At nine years of age, a little girl’s life was shattered when her father murdered her mother moments before he ended his own life.
On the day of her parent’s funeral, Kim experienced healing that only Jesus Christ can give. She also encountered unique emotional comfort through a horse. This combination became the restorative refuge and foundation for all that was to follow. Through the love of Jesus and a little mare, Kim's life was saved. Fully redeemed by the hope of Christ, she rose through the ashes of pain to become a powerful and encouraging influence within the lives of hurting youth.
Inspired by Jesus’ love, in 1995, Kim and her husband Troy transformed their 9-acre cinder quarry into a ranch for kids and Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was born. This unique non-profit organization rescues abused and neglected horses and with the kids help, nurtures them back to health. These same horses are then integrated into the ranch's riding program for children. With the understanding that all kids are at risk in today’s cultural climate, the ranch remains focused on individual instruction for each participant with one leader, one horse and one child...always free of charge.
Having assisted in the rescue of more than 300 horses, CPYR currently supports an equine family of 30 to 35 horses and welcomes four to five thousand visitors every year. The ranch has also assisted into existence over 200 Similar Ministries across the United States, Canada and more than a dozen in foreign nations. These Similar Ministries are also committed to serving families in need toward the love of Christ.
Kim has written and released six books (Hope Rising, Bridge called Hope, Blind Hope, Fierce Beauty, Encountering our Wild God and Revival Rising). Her books have been translated into five different languages and her radio interviews with Focus on the Family and Family Talk remain as some of the most requested shows in their broadcast history.
Also, an accomplished and enthusiastic speaker, Kim has addressed audiences from home groups to mega churches, high schools to universities, women’s conferences to missionary conventions. She has shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with villages in the poorest nations of Eastern Europe to the marbled halls of the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C.
Kim is humbled to have received multiple awards acknowledging her commitment to serve others. These include the Red Cross Hero's Award, the Regional Jefferson Award, the National Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award and Woman of the Year for community service.
In addition to her responsibilities as the Co-founder and Chief Communications Officer at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, speaking and authoring, Kim is a deep wilderness adventurer. She and her childhood sweetheart, Troy, have been married since 1981 and enjoy living in Bend Oregon.
