:: By Chad & Tricia Coppess

Grace Adventures Paradise Ranch in Mears, Michigan

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Nestled in a setting near Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Lake Michigan and part of a larger organization called Grace Adventures, Paradise Ranch is set apart from other ranches because of the complete integration of western horsemanship with Biblical life lessons. Grace Adventures is a Christian training center aimed at equipping people to impact the world. Children, adults, and families who visit the ranch are equipped to be leaders and thus leave with important life lessons. The mission of Paradise Ranch is to impact people with Jesus Christ by building Christ-like character through quality horsemanship. The mission is fulfilled through three main resources: the sites and facilities, the horses, and the people involved with Paradise Ranch.

The facilities exist to create an environment that maximizes impact while creating the safest conditions possible. The multi-purpose facilities demonstrate versatility and good stewardship. The philosophy regarding the herd is that horses are a main ministry tool and, as such, should be given the best possible care. Staff and volunteers at Paradise Ranch are a huge asset as well. They are equipped first in character based servant leadership by developing their own character and then their horsemanship skills are developed. The goal is to send those who are involved at Paradise Ranch back to their homes and communities with the skills to impact others.

Paradise Ranch, with its three-season housing and bathhouse, operates its own camps, retreats, Girl Scout badges, and day programs. While these programs take place throughout the year, Paradise Ranch also runs a summer camp with its own unique programming. During summer camp, each camper is taught life lessons as he or she works with a designated horse. The lessons on horsemanship and spiritual lessons fit together like a horse and saddle. A trail ride becomes an opportunity to share teachable moments with the kids. One example of this is a scavenger hunt. Each item found becomes an object lesson about faith. The lessons are then integrated into a theme for the week. Throughout the day, the wrangler/counselor touches on that theme using various methods. As campers and staff gather at the campfire each evening, everything comes together and each day ends with several important lessons for both campers and staff.

In addition to the 350 children and teens who attend summer ranch camps, Paradise Ranch also hosts other horsemanship retreats. One example is the Parent/Child Retreat. During this retreat, parents and children learn to work together as a team to accomplish a goal as they participate in Cowboy Cooperatives, sorting out a certain steer from the herd, or riding their way through a Communication Maze.

Another aspect of Paradise Ranch that is incorporated during summer camp, retreats, and at various venues outside of the actual location of the ranch is Cross Training Horsemanship. Cross Training Horsemanship is horse training clinics that illustrates Biblical truth, teaches life lessons, or equips the audience with healthy relationship skills. It is perfect for those groups that want an adventure-based program to teach Biblical principles using horses. School and church groups alike take advantage of this unique ministry. Whether the presentation is at the ranch or at another venue, the program impacts its audience as Chad Coppess, Director of Ranch Ministries, demonstrates how our lives can be understood and improved by relating to the struggles of a horse. As Chad teaches a horse to lie down, puts a saddle on a horse for the first time, or takes a horse through an obstacle course, he relates the experience of the horse or horses involved to issues we all have in our own lives.

As one strolls through the facilities of Paradise Ranch, it is apparent that lives are being changed. One can see the change in a young boy who learns confidence in his riding, in a parent who learns to listen to her daughter as they struggle to find each other in blindfolds, or in a staff member who sees a parallel between his attitude and the attitude of a horse being trained. Hundreds of children and adults leave the ranch with added horsemanship skills and perhaps a “favorite” horse they will visit again. More importantly, however, they leave with the knowledge and skills needed to impact others with Jesus Christ. Paradise Ranch is more than just another facility; it is a training center for the leaders of tomorrow.

Each of our programs is aimed at equipping people to impact the world. If you would like more information about Paradise Ranch or the other ministries of Grace Adventures, please visit the website at www.graceadventures.org or call us at 231-873-3662.

About the Author: Chad Coppess is a life member of CHA, serves on the national board of directors and is certified as wilderness guide and trail assistant clinic instructor. He conducts clinics and presents at various conferences, workshops and trade shows. Chad holds a Bachelors degree in Educational Ministries. He and his wife, Tricia, have been married since 1995 and they have one daughter and one son. He says that Tricia wrote most of this!

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