THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY

This is a story of pain and hope. In the early 1990s, young Jackee had a vision for their barn to be used as a Christian gathering place for teens. Her mom, Joanne, joined her in the effort to get the beautiful 1919 barn transformed into a space to fulfill the vision. Tragically, when Jackee was 16, she died in an accident. Joanne’s desire was to keep Jackee’s dream alive.

In 2009, the Lord started revealing His plans to Tammy Filzen and Connie Olson, cofounders, which would ultimately lead them to Joanne’s farm. They were initially advised to pray for a full year to know if God was actually calling them to start a ministry for women, or to join one already existing. It became very clear that they were to pursue a new ministry, to hold it with open hands and join the Lord daily in what He was doing. One thing led to another and as they looked at rural properties, they felt that a farm that had a barn with character was what they were to search for. The Lord orchestrated every detail for Tammy, Connie, and Joanne to meet, and the two visions came together. After many months of prayer and conversations, Joanne offered to hold the farm for $100 until it could be purchased. Shortly thereafter, Joanne was diagnosed with leukemia. Over time, money was coming in, plans were falling into place and in September 2013, the farm was purchased. On January 1, 2014, Joanne passed on to Glory.

The work began on the house and counseling center, requiring architectural designs to meet zoning and state regulations. The Lord brought many volunteers, both professional and lay people to get the job done in just six months! On July 13, 2014, the doors were opened for the first residents. As the ministry entered its tenth year in July 2023, over 5000 women have been served in various ways.

In September 2019, our long-term residential program was replaced with short-term intensive counseling and short-stay personal retreats.