The Servant Heart of Jesus in Arkansas
By Sandra Van Der Bol
In the rolling hills of Arkansas, USA far from the bustle of any large city, is a consecrated place set apart for God. The sign at the entrance declares that it is The Lord's Ranch and the scripture below reveals its purpose: "Let the little children come unto me."
Peter and Sandra Van Der Bol
Just outside the door of the main house is a life-size sculpture that embodies the very heart of this special ministry. It is an exceptionally sensitive interpretation, in bronze, of Jesus washing the feet of Peter. The servant posture and loving humility of Jesus, so poignantly portrayed, gently calls for a response in the viewer to the question: How willing am I to serve?
My husband Peter answered that call a year ago when he went to join the ministry there and become one more vessel through whom Jesus can call the children unto Himself.
The "children" at the Lord's Ranch, numbering close to 100, are aged 8-18 and come from all kinds of backgrounds.
Many are sent by the Courts as an alternative to juvenile prisons; some are sent by parents; some are transferred from other child care facilities. They are all wounded, one way or another, by the enemy of their souls, and in their pain many of them have become involved in self-destructive habits and behaviors.
Rev. Peter Van Der Bol and his 'children'
Whatever his title or responsibilities there, Peter's role is mostly that of father-figure. For those who never had a caring father, he has become one who listens, leads, encourages and cares. He prays for them, checks their report cards, attends their games, drives them to the doctor or dentist as necessary and, in all ways, reveals to them the Father heart of God. They respond to him like hungry puppies finding bread in an outstretched hand and, in truth, he has become "broken bread" for these young ones.
Peter's own words reveal his heart: "Each has a tale of horror that is hard to imagine. To be able to encourage these souls is a privilege and to love them, even for a little while, is truly a blessing. If all I can give is a glass of water"
The founders of the Lord's Ranch, Bud and Shirley Suhl, have allowed God to use them to establish this place that serves Him best by serving children in need, and many like-minded Christians have joined this ministry as counselors, teachers, office staff and in other areas of help and supports.
"Let the little children come unto me, and forbid them not." Our world today is filled with children who have been "forbidden" to come unto Jesus; hindered by a world that either ignores or actively scorns the life-giving, liberating message and redemptive love of God revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ. And what a terrible price they have had to pay.
At the Lord's Ranch, where the Word of God is fed to hungry souls as regularly as food and drink to hungry bodies, there is hope and healing, recovery, reassurance, acceptance, love and purpose.
To our readers, I would encourage you to pray for the children of the Lord's Ranch and also for the staff, for they are in the frontlines fighting to deliver the souls of this generation out of the hands of the enemy. Pray also for the youth ministries of your own areas.
And may we all continually offer ourselves
as: "living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God, which
is our reasonable service." For in so doing, God is then
able to use us in service to others, so that we too can reveal
the servant heart of His Son Jesus.