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NEWSLETTER
stories from the ranch
01
President’s Letter
02
03
Construction Update
04
05
A Glimpse of the Future
05
The Lodge Open House
06
Women’s Event
07
Finding Freedom
on the Fairway
08
How You Can Help
We Are Hiring!
Finding Freedom Ranch is seeking
to hire a Clinical Director. Apply
today! Email resumes to:
homer@findingfreedomranch.org
It’s all about Him
SPRING 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We recently concluded a sermon series on the book of Esther at our church. One key observation about the book is that God is not mentioned in any of its ten chapters. Along with the Song of Solomon, Esther is one of only two books in the entire Bible where God is not directly referenced. From a human perspective, this might seem like a dilemma, but because we believe the Bible is divinely inspired, we know that if God had wanted the author to mention Him explicitly, He would have done so.
The issue is not whether God is named in the text, but rather that He is clearly the main character throughout. Only God could providentially use the lives of Esther and Mordecai in such a way as to preserve the Jewish people. While the story of Esther does not contain overt miracles, God’s sovereign control over every event and person reveals His omniscience and omnipotence.
Esther’s story can be likened to a chess game, with God and Satan as the unseen players. Satan placed Haman in power, and it was as if he declared, “Check.” But our Sovereign God then positioned Esther and Mordecai, ultimately putting Satan in “Checkmate.” (The MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition, English Standard Version, 2013).
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to
open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Colossians 2:13-15
Satan is playing games in all our lives, using
schemes and tricks to make us falter (1 Peter 5:8). He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and has been using people, places, and circumstances since the beginning to try to
destroy God’s people. At FFR, we believe that Satan’s lies have even led some into struggles such as eating disorders. But the antidote to these lies is the truth found in our “unseen” God’s Word, revealed to us through Scripture
(John 14:6).
Whatever you may be struggling with in this
world, the only path to true peace and victory is through Jesus Christ and His revealed Word (John 1:14). Join us at FFR, along with believers around the world, as we look to the cross of Jesus Christ and, with full confidence and joy, exclaim, “CHECKMATE!”
IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM!
Homer Burgess
HEALING THE HEART OF AN EATING DISORDER WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST.
Construction Update
Land Development March 24, 2025
Construction continues to move along smoothly.
Burgess Painting completed the painting in January. D&D Building has installed all the trim work, doors, and door hardware. Our retired trim carpenter, Doug Lutke, has installed all the cabinets, which were generously donated by Williams Distributing. The countertops have been measured and will be installed soon. Bouma
Brothers installed our back overhead door, adding
a nice touch. The exterior arches were crafted and
installed by Jamestown Woodworks, further enhancing the building’s detail. Buist has been busy installing the audio visual and data cables, while H & K Electric is finishing up the electrical work, including covers and other details.
The building is nearing completion and will be ready
for final inspection in early April. Once the inspection
is completed, we’ll begin installing furnishings, as we
prepare for an open house celebration on May 15,
2025.
Additionally, our stables committee is finalizing
the stable drawings so we can move forward with
pricing. The privacy fence along the east property
line will be installed as soon as the weather permits.
At FFR, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity
of so many people, contractors, and individuals.
We have truly been blessed and humbled by your
support.
All glory be to Christ, our King.
- Fred Hulst
January, 2025
Doors and trim installation
February, 2025
Cabinets installation
January, 2025
Painting completed
February, 2025
Garage door installation
March, 2025
Door hardware installation
May 15, 2025
Lodge open house
FINDINGFREEDOMRANCH
A Glimpse of the Future
We are thrilled to share with you a collection of renderings giving us an exciting glimpse of what’s to come at Finding Freedom Ranch!
THE "STABLES"
To be nestled alongside the pasture for our horses.
THE "LODGE"
Designed to house activities, support groups and administrative offices.
The Lodge
Open House
We invite you, along with your friends and family, to join us in celebrating the completion of The Lodge. This building, which will soon serve our community, would not have been possible without the dedication of the subcontractors who built it and the generosity of the donors who contributed financially. We are grateful for your support and the blessings of our good Lord. Come celebrate this special moment with us and honor those who made it possible.
