About Us

Discipleship 19:11 is a Biblically-based

Christian Leadership Work-based Program.

(Females Only: Ages 13-18)

Discipleship will spend time in the barn, arena, petting zoo, day camp, kitchen, recreation areas (assisting with our zipline, climbing wall and other games), and in housekeeping (humbling oneself to keep Shekinah clean and comfortable for all of us).
Several evenings will be spent taking a riding lesson on a ranch horse in which you will practice, under supervision, more advanced riding skills. These may include learning better control and balance, negotiating a barrel pattern, jumping, and practicing your bareback riding abilities.
Discipleship will be led each day in morning devotions, participate in a Bible study and worship times, and also be required to complete several assignments based on Biblical principles.

Teen Discipleship participants are biblically trained and stretched in their thoughts, views, beliefs and actions; not only in the classroom, but through daily onsite community living and horsemanship training.The discipleship program is a residential training, combined with classroom and outdoor camp ministry experiences.

COURSES/TRAINING OFFERED FOR DISCIPLESHIP PARTICIPANTS

The Nature and Character of God
Developing a Prayer life & Faith story
Discovering and understanding your Temperament
Developing a Christian Worldview
Horsemanship 101
Basic Horse Care
Arena Training

The Nature and Character of God

Knowing sides of God will help students to increase their faith as they encounter different situations in their lives.

Developing a Prayer Life and Faith Story

This course addresses necessary aspects of developing a personal prayer life. It further helps the student form effective corporate church-based prayer strategies.

Discovering and Understanding Your Temperament

The temperament of students is like an artist’s canvas. It is their God given style. It is the way they are wired. Generally speaking, two of the basic temperament types are outgoing or extroverted and three are more inward directed or introverted.

Developing a Christian World View

In this course students will discover how every young person tries to make sense out of life. "Where did everything come from? Who am I? Why are we here? What’s right and wrong, and who decides? What happens when we die?" The Bible provides answers to all of life’s most important questions.

Horsemanship 101

In this course the student will learn how to prepare and clean stables, maintain the health and well-being of horses, prepare horses for use, load and unload horses under supervision, ensure their actions reduce risks to health and safety and maintain effective working relationships

Basic Care and Health of the Horse

Equine Health and First Aid provides a basic understanding of horse health issues so that the student will understand and recognize common injuries and illnesses. Students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make critical decisions and aid their horse to recovery.

It wasn’t long after Matt and Kalyn started dating, that camp became a clear direction for both of them. Matt gave his life to Jesus at camp in his home state of North Carolina at the age of 15, and Kalyn grew up at Shekinah Ranch (after all, she is Pastor Tom's daughter!)
After marrying in 2016, the two served with Shekinah Ranch as the program and staff directors. At the end of the 2016 season, Matt & Kalyn spent the following 5 months living & serving God in Indonesia. Upon their return, they both continued to serve with Shekinah until, once again, God called them back overseas in 2019 to share the love & truth of Jesus; this time for 11 months in 11 different countries!
Having returned to the states in 2020, this dynamic duo is jumping right back into the swing of things serving once again as Shekinah's Program Directors. Matt and Kalyn became parents to Ember Rose in August 2021 and Lily Lynn will enter their family in September 2022! They truly believe it is one of Gods greatest gifts to be parents.
Matt is a "Disc Golfer" (it's ok if you don’t know what that is, but when your child comes to camp they will surely learn!). To sum him up simply: Matt is pretty much a lover of every sport out there, with a passion for youth and worship. Outside of camp, Matt also has the incredible opportunity to serve as the full-time youth Pastor at Journey By Grace Church in Belle Vernon, PA.
Kalyn is a firm believer that adventure is out there no matter where you are or what you do. Making the most of where she is at the place the Lord has her has become her life mission. “After traveling all over the world I truly believe you really can find home and adventure all at once.” In her free time Kalyn loves going on walks, on the road, in the woods, up a mountain on a beach! She will likely be listening to a book, podcast or talking to a friend since multitasking is her jam. Kalyn cares deeply about discipleship, deep conversations and her friends and family. Small talk is not her thing, but if you want to talk about your life, you will never find a better ear.

