A Family’s Dream Becomes A Reality

Updated: October 6, 2023

By Mike Villarreal

It all began with a dream and 40 years later Big Red Ministries was born. It was a family dream to establish a ranch, farm and camp for families and kids in the Rio Grande Valley. Executive directors Jonathan and Celeste “Ranch Mama” Bernard were influenced by Jonathan’s parents Jimmy and Kay Bernard who were born in the RGV and as kids attended camps at MO Ranch. At one of these camps their grandmother Cecilia was encouraged by one of the speakers at camp that her family did not have to be like the family she grew up in, a troubled family life, and with God’s help her family could be different. This one moment has impacted her family in a positive way until today.

The Bernard’s had a vision to establish a ministry that God could use to turn the hearts of parents back to their kids and the hearts of kids back to their parents. They also wanted to be an expression of God’s Father Heart for Fatherless kids. For the first few years they struggled to establish something from scratch but with faith from God and encouragement and advice from other’s they eventually got a chance to host their first official event in January of 2014. It was on a 300-acre campground that they now manage called Brand Christian Youth Camp. And in September 2015 they moved onto what they now call Big Red’s Ranch which is a 60-acre ranch in San Benito, Texas.

Through these camps they fight for the fatherless by supporting single mothers through scholarships for their camps and events. They also host events for boys to teach them how to drive a tractor, change a tire, catch a fish, shoot a bow and other activities they might have missed. They are always continually looking for more ways to strengthen families.

Big Red’s Ranch hosts an array of events and camps throughout the year ranging from day camps, family day events, Campouts, church picnics, father/son campouts, mother/daughter retreats to Christmas at the ranch, which is one event you don’t want to miss! This fall in October they are hosting Pumpkin Patch and Fall Family Days. There will be a pumpkin patch, horse and pony rides, canoeing, carnival swing, mazes and trails, a hayride around the ranch and a petting zoo with goats, pigs, chickens, donkeys, sheep bunnies, and more. There will be tons of activities for all ages.

The Fall event will take place October 7, 14, 21, 22, 28 & 29, but you must register online as tickets go fast. Just go to their website bigredministries.org and search for their events page. Your only extra costs other than the tickets will be for food vendors, artisan vendors and pony rides. Unfortunately, there are no pets allowed even though they love pets, it’s for the safety of both your animals and theirs. So, if you’ve never been to Big Red’s Ranch get ready for some fun and excitement and some great photo opportunities. The ranch is located at Citrus Ranch Blvd in San Benito, Tx. You can reach them on their website bigredministries.org or Facebook page BigRedsRanch.