We had a beautiful day and a great turnout (21) for our work day! The driveway was lined with cars and pick-up trucks, some with trailers. Larry Heckman of Forest Green Landscaping donated the use of his dump trailer for the day. 34 yards of mulch was delivered for the project!

Wheel barrows, shovels, pruning tools and chain saws were moving through the landscape. Wonderful volunteers from as far away as Ottawa, IL, and representing 4 area churches, gave the day to Deer Ridge Ministries. We are so very grateful!

Weeds were pulled, berms were edged (Thanks, Everett, Robbie and Larry), plants and bushes were planted, trees were trimmed and a mountain of mulch was moved from the driveway to the landscape by days end! The transformation is awesome! Thanks, Kyle, for your help in getting funding for the mulch! And thanks to Eric Schlaud, Keith Potnack, Chris Schweigert, Joe Pink, Brian and Renne Zumdahl, Dave Stanfield, Dan Miller, Gayle Gribbens, Marilyn Alexander, Rich Brooke, Doug and Cindy Wilken, and Jean Ebert.

While all of that was happening, Jay Rhyner was doing his tiling magic in the lower level bathroom. Beautiful!  Please call us at 815.543.6250 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you, or your church group are willing to help with other needed projects.

A “Sneak Peek” Open House was held at our new retreat house on Sunday, February 14, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Everyone received a warm welcome as we showed them through the house that God has provided for Deer Ridge Ministries pastors and spouses retreats

Since taking possession of the house last December 14... Read More

After three years of searching and praying for God’s provision for a new ministry home, a property has been found! God has met our needs with an amazing answer! And, it was discovered in the very community we started this ministry…Freeport, IL!

At the very time our dream for a retreat home in Dixon, IL, died, the dream was resurrected in a beautiful property in Freeport! It was a marvelous picture of God’s way of saying, “I’m in control. I know what you need! You agreed to partner with me for the pastors and spouses. You have the passion. I have the provision.”

God did provide! Instead of a house priced at $2.2M, God presented a retreat house for $475,000! Instead of a big property to maintain, God provided just the right size to maintain….a picturesque tree lined 5 acres! Instead of a huge house with much upkeep, God provided a spacious house with very little maintenance required, a lovely property in a developed rural setting, with quiet wooded walkways and parkways nearby. God is our Provider! It wasn’t our plan, it was God’s plan, in God’s timing. And, it is the best answer!

This house was built in 1998. It is 6,650 square feet! There are 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms! There are several beautiful common rooms – library, sun room, media room, kitchen, dining room, prayer room and large lower level with more fellowship area and game room! There is a lower level walk-out to a covered patio and a wrap around deck on the upper level. And, there is more! 
 
Needed funds for the purchase have been acquired! As we mentioned earlier, additional funds are needed to perform minor remodeling, decorating and purchase furnishings. We are at work to get this done. We closed on the property December 14. THE HOUSE (Deer Ridge Retreat) IS OURS! We need your continued prayers and partnership to FINISH THE PROJECT!

PLEASE CONTACT US AT 815.543.6250 WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR NETWORKING SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING NEW FURNISHINGS!

Recently, we received some very special deliveries at Deer Ridge Ministries. Friends from Christ United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois got together and encouraged church members to contribute towards gift cards for Deer Ridge to use for supplies for the new DR home. The Deaks and Willetts met Deckers in Rockford for the special delivery package. Especially decorated by Casey Deak, we were presented a wonderful card, several discount coupons, and several gift cards ($$) for spending at Bed Bath and Beyond. Thanks to the generosity of many church members, we will be able to buy essential items for our new ministry home.

We also received a custom made card from Good Seeds Ministry in Chicago. The oversized gift "card" contained prayers, scripture, words of encouragement and cash...as well as various gift cards for Deer Ridge. We have never met the folks at Good Seeds! They felt prompted by God to send us over $230.00 worth of plastic to spend in Walmart, Kohl's, Target, and Bed Bath and Beyond. We were so incredibly blessed by their obedience to God's direction. Pastor Bone writes,

"Our ministry is standing in agreement with you on your new home which is a refuge for pastors. We know God fulfills his promises. He has done that with Abraham, Noah, David and many others. God will do it for you and your vision."

Thank-you Good Seeds and Christ Church for blessing us and the pastors we serve! We feel your support and are encouraged to keep moving forward in our acquisition process. God bless you for helping us in such a loving way!