God-Given Desire is Now a Reality

Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

It was on the flight returning from Dudley Hall’s Wildman Retreat in 2016 that the thought came to me of developing a place where boys can learn how to do things with their hands and help build their self-confidence. More importantly, a place where they will learn who God created them to be as a man, by His design. After much prayer, Dianne, my bride of 46 years, and I began the process of searching for the perfect place for God’s plan to take root. The idea became a reality when we were led to 56 beautiful acres in rural Kansas, 50 miles southwest of KC near Pomona.

The place we call Thriving Oaks is rapidly becoming a destination where men and boys have a space to be who they are, by God’s design. They participate in activities like fishing, shooting, archery, learning how to change a flat tire, balance a checkbook, read a map, identify tools and learn their use. We teach other things as well but the most important thing we do is set them on the path to know that God has a purpose for their life and that they matter to their heavenly Father, their family, and their friends. When a young person grows in confidence and is fully assured in their identity in Christ, they are equipped to handle anything the enemy brings.

Thriving Oaks offers boys and men the opportunity to experience the glory of God’s creation beyond headphones, computers, and screens. Here , they will get to immerse themselves in healthy outdoor events that are both entertaining and educational. The experiences at Thriving Oaks are strategically designed to promote personal confidence through learning skills and more importantly, through the realization of being treasured sons of their loving heavenly Father.

Feel free to visit our website thrivingoaks.org for a full schedule of 2018 events and activities at Thriving Oaks. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or making a donation, there is also a place for that.