In addition to Texas Conference schools, Lake Whitney Ranch (LWR) in Clifton, Texas, is one of the greatest evangelistic opportunities for young people, as countless individuals are baptized each year at Adventurer, Pathfinder and Master Guide camporees and summer camp.
When Hector and Anabel Perez became director and associate director for LWR in 2019, they envisioned the almost 1,000-acre property utilized to its fullest. Since their arrival, four bath and shower houses were completed, the kitchen in the multipurpose building was renovated, a saddle barn replaced a worn-out one previously on the property, a garage was converted into a nature center, and a ropes course was built, just to name a few of the major projects.
Perez is currently overseeing the completion of an open-air pavilion that will seat 5,000, a town hall building for additional meeting and lodging space and a red barn that renovates another tired and worn-out building into more useable space.
“It has been wonderful to see the progress at the ranch,” Texas Conference President Elton DeMoraes shared. “Hector, along with the Lake Whitney Ranch operating committee, are working hard to create the much-needed lodging and meeting space necessary to attract groups to the ranch.”
Thankfully, it is working. LWR staff have seen a huge increase in year-round rental of its property for both weekends and during-the-week rentals. The open-air pavilion became a necessary project when camporee staff were no longer able to secure the big tent previously rented. It will also allow area camporees and other churches, schools and organizations to utilize the space now that bath and shower houses and more meeting and lodging spaces are available.
“Previously, the biggest hurdle we had was figuring out how to lay the pipe in the hard rock for the bath and shower houses,” Texas Conference Treasurer Randy Terry stated. “Now, we need to work together to retire Lake Whitney Ranch debt so we can start other projects on the master plan.” The next phase includes summer camp cabins to house the campers each year instead of having to convert the lodges. The smaller cabins will also be used for group rental. The estimated costs for the current projects under construction include $2.5 million for the open-air pavilion, $1 million for the town hall building, and about $150,000 for the red barn. The bath and shower houses and ropes course still have a $1.76 million balance. Combined, that totals about $5.35 million. Texas Conference has almost 69,000 members represented in approximately 20,000 households. If each member gave $78 or each household donated $270, that would pay off the current projects and raise almost $50,000 to start the next phase. Recurring giving can be set up on AdventistGiving.org or the Text to Give option below for those interested in monthly giving
“As you prepare your year-end giving, whether as a thank offering to the Lord or for tax purposes, please consider giving to Lake Whitney Ranch development,” DeMoraes requests. “Together As One, we can help Lake Whitney Ranch to be ‘A Light in the Heart of Texas.’ A place that provides evangelistic opportunities for decades to come.”
Thank you for keeping LWR in your prayers and giving as the Lord impresses. The different ways to give are listed below and every gift is tax deductible.
By check – Payable to Lake Whitney Ranch and mailed to Texas Conference | PO Box 800 | Alvarado, TX 76009.
Online at AdventistGiving.org or LakeWhitneyRanch.org – Select your local church or Texas Conference SDA Church to see the Lake Whitney Ranch – Development giving line.
With the Text to Give option – When you text the code word to the number listed below, you will be directed to the giving page for that donation option. You can select a one-time or recurring gift option.
Text DevelopLWR to 41444
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By Tamara Michalenko Terry, director for Events & Editorial Services for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
