Today At El Shaddai... |
About Us |
Since 1999, Mark and Jen Black had been coming out to help their parents on weekends. Eventually they moved on-site in 2008 and they have been "all in" to the mission of El Shaddai Retreat Center. They finished raising their children at El Shaddai and are now welcoming grandchildren to their home. They have been witness to all the major construction and had a hand in the newest sites. More importantly, they believe that their guests are the most important aspect of what they do.
Jennifer still works part time as a pharmacist for HEB, but still finds time to serve on the C.C.C.A. Texas Sectional board, Yorktown Lions Club, and in many capacities at their local church. Mark is also a Lion, a deacon at his church and is very active in the ministry there. Together they help care for Jennifer's parents who still live at the retreat center and for Mark's mom who lives in Yorktown. Their vision is to continue to serve you, their extended family, as you come to get closer to God. They will continue to grow the El Shaddai facility in order to make that a great experience for your group.
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We are a Christian Retreat Center and believe in the Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the salvation of mankind through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Bible is the true underlying Word of God, and the fundamental basis of our faith. We exist to serve our guests and we accept everyone without regard to race, color, age, sex, disability, or national origin.
Planning For The Future
Pictured Left To Right: Deborah Buchhorn - Board Advisor, Arron Daniels - Volunteer, Jake & Morgan Heck - Board Advisors, Diana Cheek - Board Member, Tonya Swetman - Board Member, Jennifer Black - Board President, Mark Black - CEO, Jim Head - Board Member.
It takes many hands to keep El Shaddai going strong. Pictured above are some of the volunteers and some of the board members (who also volunteer) that work hard to make the ministry of El Shaddai possible.
We understand the importance of a team and if you would like to volunteer to help El Shaddai Retreat Center, please click on the "Contact Us" link at the top of the page. We'd love to hear from you and how you can help, learn, and grow at El Shaddai Retreat center! |
The Early Days Of El Shaddai Ranch
Story By Carolyn Mann Morehead
All Things Crossroads - May 2012
All Things Crossroads - May 2012
Ed & Norma Head
El Shaddai ranch in Yorktown, Texas had been founded in 1983 as a nonprofit retreat center by the late Jim Hays and his wife Suzanne. “El Shaddai“ is Hebrew for God Almighty. The ranch was an established Christian retreat, set up to accommodate hundreds of visitors for church groups, and organizations from all over the country. Dorms, a dining hall, cabins, fishing, boating, swimming, pool, and other activities were available in a beautiful and serene setting. Praise & Worship, and activities were the norm for groups staying at the ranch. Now the ranch was for sale, and the thought of making a move on the purchase of the ranch was crossing the minds of Ed and Norma in spite of the thought that they believed they were too old for such a venture. A comfortable life in Schertz, TX in a beautiful, unique home weighed in the balance, but they could not get the ranch off their minds. Miraculously, the day after they put their house on the market, it sold. This, along with other indicators caused Ed and Norma to believe they were making the right decision to purchase the ranch. They loaded their belongings on long trailers, looking like “the Beverly hillbillies", and they were off to their new life at El Shaddai ranch.
Upon moving to the ranch in November 2002, Ed and Norma began making the necessary changes to get the ranch ready for visitors. Much to their surprise, a group of campers who had booked months in advance, came in January. Although they felt they were not quite ready, Ed and Norma accommodated the campers. With the first group under their belt, confidence began to rise , and the retreat center prepared for warmer days and more visitors. Soon they sent out postcards announcing that the camp was completely ready for visitors, and the response was overwhelming. During the first year, Ed and Norma accommodated over 600 kids and adults.
As the years have moved forward, running the treat center has become a way of life, not only for Ed and Norma, but for other members of their family. Daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Mark Black live on the ranch, volunteering their time when they can between her job as a pharmacist in Victoria, and his job as a chemistry/physics teacher in Yorktown. Most recently, Norma’s sister, Georgia Wahl, moved to the ranch to volunteer. The facility only employees one full-time employee, camp manager, Esther Villa. Esther has been working on the ranch since its beginning in 1983. When Ed and Norma took possession of the ranch, the dorms, dining hall, and cabins were already in place. The dorms can accommodate 100 visitors and the three cabins can house 50 people. Wall-to-wall bunks and newly remodeled bathrooms make up the dorms along with separate rooms for group leaders. The dining hall can seat 150 diners at a time.
