Rebecca Gafford and her husband, Ron, have Presbyterian roots that run deep with Mo history from years of visiting the ranch. Rebecca has been visiting the ranch since the mid-1950s when she was a little girl, and still finds herself being called back to visit, year after year.
“Through my eyes as a child, I was in awe by the whole place, and now, as an adult, I still am,” said Rebecca.
Rebecca’s parents first met at a 1935 Synod youth conference at Westminster Encampment in Kerrville—the precursor Presbyterian conference center to Mo-Ranch—and their adventures began at Mo soon after its opening.
The Gaffords have had the pleasure of watching their two children grow up along the pristine waters of the Guadalupe River, just as Rebecca’s parents did with her.
“Seeing our two children discover Mo-Ranch as their own special place, too, is a memory that I will continue to cherish. They attended youth conferences throughout junior high and high school, and then returned in leadership roles when they were in college and beyond. We were so privileged to witness that from the ‘sidelines,’ and we hope our four grandsons will find Mo-Ranch to be a special place for themselves,” said Rebecca.
In addition to the memories of watching her children grow, Rebecca enjoys reminiscing about the times she spent at the Mo-Ranch Women’s Conferences and heartwarming memories with her family that include the dedication of the cross in celebration of her parents’ 66th wedding anniversary that now sits in Mo-Ranch’s prayer tank.
Ron first encountered Mo through his visits to the ranch with their children, but it was the Mo-Ranch Men’s Conference that really made the ranch his special place.
“The ranch is such a welcoming place! I look forward to attending the men’s conference each year. The atmosphere is perfectly conducive for multigenerational worship and play—it’s like no other. It’s also been a great time for fellowship with the other men who attend the conference from Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church,” said Ron.
Rebecca joined Mo-Ranch’s board of trustees in 2000 and has served as the vice-chair and chair of Mo-Ranch’s board. She also is a former chair of the program committee, and has served on various other committees of the board.
“I volunteer my time to serve on the board because it’s a way for me to do my small part in helping make sure this special place—that has meant so much to me, my family, members of our congregation and so many thousands of others in the past—will sustainably continue its mission for many generations to come. The ministry of Mo-Ranch is so unique—the breadth, depth and quality of the programming planned and provided by the entire staff and the multitude of volunteers—that’s the heart of Mo-Ranch. Just look at the calendar of programming for any given year—it’s amazing what goes on here! The possibilities of the outreach of the ministry of Mo-Ranch are endless! I cannot think of a more exciting and life-changing ministry to support. Mo-Ranch needs everyone’s support—financially now and in their estate plans for the future—to be able to continue its ministry now and for future generations. No gift of time or resources is too small to make an impact,” said Rebecca.