Christian Encounter Ranch

10/15/2026

Cece shares of a pivotal moment at the end of this year's wilderness trip:

"'I know I've destroyed my body. I'm never gonna smoke again, I'm never going back.' It echoed in my head and from my mouth. 'I'm never going back.'

It was just tears as I felt like I was set free from the expectation of falling away from Christ. Since the start of my journey, I expected myself to fail, that one day I would leave my walk with God and return to who I was. But in that moment I knew in my soul, I was never going back to life without Him. I wanted Jesus in my life. He saved me, and without Him, I would have nothing."

Cece chose to get baptized upon returning from the trip. "God chased me down, and He brought me into new life."

10/10/2026

An Encounter in Every Act of Service

Scripture: Colossians 3:23–24 (NIV)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Today, I woke up with excitement. It was Serve Day here at Christian Encounter Ranch! The morning began with smiling faces, donuts, coffee, and prayer. Then came the instructions, thoughtfully given according to the many gifts represented in the body of Christ and the extended community family connected to the ranch.

Everyone had a place. Everyone had something to contribute. And together, we entered the harvest field spread across more than 80 acres of land here at CER. As I moved throughout the property, I witnessed the beauty of many hands working toward a common purpose.

I saw dead trees and branches uprooted, making way for new growth. I saw new paths established and trees planted. An old well cover was removed and replaced with a new one, securing what was beneath. I watched ladders being climbed and structures being strengthened. Buildings marked by cracked and weathered paint were refreshed with new life.
Even the sheep were hard at work in the fields!
Everywhere I looked, something was being restored, strengthened, protected, or prepared for what was to come.

As I gathered these moments from across our land, the words and melody of How Great Thou Art began filling my soul.

Somewhere between the work, the people, and the beauty of what was unfolding, I felt it: the warmth of unity and community.

There is something precious about this ranch.
It is the love of Jesus expressed every day, in every way.

There is always an encounter if you are willing to be encountered by the love of Christ.

10/08/2026

"Alynna - known as Nyna - was born into a home of drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity. Due to the circumstances, her mom relinquished custody of Nyna when she was nine months old, along with her two older brothers. Nyna lived with her relatives and would visit with her mom as she grew up, watching her mom go through recovery and start a new family. Nyna was eight when her mom pulled her and her brothers aside and asked if they wanted to come live with her. They, of course, said 'yes.'"

Continue reading:

Alynna - known as Nyna - was born into a home of drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity. Due to the circumstances, her mom relinquished custody of Nyna when she was nine months old, along with her two older brothers. Nyna lived with her relatives and would visit with her mom as she grew up, watching her mo...

09/29/2026

Our Fall Serve Day is right around the corner! Join us next Saturday, October 10, as we tend to our 86 acres. The day runs from 9am - 1pm, and childcare is provided! Join us afterwards for lunch and a time of fellowship.

Sign up here to help us plan ahead: https://www.christianencounter.org/serve-days

09/17/2026

A reflection on tending sheep

By Kendall Henson, two-year intern

"As the resident 'sheep girl' I would be remiss to not mention my funny livestock friends as a very appropriate metaphor to accompany my new understanding of our Great Shepherd. For the past seven months I have tended to our small sheep flock. This experience has been delightful and instructive, as well as heartbreaking and overwhelming."

Continue reading:
https://www.christianencounter.org/post/a-reflection-on-tending-sheep

09/04/2026

Our trip participants had a storm roll in as they finished their 15-day backpacking trip, which ended with a 10K run to the finish line. Thank you to all who prayed for them along the way!

Participants will share reflection papers on the trip next Thursday night, the 10th, at 7pm. All are welcome!

08/25/2026

"Growing up I lived on a very big farm with a lot of freedom. I had many different brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles. The farm was so big that I would see some family every day, while others I might see only once a year. When I was little I was quite happy, nothing to complain about, because I loved all my family and they loved me.

However, there began to be times when some of my family would leave this farm and I would never see them ever again. Every year people would leave, sometimes one person, other times several people. So it began to affect me, and I began to be sad, but I didn’t know what to do."

Continue reading:

By Joseph Snyder, former student and internThe following is a reflection of Joseph’s time here as a student. It is an allegory of his battle with depression and how his counselor helped him face this battle. Growing up I lived on a very big farm with a lot of freedom. I had many different brothers...

08/20/2026

Tomorrow our students and interns will set off on the annual 15-day backpacking trip in Tahoe National Forest. Please join us in praying for trip participants as life gets a little simpler and there is opportunity to step outside of the daily routine to grow, to hear, to endure together. Pray for the spiritual impact of the trip and for fun and adventure!

08/10/2026

⛪️ What a delight it was to visit the church homes of two of our wonderful church partners today!

We began at Foothills Bible Church of Grass Valley, where we were welcomed with such warmth. The worship was anointed, moving, and a beautiful way to gather together in the presence of the Lord. 🙌

Then, over in Auburn, we had the joy of fellowshipping with Christian Valley Church, where Pastor Colton dove deep into a powerful reminder: How we live is a reflection of who we truly follow—let it be Christ. ❤️

At Christian Encounter Ranch, we love getting out into the community, worshiping alongside our church partners, strengthening relationships, and celebrating what God is doing throughout His Church.

Our church partners are an important part of the CER family, helping us continue the work of reaching and walking alongside young people.

Would your church like to partner with Christian Encounter Ranch? Or would you like to invite a CER speaker to your church to share more about the ministry and what God is doing at the Ranch?

📧 Email Jackie at [email protected]

We would love to come fellowship with you! 🧡

07/31/2026

Agony Ride 2026: WE BROKE HALF A MILLION, FOLKS. That's $500K+ in student scholarships for our students. That means more help, more healing, more hope. And that number is still climbing. We are currently at $584,305 raised in gifts and pledges.

Thank you to all who endured the heat and wind (and cold) in the valley - thank you for being a part of the Agony family. Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors who give still more. We see you God, we see what You're doing. We give You the glory, the honor, and the praise.