About Blessing Ranch Inc.

In 1992 God called Dr. John Walker, a licensed Psychologist and an ordained Pastor, and his wife Deanna, a licensed Attorney, to create a Christian leader resource and renewal center in Livermore, Colorado.  Their family moved to Colorado in 1994 and initialized efforts at Blessing Ranch to care for and provide professional Psychological and Spiritual Formation services to Pastors, Missionaries and other Christian leaders and their families.  By 1996 Blessing Ranch, Inc., a Colorado Nonprofit  Corporation, was granted Federal status as an I.R.S. 501(c) (3) Corporation.  

From inception of this ministry, Dr. Walker conceptualized an innovative Pastor and Missionary Care program that “really makes a difference” by getting to the “heart of the matter” and ministering to the core of the leader’s needs rather than just the symptoms.  This ministry’s mission is “to restore and renew Christian leaders and their families for effective Kingdom service.”  The goal of this incredibly effective, essential ministry has always been emotional and spiritual inner re-engineering and personal growth resulting in restoration and renewal of the leader. 

Since the humble beginnings of this God-directed ministry, the Ranch has served, blessed, restored and renewed over 3,000 Pastors, Missionaries and other Christian leaders, many of whom testify they would not have remained faithfully serving in ministry if it were not for their time spent with Dr. John Walker.  Tommy Politz, Senior Pastor of Hillside Christian Church, Amarillo, Texas, has affectionately dubbed Dr. Walker as “The Pastor Whisperer.”   As well, a recent guest stated, “ . . . I’m not exaggerating when I say the Ranch saved my life.  In fact, it gave me new life and has prepared me for this most amazing journey -- walking hand in hand with God wherever He leads . . . Because you allowed God to use you, I am forever changed.” 

God has always and will always remain the “Senior Partner” of this ministry, and the Blessing Ranch, Inc. Board of Directors has always prayerfully sought God’s direction, desires and design to maintain its integrity and vitality. 

Blessing Ranch Inc.'s Staff

“It is with joy and enthusiasm that we seek to bestow a blessing on Christian leaders so they might bless others.” - The Blessing Ranch Staff

Dr. John M. Walker is the founder and Executive Director of Blessing Ranch, Inc. He is recognized internationally as an expert in the area of Pastors’ and Missionaries’ personal, professional and spiritual development.  As a licensed Psychologist and an ordained Pastor, he provides Professional Psychological Services to adult Pastors, Missionaries and other Christian leaders and provides executive leadership for the Blessing Ranch, Inc. ministry.  His educational experiences include a B.A. in Christian Ministry from Lincoln Christian College, a M.A. in Psychology and Religion from Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University.  Following several successful ministries in the Midwest, Dr. Walker and his family moved to Texas in 1985 where he worked as a professional Psychologist in hospitals, clinical institutes, and his own private practice, Cornerstone Psychological Associates.  Since moving with his family to Colorado in 1994 and founding the Blessing Ranch, Inc. ministry, Dr. Walker has successfully served over 3,000 Pastors, Missionaries and other Christian leaders and is a sought after church leadership consultant.

Dr. Charity M. Walker-Byers serves as Blessing Ranch, Inc.’s Clinical Director of its Professional Psychological Services programs for Children and Adolescents, Young Adults and Women in Ministry. She is the daughter of Dr. John and Deanna Walker. Dr. Walker-Byers’ educational experiences include a B.A. in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology from Western State College of Colorado and a M.A. in General Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Walker-Byers also received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver, with her professional expertise and specialty being the care of childhood and young adult disorders. Having grown up as a “Pastor’s Kid,” her passion is to care for Pastors’ and Missionaries’ children and adolescents, along with their families, and children and adolescents served by Mission agencies, Missionaries and Para-church organizations. Additionally, she provides consultation and training to Missionary’s, agency’s or organization’s staff. She also uses her training and professional expertise to provide psychological services to women and young adults in Christian leadership.

Deanna Walker serves as Administrator of Blessing Ranch, Inc.  Since retiring from ConocoPhillips in 2008, she has overseen the ministry’s guest services and administrative needs.  Deanna’s educational experiences include a B.A. from Lincoln Christian College and a J.D. from the University of Houston.  She is a licensed Texas attorney. 

Hope Karabensh serves part-time as Blessing Ranch, Inc.’s Director of Accounting.  Hope is Dr. John and Deanna Walker’s daughter.  Her educational experiences include a B.A. degree in Organizational Communications and Political Science from Western State College of Colorado.

Blessing Ranch Inc.'s Beliefs and Core Values

Blessing Ranch is a not- for-profit Christian ministry that holds these basic beliefs:

• We believe in One God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).
• We believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, His virgin birth, miracles, atoning death, resurrection, ascension to heaven, and return (Matthew 16:16).
• We believe in the Scriptures as the infallible inspiration of God (I Corinthians 2:6-13).
• We believe in the Holy Spirit and His ministry to us to live holy and godly Christian lives (John 14:15-17).
• We believe in Salvation through Jesus Christ and His provision of eternal life (John 3:16).
• We believe in the Church and in the unity of all believers (I Corinthians 12:12-27).
• We believe in the Great Commission mandate to go and make disciples of all people, teaching them to obey Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

In addition, Blessing Ranch is guided by these core values:

• Blessing Ranch, Inc. values God’s leaders and seeks to bless them by showing honor and respect and care for them through the services offered.
• Blessing Ranch, Inc. values God’s Word by submitting every policy and practice to God’s written revelation.
• Blessing Ranch, Inc. values God’s guidance by living lives of prayer, reflection, and listening for God’s leading.
• Blessing Ranch, Inc. values God’s call by seeking to serve Him and His people with excellence.
• Blessing Ranch, Inc. values God’s resources that He has entrusted to this ministry by exercising good stewardship of all its resources.

Blessing Ranch Inc.'s Accountability

Blessing Ranch, Inc.’s Board of Directors
Blessing Ranch, Inc. is governed and overseen by a Board of Directors.  The Board consists of Pastors, Professors, and other Professionals who are committed to the mission and vitality of this essential ministry.  The Board of Directors is comprised of:

Dr. Thomas Tanner, Chairman of the Board,
      Academic Dean of the Hargrove School at Lincoln Christian University, Lincoln, IL
Tim Goodman,
      Senior Minister, Clover Road Christian Church, Hannibal, MO
Bill Kroeger,
      Marriage and Family Life Minister, LifeBridge Christian Church, Longmont, CO
George Ross,
      Senior Pastor, Northside Christian Church, New Albany, IN
Dr. John M. Walker, 
      Executive Director, Blessing Ranch, Inc., Livermore, CO
Deanna Walker,
      Administrator, Blessing Ranch, Inc., Livermore CO

Financial Accountability
Blessing Ranch, Inc. is audited annually by an external C.P.A. firm to ensure that all funds are appropriately used and accounted for in accordance with generally accepted professional standards and policies.  The ministry adheres to the highest accounting standards and sound Biblical stewardship. 

Professional Standards
Blessing Ranch, Inc.’s Professional Psychological Services are provided by Licensed Professional Psychologists, Clinicians and Ordained Pastors who adhere to a strict code of professional ethics and conduct.