Keynote Speaker: The Rev. Tom Are, Jr.

Tom graduated from Presbyterian College in South Carolina; Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia; and Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. He has served the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina; the Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida; and for the past nineteen years, the Village Presbyterian Church in Kansas City. As of October 2023, Tom is serving as Interim Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago.

Tom is married to Carol Are, who is a registered nurse, having spent her career in oncology and hospice nursing. They have two children, the Reverend Sarah Are Speed and Nathan Are.

Tom loves baseball, woodworking, and canoe-camping in Quetico, Canada. He loves a good story, a good laugh, and a bit of time to read every day.

Worship Leader: The Rev. Mark Brainerd

Mark Brainerd serves as Senior Associate Pastor at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Throughout his 20 years of ministry, he has focused on pastoral care, counseling, and church administration. Mark holds MDiv and ThM degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and a BA in Journalism/Public Relations from the University of Houston. He is a candidate for the DMin at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Prior to ministry, Mark worked in law firm administration at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Houston. Mark has been married to Michele for 27 years. Their son, Clay, is a senior at Texas Tech University.

 

 

 

Music Leader: To Be Announced!

 

Chaplain: Rev. Shane Webb

 Shane is a kilt-wearing, beer-loving, pastor at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church. He is a Houston native   (go Astros!) and previously served a church in East Texas (Mount Pleasant) before coming to Irving.     Shane and his wife, Sarah, served in Lima, Peru as missionaries with the Young Adult Volunteer   program. Shane is also a Spanish-speaking, salsa-dancing, soccer-playing, empanada-eating enthusiast   of Latin American culture. He is the proud father of a son, a daughter, a cat, a dog, and usually an exchange student.

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study Leader: Rev. Dr. Bob Crilley

The Reverend Dr. Bob Crilley is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine, Texas, where he has served since May of 1993.  He and his wife, Judy, who is a chaplain at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, have three adult daughters, who live around the world—literally—one in Chicago, one in Copenhagen, and one in Seoul.  Bob enjoys listening to the Beatles, reading John Updike, and watching Laurel and Hardy movies.  He is a graduate of University of Michigan, Princeton Theological Seminary, McCormick Theological Seminary, and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Austin College.

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Men’s Council:

President: Russell Richard

Russ lives in Dallas and is a member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. Russ has been married to Julie for 26 years and they have 2 daughters and 1 son – all freshmen in college. So, they are learning the life of empty nesters. As a Pension Benefits System Analyst for Milliman (putting to good use his Math degree from Austin College), Russ enjoys music of all kinds – from Shostakovich to The Strokes, Mahler to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and much in between. He treasures his years at Mo-Ranch and looks forward to many more.

 

 

 

 

Vice President: John Kusewitt

Currently President of 360 Consulting Services. Retired after 35+ years of law enforcement with experience in patrol, traffic, communications, emergency management, and special operations. Married to Paula, a retired elementary teacher, for 22 years. Live in Garland and members at FPC Mesquite. Serves in many capacities including Ruling Elder, and Safety Team Member. Currently serving on Mo-Ranch Men’s Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary: Steve Flynn

Steve Flynn, AKA Flynn-Man, is in his 5th year of “an epic failed retirement!”  After 33 years with General Motors, Steve decided to turn the page to the next chapter in his life – and that is when the fun really began.  These days Steve finds himself busier than ever with church activities (Session Elder/Finance Ministry), finishing his Master’s Degree at Southern Methodist University in Dispute Resolution, and getting elected to Town Council.  In his spare time, he began his mediation practice called Flynn-Man Dispute Resolution Services, LLC, and has completed over 250 mediations.  Steve and his wife Teryl enjoy golf and travel and look forward to “seeing the world” – time permitting of course!  He loves Mo-Ranch and serving on the Men’s Council as Secretary and continuing his faith journey.

 

 

 

Treasurer: Bill Harrison

Bill is a widowed, 81-year-old 3-time cancer survivor with atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and an implanted pacemaker, who still enjoys an exciting and rewarding life of challenge, adventure, and accomplishment because of what he has learned about who he is and why he is here; i.e., what his purpose in life is. His current purpose is to empower others to enjoy this kind of life by helping them learn more about who they truly are and what their purpose is in life and encouraging them to pursue that purpose until it is accomplished.  He looks forward every year to attending the Mo Ranch Men’s Conference for the fellowship and the learning and worshipping opportunities amidst the beauty of God’s creation.

