Big Oak Ranch is owned & operated by Big Oak Ranch, Inc. & its Board.
Below is our working Board of Directors:
Craig Beatty (Chairman) President
CS Beatty Construction, Inc. Birmingham, AL
Greg Belcher President
Royal Automotive, Inc. Birmingham, AL
Jonathan Belcher President & Co-Founder
Signature Homes Birmingham, AL Nashville, TN
Walter Edge President Edge Biologicals, Inc. Memphis, TN
Bill Ratliff Member Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Birmingham, AL
Jerry Stewart
Executive Vice President Southern Co./AL Power (retired) Birmingham, AL
Nick Wright President
Special Events Management Tuscaloosa, AL
FOLLOW US
Happy Birthday to You!
OCTOBER
Nicholas 10-03-07
Wensley 10-04-11
Koby 10-05-09
Cooper 10-06-13
Clayton 10-06-14
Jax 10-07-12
Leah 10-12-09
Skylar 10-17-06
Braxton 10-22-17
Olivia 10-22-18
Alexis 10-23-09
Raemah 10-23-12
Shiloh 10-24-18
Holden 10-25-03
Menyon 10-26-11
Alijah 10-27-13
Liam 10-30-13
NOVEMBER
Creede 11-01-16
Isaac 11-02-15
Cristian 11-03-10
Quinn 11-03-14
Gail 11-09-04
Victor 11-09-07
Aiden 11-11-09
Taylor 11-12-04
Toren 11-13-05
Serenity 11-14-11
Princes 11-18-15
Kayla 11-22-10
Daniella 11-23-09
Izzy 11-23-11
Case 11-25-15
Kaylee 11-26-09
Nicolas 11-28-08
Walker 11-29-07
DECEMBER
Ashden 12-01-08
Travis 12-01-10
Liam 12-04-12
Logan 12-04-15
Elliana 12-04-18
Caden 12-06-12
AJ 12-07-07
Kyleigh 12-10-04
Chad 12-10-07
Baird 12-13-10
Olivia 12-13-23
John 12-19-11
Drake 12-21-12
Axlin 12-27-08
JANUARY
Eli 1-02-20
Elyn 1-04-08
Gavin 1-05-08
Xavier 1-07-06
Nevaeh 1-08-08 Lexeigh 1-09-14 Meagan 1-10-07 Eli 1-10-12
Luke 1-15-13 Chaslin 1-15-15
Big Oak Ranch is a Christian home for children needing a chance. Because that’s what we offer – a chance. To find a normal life. To find God’s love. To find that we are all more than our circumstances. The Ranch takes in children, ages 6-18, from all over the United States who are abused, neglected or abandoned.
Big Oak Ranch, Inc. is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that is privately funded and operates debtfree. The ministry consists of Big Oak Boys’ Ranch, Gadsden, Alabama, Big Oak Girls’ Ranch, Springville, Alabama, ASCEND, Birmingham, Alabama, and Planting Oaks, a multi-state outreach ministry.
The Timbers mailing list is confidential & is not shared with any other organization. Questions, comments or corrections should be addressed to the attention of Rhonda Hindman.
A Note from Brodie
Over the past 50 years of leading children, we have found that they often fight to keep the weeds of their pasts, but as my dad described in one of his iconically simple analogies, our daily work has been one of pulling weeds, helping the good seed take root.
Untended hearts in our kids stifle their growth and the belief that God has a plan for their futures. Our calling is to help cultivate good soil, but it is only through His Spirit that what is detrimental can be uprooted and replaced with what is good for them and glorifying to Him.
Therefore, removing the weeds is definitely necessary, but what is planted in their place is transformational.
Our recent 50th Anniversary Celebration & P21 Rodeo displayed the fruit of pulling weeds...doubt replaced with hope, entitlement with work ethic, instant gratification for discipline, complacency for accountability and fear with courage.
