Christian Encounter Ranch

06/17/2026

Christian Encounter Ministries Internship Invitation

Dear Friend, Christian Encounter Ministries is prayerfully searching for the next generation of interns who desire to grow in their faith, develop leadership skills, and make an eternal impact in the lives of hurting teens and young adults.

For more than 55 years, Christian Encounter has been helping young people find hope, healing, and transformation through the love of Jesus Christ. Our internship program is much more than a position—it is an opportunity to live out life-on-life discipleship while serving youth who are overcoming trauma, abuse, neglect, and difficult life circumstances. As an intern, you will have the privilege of modeling Christ daily, discipling students one-on-one, helping supervise daily activities, and walking alongside young people as they encounter the healing love of Jesus. Interns become part of a supportive Christian community that provides mentorship, counseling support, leadership development, and practical ministry experience.

Christian Encounter internships range from 90 days to two years. Applicants must be committed Christians and at least 21 years of age. Benefits include room and board, a monthly grant, spiritual mentorship, professional guidance, and potential college credit depending on school requirements. Our interns are not assistants or bystanders—they are frontline ministers helping shepherd young people toward restoration.

Many former interns have gone on to become missionaries, pastors, counselors, teachers, social workers, and ministry leaders around the world. If you know a young adult who is in a season of transition, seeking God's direction, or longing to grow through hands-on ministry experience, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them.

To learn more and apply for the internship program, visit: https://www.christianencounter.org/internship Thank you for helping us identify and encourage future leaders who will bring the hope of Christ to a hurting world.

Blessings,
Christian Encounter Ministries

Internship is an opportunity for young adults to minister to at-risk youth while receiving on the job leadership training.

06/14/2026

I was watching a beautiful Egret visitor go from pond to pond the other day searching for his fish of the day. I noticed the sheep grazing in the fields. Bullfrogs catching flies. I was reminded of how the Lord cares for all things and we don’t have to worry when our trust is in him.

Matthew 6:25-34 says:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its

Spoken by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount, this verse teaches a lifestyle of daily trust rather than anxiety.

Prioritize Today: The teaching is not an excuse to avoid responsible planning, but rather a warning against letting anxiety about future unknowns steal your current peace.

God's Provision: It serves as a reminder that the same God who provides for nature (e.g., birds and flowers) is also in control of your daily needs.

Living in the Present: The encouragement is to take life one day at a time, trusting that God's grace is sufficient for whatever you face right now.

06/10/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Maurer Law for becoming a 2026 Agony Ride Corporate Sponsor with an incredible gift of $14,000!

Maurer Law serves Northern California individuals and families, helping them move forward after serious injury or loss. Their generosity will help Christian Encounter Ranch continue providing hope, healing, education, and the love of Jesus Christ to youth in need.

Would your business like to make a difference too? Join Maurer Law and other community-minded companies by becoming an Agony Ride Corporate Sponsor.

Learn more here:
https://agonyride.org/riders/corporate-sponsor/

Together, we can change lives—one rider, one sponsor, and one transformed student at a time.

06/09/2026

"Born in Kansas, Ally was only with her bio mom for nine months. Because the living conditions were far from ideal, Ally’s aunt from California came and removed her from the squalor. (We will refer to Ally’s aunt now as 'mom.') Back in California, Ally had a year with her new parents before her parents divorced. This left Ally’s mother in the lurch with a toddler to care and provide for.

In first grade, Ally was diagnosed with ADHD. 'I had to take at least seven different meds before they found one that worked….But I was always tired and had no appetite.'"

Continue reading:

Born in Kansas, Ally was only with her bio mom for nine months. Because the living conditions were far from ideal, Ally’s aunt from California came and removed her from the squalor. (We will refer to Ally’s aunt now as “mom.”) Back in California, Ally had a year with her new parents before h...

06/02/2026

We had a wonderful end-of-year celebration, including watching five graduates walk the stage with their families in attendance. Our high school principal shared that all students enrolled in high school made the honor roll this past quarter - a tremendous accomplishment! We also had former Jessup professor and former intern Fritz Moga give a charge to our graduates. We're so grateful for all God has done in hearts and minds this past year!

05/31/2026

John 10:4-5

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Jesus uses the relationship between a shepherd and his flock to describe his connection to his followers. The imagery signifies that those who belong to him recognize his teachings and will not be misled by false teachings or deceitful voices.

Do you know the voice of Jesus? Do you heed the Holy Spirit when he whispers?

Know the Lord’s voice and you will hear clearly when the enemy tries to deceive.

05/21/2026

Check out the new concrete work done in Angels' Meadow! A huge shoutout to J530 concrete for their expertise in this project and for doing incredible work on our amphitheater. We're so excited for all the future camps, graduations, weddings, retreats, and celebrations that will take place here!

https://www.christianencounter.org/angels-meadow-venue

05/16/2026

Serve Day: A Love That Carries On

They could be doing anything with their Saturday. After a long week of work, school, responsibilities, and life, families, teens, and volunteers chose instead to come serve at Christian Encounter Ranch.

Volunteers from local churches, businesses, and the surrounding community gathered together to help build up, clean up, and prepare the 86 acres of land that serves students whose lives are being transformed every day. But what makes these serve days so special is not simply the work being accomplished . It is the love that is poured out.

Volunteers work side by side with our students, staff, and interns. They share meals together, hear one another’s stories, laugh together, pray together, and grow into something deeper than a volunteer team — they become family. Serve Days beautifully reveal the love of Jesus Christ in action.

What begins as a single day of serving often turns into years of connection. Many people who come once continue returning year after year because they encounter something greater than a project. They experience the presence of God. They experience the joy of both receiving and pouring out the love of Christ.

christianencounter.org

05/06/2026

When Jesus Transforms Us:

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect".

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come".

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV): "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit".

Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV): "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh".

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NCV): "...be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy".

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me...".

Colossians 3:10 (ESV): "...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator".

Key Aspects of Biblical Transformation
The Goal: To become like Christ in character and image.
The Method: Renewing the mind, not just changing behavior.
The Agent: The Holy Spirit, not human effort alone.
The Result: A new life, a new perspective, and a new heart.

04/29/2026

Our Agony Kickoff Ride is next Saturday, May 9th! Free bike fittings beginning at 8:30am. Training ride begins at 9:30am. Meet us at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery in Sac!

Why get a bike fit?
"If you are suffering from numb hands or toes, knee pain, lower back pain, shoulder discomfort or any number of other aches and pains after riding your bike, it is likely due to improper bike fit. Getting a professional bike fit is one of the most commonly skipped steps when buying a new bike, but it is one of the most important."

If you're riding in the Agony Ride, don't skip this step! Getting fitted to your bike, or a borrowed bike, will make all the difference when doing a 24-hour event.