Ever since God gave Paul Long the vision for Long Ranch 4 Boys at a Chattanooga, Tennessee, movie theater in 2012, Long says God has done “exceedingly and abundantly above all” he asked or thought about.
Long Ranch 4 Boys, located in Fyffe, is an overflow of the passion Paul, his wife, Kristy, and their children, Crimson and Japeth, have for ministering to boys ages 5–18 in difficult situations.
Their vision and prayer for Long Ranch is to provide children with a solid family structure that will love, encourage and equip them to be godly adults in their communities and homes.
Long has seen the impact of the ministry on the boys’ lives.
“As long as they’re willing to buy into what we’re doing, God can do amazing things in their lives,” he said. “Our heart is to see lives changed.”
Long says that every child who has come to the ranch, except for one who was already saved, has come to know Christ as their Savior while at the ranch.
Responding to needs
Long started the ministry after he sensed God speaking to him — not in an audible way but in his heart and mind — about starting a home for boys.
At first Long, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Fyffe, thought the idea was crazy, but God kept speaking to him until he surrendered to the call.
“Everything we’ve done here, the Lord has provided it, and we just continue to trust him,” Long said.
Long credits the ranch’s houseparents for being at the forefront of the ministry.
“They are the ones right there every day, dealing with all the different things that are going on,” he said. “The houseparents are managing and dealing with all that stuff and then they have their own family. Our houseparents have three of their own girls who live in the house with them.”
Expanding plans for the ranch
Long says it has always been their heart’s desire to provide a place for girls too. The family has been praying for many years and waiting for the Lord to provide an opportunity.
Long was recently contacted about a piece of property someone left to be used to help children. Long hopes to take possession of this property soon and begin expanding God’s plans for the ranch.
“We have encountered many obstacles along the way, and God has cleared each one, starting with a need for $23,000 to pay liens owed on the property,” he said. “The Lord not only sent the money from three states away, but He also canceled the liens on the property. He did exceedingly abundantly above all I asked or thought about.
“My heart and vision for this 50-acre property is not only for children but to provide a place for hurting families and marriages to be healed and restored. I have plans, visions and goals, but I have no clue where God is taking this situation. I am along for this ride of what God is doing.”
The ministry has taught Long about patience and waiting on the Lord.
“I just get up each day and do what I can to the best of my ability, and I leave the rest in the Lord’s hands,” he said. “God just keeps reminding me to be faithful today. Plan for tomorrow, but God will work all those things out.
Learn more about Long Ranch 4 Boys at longranch4boys.com.
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