2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

STRONG TOWER RANCH 2011 Annual Report

2 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

Table of Contents

Letter from Board Chairman, Mark Okeson……………………………… 3 Purpose Statement, Organizational Structure………………………….. 5 Ministry in 2011: Ministry and Support Staff…………………………………………………. 7 Program Attendance………………………………………………………….. 7 2011 Financial Report: Operating Expenses……………………………………………………………. 9 Income Sources…………………………………………………………………. 10 Special Recognition…………………………..……………………………………….11 Current Board of Directors and Committee Leads…………………….. 12

3 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

Welcome to 2012!

I take my hat off to you, Strong Tower Ranch staff, volunteers, and those

who gave financially! 2011 was a year when many people were hit with fi-

nancial difficulty. Some of our families had a very difficult year as well, yet

they stayed involved, gave of their time and energy, and ministered through

the power of the Holy Spirit to each person who came to the ranch.

Along with record numbers of summer campers (nearly half sponsored), the

Day Camp area enjoyed a record number of church groups that came to help

staff a week of camp--five churches and one high school homeschool

group. Our hope is to realize the vision of coordinating with local churches

so children have follow-up care. Leadership training for teen help took a

leap forward in quality as well. Nearly all campers (and many workers too!)

say that attending STR helped them to be more committed to being true

disciples of Jesus-- to give Him their whole lives. Most of the campers ex-

pressed having a life challenge that felt overwhelming before coming to

camp and 83% of those said they felt like they received specific help in fac-

ing their challenge.

The horsemanship programs at STR continued to thrive with devoted vol-

unteers, a sound herd of horses and the blessing of beautiful children and

their families. With the love of Christ the ministry continued to reach fami-

lies in the community by using horses as an instrument to instill disci-

pline, patience, responsibility and respect.

In our various ministry programs, we experienced a growing interest in

reaching our teens, recognizing that many of our elementary children

are growing into their teens with very few positive role models. The

teens found encouragement and strength through the involvement of

adults who cared about them. Teens involved in leadership learned

principles they will carry with them through life.

We have a long list of projects completed in 2011: new barn roof, food ser-

vice pavilion, boat pier, RV sites, fencing of horse pastures, parking area at

the barn, and a storage building. We also acquired several trained horses, a

truck, a van, and a tractor. As you can see, God has richly blessed us with

all these resources that help us bless those who step on our property, and

put something better into their lives before they leave.

I’m happy to report that our Thrift Shop moved into a new facility in 2011.

The staff had many challenges to overcome, yet they persevered and the

shop is looking better than ever! The Thrift Shop has established a purpose

in the community, reaching out to help those in need in Wright City.

Looking at our finances, 2011 was comparable to years past. God has

blessed us with stability in uncertain economic times. He has also provided

Strong Tower Ranch with gifted leaders who have hearts for reaching out,

and with His guidance, they did an excellent job managing each and every

task in 2011.

Thank you, everyone that gave to Strong Tower Ranch. You have helped to

make a difference.

Your Chairman and brother in Christ,

Mark Okeson

4 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

Purpose Statement and Organizational Structure 2011 Strong Tower Ranch Annual Report

5 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Strong Tower Ranch features horsemanship and day camps with the goal of sharing the gospel through qual-ity, Christ-centered programs that are both entertain-ing and character building. Strong Tower reminds us that we have a mighty for-tress in Christ. We want children, teens, and adults who come here to find love and refuge from a harsh world. Our priority is to help those who are at-risk or less fortunate. Located on 102 acres in Foristell, Missouri, we are non-denominational, non-profit and dependent on prayers, financial support and volunteer help. Our staff is pre-pared to host programs and events for area families, churches and civic groups.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Primary responsibility for the ministry lies with a volun-teer Board of Directors. The officers on the board are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. We would like to think that the ministry is not known or de-fined by any one personality, but understood to be a cooperative effort. We believe that God leads us by im-pressing His will on a majority of board members. In addition to the Board of Directors, we have five com-mittees which oversee the various ministry and support operations. Committees drive the ministry and the Board provides oversight and support.

