Matt & Jenni Cox
Matt and Jenni Cox came on staff in 1992. Matt has served as Farmer, Program Director, Director of Equine Ministries and now as the Executive Director. Matt teaches multiple classes for the School of Discipleship. Jenni serves as his secretary and has homeschooled all of their five children, three of which are out of the house now. Their two eldest are married and they have five grandchildren. Jenni also assists with the “Marriage Dynamics” class. Both Matt and Jenni are School of Discipleship alumni.
Cox Chronicles
Spring 2025
So much has happened since our Christmas update so I’m going to try to give you a photographic journey of the last few months.
Dominican Republic Mission Trip. Our Mission Trip to the D.R. was amazing, and even though we had not initially planned to do construction the whole week, that is what the Lord had in store for us this year. It was a tremendous time of coming alongside local pastors in their rural villages to help build and repair their churches. Here we are after finishing repainting a small church and the pastor was ecstatic to have a fresh church both inside and out for his flock. We also helped build a ramp for the hearing center, built an extension on another church in a different village, and helped build the walls for yet another one. It was a wonderful and exhausting week. We loved the fellowship of believers that we met as well. Unfortunately, I got sick with the flu but was still able to make the trip home on schedule.
Home to Dad’s hospitalization The same day we returned from the D.R., my dad was transferred from the nursing home to the hospital for sepsis. This was the first of 2 infections he battled through. It was the continuation of a downhill spiral in his health through these winter months. I was exhausted but grateful to be back in the states in time to be there with he and mom. After the second infection, the decision was made to move dad home on hospice care.
Marriage and Family Dynamics Class This is the fun time of year when we get to teach together as a couple. We always enjoy this time with the students and they were very understanding with me missing classes to help my parents.
Wedding season We’ve had the joy of attending 3 weddings already this spring and anticipate 6 more this year. What a privilege it is to be a part of this joyful season in these young people’s lives. We’ve also been blessed to see all of our children as they returned to the state for one wedding.
Hard Goodbyes We were able to bring Dad (Steve) home from the hospital on hospice care for 2 ½ weeks before the Lord called him home. He passed peacefully in his sleep and though we miss him terribly, we are grateful for the end of many years of pain and discomfort. We had some sweet moments as a family in the days leading up to his passing.
Phoenix Trip Two days after Dad’s passing, Mom and I flew to Phoenix to attend my niece’s (their granddaughter’s) wedding. Plans had been made months in advance and Dad would’ve wanted Mom to be there. It was a blessed trip and Mom was so happy to see Robyn and Mitch get married in person. My brother, Brian, and I enjoyed a hike in the beautiful mountains, sharing stories from our past and reminiscing about Dad.
Couples Retreat Before my plane even landed in the state, we had kicked off our Couples retreat at the Ranch. Matt and I spoke for 3 sessions the following day. That retreat wrapped up on Sunday and we pulled out Monday for 3CA (Christian Camps and Conferences Association). I was speaking for a session on camp nursing at our Allegheny sectional. The trip was also an opportunity to allow me to help Mom get ready for Dad’s funeral via phone calls and emails.
Final Goodbye Dad’s funeral was 3 weeks after his passing. This enabled us to get things in order for all of the family traveling in from multiple states. We were so blessed by all who came out to be with us that day. Dad loved his family so much and would’ve loved seeing us all together.
Letchworth While some family were still in town, we celebrated my mom’s 75th birthday with a day trip to Letchworth park, somewhere she had never been before. We were grateful for the weather cooperating with our plans.
Mom’s illness Shortly after things settled down, my mom Donna was admitted to the hospital with terrible leg pain compounded with issues with her INR numbers. (Blood clotting factor) Though they were able to get her numbers settled quickly, her pain continued. After 4 days in the hospital, we brought her home to stay with us for a while until she felt better.
Hannah and Garrett Happenings Hannah and the kids had returned to PA for her sister-in-law’s wedding, so we had an exciting environment for Mom to recover in. Garrett’s sister, Alana, got married to Josh Bremenour and Matt was blessed to be the officiant for the ceremony. Garrett was in the middle of a busy horse showing season, so he flew in for the wedding and then returned to the show while we enjoyed the grandkids and Hannah for almost 2 weeks.
Megan and Simeon’s Move Simeon has recently accepted a job offer in Brownsville, TX working for SpaceX. They will be moving in May to the southernmost tip of the state. Even though 2 of my kids (and all the grandkids) will soon be residing in TX, they will still be 9 hours apart. We are excited for this opportunity for them and hope to visit them someday after they get settled.
Lydia’s job change Due to restructuring in the ministry where Lydia worked, she has wrapped up her time with Vision of Hope. Her plans at this time are to remain in Indiana for a little longer and would appreciate your prayers as she figures out the next step.
Emily’s Exciting News On April 1st, Josiah Gross proposed to Emily. (And she said Yes!) The wedding date is set for Sunday, September 14th, 2025. We are very excited for them both! Josiah serves on our staff as Program Director so they will be living at the Ranch. Emily started working at the local credit union after the holidays.
Jonathan Update Jonathan enjoyed a busy time with nieces and nephew and then got to travel for 10 days to Indiana to stay with his friend and their family. He came home to a much quieter house and now we are back to getting his driving permit time done and he is also taking some welding classes at the Ranch. We also recently enjoyed some wildfire training together with the fire department.
Life has been keeping us all very busy but it is in these times that I am reminded the most to just stop and breathe. There is always more to do, always more that can be done. When Jesus instructed the sea with the words, “Peace, be still!”, it was not a suggestion, but a command. There are so many times that I need TOLD to stop, TOLD to rest, TOLD to be still. It does not come naturally to me and ministry, family, and life can always give us more to do. I am thankful that He is a commanding God because He knows the needs of His children even more than we do.
Our theme for this summer is “Draw Near” from Hebrews 10. I think it will be one that I will benefit from focusing on as well!
May God bless you all for your support and prayers for us. They are greatly felt! Our support has dropped over the past couple of years, but we have seen the Lord faithfully supply in many ways.
Matt and Jenni Cox and family
Miracle Mountain Ranch