We battle the weeds because we can see a glimpse of the garden. Dealing with the weeds is never easy, but we have to, we get to, because we carry a unique hope that as we obey the calling on our lives, we can trust the Creator to give beauty for ashes.
Keep Planting,
Brodie Croyle CEO
Brodie, Kelli, Luke & Sawyer Croyle
BIG OAK BOYS' RANCH
GROWING OAK
MASON, 18
LOYAL
• Has lived at Big Oak Boys’ Ranch for 5 years
HELPFUL
• Lives in the Bullock Home with houseparents, Tyson and Abbie Simon
• Attends Church of the Highlands with his Ranch family and is active in student ministry
• Is a Senior at Westbrook Christian School
• Plays soccer for the varsity team at Westbrook
• Is in the Music Program at Westbrook, playing First Snare on the Drumline and First Trumpet in the Band
• Is always the first to volunteer to help get the job done, no matter the task
• Has an adventurous spirit, likes to try foods from other cultures, and hopes to travel and experience new places
Resource parents are a great help for our families, and they allow an additional layer of relationships for our boys. It’s so good to know that our boys have more positive influences in their lives!
- Dave Williams, Housedad at the Boys’ Ranch
"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
JEREMIAH 29:11
Items Needed for the Boys' Ranch
• Hot Hands Hand Warmers
• Black Plastic Cooking Utensils
• Non-stick Frying Pans, Loaf Pans, Baking Sheets
• Twin Size Throw Blankets
• AA & AAA Batteries
• Winter Hats & Gloves
• Mouthwash & Toiletries
Please
• Advent Calendars & Advent Devotionals
• Subject Dividers
• Binders 1”-3” Sizes
Pop Callen and Nicolas enjoying some ice cream
The Wallace Home had a great first day back at school
Josmar is ready for a great football season at WCS
Gavin purchased his first car, and we are so proud of him!
JP having a great season. Go Warriors! Cristian’s big catch at the Boys’ Ranch
BIG OAK GIRLS' RANCH
GROWING OAK
CAMI, 18
• Has lived at Big Oak Girls’ Ranch for 2 years
• Lives in the Vorsatz Home with houseparents, Loren and Rebekah Bodeau
• Is a Senior at Westbrook Christian School
• Is on the A-Honor Roll and serves as a Warrior Representative at Westbrook
• Attends MeadowBrook Church with her family and is involved in student ministries
• Is social and loves spending time with her family
• Enjoys being around younger kids and hopes to pursue a career working with children in the future
• Is artistic and enjoys reading
Resource families are an incredible blessing and truly minister to our family! The love and support they provide for our girls makes such an impact. We are honored that volunteers would come alongside us and open their home to our children!
- Melissa Ellison, Housemom at the Girls’ Ranch
First day back at school! We’re so proud of Chelsea and all our WCS
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
PSALM 16:11
Items Needed for the Girls' Ranch
• Amazon Echo
• Household Supplies
• Persil Detergent
• Feminine Products
• Toiletries
• Incline Weight Bench
• Dumb Bells
• Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood
• Satin Pillowcases
Please send donated items to:
• Restaurant Gift Cards
• Hobby Lobby Gift Cards
Happy birthday, Makayla!
Mackenzie, Judah and Princess are all matching
color guard!
Hayden, Brianna, Alison, Daniella and Danisha enjoying an Alabama football game
Lydia cheering for the Westbrook Warriors!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE BOAT DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE THIS INCREDIBLE DAY POSSIBLE!
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
P21 RODEO
Our 50th Anniversary Celebration & P21 Rodeo was AWESOME! As you can see from all of the photos, the kids had an amazing time and got to show off their skills they learned through the 8-week P21 Summer Program. It’s incredible to think about how far we have come, where we are now and all that is ahead… it’s a testament to God’s goodness and blessings – through the sunshine and through the storms. We can’t wait to see all He does over the next 50 Years!
