Bringing light to children in dark places
At Manasseh Oaks Ranch, our children will find a loving, safe, and nurturing environment centered on the truths you are. Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV) Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God sets Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV) Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy
There is no question that children of this age are under attack. Many only know a life of having the people who are supposed to love them do nothing but abuse, neglect, and abandon them. So many children are left without a family to take care, protect, and grow them the way God our Father designed.
Our identity defines everything about our life: purpose, morals, worldview, abilities, confidence, desires, problem management, etc. Broken and alone is not how to build a solid foundation to endure a tough world. Jesus teaches us our identity is not based on circumstances or actions from our past but rather in whom we place our hope for our eternity.
truths from the Bible. They will learn that God has a plan and purpose for their life. Healing starts with knowing whose the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing holy habitation. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing
• >23,000 children age out of the US foster system every year
• 58,000 children per year are placed in group homes or institutions
• 55% have had 3 or more placements by the age of 18
• 40% of children who age out of the foster care system become homeless at some point (20% immediately)
• 70% of the girls will become pregnant before the age of 21
• 70% will be on government assistance within 4 years of aging out
• 60% of young men have been convicted of a crime
• 50% are unemployed at the age of 24
• 25% suffer from PTSD
We are providing a forever family to lead children from a dark place into the light.
Psalm 68:5-6 (ESV) Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing
At Manasseh Oaks Ranch, our children will find a loving, safe, and nurturing environment centered on the truths of the Bible. They will learn that God has a plan and purpose for their life. Healing starts with knowing whose you are.
This vision will be lived out on 24+ acres in Van Zandt County of East Texas. We offer single-family style homes, ranch/farming opportunities, Biblical teaching, a chapel, water recreation, counseling/tutoring spaces, and a technology/career center.
1. To teach the fatherless, abandoned, and abused youth that their identity and future are not from the troubles of their past but come from God the Father as an adopted child and member of His family
2. To serve orphaned children ages 9 to 18 as they are the most at risk and in dire need of immediate help
3. To provide a forever family home environment with a mother and father figure based upon teachings of the Bible
4. To serve and assist orphaned children to have a relationship with God and understanding of core biblical truths
5. To equip these children with skills and develop their talents to prepare them for either the workforce or to continue their education
At Manasseh Oaks Ranch, each child will live in a single-family home with a mother and father figure, with up to 5 siblings from similar backgrounds. They will be surrounded by acres of natural landscape, accompanied by private and secured entrances to the residential areas for maximum safety. Each child will be taught Christian values and biblical theology, along with valuable life skills through working on the ranch. All will participate in community events and share in responsibilities based on age and physical capabilities to create work ethics and teach social skills.
The children will attend Grand Saline public schools as a standard, but we will provide home school as an exception based upon needs. Tutoring from staff and volunteers will be a standard everyday option for each child. The local school system is in full support of our mission and will provide transportation and other services as needs arise.
Counseling services will be provided by local on-staff counselors, local churches, child service organizations, senior citizen engagement program, and animal therapy specialists. Our aim is to utilize God’s design of family and the body of Christ in the church to provide the natural development of children. In the case of special needs and/or trauma care, we will have staff trained and if needed dedicated to those children in need of critical care needs.
The children residing at Manasseh Oaks Ranch will have numerous recreational, athletic, and artistic programs including
• Local school and recreational league athletic activities
• Onsite water sports such as kayaking, fishing, and swimming
• Equestrian training
• FFA participation
• Permaculture gardening
• Livestock business education and planning
• Woodworking fundamentals
• Ecological land management
• Martial arts and self-defense
• Trade-based apprentice programs
Manasseh Oaks will be a community dedicated to seeking out the children in need and providing the forever family God has created for them. We will provide protection, nurturing, and growth preparing them to go into the world carrying the salt and light they have been given at the ranch. We are excited about the vision to serve the children in need with the future development of Manasseh Oaks Ranch.
Psalm 82:3 (NIV) Defend the weak and fatherless: uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
• Purchase land
• Develop infrastructure for housing, training facilities, and livestock needs
• Develop staff and volunteer housing
• Build 3 family homes
• Develop administrative/counseling facility
• Hire additional staff
• Develop Lake Recreation Capabilities
• Build 2 additional family homes
• Formalize Trade Skills and Career Program
• Hire Counselors/Social Worker
• Additional Recreational Capabilities
• Build 3 Additional Family Homes
• Additional staff hosuing as needed
• New food and essential needs facilities constructed
• establish career assistance program for ongoing support
• ~4500 sq. ft
• Individual bedrooms for each child (5)
• Master suite for volunteer parents
Master-sized closet
Study Area
On-Suite
• Large kitchen
• Dining room for family dinners
• Large common area
• Outdoor area for family gathering
• Private yard
• ADA compliant
Manasseh Oaks Ranch is working with Third Lens Ministries, a nonprofit organization that manages the design-build process in order to ensure a successful building project for ministries.
John Plageman, from Plageman Architecture, has volunteered and donated his design services on this project, greatly lowering design + planning costs.
Planting Oaks, a ministry meeting the needs of abused, neglected, and abandoned children, has been a great resource to model our own ministry after.
Because of these partners, this project will move forward with the seal of approval from industry professionals, mitigating the risk of financial misuse, serious delays, and permitting issues.
TO IMPACT 500 CHILDREN IN 10 YEARS WE NEED TO RAISE $2,000,000
*This is only for Phase 1 of our growth plan. To be a part of the mission and vision of Manasseh Oaks for years to come, please check out our giving options page.
Sign up to become part of our weekly prayer warriors!
See the current list on our website of needs for the ranch and children’s homes to see how you can be apart.
If you feel called to give, we’d be thankful for any amount!
Help support the mission of Manasseh Oaks Ranch through prayers, tangible needs, donations, or all three! We are thankful for any and all ways in which you feel led to pour into the children under our care.
If you feel called to be a consistent supporter of our mission, you can donate any amount monthly.
We are looking for 1000 individuals who resonate with our vision to be faithfully committed to donating $250 a month.
For next steps, visit our website at Moaksranch.org. Together, we can illuminate the path for children to experience the light and love of Jesus.
