Pinehaven Christian Ranch — Organization Profile
Pinehaven Christian Ranch is a Christ-centered ranch ministry that provides experience-led discipleship for young adults through faith formation, meaningful work, practical skills, and community life. Founded in 1976, Pinehaven has long used its ranch setting to help young people grow in faith, character, responsibility, and purpose.
The ranch is located in St. Ignatius, Montana, in the Mission Valley at the base of the Mission Mountains, about 40 miles north of Missoula. Its current programs serve young adults ages 18–24, while the ministry’s history includes residential work with young people from across the United States and other countries. Pinehaven is an adjunct ministry of The First Christian Church of St. Ignatius, a nondenominational Church of Christ.
Pinehaven’s current ministry centers on its Gap Programs. These programs combine discipleship, hands-on learning, ranch work, and community living. The Explorer Program is an 8-week introduction designed for students who want to grow in their relationship with Christ, develop confidence, gain practical skills, and discern next steps. The Apprentice Program offers extended discipleship, deeper training, increased responsibility, and more individualized growth.
The ranch setting is central to Pinehaven’s approach. Students participate in daily work and skill-building through ranch projects, trade experiences, teamwork, and community responsibilities. Pinehaven’s facilities include residential homes and apartment housing, a chapel and school building, kitchen and dining hall, gymnasium, recreation center, swimming pool, horse barn, livestock facilities, woodshop, sawmill, auto shop, welding shop, and blacksmith/leather shop. The ranch also includes cattle, horses, chickens, and ducks.
Pinehaven describes its goal as helping young men and women build a long-term foundation of faith, discover their God-given worth, and gain the skills needed to become responsible, hardworking people of integrity. Its model emphasizes faith lived through real work, relational discipleship, and a structured Christian community rather than classroom instruction alone.
People can engage with Pinehaven Christian Ranch by applying for the Gap Program, visiting the ranch, joining a work group or mission trip, praying, giving, helping with material needs, or serving alongside staff and students. Work groups may help with firewood, haying, gardening, building projects, repairs, equipment restoration, trail maintenance, and other seasonal ranch needs. Its distinct contribution is a working-ranch discipleship environment where young adults can grow in faith, confidence, work ethic, and life direction.
Key Links
- Website: https://pinehaven.net/
- About Us: https://pinehaven.net/about-us/
- History: https://pinehaven.net/history/
- Beliefs: https://pinehaven.net/beliefs/
- Gap Programs: https://pinehaven.net/gap-programs/
- Explorer Program: https://pinehaven.net/explorer-program/
- Visit / Serve: https://pinehaven.net/visit-serve/
- Partner: https://pinehaven.net/partner/
- Contact: https://pinehaven.net/contact-us/
- Pinehaven Gap: https://www.pinehavengap.org/
Contact Information
- Email: pi*************@***il.com
- Email: pi**********@***il.com
- Phone: 406-745-4545
- Mailing address: Pinehaven Christian Ranch, PO Box 940, Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinehaven.net/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pinehavenchristianranch
Leadership
- Aaron Hymer — Gap Director
- Emily Hymer — Gap Director
