Outdoor Christian Ministries

Informational Newsletter
www.ocmtx.org

July, 2014
Vol. 5512-497-7050

From Bill EvansDale,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for one fantastic weekend. Tell the Executive
Guide, aka The Old Man, that I look forward to the next opportunity I may have to harass him. You havethe summer youth retreats during which some are touched and placed on the starting point for an exciting
and meaningful life where they will find the ultimate Guide who will show them the path to redemption. Youwill probably never know how many are touched by the touching of one.
What you call a hunt is, in fact, my retreat. I know the path but lose my way sometimes in the maze ofeveryday living. It is our talks that remind me to re-establish my priorities and rejoin the journey started
years ago. I leave OCM humbled by the good being done and motivated to positively affect someone’s life
through reaffirmation of my faith through my actions.
Thank you for what you do for others and for reminding me what really matters.
Respectfully,Bill EvansMay 2014 Retreat:
Youth in Prayer led by Rodeo LongOCM Vol. #5

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President’s Ponderings
2014 is our seventh year of operation. We continued to have over 300 guests at the ranch in 2012 and2013 and held retreats at both the Tierritas and the Espejo camps.
During the Winter 2013 OCM board meeting, the 3 board
members decided that it would be in the best interest of OCM
if we reduced our time load and a few of the expenses byfocusing on operating the Espejo camp and pasture andeliminating the Tierritas pasture. It was clear to us that wecould accomplish our mission with the housing and thousandsof acres provided at the Espejo. The Espejo pasture and its
headquarters include a higher level of housing, a swimming
pool, and it is only 6 miles from the paved road as opposed to16 miles to the Tierritas. The Espejo also has a caretakerthat is at the ranch most of the time.
The transition has gone well. John Meyer and Pastor Walker
worked closely with us from December 2013 through March2014 on many details. Clifford, Andy and I moved over 16
pickup loads of tools, furniture and supplies in about 60 days.
Volunteers moved 2 game blinds and 2 game feeders in April.
Volunteers have conducted 4 retreats in 2014 through May.
Two volunteers, Rick Garza and “Rodeo” Long, have become more of an integral part of our retreats
beginning in the early fall of 2013. Rick brings a lot of outdoor experience. Rodeo first attended an OCM
retreat about 6 years ago as a teenager. Since that time, Rodeo has graduated college and is a lay
preacher. Rick has helped with numerous ranch tasks and Rodeo is providing Bible lessons during
retreats.
It is an honor for all of us to serve through the OCM activities.
May God Continue to Bless all Guests and Volunteers,
Dale Burnett
OCM President
Testimonials

From Jason Ashworth - February, 2014
Dale,
Thank you for letting our group hunt on the OCM property. I think you are doing a great job using God's
nature to share His Gospel. It was a real treat to see and experience the land and animals. Thanks again
for the opportunity!
Best regards,
Jason

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From Dale Hancock – August, 2012
Wow! How time flies by. My 2nd Alamo City Church Men’s Spring Retreat has come and gone. Before I get
into the details of the retreat I want to sincerely thank OMC for again allowing us to use the Tierritas Ranch
Headquarters for our base camp this year. Special thanks goes out to (Little Dale) Dale Burnett, Phil
Bynum and Mike Schneider for getting down there ahead of us to make sure everything was in working
order, thank you and God bless you all. The retreat would not have been a success without these threeguys.
The retreat started on Friday night and went through Sunday. As we all know, the devil works overtime
trying to spoil God’s plans. Friday night went smooth; we got 70 men placed into the houses where theywould sleep. Saturday morning we awoke and we had NO WATER! Wow! Adapt and overcome. I spent
40+ years in the U.S. Coast Guard and our motto was “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready). About 2 hours
later the well man showed up and we found out that the water well was dry. My right hand man Gary Miller
jumped on it; he and a crew came together and hauled water from several wells so we could wash dishesand very sparingly flush toilets. “Be not dismayed.” God’s word went out and the retreat went on. Our 1stsession started as Pastor David Walker led the men. We sang songs and lifted our prayers to Our Lord.
On Saturday we had our usual outdoor competitions like pistol, rifle, skeet, archery and fishing. At the endof the day we came together for a hearty meal and the men sat and talked enjoying each other’s company.
On Sunday morning my son Greg gave the men a powerful testimony on running from God. You can run
but you can’t hide. God’s word never comes back void. I lead the men in an altar call. Two young men
accepted the Lord, as of this writing one of them has been baptized. Praise the Lord. We crowned ouroutdoor champions, cleaned up and headed back to the big city. The whole scenario goes to show you that
if you keep your eyes on Jesus, He will never forsake or leave you. It’s all about Jesus.
May the Lord richly bless you,“Big” Dale Hancock

