wfn.org | ABCUSA: Rainbow Acres Ranch Dedicates New Homes for Residents

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 11/18/03)--Some 850-900
supporters and staff of Rainbow Acres Ranch gathered in Camp Verde, Ariz.,
Nov. 1 to dedicate the four newest residences to be built at the northern
Arizona ranch. Affiliated with the American Baptist Homes and Hospitals
Association, Rainbow Acres is home to 76 developmentally disabled men and
women.

The new residences, along with three that were completed earlier, are the
fruit of the "Building Homes with Heart" capital funds campaign that raised
$3.75 million. Each home includes ten private rooms for residents (known as
"ranchers") and a caregiver, with a large room in the center for dining and
socializing.

The building boom at Rainbow Acres Ranch is expected to continue. At the
dedication ceremony Rainbow Acres President the Rev. Gary Wagner announced
that $1 million has already been pledged to construct a new community
center, which will house a dining hall and chapel. Another $500,000 will be
needed to begin work on the community center.

Wagner also announced that Rainbow Acres has been granted accreditation by
the Education Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence (EAGLE)
program of the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare
Ministries. The accreditation came five years ahead of Rainbow's goal date.

At the dedication ceremony Wagner took a moment to look back over his seven
years at Rainbow Acres and said, "There have been many joys along the way as
we have labored together to find ways to serve the men and women who live
here at Rainbow Acres." He called the dedication "one of the greatest joys"
of them all.

Dr. Robert H. Schuller of the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, Calif.,
delivered the keynote address. Schuller has a family member with
disabilities and once hosted Rainbow Acres's cofounder Ralph Showers on his
Hour of Power television broadcast. Prior to giving his address Schuller met
privately with Rainbow Acres ranchers. 

Entertainment was provided by the Rainbow Acres Rancher Choir, singer Jim
Hukill, the First Institutional Baptist Church Choir of Phoenix, and a clown
troupe called God's KLOD Squad.

In addition to Wagner a number of other Rainbow Acres leaders and invited
guests helped celebrate the occasion, including Dr. Dale Salico, executive
minister for the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest; the
Rev. Bruce Schipul, resource minister for the Arizona Association of
American Baptist Churches; and Dr. Patrick Pang, Rainbow Acres' vice
president for advancement and church relations.

Arizona state representative Tom O'Halloran commended Rainbow Acres, saying
that as he speaks to different groups he often cites Rainbow Acres as an
example of hope. Virginia Turner, a representative of Arizona governor Janet
Napolitano, read a proclamation from the governor declaring November 1, 2003
to be "Rainbow Acres Day" in Arizona.

The American Baptist Homes and Hospitals Association, which has 130 members,
has been related to National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA,
since 1940. For more information about Rainbow Acres visit
www.rainbowacres.com/.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN147

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org