JH Ranch
JH Ranch International is a non-profit organization that operates the JH Ranch outdoor leadership camp between the Salmon Mountains and Scott Valley in Northern California. Its offices are located at 402 Office Park Drive in Mountain Brook's Office Park.
The ranch property, originally the Johnston Hospitality Ranch, was purchased by Gene Johnston in 1979, in fulfillment of a promise to God to invest his holdings, "in a manner that will have eternal value". In 1980 Gene's oldest son, Bruce created a Bible-based high school leadership program called "Second Wind."
Programs have since expanded to accommodate families and couples, and the ranch property has expanded to over 1,000 acres. In 1996 JH Ranch organized the first Outback America event in Dallas, Texas. With help from Tuscaloosa businessman Bill Trick, similar events have been held at different locations across the country. A worldwide program, Outback International was launched in Nairobi, Kenya in 2009.
In 1997 Johnston and his wife, Heather, formed a friendship with Ron Nachman, founder and mayor of the Israeli West Bank settlement of Ariel. They initiated an exchange program and founded JH Israel, which supported the city's establishment of an "Ariel National Leadership Center" to provide leadership training to Israeli youth.
JH Israel and the US-Israel Education Association, also headed by Heather Johnston, receive financial support from the JH Israel and US-Israel Education Association Foundation.
References
- Grace, Rebecca (January 2008) "Get Away. Get Real" American Family Association Journal
- "JH Israel Event shows Southern Christian support for Jewish state" (October 30, 2013) Southern Jewish Life
- Markham, Madoline (May 27, 2014) "Into the woods at JH Ranch." Village Living
- "Israeli media mischaracterize Birmingham-based JH Israel, Ariel center" (August 24, 2018) Southern Jewish Life