Christine Holub, board member, shares the story of how she became involved with Hope Ranch.

My name is Christine, and I became a member of the board early last summer after working with some of the women, going through Mending the Soul and joining the Task Force. I’d like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about what has brought me to working with Hope Ranch Ministries and the impact it has had on my life.

I first met Diana Janz at the Coalition for Justice fashion show in 2011, in support of Hope Ranch. Shortly afterwards I started the Mending the Soul group for healing and understanding more about abuse with a group of girls who also wanted to know more about Hope Ranch and be involved.  Getting to know the girls in this group was a blessing in so many ways. It brought me closer to all of them in such a way that I would not have had otherwise.  This group seemed to be brought together by chance, but as time went on it was obvious that God had a specific reason for all of us to get to know each other so quickly.  Today, we all serve in ministries alongside each other.

It was around the time of starting the Mending the Soul class that I was introduced to a woman I have now grown very close to. She has shown me so much of the dark world that is human trafficking.  If you saw the two of us in a room nothing would make you think that we would one day become friends and that the love I have for her would be unconditional.  This woman, and all of the others I have met since, has changed my life in so many ways. These women, with their little girl eyes, need more than a program and a bunch of professionals; they need a friend. It’s in these times of brokenness where a friend is so important. 

Last year, after getting married, I was faced with the decision to finish school, and get my degree in Sociology, or answer the call that God had put on my life to be in ministry. My husband put it into a simple question: “Do you want to be on the other side of a desk and interact with these women when they come in for a session of counseling? Or would you want to be the friend who goes to movies, bakes, and is the listening ear at 2 am?” I said yes to step into ministry with Hope Ranch, and my life has never been the same. The friend goes through much more of a roller coaster of emotion and grace, but I have learned more about the unconditional love that God has for us through loving who He loves. I am so blessed by this opportunity of working alongside Diana with these women. She has taught me what sacrifice, grace and persistence looks like when you truly answer God’s call for your life. 

Thank you for allowing me to share the piece of my life that is Hope Ranch Ministries.