Chad and Miriam Martin

Chad and Miriam, who are both graduates of the School of Discipleship, came on staff in October of 2021. Chad works in both the School of Discipleship and the Finance Office. He also assists with some maintenance projects as he can. Miriam does some landscaping work as she is able, tending to flower beds and rock gardens around the ranch. Together they have two little boys who never sit still! Finneas was born in June of 2023, and Rowan was born in December of 2024.

Martin’s Ministry Updates

May 20, 2026

The long winter has come to an end, though it was enjoyed, it did seem to be a bit colder and snowier than usual. The boys enjoyed being able to play in the snow and because Rowan started walking mid-winter, he also spent much time tripping over his feet landing face first in the snow! Chad started deer hunting this past winter and Finneas would greet him at the door asking if he got a deer every time he returned home. Eventually the answer was yes! Chad was also blessed with the time to play another season of hockey. The boys and I really enjoyed being able to go to his games. Though his team didn’t win in the end, they did make it to the championship! That was an exciting game to watch.

We spent part of the Christmas holiday in Canada with Chad’s family and then we decided to escape from winter for a bit in February and flew down to visit my brother who lives in Texas. Going from 25 degree weather to 95 degree weather was quite the transition but the boys loved every minute. They both travelled really well, and we were able to take them to the beach and zoo while we were down there.

As spring has come, I am eager to begin working in the garden. My tomato plants are limping along also eager for warm soil. Though it is chilly and rainy out as I write this, we have already had a few beautiful warm days. The promise of more warm days is also to come. The boys have already spent their fair share of time outside. Finneas got a new balance bike for Christmas from his grandparents, and it has been so awesome to see his confidence grow in riding it. Rowan really enjoys the sandbox and would spend all day playing in it if he was allowed.

While there is always the usual bookkeeping work to do in the finance office, one of the projects Chad has been helping with is the search for a new database. The database is quite important to the overall functioning of ranch as it is the tool used for event registrations, donor profiles, tracking donations, and much more. The ranch has had the same custom-made database for a very long time, but it is showing its age and we believe it is now time for something new. Chad and the finance team think they have found a company and a system that will meet our needs well, and they are excited and a little nervous at the same time! Chad anticipates that there will be quite a bit of work getting everything switched over and then learning the new system.

Another year of release time has come to a close for Chad, and he thinks it was their best year yet! They had about seventy kids in attendance, from first through sixth grade. He was able to finish up teaching through the Old Testament, and began in the new. Chad has been encouraged to see a few of the kids asking good questions and really engage with what is being taught. They closed off their year with an ice cream party.

We are quickly approaching summer which means that all the ranch projects that aren’t finished must get finished. There is a new playground that is being built; our current one is a little sad and the new one will allow for a great big place for many children to play! They are also more bunkhouse renovations being done to make our housing nicer and more accommodating. The students have just wrapped up their final grading day and have moved into their summer positions.

I find it really easy to sit and write of all the things my little family does and what is going on, then try to think of what I do each day and sometimes I feel like it’s nothing. I have challenged myself this year to always have a productive project I am working on, whether it be quilting, embroidering, working outside, etc. Rest is good, but it can be so easy to decide I need a minute and then I find myself mindlessly scrolling or doing aimless things. Proverbs 31 speaks on not eating the bread of idleness and it is so easy to fall into wanting to do nothing. I have also set out to make sure I am beginning the day praying, reading scripture, and singing with my children. I am already seeing the fruit of filling their little hearts with truth and knowledge of Christ. If you ask Finneas who he is, he will proudly tell you he is a child of God.

We always appreciate your prayer and support. We ask you pray for Chad and his coworkers in the office as they move towards a new database, that they would have wisdom and understanding. Pray for the students that they would be refreshed, ready and excited for the busy summer season. Pray for safety and completion of projects so that we can better serve the ranchers this summer. I ask you to pray also for our little family, that the Lord would continue to give clarity and direction as we serve in this ministry. We often get asked the question, “how long do you plan on serving here?” and though we most often respond with “however long the Lord has us here,” we still must seek wisdom and understanding to eventually discern how long that may be.

God bless,
Chad & Miriam Martin