6 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

Ministry in 2011: Program Attendance; Ministry and Support Staff 2011 Strong Tower Ranch Annual Report

7 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

RANCH STAFF

You may be surprised to learn that Strong Tower Ranch has no paid employees. Our support committees and ministry programs are managed and operated by a group of dedicat-ed volunteers. All staff members who work with children have completed an application and screening process and are trained in how to lead a child to Christ, as well as various other aspects of ministry. They are also trained in child pro-tection policies.

PROGRAM ATTENDANCE

The fun activities children get to experience at Strong Tower Ranch are saturated with the gospel message and Christian life teaching. For example, the relationship we have with our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, is illustrated with the horse and how it responds (or not) to its loving master. Archery is used to explain how we fall short of God’s glory and need a Savior, and how in the Christian life, you don’t hit a target without aiming for it. Creation lessons constantly point to the genius of this world’s Designer and how He has a loving plan for all His crea-tion, including each person. The children are given strong apologetics that they can take with them for life and it’s a joy to see them find faith in God’s Word or to see their faith strengthened .

020406080

100120140160180200

BoardMembers

CommitteeMembers

AdditionalYear-Round

Staff

SummerStaff

721 16

196

Strong Tower Ranch2011 Volunteers

0

100

200

300

400

500

Total ReceivedSponsorships

ReceivedTransportation

SalvationDecisions

462

186

111

46

Strong Tower Ranch2011 Program Attendance

8 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

2011 Financial Report 2011 Strong Tower Ranch Annual Report

9 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

2011 OPERATING EXPENSES

An all-volunteer staff and minimal administrative costs give our supporters confidence that what they contribute will directly support a ministry program or take care of the property God has blessed us with. We believe God honors this “no -frills” approach to spending by supplying our needs through the generosity of individuals, churches, and a variety of organizations.

$10,765 (13%)

$38,631 (47%)

$3,401 (4%)

$1,957 (2%)

$16,023 (20%)

$11,239 (14%)

Strong Tower Ranch2011 Operating Expenses

Day Camp

Misc. Prop. & Equip.Maint., Ins., Util.,Mortgage

Administration

Fundraising

Horsemanship

Total 2011 Operating Expenses = $82,016

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2011 INCOME SOURCES

Our staff not only plan and run the ministry programs, but many also work tirelessly on fundraising efforts throughout the year. It is our hope and prayer that as more people are led to give monetarily, our staff can focus less on fundraising and ex-pand our ministry as God leads and provides. Due to these economic times, a person can have a difficult time choosing how to invest resources. We are grateful for those who choose to invest in Strong Tower Ranch so that children can hear God’s truth and have the tools they need to live in this world.

33%

2%3%2%

29%

7%

7%

3%

14%

Strong Tower Ranch2011 Income Sources

Fees

Sponsorships (Individual)

Sponsorships (Grant)

Other Grants

Donations (Individual)

Donations (Churches)

Fundraising

Goods

Thrift Shop

Total Income - $92,982

11 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

Special Recognition

We are grateful to the following churches who partnered with us in 2011 through monetary support, helping with work projects, and staffing Day Camps:

Berean Bible Church in Marysville, KS Calvary Chapel of St. Louis Calvary Mid Rivers in St. Peters Calvary West in Wentzville Chapel of the Lake in Lake St. Louis Crosshaven Church in Wentzville Grace Community Chapel in St. Peters Living Waters Church in O’Fallon Wildwood Home School Group Wright City Church of the Nazarene Individuals representing more than 20 area churches helped in various ways in 2011!

friends from several states worked together to replace the barn roof

Tower Thrift Shop

106 Cherry Street, Wright City, Missouri

Special thanks to the following

organizations who provided generous

grants and gifts in 2011:

Boeing Corporation Matching Funds

Cuivre River Electric Community Trust

(Operation Round Up)

Gateway Arch Area Chapter of

The Safari Club

St. Patrick’s Knights of Columbus

(Wentzville)

Wentzville Community Club

12 2011 STRONG TOWER RANCH Annual Report

Board of Directors: Chairman, Mark Okeson

Vice-Chair, Joe Jordan

Treasurer, Gerry Glenn

Secretary, Patty Mund

Member, Alta Palmer

Committee Leads: Day Camp, Lydia Kaiser

Horsemanship, Lori Brooks

Property, Don Kaiser

Thrift Shop Manager, Alta Palmer

Board of Directors and Committee Leads (2012)