Strengthened My Faith

Hi, my name is Riley Anderson. I am a recent graduate from Grant MacEwan’s School of Business and I was introduced to Birch Bay Ranch by family friends in 2003. I first came to Birch Bay Ranch as a teenage camper and while I was already a Christian at this time, I will admit that my faith was not strong at that time.

In the one week I spent at the camp, I found a place I could and would call home. I came back as a camper the following year and found my faith was stronger due to the spiritual influence of Birch Bay. In 2005, I was called to join the Birch Bay Ranch staff as a volunteer and I was more than willing to return to there, summer after summer. The more I volunteered, the stronger my faith became and the value of Birch Bay had a significant impact in shaping the young man I was growing to be.

In 2008, the calling of the Ranch grew stronger and so I joined the Birch Bay Ranch staff in a paid position. I stayed with Birch Bay Ranch for most of the time while I attended University. I watched in awe as children and new volunteers alike grew in their faiths over the course of many summers. There was one volunteer who invited me to attend his baptism. I learned there that I was one of those who had influenced him through the ministry at Birch Bay Ranch. During my time working for the Ranch, I have been confronted with issues that fortified my own faith and aided me in discussion of my beliefs with believers and non-believers alike.

I can quite honestly say that if it wasn’t for the influence of Birch Bay Ranch on my life, I would not be the same young man that I am today. The ministry at Birch Bay Ranch is a strong ministry that has a strong impact on me and my family as well as those around me. I sincerely hope that this ministry will be able to continue spreading the good word and strengthen the faith of those who pass through its gates.

Regards,
Riley Anderson