Renewal Ranch To Soon Have Land

By Rachel Parker Dickerson

LOG CABIN STAFF WRITER

Rnewal Ranch, a Christian-based facility for men with drug and alcohol addictions that is planned for Conway, announced Monday it will soon have the land it needs to start construction.

At a reception Monday night, Dr. Larry Pillow, chairman of the board, said, “A donor has come forward that will enable us to have the financing at a modest cost to buy land and develop the facility quickly. The possibilities are that we would be open for business sometime in 2010.”

Brian Poppe, a board member, said, “I would love to have it open June 1.”

He said of the land, “We’ve been looking for a minimum of 40 (acres), and hopefully we’ve found something that will suit our needs. It’s 40 with the option to expand.”

The board could not announce Monday the location of the land or the name of the donor, as the deal was not complete. However, board members said the announcement would be made in January.

Pillow said he has learned that many people who want help for their addictions either cannot get into a program, cannot afford treatment, or, if they can get in, the treatment is too brief or does not have a spiritual component. He said Renewal Ranch will address all these issues, providing a program modeled after John 3:16 Ministries in Charlotte, AR, which is free to the men and supported by private donations and churches in the area.

Pillow said, “We’ve been working on it for a year. We’ve been meeting and planning and praying and asking for donors. We’re getting closer to reality. We should have a land acquisition sometime in early 2010. We have been extremely thankful for the tremendous support of the community. It’s been amazing. Pastors and key leaders, people from all walks of life have been very encouraging.”

James Loy, along with his wife, Laura, will be the executive director of the program. Loy is a graduate of John 3:16 Ministries. Poppe said he and Loy were college roommates, and Loy was the best man at his wedding. Then they lost touch for 20 years while Loy was struggling with addiction but have reestablished their friendship, Poppe said.

“The different people and organizations we’ve spoken with, no one has said ‘What a terrible idea.’ Most have said ‘I’ve been affected by that; I have a family member affected by that,’” Poppe said.

Poppe said donors should continue to support organizations in the area that help victims, such as Soaring Wings Ranch, HAVEN and the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, noting, however, that an addicted man is usually the root cause behind the need for those organizations.

thecabin.net
Log Cabin Democrat

Working to Renew Lives

Posted on August 22, 2009

Published on TheCabin.net (http://thecabin.net)Home > News > Renewal Ranch works to renew lives
Renewal Ranch Works To Renew Lives

By Rachel Parker Dickerson
Created 8/22/09 10:10 pm
LOG CABIN STAFF WRITER
Craig Keller wanted nothing but to numb the pain for years, until he found a Christian-based recovery program for men addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Keller spoke Saturday at Cornerstone Bible Church in Conway to a group gathered for a vision casting for Renewal Ranch, a ministry for men that will be modeled after John 3:16 Ministries in Batesville. It was at John 3:16 Ministries that Keller experienced healing from substance abuse. Now James Loy, a fellow graduate of the program, is starting Renewal Ranch in Conway.

Keller told the group he was raised by “the best parents” and did not drink or use drugs until he was 24 years old. Once he started using, his drug of choice became “whatever you got.”

“I just wanted to numb some pain. I didn’t think it would hurt anyone,” he said. “When reality became unbearable, I made it bearable.”

He tried going to rehab numerous times and spent more than $200,000 on rehab between 1992 and 2008, he said. Finally, in July 2008, he found help at John 3:16 Ministries.

“I felt like a fish out of water,” he said. “For seven or eight days, I don’t think I even looked at the horizon. I had so much shame and so much guilt inside.”

Then one night during a chapel service, everything changed. Keller gave his life to Jesus.

“My life was like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle … but that night I had a little, tiny corner piece in my pocket, and it was over,” Keller said. “When I gave my all to Jesus Christ, since then, I’m proud of who I am.”

Pastor Larry Pillow told the group, “When a person with an addiction decides they want help, that’s a big step. The next step is to get help.”

However, many people needing help are turned away, he said. Usually, he said, the person seeking help faces one of four situations: They have no place to go; they have a place to go they cannot afford; they have a place to go where the treatment is too brief (28 days or whatever insurance will pay for); or, if they can afford it and stay as long as they need, the program is presented without Christ.

Pillow said he has decided to support anyone, church-based or secular, that helps people overcome addictions. But all his time and effort will go to Christian-based programs. Renewal Ranch will address all issues mentioned, he said.

He added, “We need people from all walks of life. You can make a difference. You have something to offer. You can find somebody and tell them about it, and they’ll have something to offer.”

Loy, who is founding Renewal Ranch, told his story of finding healing from addiction as well. He became addicted to cocaine as a college student following the death of his father and, a few years later, the death of his mother. He ended up homeless, in and out of rehab, caught in a vicious cycle of addiction, he said. He called Bryan and Beverly Tuggle, who run John 3:16 Ministries.

“Bryan said if you come here, we’re going to love you and try to meet your every need. And Jesus Christ paid the price. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made, because in that, I found Jesus,” he said.

Loy added, “If given the opportunity, I want to serve and give back to this community.”

Vickie Critcher is on the Renewal Ranch Board of Directors. She raised funds for John 3:16 Ministries. The men there all have jobs and volunteer in the surrounding communities. The ministry helps the men get their GEDs or college training they need to prepare to become productive members of society once they leave.

She added the facility will need all kinds of volunteers. Building will begin as soon as land is acquired, and so builders will be needed. Volunteers will be needed to do tasks such as yard work, computer work, web design and canning (the ranch will have its own garden). Also, the facility will need a dentist, doctors, pharmacists and barbers/hair stylists to volunteer at times.

To volunteer, call Critcher at 870-217-3388.

Loy said he hopes to offer a six-month program, partnering with local churches to provide Bible instruction for the men and one of the local colleges to teach them a skill set.