My background is in real estate and finance, but I have been serving at Wildwood Hills Ranch since 2004. While at The Ranch that summer I read a letter to a nine-year-old boy that his mother had written telling him they could no longer be a family. That boy went into the custody of the state after he left The Ranch. I thought about that boy numerous times and wondered where he ended up. After jumping back into my real estate career I was approached by another organization to volunteer with abused, neglected and impoverished children. Three years later, while working with that organization, the young man I read the letter to showed up not only in my cabin but in the group of three children I was responsible for that week. Shortly after that experience I was employed full time at The Ranch. I believe that many of the problems in our society, and around the globe, are caused by fathers failing to follow through with their responsibilities. I believe the reason I was put on earth is to defend the cause of the fatherless. I spend my free time with my beautiful wife Jena, our daughters Bekah, Maddie and Alaina and our son, Wyatt, and family and close friends.
I graduated from UNI and majored in leisure, youth and human services … essentially I majored in fun! My emphasis was in nonprofit administration and programming and had the opportunity to participate in some incredible internships and experiences in ministry, camps and nonprofits. Through many of these experiences God began to break my heart and draw my attention to people who did not have the same story as me. Those who were stuck in abuse and neglect, who didn’t have healthy families, or who lacked the security, blessing and opportunities I had been given. God brought me to Wildwood and my passions, interests and gifts began to align. I am absolutely loving getting to work with our summer staff and ranchers! Plus, when your “office” includes a high ropes course, waterslide and bonfire pit, each day is a new adventure!
I started at the Ranch in August 2012. After working for several years I went back to school to get my degree in business administration. Upon completion I reentered the workforce, but couldn’t seem to find the right fit. When I was approached for this position I finally found what I was looking for. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work here and I thank God for bringing me to a place that does such wonderful things for children. I have an awesome husband, Ed, and four wonderful kids, Mike, Shawn, Cassie and Jennie. I also have four amazing grandchildren, Drake, Naomi, Natalya and Jackson. I feel privileged to be able to come to work every day and participate in what God is doing here.
My adventure at the Ranch began in 2013. I partnered with Wildwood Hills Ranch to introduce the Health/Nutrition/Fitness portion of the Ranch’s summer programming. For the next 6 years I got to spend my summers at the Ranch helping youth learn and understand how to take care of the gift God has given them; their body, (mind, and Spirit) – His Temple. In November 2019, I joined the Wildwood Hills Ranch full-time staff as Program Director. It’s been incredible to witness the Ranch’s growth through the years and even more amazing to get to work with so many of Iowa’s youth! In my spare time I enjoy coaching, fishing (catching), hunting, hiking (each states highest point), almost anything outdoors, and of course hangin’ out with my wife of 26 years and 3 kids (grown).
I come to The Ranch with over 25 years of marketing experience and over ten years of event planning experience. I pray that I can use my years of experience and knowledge to help Wildwood Hills Ranch expand its services and increase the number of youth and veterans touched by The Ranch. When I’m not working, I am probably with my son, talking to him, texting him, or FaceTiming him. He is a Des Moines Christian graduate, a current student at the University of Iowa, and most recently became an army combat medic. I am so proud of the young man he has become; I thank GOD every day for blessing me with him.
For several years, I have contributed to Wildwood Hills Ranch and its mission to support vulnerable youth; however, it wasn’t until recently that I fully grasped the magnitude of their impact. I believe God brought me here because my passions align with their mission. Getting to work every day, supporting a mission that impacts two areas of my life that I am most passionate about – vulnerable youth and veterans; it feels like I am the one receiving the blessing.
I was 19 when I first encountered the love of Jesus, He completely changed my life and I began my journey into ministry.
I first went to Youth with a Mission, then studied at the International School of Theology in Florida where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. My wife and I pioneered two churches in Washington State where I also worked as a painting contractor for over 28 years.
My first visit to the ranch happened while I was visiting my daughter and son-in-law in July 2021. I was so impressed by what I saw and the passion everyone at the Ranch had for the children and groups that visited here. It is a great honor to serve as the Maintenance Manager at Wildwood Hills Ranch where lives are transformed and individuals are made into strong leaders.
I came on as full time staff in January of 2022, and truly it is a dream come true! When I came to the Ranch as a little 9-year-old girl, I never knew how much the Ranch would still be in my life twenty years later! In college, I received a Bachelors in elementary education and Bible as well as a middle school endorsement. God gave me a desire at a young age to help those around me, and I thought an education degree would be a great place to start. I taught a variety of grades 6-12 at Christian schools for seven years and love working with young people. It is an honor to have gone through the Leadership programing at the Ranch as a teen, be on summer staff as an adult, and, now, it is so exciting to teach outside of a classroom, and help students come to the Ranch to have God offer them healing hope, just as He did for me so many years ago!
“Mr. Lynn,” as he is known here at the Ranch, was in Arizona working at a gorgeous guest ranch as head wrangler. It was a wonderful position in a beautiful location, but it was a training ground and God was at work. The thoughts, “I feel I’m not serving the Lord as well as I might” kept running through his mind. He prayed, “God, lead me to work with kids and horses.” Well, God does hear and answer prayers! And now as the director of equine activities, Mr. Lynn works with hundreds of kids each year through the summer programs, develops and leads equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions for kids throughout the year, leads the drill team, gives riding lessons, takes care of our incredible indoor arena and provides for about 35 horses throughout the year.
My journey to live for Christ was cultivated on the first Mission Trip I had ever taken in my life, and that was here at Wildwood Hills Ranch in 2008. My heart was overtaken as I could feel the presence of God on these grounds. I continued to be a participant on teams, and served with my best friend whenever we could make it work on our own time. In 2010, the church I attend, and had started to work for, asked me to begin leading their mission teams to The Ranch! I led for 7 years and loved every moment of emotions, hard work and love for the children that team members engaged in! After 10 years of having this passion for The Ranch and a vision for working with teams, I was asked to join the staff to become their Missions Director. I am highly blessed!
I live in Minnesota during non-programming months with a husband that knows it is God’s calling for me to be at The Ranch for the summer months. I have children, grandchildren and friends that have served and experienced The Ranch with me for all these years!
My heart is to seek Jesus and make the mission experience the absolute best for all! My life was changed here and watching that happen for others fuels my soul! All for His glory!
I started working with Wildwood during Covid year and it was amazing what God did during that summer. I attend Iowa State University as a double major in Marketing and Finance. Since 2020 I’ve served the ranch as summer staff and volunteered at youth retreats during the school year. My goal when I graduate was to work for a large corporation, but God has changed my path and has shown me how I can use my education to directly impact his children in Iowa.
