Promise 23 wouldn’t exist without its dedicated team of volunteers or its wonderful horses!!
Mary Beth & Mateo
I have been a lifelong equestrienne, going on my first solo ride (at a full gallop) at the age of three. Growing up I spent many hours on my pony sharing all my joys and sorrows. As an adult I realized my dream of owning and operating a boarding stable for many years. I became a Christian at age 13.
When Jennifer told me of her dream to launch a ministry using horses, I thought “I can help with that!” And so it began. That was a in 2013, and since then I have become more and more involved and God has ignited a passion in me to share His love in this very meaningful way.
I serve Promise 23 as a board member, session leader, and financial guru.
Mateo is a 9 year old Paint/Gypsy-Vanner Horse. He is my personal horse and also serves in sessions. He is bright-eyed, attentive, sensitive, and loves attention. He is quick to connect with people.
Vanessa & Breeze
I grew up as a missionary kid in Hong Kong, and met Jesus for myself around age 6. In traveling across much of Asia and encountering great wealth and extreme poverty (most of the time within the same square mile), I learned that people are hurting and broken everywhere. I’ve seen that in the face of the most intense oppression and most unjust situations, the love, grace, forgiveness, and acceptance of Christ breaks down every wall and releases every chain that binds.
I’ve always loved furry-four-legged-creatures. I’ve experienced for myself how animals provide a safe place to engage in a healing process – they never expected me to perform for them but allowed me to just “be”, and offered love and acceptance in return. Horses brought joy and developed strength and confidence like nothing else did.
Since moving to Bellingham, I spent many years regularly praying for justice and the ending of human trafficking. I was aware of the work of Engedi Refuge, and was looking for a way to be more involved. When I met the team at Promise 23 Ranch Ministries, I saw a dream of my heart realized. It’s a complete joy and privilege to support and serve with Promise 23. I serve as a board member, session leader, and resident techy person.
Breeze is a Quarter Horse/Missouri Fox trotter born in 2004. She lives at home with me, comes to the retreat, and occasionally to sessions. She taught me that I truly could trust a horse. She is bold, steady, and sensitive to the person she is with.
Rochelle & Madi
I am a student. I am forever in awe of the mysteries of love and grace that our Jesus Christ has for us. A student of the mysteries of the horse and his ways, a student of the broken hearted and the compassion that heals, a student of relationships and the power that lies within them.
I’m Rochelle, wife of one wonderful man and mother of four beautiful children. In a nutshell, my life has revolved around living a faith filled life while I tackle the blessed opportunities of homeschooling our kids and teaching the beauty of the horse either in one form or another while in the classroom or in the barn. I am humbled by the opportunity to hold the sacred space of human (broken) heart with the equine (restored) heart and watching the healing unfold between them. For God is Power, and he works through those who seek him.
I serve Promise 23 as a session leader.
Madi is an sweet quarter horse who has a giant heart. She is gentle and patient, steady and strong. She loves to be loved on, and especially loves scratches all over.
Jodi & CJ
I never imagined that I would some day be involved with this ministry. Our children are grown and I’ve been asking God what’s next. He kept putting people in front of me that told me about this ministry and when a friend told me about Promise 23 Ranch Ministries and I found out I could help survivors of trafficking with horses… how could I not follow His lead of using my passion (horses) in ministry?! Excited to see where he leads me! I am happy to serve Promise 23 as a session leader and media expert.
Psalm 31:3 (NIV)
“Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”
CJ is a very big boy, but so very sweet and gentle. He loves food most importantly but also loves to be scratched and loved on! CJ was born in 2003, his daddy was a bay and his momma was a grey. He was born a bay, but turned grey and continues to get more grey the older he gets. CJ came to live with Jodi in 2011 and they enjoy barrel racing and trail riding when they’re not being a part of the ministry team. Being loved on by the ladies…this is their favorite thing!
Shadow
CCR Precious Diamond, aka Shadow, was born on April 11, 2009 in Montana. Shadow came to live with Jodi in December of 2021. She has really enjoyed meeting all the ladies in the ministry and absolutely loves getting the attention and love that she gets from each of them! When Shadow isn’t visiting the ministry ranch, she enjoys trail riding, barrel racing, and patterned speed events with Jodi. And she is also very drawn to little kids and adores when they love on her too!
Emily & King
Ever since I heard about Promise 23, I’ve wanted to be part of it. When I finally turned 18 I went through the process of joining as a session leader. I’ve been in horses since I was about 10, with a God given passion for training and learning about connection. I always seek to improve in my equine training and in my walk with God. I feel so humbled and honored to be part of this ministry and letting God work through me, using the passion of horses he instilled in my heart. I have also served Engedi periodically as a volunteer when needed. I got married at age 19 and am blessed to have such a supportive man by my side (and who loves to ride horses!).
King is my project horse. He was born in 2020, and I picked him up at 4 months of age and have been training him ever since. He is very sweet, eager to give others his attention and love. He is curious, brave and always excited to meet someone new. (He was 3 years old in the picture). My nieces have ridden him even before I did! (With much assistance). I have taken him to so many places, he’s already an “old soul” type of guy. I’m so excited to see where he will take me.
Lexi
Lexi is the sweetest mare you’ll meet. She is a registered paint (but with lots of thoroughbred). Her registered name couldn’t fit her more. Sweet Radical. She loves her snuggles! She was born in 2005 and has been serving Promise 23 for a long time. Due to being abandoned by her previous owner, she is claustrophobic and does not like being left alone. She is owned and loved deeply by session leader, Emily Steele, and her story touches the hearts of all who meet her.
Kelsie
I have always had a love for horses and a heart for hurting people. When I heard stories about how horses healed hearts, from a young age, I wanted to be part of a ministry like that. I am very passionate about bringing freedom and empowerment to all living beings, and horses have such a wild and free spirit it’s hard for it not to rub off on people who are around them. Owning horses and managing horse barns since I was a teenager showed me the consistency, empathy, loyalty, bond, trust, and spirituality of a horse and how it connects so much to our relationship with the Trinity. I want everyone to experience that! Being a missionary the past couple years with Youth With A Mission, traveling to different parts of the world, I learned a lot about sex trafficking and got the opportunity to intercede in many places it was happening, developing a heart for the people involved. After moving back home, God lead me to Promise 23, where the two are combined.
Jack
Jack is a 2002 Percheron cross from Texas. He moved up to Washington to join the Promise 23 herd in July of 2016. He has traveled miles of trails, worked as a camp leader’s horse, done working equitation clinics, and taken care of beginners…a little bit of everything! He gets along with everyone, horses and humans alike, and is kind, gentle, steady, strong. He gives the best hugs and is a sheltering presence to anyone who comes near. He immediately connects with our dear ladies, and is a favorite around the ranch.
Jesse
Jesse is the newest member of our equine team. He is a mid-teens Percheron/Quarter Horse, and he is a big boy! He is a rock star on the trail and loves attention. He is interested in everything that’s going on around him and focuses and connects with the person in front of him.
