Our Team
Michael Simpson
President - Outreach Director - House Parent
When I was 19, I met a man named Dennis Blake. He told me of a dream he had to start a boys ranch for young men with no hope to experience safety, love, and a relationship with Christ. I was convinced that, in some way, I was called to be a part of this ministry. I began mentoring and working with his foster sons and was so moved by watching these young be transformed by the unconditional love that they were shown. I never would have believed that 9 years later I would have the privilege to serve as the full time president and houseparent of this ministry. Many things have changed. We now are an established organization with an amazing program. We now work with young men and their families long term. We have a beautiful campus that is expanding constantly. What hasn't changed is the passion we have for young men to show them that life can be amazing, they can heal from the hurts that they have experienced, and they have a God in heaven that loves them more than can be expressed. Since November 2019 My wife, myself, and my 2 sons have been serving as surrogate family for FGBR, and since March of 2020 I have served as full time president. This change in my life has been a great challenge but with great blessings. With the continued favor of God we will grow FGBR and continue to help young men heal and grow into men of uncompromising charter.
President - Outreach Director - House Parent
When I was 19, I met a man named Dennis Blake. He told me of a dream he had to start a boys ranch for young men with no hope to experience safety, love, and a relationship with Christ. I was convinced that, in some way, I was called to be a part of this ministry. I began mentoring and working with his foster sons and was so moved by watching these young be transformed by the unconditional love that they were shown. I never would have believed that 9 years later I would have the privilege to serve as the full time president and houseparent of this ministry. Many things have changed. We now are an established organization with an amazing program. We now work with young men and their families long term. We have a beautiful campus that is expanding constantly. What hasn't changed is the passion we have for young men to show them that life can be amazing, they can heal from the hurts that they have experienced, and they have a God in heaven that loves them more than can be expressed. Since November 2019 My wife, myself, and my 2 sons have been serving as surrogate family for FGBR, and since March of 2020 I have served as full time president. This change in my life has been a great challenge but with great blessings. With the continued favor of God we will grow FGBR and continue to help young men heal and grow into men of uncompromising charter.
Mary G Freitag
Secretary & Treasurer
There was a point when I first moved to Kansas a few years ago where I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with the rest of my life! I had retired from the mortgage business, moved from a Denver suburb to Harper, Kansas, and started working part-time doing clerical jobs. My Uncle Trulin approached me one day with a request to help him and a few others get a boys ranch properly licensed. My first thought was, “How can I refuse to help with such a good cause?” With my background of working with regulations, I knew I could help them get licensed, and so I took on the project.
I had no idea at the time what God had planned for me. As I continued to work and help the boys ranch, I found more work to be done. Then, I met and watched the first boys join the program. You can hear people talk about kids with troubled homes or backgrounds, but until you actually meet a few--listen to them and talk with them--it really doesn’t register how incredibly hard life has been for them. That’s when I knew that God wanted me here. Going from auditing mortgage loans for fraud to being an office administrator for a boys ranch was unexpected but so rewarding. I thank God for placing me here so I can continue to help as He, in His timing, continues to make room for more boys to learn about Christ.
Secretary & Treasurer
There was a point when I first moved to Kansas a few years ago where I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with the rest of my life! I had retired from the mortgage business, moved from a Denver suburb to Harper, Kansas, and started working part-time doing clerical jobs. My Uncle Trulin approached me one day with a request to help him and a few others get a boys ranch properly licensed. My first thought was, “How can I refuse to help with such a good cause?” With my background of working with regulations, I knew I could help them get licensed, and so I took on the project.
I had no idea at the time what God had planned for me. As I continued to work and help the boys ranch, I found more work to be done. Then, I met and watched the first boys join the program. You can hear people talk about kids with troubled homes or backgrounds, but until you actually meet a few--listen to them and talk with them--it really doesn’t register how incredibly hard life has been for them. That’s when I knew that God wanted me here. Going from auditing mortgage loans for fraud to being an office administrator for a boys ranch was unexpected but so rewarding. I thank God for placing me here so I can continue to help as He, in His timing, continues to make room for more boys to learn about Christ.
Dennis Blake
President Emeritus
Dennis is the Founder of this organization and has prior experience as an Elementary School Administrator, Teacher, Coach
and a Foster Parent for 20 boys. The experience that Dennis brings with him from "school" days and as a Foster Parent will assist in dealing with the boys on a one-to-one basis and helping to resolve issues. My wife Nancy and I have enjoyed sharing our lives with over twenty boys. Our goal has been to share the love of Christ in a family setting. We strive to treat each boy as if he was our very own. Our key focus is to introduce them to Christ using biblical principles. I have no doubt that God has tremendously blessed us though the past years. I acknowledge two main reasons how God has blessed us. First, is the grace He shows us by continually giving us love and patience. Secondly, is by the many individuals like you, praying for the boys and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The verse I hold on to in revealing His calling to me comes from Psalms 71:18:
“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, Oh God, until I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all to come.”
President Emeritus
Dennis is the Founder of this organization and has prior experience as an Elementary School Administrator, Teacher, Coach
and a Foster Parent for 20 boys. The experience that Dennis brings with him from "school" days and as a Foster Parent will assist in dealing with the boys on a one-to-one basis and helping to resolve issues. My wife Nancy and I have enjoyed sharing our lives with over twenty boys. Our goal has been to share the love of Christ in a family setting. We strive to treat each boy as if he was our very own. Our key focus is to introduce them to Christ using biblical principles. I have no doubt that God has tremendously blessed us though the past years. I acknowledge two main reasons how God has blessed us. First, is the grace He shows us by continually giving us love and patience. Secondly, is by the many individuals like you, praying for the boys and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The verse I hold on to in revealing His calling to me comes from Psalms 71:18:
“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, Oh God, until I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all to come.”
Kody Haas
Farm and Ranch Foreman- Assistant House Parent
As the newest member of FGBR, starting back in January my time here has been a time of growth for myself and the joy it brings me as I get to watch the boys grow as well. Being an assistant house parent has brought along some new challenges but has opened my eyes to the importance for early childhood care and understanding. Having the privilege to work along side Michael and his family has been such a blessing. When I'm not cooking dinner, helping run online classes or throwing Frisbee with the boys. I enjoy getting to see the connection between horse and boy and watching their relationship grow. I look forward to building our Farm & Ranch program and am excited to see our program take off. With plans of expanding our Equine program to include Equine Assisted Therapy, I will get to use my background in working with therapeutic riding centers to bring a new level of connection with our boys.
Farm and Ranch Foreman- Assistant House Parent
As the newest member of FGBR, starting back in January my time here has been a time of growth for myself and the joy it brings me as I get to watch the boys grow as well. Being an assistant house parent has brought along some new challenges but has opened my eyes to the importance for early childhood care and understanding. Having the privilege to work along side Michael and his family has been such a blessing. When I'm not cooking dinner, helping run online classes or throwing Frisbee with the boys. I enjoy getting to see the connection between horse and boy and watching their relationship grow. I look forward to building our Farm & Ranch program and am excited to see our program take off. With plans of expanding our Equine program to include Equine Assisted Therapy, I will get to use my background in working with therapeutic riding centers to bring a new level of connection with our boys.