“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
– Hebrews 12:1-2
We help leaders to
live well, lead well, and finish well.
Our Story
In the early nineties, Dr. John Walker was clearly called by God to establish Blessing Ranch Ministries, a Christian leader resource and renewal center. Since 1996, Blessing Ranch has fulfilled its mission to restore and renew Christian leaders for effective Kingdom service through professional Intensive Counseling services. The goal has always been to help leaders live well, lead well, and finish well, and as a result, the ministry quickly became highly sought after. In 2011, Dr. Charity Byers, daughter of Dr. Walker, joined the team as a psychologist. Dr. Byers was named CEO in 2017 and actively leads the ministry since Dr. Walker’s retirement.
After using The Unhindered Model of transformation for over 25 years with thousands of Christian leaders, Dr. Walker and Dr. Byers shared their knowledge and expertise through their book, Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart. The release of the book in 2020 catalyzed a growing desire to multiply the reach of Blessing Ranch Ministries and bring transformation to Kingdom-minded churches and organizations in more accessible ways. Where the Intensive Counseling has always focused on renewal for leaders, The Unhindered Life (TUL) initiative was born to resource leaders and further fulfill Dr. Walker’s original call.
TUL’s resources and programs allow a broad reach of leaders to be equipped with additional tools to unhinder their hearts and Kingdom service. Through TUL, the transforming work that has always been at the heart of Blessing Ranch Ministries is now readily available for local churches and organizations to use on their own campuses for the development of on-site leaders. The heart work at the core of TUL programs promotes healing in leaders, teams, and cultures which results in healthy disciples and more effective Kingdom impact.
Our Values
- Courage: We value the courage it takes to authentically show up in your story
- Transformation: We value heart work that leads to emotional and spiritual health
- Partnership: We believe that partnering with God brings true healing
- Trust: We value being a trusted place to receive excellent care and lasting results
- Impact: We believe unhindering your heart multiplies your impact on others
Our Team
Dr. Walker is the Founder of Blessing Ranch Ministries. He is retired from providing Intensive Counseling services, yet he remains a valuable advisor to the Blessing Ranch Ministries team. He is recognized internationally as an expert in the emotional, spiritual, and professional development of Christian Leaders. Dr. Walker used his expertise as a licensed Psychologist and as an ordained Pastor to successfully serve over 4,000 Christian leaders since founding Blessing Ranch Ministries in 1996. His educational degrees include a B.A. in Christian Ministry from Lincoln Christian College, an M.A. in Psychology and Religion from Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University. He is co-author of the books Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart and Unhindered 30 Days: Discover Healing, Freedom, and Power Within. He lives with his wife, Deanna, in Clearwater, Florida.
Dr. Byers serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Psychologist. As a licensed Psychologist, she provides Counseling services to Pastors, Missionaries, and other Christian Leaders. She loves continuing the mission that began with her father, Dr. John Walker, to help Christian leaders live well, lead well, and finish well. Dr. Byers is invested in bringing the transformational work Blessing Ranch has done for over 25 years into greater reach for leadership teams and staff. Dr. Byers’ educational degrees include a B.A. in Clinical Counseling and School Psychology from Western State College of Colorado, an M.A. in General Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. She is co-author of the books Unhindered: Aligning the Story of Your Heart and Unhindered 30 Days: Discover Healing, Freedom, and Power Within. She lives with her husband, Todd, and son, Bennett, in Trinity, Florida.
Matthew Brown
Coordinator of Resource Programs
Hope Karabensh
Business & Growth Director
Kaitlyn Lehman
Office Administrator
Hannah Lockaby
Coordinator of Creative Engagement
Jo Ellen Platania
Ministry Director
Brian Stone married his high school sweetheart, Cathy, and together they have raised three children who are now adults making a difference in their parts of the world. For twenty-five years, Brian was in congregational ministry as a lead pastor. During that time, Brian received training as a ministry/leadership coach, a Faithwalking coach, and an Unhindered Coach. Brian has also been certified in the Gottman Method, level two. He is committed to helping others find what hinders them and guiding them on their journey to hope and healing. Passionate about personal transformation, Brian and Cathy have been coaching and working with ministry couples and have a passion for those who are on the frontlines of ministry.
Brian loves to read and learn. He also enjoys kicking back with a suspenseful novel or a movie where lots of things get blown up. Brian loves traveling and camping with Cathy. And, as a bit of a foodie, he loves cooking over an open fire.
Brandi Wilson is a Certified Personal and Executive Coach with the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute as well as a trained Coach for The Unhindered Life, an initiative of Blessing Ranch Ministries. Her passion is to help bring healing, freedom, and power to those she coaches. She is an author and speaker who has helped women and their families navigate the ups and downs of everyday life for over 20 years. Helping single moms learn how to show up fully for themselves so they can show up fully for their kids is something Brandi loves to do. She’s helped start two churches, the most recent being Cross Point Church, where she learned how important it is to know your truth and speak it as a leader. Her work now aims at helping women develop emotional and mental health so they live a life of freedom and confidence, something her own journey has taught her.
One day, a few years ago, Brandi woke up to a life she never saw coming. The life and family she’d spent 20 years building stopped on a dime. Her marriage was over. The church she spent years pouring into was no longer hers. Her community, friends, and professional life disappeared. Devastated but determined to create a life that finally felt like her own, Brandi faced her healing journey head-on. She discovered the truth of her experience and learned how to develop a redemptive perspective in her suffering. Brandi’s life isn’t perfect and her work isn’t done, but she has the skills she needs to stay grounded and calm no matter what comes her way.
If she isn't following one of her three boys to a sporting event, she’s doing yoga, hiking, or gardening. Brandi finds joy by spending time with her friends and enjoys crafting the simple life she loves. Her hope is to invite other women into their own truth so they too can live a life they love. Brandi is the co-author of Leading and Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership. Her work with Leading and Loving It (LALI) empowers women in ministry and leadership to develop healthy relationships with themselves so that they can build healthy communities. Brandi enjoys co-leading the LALI community of over 19,000 women toward greater mental empowerment and emotional health as leaders. She actively leads and connects with women through her workshops, speaking engagements, and connect groups.