 

 

 

Council Members for 2024 include: Clarence Greer, Martin Osae, Andy Phillips Jr., Richard Griffin, Jimm Cooper, Raymond Clark, Ken Rigoulot, Randy Whipple, Dave Edling, Rev. Chris Harrison, Frank LeCocq, Fred Medina, Allen DeSalme, Z. Zsohar, and Marshall Nelson.

This year’s schedule is subject to change.

MC24 Schedule

 

Cost & Housing

Hotel/Premium: $425/person
Wynne-Flato, Pheasant Run, Nicklos Place, Nicklos Barn, Westminster, Gate House, Chicken Roost, Triplex Apartment

Group: $375/person
Guest Lodge, Milk Barn, Riverdorm Apartment

Dorm: $355/person
Log Lodge, Loma Linda, Riverdorm

Cabins: $300/person

Commuter: $250/person (includes dinners and lunch)

Rates include tuition, meals and housing. After receiving your registration, a member of our team will contact you within seven business days to confirm additional details such as housing requests (roommates), dietary needs, t-shirt sizes, etc. 

Discounts

Participant under 40: $295.00/person Residence outside of Texas: $295.00/person NO child under the age of 13 may register, and ages 13-17 require an accompanying adult registration. All registration costs include a free conference T-shirt. An additional conference polo can be purchased for just $30 more during online registration. When registering online please note only limited housing is available for online registration. If you have questions, please give us a call. Registration form and payment may be mailed or faxed to the program office. Make checks payable to Mo-Ranch. Mo-Ranch Program Office Attn: Registrar 2229 FM 1340 Hunt, TX 78028 Fax: 830.238.4014

Scholarships are available! Click here to learn more.

For help or questions about registration, contact the registrar at registrar@moranch.org or call 800-460-4401 x 246.

Health Release Form

All participants are required to submit a Health & Release form upon arrival. Please bring a completed copy per participant on arrival; do not email it in advance.

Cancellation

Full refund minus administrative fee up to $75 per person will be made if cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to the conference. There are generally no refunds for cancellations received on or after 30 days prior to the start of the event nor any applying of the amount paid toward other charges or future conferences.

Arrival and Departure

Conference registration begins at 3 p.m. Friday.
The opening plenary will be at 7:00 p.m. Conference ends at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

What to Bring

Bring a Bible, notebook, flashlight and rain gear. Linens are provided. Bring shoes suitable for Mo-Ranch’s rocky, uneven terrain.

Transportation

Mo-Ranch is 90 miles one-way, or a 2-hour drive from the nearest airport (SAT), allow 3 hours travel/check-in time for departures. We recommend generally scheduling arriving flights before 3 p.m. and departing flights after 3 p.m. to be sure you do not miss any of your event.

If you are in need of shuttle service to Mo-Ranch, call Kars for Hire in Kerrville at (830) 890-8200 at least 15 days in advance to arrange transportation from San Antonio International Airport.

Click here for directions to Mo.

Ropes Course

This conference will include a selection of our ropes course elements. To read a description of each element, click here.

Bookstore

Make sure to stop by the Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly bookstore during your conference to pick out a souvenir, including a Men’s Conference t-shirt and hat!

Questions

We’re happy to help! Contact us at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 246 or registrar@moranch.org.

Extend your fellowship through golf!

Grab your fellow golfers and join us for the Inaugural Mo-Ranch Calvin Cup! Arrive early for the Men’s Conference and play a round of golf with your team at the renowned River Hills Country Club in Kerrville. The tournament will be played in scramble format with tee times beginning at 9:30 am.

To register your team, please contact Echo Truax Clark at 830-459-3010. 

 

 

 

 

 

Registration Options:

• Arriving before dinner on Thursday, your room, Thursday dinner, Friday breakfast and lunch, your round of golf and cart fees = $200 per person
• Just playing golf (with cart fees and lunch) = $85 per person

Would you rather skip the golf and arrive as an Early Bird at the ranch for a little relaxation? 

• Arriving before dinner on Thursday, your room, Thursday dinner, and Friday breakfast and lunch = $150