The Glorious Impact of My Local Christian Children’s Home

Evangelism occurs in brightly decorated classrooms and on playgrounds, not only on street corners or in remote parts of the world. For my local Christian children’s home, advancing the Gospel looks like comforting hugs, bandaging skinned knees, providing stable mealtimes, and most of all, ensuring love and safety.

A Christian children’s home ministry might not sound complicated, but the labor is intensive, and the harvest is plentiful.

In April 1961, a local Evangelical minister Richard McHenry and his wife Mary opened the doors of a newly constructed cottage to house the Blue Ridge Mountains’ needful children. Their children’s ministry all started when Mary received a letter from a friend telling her of a boy in the neighborhood who had nowhere to live. Various neighbors took turns housing the child, but no one family could keep him permanently. The letter informed Mary that the boy was “difficult and hard to manage.” Mary’s friend asked if the boy could attend the couple’s upcoming Bible camp.

“Of course we will!,” Pastor McHenry responded.

The little boy enjoyed every minute of Bible camp, recalled Mary in her memoir. He eagerly participated in all the activities — including memorizing Scripture verses and prayer. By the end of the week, he was cooperative and, most importantly, the first child to respond to an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as savior.

Richard and Mary grew concerned about where the little boy would go after the week-long Bible camp ended. “At the close of the week we were among the most miserable. What would happen now to our young friend?” the couple worried. That’s when the Lord impressed upon them to open a home for children such as this little boy.

The clergyman and his wife purchased 18 acres of farmland with $6,000 they did not have to start a local Christian children’s home, now called Joy Ranch Christian Children’s Home. The McHenry’s action took courage. But their faithfulness and obedience have been greatly blessed.

Over 5,500 children have called Joy Ranch home since the ministry’s start. What started as one small cottage is now five spacious “cottages” on 62 acres. Joy Ranch is now a state-licensed children’s residential home. However, 90 percent of the children are privately placed. Meaning, a parent or legal guardian unable to care for their child reaches out to Joy Ranch for help. (There is no cost for privately placed children, and Joy Ranch relies largely on private donations.)

Children arrive at Joy Ranch having suffered levels of fear, rejection, and anxiety that most of us cannot imagine. Many of the children are temporarily placed at Joy Ranch while their parents are in drug recovery programs or incarcerated. Some others call Joy Ranch their permanent home. Here they find welcoming house parents and staff, warm meals, clothes, hygiene products, and all other material needs provided. But most glorious, many of the children also discover the love and hope found in Jesus.

Consider the weight of these testimonies from past Joy Ranch residents:

Before I came to Joy Ranch, I was afraid, lonely, and confused. I had nowhere else to go and no family to turn to for comfort or support. During this time when I desperately needed a loving family and Godly influences in my life, Joy Ranch was there for me. I felt genuinely cared for and loved for the first time in my life. I was able to learn more about Jesus Christ’s love for me, grow spiritually, and finally let go of my painful past. During my three years there, all of the house parents, staff, and sponsors became family to me. Even when my own parents abandoned me, I knew that I still had my Joy Ranch “family” that cared for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for their continual love and support. –Lori

When I first got to Joy Ranch, I didn’t exactly want to be here. I felt alone and unheard. After some time of being at Joy Ranch, I realized that I was loved here and had a home. They helped guide me and provided structure to my life. Joy Ranch showed me that God was for me and not against me and because of that, I have received the greatest gift of all. Joy Ranch is such an amazing place and hopefully God allows them to help so many other kids that need support in their life, just like I do. –Isaiah

I lived at Joy Ranch for nine months. I arrived there with no hope and I didn’t believe I was worth anyone’s time. One day I got pretty upset and could not stop crying. Mrs. Bethany came in my room and prayed with me, she showed me that with God in my heart, I can be happy, I can fight through the troubles in life. Joy Ranch not only taught me to love God, they taught me to love myself, too. —Kalista

I’m convinced that the faithful Christian witness of the McHenry couple and all other Joy Ranch staff have a further reach than many prominent religious leaders’ viral blog posts or Twitter accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers. My local Children’s home is a remarkable testament to the Lord’s remarkable working in oft-forgotten places through His obedient and courageous followers.

Praise God for Joy Ranch! May God bless the Joy Ranch staff with strength and grace as they minister to emotionally, materially, and spiritually needful children.