2021–2023 LWML Mission Grant #1
Deaconess Ministry Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch — $81,680
Watch the video about this mission grant!
About This Mission Grant
Matthew 25:40 assures us that whenever we serve the “least of these brothers and sisters” of Christ, we are serving the Lord. The healing ministry of the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch creates an eternal, life-giving impact in the lives of children age 10–18 who face unimaginable abuse, neglect, and trauma — truly “the least of these.”
This is especially true for female children who have been victimized by male figures, resulting in trust-related issues that are hopelessly difficult for a child to bridge. The specialized ministry of a deaconess bridges this gap with the transformational care of Christ, helping both young girls and boys.
Mission Grant Resources
featured September 2021
Bulletin Flyer (b/w half page insert, 2 per page)
Prayer Guide & Story (combined)
Updates and Articles
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch's Deaconess Kelly Bristow making the Bible come alive for children during an outdoor chapel service on the Ranch's Minot Campus.
"At the Ranch we help at-risk children and their families succeed in the Name of Christ."
Approved Resolution at the LWML Convention
WHEREAS, Matthew 25:40 assures us that whenever we serve the “least of these brothers and sisters” of Christ, we are serving the Lord; and
WHEREAS, the healing ministries of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch create an eternal, life-giving, impact in the lives of children (ages 10–18) who face unimaginable abuse, neglect and trauma — children who truly are “the least of these”; and
WHEREAS, traumatized children are often caught in a hope-draining, spiritual-care gap, which makes them unreachable by male chaplains, simply because of gender (especially true for female children who have been victimized by male figures), resulting in trust related issues that are hopelessly difficult for a child to bridge; and
WHEREAS, the specialized ministry of a deaconess has been consistently shown to bridge this gap with the transformational care of Christ, thereby helping both young girls and boys, who have experienced some of the worst trauma imaginable, discover the life-changing hope and healing of Christ Himself; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the delegates of the 2021 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention scheduled for Lexington, Kentucky, vote the sum of $81,680 to help fund Deaconess Ministry – Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.
More Mission Grant Photos
Music has healing power at the Ranch. Deaconess Kelly Bristow and a student from the Ranch's Dakota Memorial School perform at the 2019 High School Graduation, uplifting the spirits of graduates, families and friends.
Building Bridges into kid's lives — When kids are traumatized by abuse, neglect, or abandonment, horse therapy at the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch can help children begin their move toward Christ-centered healing.
The doors to open a child's heart come in all forms. Music and song, in the hands of a vibrant Deaconess ministry, help kids discover successes they didn't know they could achieve.
Kruse Memorial Chapel on the Minot Campus of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch — the center of Christ-centered healing for kids.
One of the weekly chapel services on the Ranch's Minot Campus. Real ministry happens each week where children learn to see the world differently, feel the love of God through those who care for them, and begin to look to the future with hope.
