The Table of God
Written by Karleigh Wagner
“What’s your favorite meal?” This is one of the first questions each intern will hear at their arrival at Timothy Hill Ranch.
Moving into a new place as a young person requires much courage from those who finds themselves in the Ranch’s care.
What’s the common thread? A need for nourishment – and a familiar meal often brings a sense of hope and comfort.
On all 4 campuses, you will find long dining tables and chairs, which have hosted thousands of men, women, and children throughout 48 years. In 2024, more than 200 youth have called the Ranch their temporary “home,” from various states in the country. In fact, approximately 1,300 meals are prepared each week on our New York campus alone, with approximately 300 meals each week for Tennessee and Arkansas residents.
Community is the heartbeat of the work here. You all make it possible for young people to feel like they belong at the table of God. It goes back to the deep-rooted talent of hospitality that was woven in the DNA of founders Jerry and Fern Hill and their son, Timothy, who had a special vision.
Together, we don’t settle for inexpensive meals and easy programming. We want to bring the best care to young people who have experienced various degrees of abuse, neglect, or challenge.
Why?
Our organization’s leadership and supporters are convinced that God has lavished grace on us.
You can find an example of this celebratory grace in the “story of the prodigal son,” found in Luke 15. “Kindness leads someone to repentance,” or a turn in their steps. That statement is more than a maxim from the Bible – this is a tried-and-true practice for our staff.
Set the Table With Us
Throughout November, thousands of American churches and groups honor “Orphan Sunday” and “Pure Religion Sunday” by strategically devoting time in the month to showcase Orphan Care topics and opportunities to make an impact.
For our Timothy Hill Ranch family, every day is full of opportunity to shine a light on both the demands and joy of this work.
Our privilege is to welcome others to a table where they can access all the freedom, healing, sustenance, and dignity that we know a Heavenly King brings.
Of course, we do not require church attendance of any residents, partnering with state departments in compliance of all guidelines. We happily welcome and serve youth from various faith backgrounds. What motivated our founders – and many of our staff in the Christian faith – is the picture of having all we need for life, once accepting the free gift of becoming a child of God, “seated” at His table, if you will.
Practically speaking, personal hygiene items and a clean bedroom are immediately available for the young men and young women to take a deep breath and rest in a safe, clean environment.
We want to continually offer ways for youth to feel “at home” and supported in their personal journeys of life.
As we wish to shine a light on a few elements in this daily work, allow us to share ways in which you can help us “make room” for men, women, and children in our residential and retreat centers to “take a seat at the table of God.”
Your next step of care will change lives, one meal, one moment, and one heart at a time.
- Give to Meet Practical Needs: Help provide essential items by purchasing or making a designated donation for clothing, school supplies, shoes, or personal hygiene products. For more information, visit Hope for Holidays 2024.
- Prayer Requests: Pray for our staff, youth, state social workers, and biological families. Specific requests may be shared, as confidentiality allows, by our site directors. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
- Career Opportunities: Consider joining our team! From mentoring specialists to nurse practitioners, we offer the chance to be part of a dedicated team that witnesses lives transformed every day. Explore opportunities at Timothy Hill Employment.
- Become a Dream Rancher: Be a champion for hope by financially supporting the 24/7 care of young people with a recurring monthly donation. (Fun fact: Dream Ranchers represent 24 states!) For more information, visit Dream Ranchers.
- Book an Overnight Stay: Our 2 retreat centers offer a beautiful place for you and your family to refresh, restore, and renew. https://timothyhill.org/retreat-centers/
By supporting our residential homes or visiting one of our retreat centers, you create space for more children, teens, young adults—both male and female—to find their seat at the table of God, where grace, transformation, and belonging are freely offered.