On Friday, August 16, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch celebrated the completion of Hope Chapel, a dedicated space for children at the Ranch’s Bismarck campus to receive emotional and spiritual care.
More than 140 donors, board members, staff, and children attended the dedication service, led by Chaplain Rick Jones, the Ranch’s Vice President of Spiritual Life, with special blessings by LCMS District President, Rev. Arie Bertsch, and other clergy.
The Ranch broke ground on Hope Chapel on August 24, 2023, after completing a 3-year fundraising campaign in just 13 months. Thanks to generous donors, the chapel was completed without debt, ensuring that ongoing support from Ranch donors underwrites services for kids.
The focal point of the new chapel is the 15.5-foot-high, “Heaven’s Steps,” stained glass designed, created, and donated by artist Stacy Askvig.
Each year, children come to the Ranch having experienced severe psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and/or developmental challenges. The Ranch provides best-in-class psychiatric care, seamlessly combined with Christ-centered spiritual care to help at-risk children and their families succeed in the name of Christ.
Hope Chapel is a healing space where children and staff at the Ranch can pray, find peace, and learn of God’s unconditional love.