In the last 10 years, an open pavilion and a bathhouse at the pool were added, as well as most recently a beautiful chapel through the generous help of local individuals. Now gracing the grounds with seating for 150 people in addition, a gazebo with outdoor seating allows groups to enjoy the ranch surroundings. Along with the many outdoor activities, a challenge course was designed for groups doing boot camps. Groups attending the retreat center bring their own leadership and instructors. The retreat center houses the visitors and feeds them. Additionally, the retreat is able to house disaster victims during storms, such as Hurricane Katrina, and other such disasters. As a result, Ed and Norma were able to acquire a grant from GVEC for some repairs.
Without a doubt, summer is their busiest time of year. With young people out of school for the summer, the camp stays full every day, all week long for the entire summer. When school starts up again, the camp is still busy every weekend with some groups still scheduling events during the week.
10 years have passed since that day their pastor asked that question. How do they feel about their answer to that question now? As they prepare to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer, Ed and Norma agreed that they made the right decision to move to El Shaddai ranch. Their decision, 10 years ago, was more than a change in lifestyle. From ministering to large groups setting up tents for 350 campers at a time, to a little girl writing a thank you note expressing her life changing experience, Ed and Norma are blessed. No one will ever really know for sure, this side of heaven, the lives that have been transformed as a result of finding God by a campfire on a starry summer night at El Shaddai ranch.
Upon moving to the ranch in November 2002, Ed and Norma began making the necessary changes to get the ranch ready for visitors. Much to their surprise, a group of campers who had booked months in advance, came in January. Although they felt they were not quite ready, Ed and Norma accommodated the campers. With the first group under their belt, confidence began to rise , and the retreat center prepared for warmer days and more visitors. Soon they sent out postcards announcing that the camp was completely ready for visitors, and the response was overwhelming. During the first year, Ed and Norma accommodated over 600 kids and adults.
As the years have moved forward, running the treat center has become a way of life, not only for Ed and Norma, but for other members of their family. Daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Mark Black live on the ranch, volunteering their time when they can between her job as a pharmacist in Victoria, and his job as a chemistry/physics teacher in Yorktown. Most recently, Norma’s sister, Georgia Wahl, moved to the ranch to volunteer. The facility only employees one full-time employee, camp manager, Esther Villa. Esther has been working on the ranch since its beginning in 1983. When Ed and Norma took possession of the ranch, the dorms, dining hall, and cabins were already in place. The dorms can accommodate 100 visitors and the three cabins can house 50 people. Wall-to-wall bunks and newly remodeled bathrooms make up the dorms along with separate rooms for group leaders. The dining hall can seat 150 diners at a time.
In the last 10 years, an open pavilion and a bathhouse at the pool were added, as well as most recently a beautiful chapel through the generous help of local individuals. Now gracing the grounds with seating for 150 people in addition, a gazebo with outdoor seating allows groups to enjoy the ranch surroundings. Along with the many outdoor activities, a challenge course was designed for groups doing boot camps. Groups attending the retreat center bring their own leadership and instructors. The retreat center houses the visitors and feeds them. Additionally, the retreat is able to house disaster victims during storms, such as Hurricane Katrina, and other such disasters. As a result, Ed and Norma were able to acquire a grant from GVEC for some repairs.
Without a doubt, summer is their busiest time of year. With young people out of school for the summer, the camp stays full every day, all week long for the entire summer. When school starts up again, the camp is still busy every weekend with some groups still scheduling events during the week.
10 years have passed since that day their pastor asked that question. How do they feel about their answer to that question now? As they prepare to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer, Ed and Norma agreed that they made the right decision to move to El Shaddai ranch. Their decision, 10 years ago, was more than a change in lifestyle. From ministering to large groups setting up tents for 350 campers at a time, to a little girl writing a thank you note expressing her life changing experience, Ed and Norma are blessed. No one will ever really know for sure, this side of heaven, the lives that have been transformed as a result of finding God by a campfire on a starry summer night at El Shaddai ranch.
El Shaddai Retreat Center3000 FM 884
Yorktown, TX 78164 
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