HOPE STILL CHANGES EVERYTHING
Big Oak Family Beach Trip
Our “Let’s GLOW Crazy” Big Oak Family Beach Trip to Panama City was full of laughter and fun in the sun, as well as family bonding and time together worshiping and thanking God for all of the blessings He provides… and the best part - NINE of our children were baptized in the ocean on Thursday morning! We are so thankful for Al Worthington and the folks at The Cottages Christian Retreat, as well as the Haas Family and everyone at Laguna Beach Christian Retreat who once again blessed us with wonderful places to stay, and fed ALL of us dinner one evening. The Men’s Ministry at First Baptist Church Panama City also provided a wonderful BBQ dinner the day we arrived – what a wonderful treat. Thanks SO much to everyone who helps create life-long memories and relationships for our children and staff. What a blessing and honor it is to do life with these people!
A LIFE CHANGED
KELSEY'S STORY
I was born in Las Vegas and lived with my mother (who was a drug addict) and my older brother. My father was completely out of my life by the time I was 2 years old. I don’t remember much about those times, except that our home was unpredictable. There always seemed to be people coming and going from our house -- looking back, I wonder if my mother was dealing drugs as well as using.
My mother got into legal trouble and began running from the law. We ended up in Idaho, where she got arrested and I was placed in foster care. As soon as my grandparents heard, they drove from Spanish Fort, Alabama to get me. They adopted me, which was a huge blessing. I was surrounded by love, had an incredible support system - and I thrived in Spanish Fort. I started 1st grade with no prior preschool or kindergarten attendance. I struggled that first year, but thankfully my teacher, Susan Grace, tutored me that summer to make sure I was ready for 2nd grade. Mrs. Grace continued to tutor me through elementary and middle school. My grandparents’ neighbors, John and Esther Wilson, treated me like their own. They saw a need right in their neighborhood and became a huge source of support for me and my grandparents.
My grandparents were in their 70s and had put their retirement on hold to raise me. Eventually, health concerns arose, and they had to move into assisted living. I briefly moved to Arkansas to live with a very nice family (the Griswolds), but my grandparents' circumstances affected me greatly. I became angry and untrusting. At the time, efforts were being made for me to reestablish a relationship with my Mom. I visited her, and it was obvious that it was not going to work out and that nothing good would come of it. She dropped me off at the airport in Las Vegas, and it was such a relief to see Grandma and Grandpa waiting on me at the Birmingham Airport. I was allowed to stay with my grandparents for a short amount of time, but Mrs. Grace and the Wilsons, who were still in my life, encouraged them to look into Big Oak Ranch. Grandmother always said that if she had known about Big Oak sooner, she would have reached out for help years earlier. I was unsure about another move in my life, yet my grandparents were unwavering about their belief in what Big Oak was going to offer me. My Grandpa said, “Please baby, this is the best option for you and for us.” Because I knew I could always trust my grandpa, I gave Big Oak a chance.
Getting settled in my new home was hard. It was a shock living with other girls and so many different personalities. I was angry and tired of trying to make something else work out.
Kelsey in 2007
Kelsey with her grandparents at Westbrook graduation
Kelsey with Kathryn Duke and Whitney Osborne
Stephen and Kelsey with Housemom, Rhona Osborne
However, my houseparents, Tony and Rhona Osborne and my social worker, Lynn Hazard, were prepared for me. They did everything in their power to help me thrive, just like my support system had in Spanish Fort.
The fact that my grandparents were unable to travel for visitation at the Ranch was especially hard. My houseparents and Mrs. Lynn knew something had to be done. Mom and Dad Osborne took me to visit my grandparents, and those moments transformed our relationship. My Senior year I drove to visit my grandparents by myself. Checking all the details for the trip, Dad Osborne made sure my car was ready. They also bought one of the earliest navigation systems, a TomTom, to make sure I knew exactly how to get there and exactly how to get back home.
Gradually, I began to see that Big Oak Ranch would remain a constant for me. My houseparents were constant. Summer activities, school year extracurriculars and family vacations all encouraged long-term bonds, and memories were built. I loved weekly horseback rides around the Ranch. I sang in the choir at Westbrook Christian School. Life became consistent, and trust slowly returned.