WHEN:
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Open house style from 4-7 PM
WHERE:
The Lodge
1253 Hillcrest Dr Wayland, MI 49348
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Join us for wood-fired pizza and dessert, tour the facility, explore ways to partner with Finding Freedom Ranch, and learn about upcoming small groups. T-shirts and hats will be available for purchase, and we’ll also be honoring the subcontractors who helped bring The Lodge to life. It’s a great opportunity to come together and celebrate all that God has done.
Parking will be available at Moline Christian School, located at 1253 144th Ave, Moline, MI 49335
WOMEN'S EVENT
March 20 was Ladies’ Night for Finding Freedom Ranch, and it was truly a night overflowing with blessings! That’s how we’re feeling after such an incredible evening with all of you. God is good, everyone—so good! Thank you to all who attended. We pray that you were filled by the Word.
Erin Davis led us through the scriptures, reading from John 3:1-15. We read about Nicodemus, who came to Jesus under the cover of night to ask about being born again. Erin then took us to John 7:40-52, where we saw Nicodemus, now a member of the very council that called for Jesus’ crucifixion. Finally, we read from John 19:38-42, where Nicodemus boldly appears once more, this time bringing a large quantity of spices for Jesus’ body. It was an amazing reminder of the gift and the cost of pursuing Christ and of His beauty.
We ended the evening with an opportunity to ask questions about the future and vision of the ranch. It was a blessing to hear your questions and share how the Lord has been guiding us as phase one nears completion. We celebrated together the gift of prayer and the many talents and gifts that each of you have contributed. We continue to remind ourselves that it is all about the Lord and His faithfulness.
FINDING FREEDOM ON THE FAIRWAY
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SATURDAY
AUGUST, 2
This year’s golf outing will once again be held at Orchard Hills! We’ve completed our lodge, thanks to the generous support of many faithful donors. Now, help us continue the vision God has set before us, where true freedom can be found through Him, as we further implement programs at the Ranch. Gather a team for a 4-person scramble and sign up to support Finding Freedom Ranch in our mission to walk alongside those battling eating disorders.
Your team’s $450 registration fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, a light lunch at the turn, dinner following golf, and an exclusive Finding Freedom Ranch t-shirt! Plus, you’ll have the chance to purchase raffle tickets and compete in contests for some amazing prizes!
Business owners, this is a fantastic opportunity to promote your business! Please consider becoming a sponsor. Choose from the following options:
GOLD Sponsor - $1,500
Includes: Golf fee, t-shirts, and dinner for your team
Business name with your logo on the back of the shirt
Sponsor sign with logo at the event
Social media shoutout with a link to your website
SILVER Sponsor - $1,000
Includes: Golf fee, t-shirts, and dinner for your team
Business name listed on the back of the shirt
Sponsor sign with logo at the event
Social media shoutout with a link to your website
BRONZE Sponsor - $350
Includes: Sponsor sign with logo at the event
Social media shoutout with a link to your website
Contact Jen Huyser at accounting@findingfreedomranch.org
(616) 634-0274 or Homer Burgess at
homer@findingfreedomranch.org (616) 204-7152 with any questions.
How You Can Help
Learn how you can help at: www.findingfreedomranch.org
TALK
We encourage you to join us in spreading the story of Finding Freedom Ranch.
Tell others about what we’re doing now and are planning for the future.
Encourage any young women or moms you know who need support to reach out and join one of our groups.
Together, we can help others find freedom.
GIVE
Would you consider partnering with us as we turn our land into a place where freedom can be found?
Through one-time, recurring, planned giving and sponsorships, our dream of providing Michigan’s first faith-based in-patient eating disorder facility can come true.
Visit our website to learn more
about giving opportunities or contact :
Jen Huyser accounting@findingfreedomranch.org
PRAY
In addition to our other support opportunities, we humbly ask for your prayers to cover all aspects of Finding Freedom Ranch.
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Pray that God is glorified through our work.
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Pray for those working on our land.
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Pray for the families we serve through our support groups.
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Pray for those affected by eating disorders who have yet to find the help they desperately need.