08 Aug 2023 Renewal Ranch hosts ninth annual event

Posted at 7:20 PMh in News by

Renewal Ranch residents, families and supporters came together July 13 to celebrate the ways in which the nonprofit organization ministers and restores faith in the men who have walked through their doors over the past 12 years.

The ninth annual Rally for Recovery began with dinner service to more than 30 tables arranged around the Restoration Center’s main room, complete with table settings and a sound stage decorated to represent a warm summer’s evening. Phase 1 residents brought out dishes prepared by Executive Chef Ron Griffin as the night’s host, Jay Runyon with JACK 92.7 FM, welcomed guests with his story about how Renewal Ranch gave his son a second chance at recovery.

Runyon was then joined by Renewal Ranch Executive Director James A. Loy to talk about the history and motivation behind the creation of the ministry, which is focused on giving the opportunity to develop a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ that fosters freedom from the chains of addiction, forgiveness from one’s past and hope for a man’s future.

“The importance of having our Rally for Recovery is for us to come together and take a stand against addiction because it is destroying the fabric of our communities and families,” said Loy. “We have the privilege to share the answer and His name is Jesus.”

Phase 2 Assistant Supervisor and recent Renewal Ranch graduate Alvin “Chuckie” Linker also took to the stage to discuss his own personal testimony as a former addict facing homelessness, loss of family relationships and regretful choices made during his lowest moments.

“I was in and out of my drug addiction for 40 years,” said Linker. “I lost everything I had. I didn’t know who to call. I was homeless and, at one point, was living on the side of a riverbank fishing to eat for about six months. Finally, a friend of mine approached me and said he knew of a place called Renewal Ranch.”

Since graduating from the program in April of this year, Linker has been brought on as a full-time staff member of the ranch.

The ninth annual Rally for Recovery included men whose lives have been changed for the better over the past nine years. The Restoration Center’s main room hosted families and supporters who are celebrating men who have overcome addiction.

“I’ve become a child of God. My kids and grandkids are back in my life again. I never thought I’d be in ministry, but after 40 years of addiction, I am free only by God’s grace and God’s mercy.”

The night ended with a parade of Renewal Ranch graduates and their families walking across the stage with a few words of encouragement and memories shared about each restored man by Program Director Chase Moser. Guests were given clappers, bells and noisemakers to celebrate.

Kelli Brawley, special events and annual giving coordinator with Renewal Ranch, worked behind the scenes to execute the night of fellowship and inspiration.

“The most memorable part of the evening for me was watching the Phase 1 men react to the Graduate Parade and knowing in their hearts they want to be the next ones to cross that stage,” Brawley said.

Though another year of the rally has come and gone, Renewal Ranch supporters can look forward to the ministry’s next event. The Roundup Chili Supper will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Central Baptist Church in Conway.