I met John Croyle when I heard him speak at the 2011 dotMOM conference. I was profoundly moved by his testimony. He was a star football player for the University of Alabama, playing under legendary Coach Bear Bryant. He was headed for the NFL when he answered God’s call: Instead of heading for a lucrative football career, he opened Big Oak Ranch, a place for abandoned, abused, and neglected children. The minute I heard his story I knew I wanted Big Oak Ranch to be a part of The Giving Challenge.
Four Kinds of Orphans
“I’ve learned there are four kinds of orphans,” John explains. “If you were raised by someone other than your biological mother or father, you are a physical orphan. If your dad has told you your whole life, You’re not going to amount to anything. Can’t you do anything right?, that’s a mental orphan. If you never had your dad hug you and say, I am so proud of you, that’s an emotional orphan. And spiritually, we’re all orphans. And Jesus says, ‘Come and join my family.'”
John Croyle, his wife Tee, and the Big Oak Ranch have been providing a home for orphaned children who needed a chance–first boys, and later, opening up homes for girls–for over 37 years. They’ve seen the lives of almost 2000 children changed. They’ve opened their arms to children who have been beaten, raped, ignored, and starved. They’ve loved them, led them to faith and hope in Christ, and seen them grow into confident young people, living their lives with a hope and a purpose found only because of Jesus.
Jessica’s Story
Jessica is one example of a life that was changed. Read her story below, or watch the video.
At 15 years of age, Jessica had never attended school. John met with her the day she arrived at the Ranch and made four promises he makes every child:
- I love you.
- I’ll never lie to you.
- I’ll stick with you until you’re grown.
- There are boundaries – Don’t cross them.
That day, he asked Jessica (as he does every child) what one thing she would like more than anything else. She said she wanted to graduate with her age group. John told her he would make sure that happened IF she put the hard work in that was needed, assuring her that he believed in her and knew she could do it.
The first day of school at Westbrook Christian School in Rainbow City, Alabama, Jessica was scared, but she worked hard at her studies, went to summer school, and ended up graduating with her class. She was also Freshman and Sophomore representative, Chaplain of her Junior Class, inducted into the Beta Club, and her senior year she was SGA Secretary and voted Best Christ-Like Attitude. Eight grades in four years isn’t bad! She also found time to play on the volleyball and tennis teams at Westbrook.
Jessica went on to graduate from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in December 2011. She currently works for the local ESPN affiliate, and has blossomed into a beautiful, confident, godly young woman. She believes in herself and has no fear. She has an amazing future ahead of her thanks to the people who support the kids who call Big Oak home.
Our Giving Challenge
The Faithful Provisions community can help with college expenses for three of the Big Oak girls who will be starting 4-year universities in the fall. By ourselves, individually, we wonder about paying for our own kids to get through school, right? But as a group, as the Faithful Provisions community, if we each give a little, together we can do so much! Again, this month, I’m asking you to give $10 help these girls with their schooling.
Providing $1000 this month would shake down this way:
- 1000 of us give $1
- 500 of us give $2
- 250 of us give $4
- 200 of us give $5
- 100 of us give $10
Last month we were able to meet our goal of $1000 to help 147 Million Orphans provide formula for one month for the 28 babies in their program. (Learn about that Giving Challenge HERE.) This month, we can help three girls build upon the investment that has been given them by Big Oak Ranch and continue their education, so they can have a story like Jessica’s!
Make a Donation for Big Oak’s College-Bound Girls
- Click HERE to make your donation to Big Oak Ranch
- When you are asked, “Where did you hear about us?”, click the drop down and select The Giving Challenge
