Melissa Beckman
Melissa graduated from the School of Discipleship in August 2022 as a 1st year student. She then came on staff in the Guest Service department in housekeeping where she helps clean the facilities along with preparing for retreats and events that come in. She will also be mentoring and leading students in chores throughout the year and working with volunteers during the summer.
Melissa’s Newsletter
Fall Update 2024
Greetings,
I’m not sure where Summer went as the weather here seems to be changing to Fall. Even the leaves on the trees are starting to change color and fall off. I feel like just yesterday I was scrambling to get things ready for the start of Summer and now I am writing this update after Summer camps have ended and another school year for the School of Discipleship has started.
We had just under 1,200 kids come to camp this Summer and it was a joy to see them having fun through their week of camp along with learning more of who God is and of the gospel. On Thursday nights, during each week of camp we have a bonfire and testimony night where the ranchers can share what they learned in their time at camp. There were 76 salvation decisions and many others found encouragement in their walk with Christ. Hearing these testimonies of God working in their life was greatly encouraging and I am grateful for people like you who are willing to support the work I am a part of here through your prayers and financial support! Above all I am grateful to God for what He has done and is still doing! Praise the Lord!
I enjoyed the time I got to spend with the volunteers I had this past Summer and the conversations we had. I was able to lead a Bible study for one week and shared with the volunteers and a few students about how we can know that God is real. It was a challenging topic to address but helpful to learn more about; how to share that with others and be assured of ourselves. This Summer I also learned a lot on what it means to be a mentor, as I got to mentor Sarah, the student who helped me all Summer in housekeeping, which was a huge blessing! She not only helped with many tasks and worked with the volunteer girls but she was also a great encouragement to me.
Speaking of students, we said goodbye to our student class of 2023-2024 with a nice graduation ceremony and time of fellowship in August. It is hard to see people leave who you have done life with and gotten to know but I am excited for them and how God will lead them in this next stage of life! We then welcomed 26 students for the class of 2024-25. We have 18 first year students and 8 second year students. It has been really neat to get to know them!
Some of the Fall retreats we have coming up are Fall Horse Lovers, two Ladies retreats, a one day event for Homeschoolers, and another one day event which is our Harvest Party! I am excited for the Fall retreats and getting to serve and visit with all those who come!
I also want to share with you all that I will be leaving the Ranch to move back to Minnesota on October 13th 2024. After much prayer, conversations, and thinking through this, I believe God is calling me to take a step of faith and leave the Ranch. This was a hard decision to make. Although I don’t yet have all the details of what I will be doing, I have been reminded over and over that God sees the whole picture of our lives, and though we can’t see it all, we can still trust Him! God is so faithful!
I am beyond grateful for the support I received from you through these last few years. I wouldn’t have been able to serve here without your willingness to be used by God to support the work being done at the Ranch! The opportunities to minister to others and the times I have had the opportunity to pray with people could not have happened without you. Working with and discipling those who went through the School of Discipleship and the Summer volunteers that came to serve was possible because of you! There are many things I learned here at the Ranch, like what it means to work in a ministry alongside others to further the gospel. Sometimes it simply looks like cleaning and maintaining buildings as we are all working towards the same goal – to share the gospel and the love of Christ so that many would put their trust in God!
As you can read it was not an easy decision to leave but I am excited for what God will continue to do at the Ranch and for what He has next for me to do for His kingdom!
As I will be leaving mid October, I will no longer be raising support after October 13th. Please conclude any financial support given through Miracle Mountain Ranch by October 13th 2024.
Prayer requests:
- Please pray for a smooth transition for when I move not only for myself but for the Ranch also.
- Pray for guidance as I transition into this next stage of life and what God would have for me next.
- Pray that I would seek God wholeheartedly.
- Pray for the students as they start their school year that there would be unity and willingness to grow in their knowledge of who God is!
Praise report:
- For the many ways God continues to provide for the Ranch.
- For the Summer camps and the many kids that were able to come to camp.
- For God’s faithfulness to us, His children, even when we are not faithful!
Thank you for all your prayers and support throughout these years! You have been such a blessing in my life!
In Christ,
Melissa Beckman
2 Thessalonians 3:16
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
At Miracle Mountain Ranch as staff you are considered a missionary and raise your own support. If you feel like God is calling you to give, you can give online at the website mmrm.org by credit card or electronic withdrawal under the Donate tab or send a check in the mail written to MMR with my name in the memo section. The address is, 101 Rodeo Dr. Spring Creek, PA 16436. Your gifts are all tax deductible.