I am 33 years old and my husband, Stephen, and I have been married for 11 years and have two beautiful children, Bryson and Kensley. We love to be outdoors. Bryson started 4th grade this year and loves sports, especially baseball, which Stephen enjoys helping with when needed. They also love to fish whenever they get the chance. I love the beach, and taking my children there is one of my favorite things. Our daughter, Kensley, is 2 years old. Before my grandparents passed, we traveled to Spanish Fort as often as we could. Grandma and Grandpa were able to meet Bryson. My Grandpa passed before Kensley was born, but I am thankful that Grandma got to see her.
Big Oak and my grandparents helped me learn to do life differently. While I was at the Ranch, my houseparents taught me how to forgive and let go of the bitterness from my early childhood that I had held onto. Becoming a mom of two has further allowed me to make peace with that part of my life, as I didn't want my children to see or receive any of the anger and bitterness I carried. I have learned that life is messy, it's not always easy - but it is worth it. I am proud to be a part of our amazing Big Oak family. I was only there for two years, but it doesn’t matter. That's where our family is, and we are still welcomed with open arms by my houseparents and by my whole Big Oak Family when we visit "Home."
Kelsey with her Grandma and children, Bryson and Kensley
Kelsey and her family at a baseball game
Kelsey and Bryson with Mr. John at the Big Oak Family Reunion in 2015
Kelsey with husband, Stephen, and children, Bryson and Kensley
GET TO KNOW
Erin Woods
Planting Oaks Director
We are the Woods - Sho, Erin, Sophie Mei, and Archer. Most days, you can find us in a ballet studio or at the baseball field!
Ministry has been woven into the fabric of our family from the beginning. I was raised in full-time ministry as the child of a pastor. From the outset, serving others has been a strong family value. In 2019, after taking a year off from a vocational ministry position within a large church, we knew the Lord was leading me to serve again. We, as a family, knew that the Lord calls us all to serve the body of Christ, and if He is sending me on a new assignment, He is sending our whole family!
One day, I was dropping my children off in carline at school, and our elementary principal stuck her head inside my car. She shared that the Lord had put me on her heart and felt that I should connect with Big Oak Ranch. Little did she know that God had been preparing me to step back into ministry. This prompted a season of radical obedience. Within a week I had met with Brodie Croyle, the CEO of Big Oak, and within a month, I was entering into this new role as Planting Oaks Director at Big Oak Ranch. For the past five years, we have seen the Lord move in incredible ways throughout our country and other parts of the world. We are excited for what the future holds for our Planting Oaks family as we do our part to serve the children of this nation and this great state of Alabama.
Mentoring and equipping ministries and foster families allows us to see God bring healing to His children. Our family often talks about obedience and how beautiful and good it really is. We talk about His goodness displayed as we choose to obey, even when the stakes are high, and nothing makes sense. Do we trust the Lord to use our meager fish and loaves to serve something bigger? Are we willing to take the steps to get there? If so, He can use us, and the journey will be worth it!
ewoods@bigoak.org
Sho & Erin Woods with their children
Sophie Mei
Erin Woods
Archer
Planting Oaks Summit
This summer, we hosted our Inaugural Planting Oaks Summit. The Summit is a two-day annual event designed to bring the Planting Oaks Network together for encouragement, training, and support. This year, we hosted ministries from all over the country who are serving children in a significant capacity. We were able to equip them with relevant training in the area of parenting and leadership while offering many opportunities for collaborative conversations and uplifting community.
Vendors from our network shared resources including construction, digital, print, marketing, fundraising, childcare, and trauma-informed care. As this event grows each year, we hope to continue to equip and encourage the Planting Oaks Network, and together, we will see hope and healing for children in the United States and beyond.
Erin Woods, Planting Oaks Director
WAYS TO HELP
Choose a path. Make a difference.
