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BIG OAK RANCH
A Christian home for children needing a chance
John Croyle and his wife, Tee, have
seen their dream of building the best children's home in America
grow into three separate facilities in Northeast Alabama: Big
Oak Boys' Ranch in Gadsden, Big Oak Girls' Ranch in Springville,
and Westbrook Christian School, Inc. in Rainbow City.
The Big Oak ministry grew out of
John's desire to give hurting children a chance. John
successfully played football at the University of Alabama under
the legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Faced with one of the
most important decisions of his life-whether to play
professional football or to start a children's home-John
followed the Lord's leadership and established Big Oak Boys'
Ranch in 1974.
John's vision to build a girls'
ranch evolved from a court case involving "Shelley," a 12-year
old girl who had been physically and sexually abused by her
father. John pleaded with the judge to let Shelley live at the
Boys' Ranch, but the judge refused and placed Shelley back with
her parents. Shelley was beaten to death by her parents three
months later. The Girls' Ranch was built in 1988 after John felt
the Lord's calling to start a girls' home in Shelley's memory...
(We are simply getting the word out on this wonderful place -
Big Oak Ranch. T&S) |
