OUR HISTORY
In the summer of 1963, Lynda Troth was wanting a job in camp counseling and Riley Troth having known the Bakers (Aunt Betty's maiden name) made contact with Uncle John and Aunt Betty. Uncle John was a salesman with a parts company at the time. Circumstances brought the Troths and Staats together living in the same neighborhood. Uncle John headed out to seminary and soon came back and was working with Sky Ranch. Riley contacted Uncle John looking for a position for Linda who would go work for Sky Ranch on the waterfront.
John and Betty were seeking the Lord to see about a foreign missions opportunity. When Riley saw that they were open to moving, he talked with several close friends about beginning a camp. They then contacted the Staats and began to look for some land.
The land they found had been abandoned by a Baptist group on the south rim of Palo Duro Canyon. A Mr. McGehee owned the property and after some time and negotiation, terms were arranged. The Board didn't have a $100 between them, but came up with a down payment from contributions from different interested parties. In the meantime, the Staats were drawing up the constitution and getting ready to move to the area.
Finally, the deal came together and the rest is the history of Hidden Falls Ranch.
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS
John Staat | Cliff Abbott | Keith Jones | William Baker
Burl Callaway | Riley Troth | Barney Barnard
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Bellah - Board Chairman | Richard Steel - Vice Chair | Barrett Sims - Treasurer | Haley Bell - Secretary
BOARD MEMBERS
Crissy McDaniel, Tyler Horning, Chris Jones, Brandi Zumbrun, Paul Clark, Jerry Reynosa, Mitchell Sims
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TIMELINE
Uncle John Staat 1965-1974 | Wes Woodard 1975-1976 | Mike Bellah 1977-1980
Chuck Padgett 1981 | Mike Harrison 1982 | Steve Sims 1983-1984
Uncle John Staat 1985-1988 | Kinne Callaway 1989-1992
Byron Williamson 1993-2018 | Blake Henderson 2018-Present
OUR TEAM
Blake Henderson│
Executive Director
Blake and his family joined the Hidden Falls staff in January of 2012. He grew up at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch where his parents were on staff. Blake attended West Texas A&M University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Recreation in 2000 and later received his Master's Degree in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. He is married to Donna and they have three children, Audrey, Bear & Kinsler. Blake's camping experience was at Camp Champions and Camp Balcones Springs Retreat & Conference Center. They are excited to be a part of what God is doing at Hidden Falls.
Contact Blake at bhenderson@hiddenfallsranch.com
Jennie Lutz│
Communications Coordinator
Jennie was a long time camper at Hidden Falls and served as a summer staff member for 6 summers. She grew up in Big Spring, TX and graduated from Baylor University in 2019. In July of 2021, Jennie was hired as our Communications Coordinator and works remotely. Her and her husband, Tyler, live in Memphis, TN and Jennie travels to us throughout the year for fundraising events and for parts of summer camp. She is looking forward to the growth of Hidden Falls and how God uses this ministry to further His Kingdom.
Contact Jennie at jlutz@hiddenfallsranch.com
Nate Dalke│
Summer Camp and Retreat Coordinator
Nate Dalke was born in Oklahoma, but he grew up in Ulysses, Kansas. He attended West Texas A&M and graduated from there in 2000 with a BA in Sports and Exercise Sciences. He then went to work with Westminster Presbyterian Church in Amarillo and earned a certificate in youth ministry through Fuller Seminary. From 2006-2022 Nate served in Managua, Nicaragua with Young Life and Savior’s Tear at their school Oasis de Esperanza. Nate and Amy were married in 2003 and came back with 3 kids from Nicaragua: Alicia, Gabriel, and Joash. Getting to be a part of the HFR family feels like a gift from God. They’re excited for this new chapter!
Contact Nate at ndalke@hiddenfallsranch.com
HIDDEN FALLS RANCH EXISTS TO SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH YOUTH AND FAMILIES.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
These are the essential doctrines we as a mission believe and teach in our programs.
The Godhead:
We believe in God the Father, Creator of Heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom and measureless in affairs of men, that he hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – co-eternal in nature, attributes and perfection.
( Isaiah 6:3; Genesis 1:2; Exodus 31:3; John 10:29; 16:24; Psalms 8:4; Is. 25:24; Jeremiah 33:3; Deuteronomy 6:4; II Corinthians 13:14)
The Bible:
We believe the Bible is God’s infallible Word, written by men who were divinely and uniquely inspired, and that it is our supreme authority in all matters of faith and life.
(II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; 16:12- 13)
Jesus Christ:
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in His life, who atoned the sins of the world by His death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into Heaven, His High Priestly intercession for His people and His personal, visible return to the world in power and glory according to His promises in the Scriptures.
(John 1:1, 2, 14; Luke 1:35; Romans 3:24-25; 8:34; I Peter 1:3-5; 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; Acts 1:9-10; I John 2:1-2; Hebrews 9:24; 7:25; I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; 4:13-18; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelations 19:11, 16; 20:1-6; 3:10)
The Holy Spirit:
We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, indwell, baptize all believers into the Body of Christ the Church, and to seal forever those who believe in Jesus Christ.
(John 16:8-11; II Corinthians 3:6; I Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13-14)
Sin:
We believe that man was created in the image of God, that he sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death but spiritual death as well, which is separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature. We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice (Genesis 1:26, Romans 5:12; 6:23)
Salvation:
We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice, but that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) We believe, therefore, that those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior shall be forever in God’s presence, and that those who reject Christ as Savior and Lord will be forever separated from God.
(Genesis 1:26-27; John 1:12; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; I Peter 1:18-19; Romans 6:1, 29. 38; I Corinthians 1:4-8; I Peter 1:5; Revelations 20:11-14)
The Church:
We believe, that as believers, Christians make-up the “body of Christ, and the members in particular.” Each member is important! Christ is the head of the Church. We also believe in the significance of the local church to encourage, uplift and provoke one another to love, good works, and all ultimately to glorify God. (Romans 12, I Corinthians 12:12-31, Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Future:
We believe and rejoice in the personal, imminent return of Jesus Christ.
(John 14:1-3)
Conduct:
We believe that all Christians should live in such a manner as not to bring reproach upon our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
(II Timothy 3:1-5, Romans 13:13, Matthew 7:16-20)