DAILY PRAYER
Daily prayer is a true source of power, with the ability to effect positive changes in our children’s lives. We humbly ask for you to pray daily for our staff and children.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” — 1 John 5:14
CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR DAILY NECESSITIES
Every gift matters. Gifts of $25, $50, $100 on a monthly basis help sustain our mission and allow us to increase awareness so that more children can be served! You can write a check each month or set up an automatic payment through your bank.
MEMORIAL/HONORARIUM PROGRAM
The Memorial Program allows you to honor a deceased loved one. The Honorarium Program allows you to celebrate special friends or relatives on occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. In each case, we will send an appropriate letter acknowledging your gift.
If you have questions about our Memorial/Honorarium Program, please call the Business Office at (256) 892-0773, ext. 1313, or email mhutto@bigoak.org.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
As a professional, you can provide tremendous help to our children through in-kind donations of your skills and expertise. Donations of in-kind services by doctors, dentists, lawyers and other professionals are tax-deductible, but more importantly, they make a huge difference in the quality of our children’s lives.
If you are a professional who would like to donate your services, contact Robin O’Leary, (205) 467-6226, ext. 1226, or email roleary@bigoak.org.
HERITAGE GIVING
For gifts of personal or real property, trusts, life insurance, marketable securities or estates, contact Lauren Williams at (256) 892-0773, or email lwilliams@bigoak.org.
WAYS TO HELP
CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS
Please join us by checking if your employer has a matching gift program. If so, your HR Department can tell you what steps need to be taken to apply for the matching gift. Your gifts could have double or triple the impact as we work together to relieve the suffering of children. The request might require Big Oak Ranch’s tax ID number, which is 23-7413017. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Williams at (256) 8920773, or email lwilliams@bigoak.org.
BIG 12 CLUB MEMBERSHIP
You can have a tremendous impact on the life of one of our children by participating in the Big 12 Club. Members of the Big 12 Club make an annual pledge of $12,000 to cover the cost of raising one of our children for one full year and ensure that our children have the essentials they need.
Note from the Business Office
SENIORS CAN SAVE TAXES WITH AN IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER
A popular way to transfer IRA assets to a charity is via a tax provision which allows IRA owners who are 70½ or older to direct up to $100,000 per year of their IRA distributions to the charity. The money given to the charity counts toward the donor’s Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), but doesn’t increase the donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI) or generate a tax bill.
Keeping the donation out of the donor’s AGI is important because doing so (1) helps the donor qualify for other tax breaks (for example, having a lower AGI can reduce the threshold for deducting medical expenses, which are only deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5% of AGI for 2016 and 10% of AGI thereafter; (2) reduces taxes on the donor’s Social Security benefits, and (3) helps the donor avoid a high-income surcharge for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. Congress made the technique permanent in 2015, and the Ranch is a qualifying charity to receive IRA Charitable Rollover Distributions. Please talk to your Tax Advisor and your IRA Administrator about how to make a simple Charitable Rollover. It’s an easy, tax-wise way to help support our children.
YEAR END GIFTS
To receive a receipt dated in 2024, your gift must be in the mail and post-marked (US Post Office Postmark) by December 31, 2024.
If you wish to make an honorarium or memorial gift for Christmas and would like for the acknowledgement letter to arrive prior to Christmas Day, the donation and list of individuals you are paying tribute to must be received by our Business Office by December 9, 2024.
If you are sending an endowment contribution for 2024, please make your gift by December 9, 2024.
If you are planning a gift of marketable securities, Mary Hutto at mhutto@bigoak.org for transfer instructions, and provide your name, address, quantity and description of securities you are contributing. Please make your gifts of securities by December 16, 2024. If you are planning a non-cash gift, please email our business office at accounting@bigoak.org for IRS Rules. All non-cash gifts must be in our possession by December 16, 2024.
Please
HELP US BE GOOD STEWARDS OF GOD’S MONEY.
"...So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
