Howdy, Ya’ll! My name is, Shane Knapp, and I have been serving on staff at Salem4Youth Ranch, in Flanagan, Illinois, since 2015.  I worked in the welding and fabrication industry for 25 years prior to feeling called to the Mission Field.  Initially at Salem, I started as a volunteer, then became a Welding Instructor and later assumed the role of Equine Director/Instructor.  Additionally, my wife, Tonya, served as Staff Nurse at The Ranch from, 2017-2019.  Together, we have three girls—who are growing up oh so fast!  Enough about our family and back (where there is a bit more testosterone to be had 🙂) to where God has called me to serve during the week.  Salem4Youth, formerly known as Salem Children’s Home (started in 1896 as an orphanage), has been redeveloped over the years and is currently a residential, faith-based, non-profit organization serving young men (and their families) from all walks of life.  Salem’s mission is to engage young men aged 13-16 and their families with the transforming hope of the Gospel in an effort to Encourage and Equip them for Biblical Reconciliation.  Our vision is to transform lives through: Intercessory Prayer, Relational Evangelism and Biblical Counseling—believing in the Sufficiency of Scripture.   Our program provides educational, sports, and hands-on vocational instruction through real life experiences with horses, welding, photography and woodworking—engaging all faucets of the brain.   We believe by serving families through this ministry we put the love of Christ into action.  Thanks for even considering to partner with us (both in prayer and/or financially) so that we can continue to share The Gospel at The Ranch—for as long as He sees fit.