Mark and Shari Carpenter
Mark and Shari came on staff in 2001. Mark is the Director of Operations. Mark heads up all construction and maintenance, in addition to teaching the School Of Discipleship class on Servant Leadership. Shari enjoys managing the Buckboard store. She homeschooled all six of their children (now adults). God has graciously blessed them with 15 grandchildren. James is still at home, but engaged, and will be married next fall.
Carpenter Connection
2026 Edition 2
Greetings from the Carpenters!
Summer camp is in full swing! God has provided all staff and volunteers needed to minister the gospel to the ranchers attending camp over the next two months. The theme this summer is “Christ, the Cornerstone” (Acts 4:11-12). Please pray for our speakers and staff as this truth is taught this summer. Pray for hearts to be open and lives to be changed for eternity. What a privilege to share of God’s love and His son, Jesus Christ; being the true foundation to build our lives upon. Most camp weeks are well-attended, but if you know of any children who would enjoy a week of camp, please connect with the office and sign them up.
Operations Department: If you haven’t seen the progress made on the new playground, check it out online. Much earth has been moved and many rocks have been harvested from around ranch property. The first play area includes a mine shaft; complete with two slides and many rocks to climb on. Ranchers and adults alike have been enjoying the wonderful addition. Progress on the project will continue throughout the year as other elements are constructed.
Three SOWER couples volunteered in June. They worked on several projects that helped us get ready for summer camp. What a blessing it was to host them. Two of the couples were from Georgia and the other couple, from Busti, NY, were serving their very first project here. We have the operations department and summer volunteers at our house for breakfast on Friday mornings. Pictured is the breakfast group from last week.
John, Will, and Taevan have been working in operations with us this spring and are our students for summer. They work with our summer volunteers on various projects around the ranch. We have had at least six volunteers each week. In our morning devotions, we have been looking at 1 John. What an encouragement to live out our faith in Jesus Christ and to be grounded in the truth of His word, living in obedience to God’s commands, loving others as a result of our understanding of His love for us, and studying in order to not be influenced by false teachers. We are blessed to have this time with our volunteers and operations staff.
Our weather finally allowed us to cut hay on the 27th. Our grandson, Talin, was able to ride on the tractor now that we have a buddy seat. He sure does love riding with grandpa!
All our first cutting is now in the barn and the bale count is over 13,000! Praise the Lord for His provision for the herd of over 85 animals!
In the coming months, we will be starting several different projects. We have received grants for two manure storage areas. One will be attached to the Sante Fe barn, and one beyond the feed lot building. The construction of a new housing unit for the Marshall family will also begin as soon as possible. Please keep all these items in prayer as we continue to seek God’s wisdom for timing of manpower and resources; helping us to be stewards of all He has entrusted to us.
Mexico: We are so excited to be able to host Pastor Alex and his family this July. They arrived in Pittsburgh Thursday. They waited five years to be approved to come to the states and visit us!
Family News: Baby Everly Brianne made her debut on April 22!
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. We could not serve here without all of you. We feel so blessed to have your partnership in the work here and we pray God will continue to bless each of you.
In His Service,
Mark and Shari
Prayer Requests:
- Scheduling of upcoming work projects
- SOD attendance this fall
- For our 3 ops students as they minister to the boys in the bunkhouse
Praise:
- First cutting of hay in barn
- Blessings of summer volunteers and staff
- Salvations of several ranchers
- For lots of help in the buckboard store that has taken a load off of Shari
All gifts are tax deductible and can be made out to MMRM, designated for us, and sent to the Ranch at 101 Rodeo Drive, Spring Creek, PA 16436 or online using the ‘donate’ button below.