Building a Legacy at Lake Whitney Ranch
“It was exciting to be the first group to use the open-air pavilion for the Adventurer Family Camp and Pathfinder Camporee weekends,” stated Christian Ponciano, Texas Conference youth and young adult ministries director. “We appreciate the Texas Conference administration’s vision to create something lasting for our events.”
“Lake Whitney Ranch Director Hector Perez and his staff worked hard to have the pavilion ready for the camporees,” added Randy Terry, Texas Conference treasurer and Lake Whitney Ranch operating committee chair. “It is exciting to see the progress at the ranch. We appreciate all of the donors and volunteers who are helping to make the improvements possible.”
A $25 in ’25 campaign was created earlier this year to give all households within the Texas Conference the opportunity to support the LWR vision with $25 per month or $300 for the year. As of April 2025, donors have given $174,827.52. This amount is the equivalent of 583 toward our goal of 20,000 total participating households.
“It has been nice to see everyone enjoying the new amenities at LWR this year,” Texas Conference President Elton DeMoraes said. “We appreciate everyone who has given or pledged to give toward this campaign. Let’s see if by the end of July we can reach a midterm goal of $3 million, the amount we’d raise if 10,000 households gave $300.”
Besides attendees of the camporee and other events, many Texas Conference pastors and Texas Conference board members visited LWR this past spring to see firsthand the improvements and to try some of the activities. Some had never before been there, but of those who had, many were amazed by the progress.
“Lake Whitney Ranch still feels like a hidden gem,” said Lynette Ecord, director of Texas Conference Stewardship and Planned Giving & Trust Services. “Having been part of the Texas Conference for more than 50 years, I have experienced all of the Texas Conference camps and feel LWR has the space and planned amenities to be an incredible retreat and conference center one day. We will need to work together to make it happen.”
Terry added that while DeMoraes’ vision to fully develop LWR by 2030 is a lofty goal, “it would provide the space and amenities to have more retreats and training events for all ages at LWR.” That includes church-sponsored events, since LWR as the Texas Conference ranch is meant to be enjoyed by all.
As our conference motto, Together As One, states, let’s financially support LWR development. Church members can give in multiple ways: (1) in a tithe envelope, marked for Lake Whitney Ranch development, (2) through AdventistGiving.org for Lake Whitney Ranch development, (3) by texting LWR25in25 to 41444 for an online giving page or (4) by check, payable to Lake Whitney Ranch and mailed to Texas Conference, PO Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009.
Join us in building a legacy at Lake Whitney Ranch that continues to be “A Light in the Heart of Texas.” Thank you for keeping LWR and this campaign in your prayers.
—
By Tamara Michalenko Terry, director for events and editorial services for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