A Word From the Ledford’s:
“Camp runs in our blood. There is no place we have found better than camp to experience an adventure with Jesus. Being surrounded day and night with incredible fun & faithful fellowship is a rarity, and it breaks down walls like nothing else can do. Once the walls are down the freedom of a relationship with God can be fully lived out. Environment is the key, and nothing is better for a God-centered environment than a camp. We cannot wait to be a part of your child’s journey with Jesus through the power and joy of camp!”

Missy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University. While attending there, she also studied some classes in child psychology and agricultural journalism. She often contributed articles to the CSU Equine Science Newsletter. Also, during her time at CSU, she competed on the University’s equine judging team and went on to help coach a 4H youth judging team while still in Colorado. Two breeding farms offered her positions after graduation, but she was not sure that they were jobs she felt led to pursue. While traveling back to PA, she and her mom stopped at the American Quarter Horse Association headquarters in Amarillo TX just for a visit. That day they had a tribute to the youth that were involved with quarter horses. This stirred something that God had put inside of her as a young girl. She knew she wanted to use her education and experience to work with children and horses. As she resettled in PA, she worked extensively as a riding instructor, horse trainer and farm manager as well as judged some local 4H and fun shows. Working first at her family’s farm, then moving on to a large boarding/training stable about 30 minutes from her home, she continued to accumulate experience in the equine world. During these years she also did some showing in reining, halter and showmanship and team penning. In addition to her riding and training experience, she has worked in the veterinary field for 20+ years wearing many hats including receptionist, veterinary assistant, surgery technician and office manager. She loves working with people, animals and has a special interest in canine and equine behavior. She has owned two canine good citizens and loves to share her dogs and horses with others, especially children and those with special needs. One of her great passions is to help children experience, understand and appreciate Gods creation and His creatures. You will often find her exercising her spiritual gift of encouragement, as she reminds people of God’s great love for them. When not working with children and animals, she enjoys time with her husband and their church family and other family and friends.

“A righteous man (or woman!) regards the life of his (or her) animal….” Proverbs 12:10

"All three of my children have been day and overnight campers at Shekinah Ranch since 2005. We have watched as they’ve grown and expanded their program from its beginning; and we have LOVED every moment of it. Every year my children beg to go back, therefore, we usually attend multiple camps each season! I can’t say enough wonderful things about Tom Ravasio, Shekinah Ranch, and their program. I accredit this program to my daughters current love of horses, equestrian skills and her strong faith in Jesus Christ. She was one of the original campers to Shekinah, starting out at five years old in the lil' buckaroo day camp during their second season. She has grown into a wonderful well rounded young lady and some of her fondest childhood memories were made here at Shekinah. Now, her little brothers (6 & 8 years old) attend camp every year and she is always excited to share her stories and memories with them & to hear about their experiences as well!"

" It’s Shekinah! Only like the best summer camp ever! There’s so many things to do, you were never bored at camp, and that was like 5 years ago I’m sure there are more activities now than what there were before. I remember the cleanest room competition in the morning to riding horses (obviously) to the arts and crafts down to the rock wall and the hikes and paintball...Whenever I see pictures of me being at camp with my friends I see nothing but smiles! And I’m pretty sure I will always remember what was on the back of all of the shirts that I still have today... “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.” So if your debating sending your kids here. Please send them, they will have the time of their life, I know I did."

Azzia is a resident of West Newton, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Yough Senior High School as of 2021. She is currently enrolled in Saint Vincent College and is pursuing a degree in Middle Grade Education, concentrating in Math, with a minor in STEM education.

Azzia is ready to pour God’s love into the kids at camp this year and see exactly what He is going to do in their hearts!