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From Tommy Jeter - February, 2012
I have never been on a deer lease that was as good of a place to bring our family and spend quality timeoutdoors. I will keep in touch and God bless.
Thanks, Tom
From Eric Eggleston - May, 2013
Dale and Andy –I wanted to thank ya'll once again on behalf of David and me for having us to your place and for yourhospitality. We had a wonderful time and although we are blessed to be able to hunt on our place it isalways nice to visit a new place. Ya'll have a great set up and an amazing family. Ya'll are truly blessed.
Thanks to all of ya'll and Mike and Clifford once again. This weekend made me think of my granddad which
I do often, especially when in the outdoors. He was the one who taught me to hunt and fish and was myhero. I know he would be smiling down Sunday morning when David, who is named after him, got his hog.
Many thanks again,
Eric
From Dana Greenly – February, 2014
Dale,
We had a great time at the ranch, what a beautiful place you have there! I personally had a great
experience and can’t wait to come back. Everyone I spoke to felt the same way as I do. I am alreadylooking at dates for next year.
Thank you again Dale, I really appreciated the presentation that you gave to us as well, great job.
Dana A. Greenly
From Chris Sides – May, 2014
Dale,
I really appreciate the hospitality that OCM has shown us. I want to thank all of the guides including
Clifford, Andy, Mike, Rick and Rodeo.
Chris Sides
From Eugene Pryor – June, 2014
My children and I have been blessed to have hunted in such a Christian environment. The ranch isdefinitely our chapel “getaway”. When I have had the opportunity to help with the retreats, I have beenblessed.
Thank you,
Eugene Pryor

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Vice President’s Note
I have been blessed to serve with an amazing group of people at Outdoor Christian Ministries (OCM) since2008. It has been and continues to be one of the most rewarding endeavors of my life. Our lives changeover time and certain things gain more importance. One of those things for me is my faith. We are called tobe Christ-like in all that we do. OCM has given me a chance to put my faith into action while doing some ofthe things that I have grown up enjoying. Doing these things in the South Texas brush country is a nicelittle bonus. We ask all our retreat participants to just look for God as they go about their activities. Like thepilgrims on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-33) we learn that God has been with us all along we justcould not see him. These are the seeds we try to plant during an OCM retreat no matter the age group or
demographic. My prayer is that our retreat participants will remember that as well as the many othermemories made on an OCM retreat.
At OCM I have been involved in all parts of this wonderful ministry. It has changed somewhat since its
inception. Our model has been tweaked from time to time, mostly based on the type of group we will behosting. What I believe is the most rewarding aspect of what we do is provide an opportunity to minister toeach other and share the Gospel with each other and those who visit with us on retreat. We always spendsome quiet time just gazing at the expansive and formidable terrain. It puts our lives in context and instills asense of humility and gratitude. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve in this ministry.
Blessings,Mike Schneider
Retreat Photos
The Youth Retreat All-In-One-Day Hat-Trick!!!

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“Making Memories for God’s Children”

Fellowship and discussion after their Gospel message

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2014 OCM Leadership

Officers:
Dale Burnett
Mike Schneider
Jay GunnPresident
Vice President
Secretary/Treasurer

512-497-7050
512-750-9776
512-964-4550

Guides:Clifford Graef
Andy Burnett
Matt Burnett
Rick GarzaPhil Bynum“Rodeo” Long
Joshua Burnett
Joe Gunn
Pastor David Walker

Senior Guide & Maintenance SupportGuide & Web Site
Guide & Mechanical Support
Guide
Guide
Speaker
Speaker and Guide
GuideAdvisor

512-870-7940
512-415-1247
512-913-5163
512-529-4976
210-241-2434
210-288-9640
512-468-1112
512-964-4454
210-394-2795

Food & Housekeeping:Corinna Gunn
Pattie Burnett
Robbie Burnett

Food & Housekeeping Support
Food & Housekeeping Support
Food & Housekeeping Support

512-964-4551
512-497-3539
512-797-6949

Donations:
OCM has been blessed by many monetary donations, small and large. OCM has also been blessed with
non-cash donations including those of labor. OCM is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitableorganization and your contribution is tax deductible. If you wish to donate materials or equipment, call Dale
Burnett.
If you wish to make a monetary donation via credit card, then please use the PayPal "Donate" button
located in the upper right hand corner of our web pages (www.ocmtx.org). You do not need to have aPayPal account; they will simply charge your credit card for the specific dollar amount that you enter. If you
wish to donate monetarily, please make your check out to “Outdoor Christian Ministries” and mail it to:Dale Burnett
3300 Elder Hill Road
Driftwood, Texas 78619

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