to the timing of our move, to global pandemic, to community involvement, to the government officials supporting us, to the start of all the programs even the ones not planned (PE), to staff and the leadership team, every step has been directed by God, our oxygen.  

  

So many youth, church, community outreach programs, businesses and family events have seen life changing events like Salvations, Baptism, family relationships restore, community service projects, and so much more!

  

Because it is so clear to see God's hand of blessing, we continue to push our faith and our mission to further impact our community.  Here is a list of a few of the goals we believe will make the greatest impact: 

 

Starting next summer we plan to go to full day summer camps. With that will mean that we will need to bring on some full-time summer staff to train, disciple, and provide experiences to take back to their churches and communities.   

Starting in the fall we plan to add a second PE location this year and hopefully more next year!   

We have a long list of building project like finishing the amphitheater, larger parking lots, better roads, a sports field, landscaping project, finish doc for the lake of faith, a playground for the kids, and so much more.   

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2024 Restoration Ranch Projects!

• Finish Amphitheater  

• Finish Bathroom/Office trailer 

• Finish Cafe Barn 

• Finish Stage 

• Finish Merch shop for opening consistently 

• Stock pond

• Clear out fallen trees and dead standing trees 

• Playground in field  

• Move Dumpster to new location 

• Shipping container patio 

• Dock on Lake 

• First impressions (landscape and decor) 

• Lighting for pathways 

• Start more bible study groups

• Hosting consistent events for the public 

• Develop College and career program/Discipleship program  

• Multi-PE site (create Multi-Site system) 

• Use old farm house to generate income 

• Beach for the lake of Faith

• Four wheeler repaired or replaced

• Parking lot expansion and road upkeep and repairs 

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​Talk about your dream/vision. As we push to focus on what brings us together as a community we continually find new ways to use this property to unite people in common areas of love for animals, wood working, outdoors, sports, gardening, and most of all community. People need authentic community and there is nothing more authentic than working side by side in the garden or on the ranch, serving people at amazing events, playing with a random goat together, or just gathering around a campfire. Whether you are young or just young at heart, Restoration Ranch is all about building an authentic community through personal relationships centered around God. 

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Tell us something unique about your business. In a world/culture that is fighting to divide us on every level, we are here to unite people in Christ.  

 

Tell us what you want the community to know about your ministry. Though we can do this in many different ways, our three main focuses are to use our a unique and convenient location for events and event rental spaces, classes all year round that fill gaps and strengthen families, and a summer camp programs that enhances relationships and provides valuable skills all while sharing the good news of unity in Christ!​

 

We are 2 full years ahead of our goal to have our infrastructure done, buildings restored and usable and programs at full capacity. The only area we have not exceeded our goal was being "self-sufficient" by 2025. We actually re-evaluated that goal and came to the conclusion that it was the wrong wording of that goal in the first place. We are extremely excited to announce that our more accurately worded goal is to be totally dependent on God and His people. Starting in January 2024 we are not supported by any denominational group, church, or anything like that. We are supported by God bringing the right people at the right time. We are just asking if there are more people to commit to financially supporting our mission to Reach, Resonate, and Restore our community for the glory of God.  We believe God has so much planned for Restoration Ranch but we cannot do this without your help!