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
I've been with the boys ranch over 8 years now (starting here in 2014). It feels like home and continues to be a rewarding experience. After the many years of mortgage banking, this ministry continues to be a blessing for me. I bring 30 plus years of office and auditing experience with me. I enjoy working in the office and supporting the Board of Directors, the President, and the other staff members. I also enjoy working with the State on our licensing requirements and with the CPA on finances during our growth.
As a part of this ministry, I get to see God working every day as He helps us be patient as we grow, surprises us when we are in need and unites us as we work together towards His goal.
Secretary - Treasurer
I've been with the boys ranch over 8 years now (starting here in 2014). It feels like home and continues to be a rewarding experience. After the many years of mortgage banking, this ministry continues to be a blessing for me. I bring 30 plus years of office and auditing experience with me. I enjoy working in the office and supporting the Board of Directors, the President, and the other staff members. I also enjoy working with the State on our licensing requirements and with the CPA on finances during our growth.
As a part of this ministry, I get to see God working every day as He helps us be patient as we grow, surprises us when we are in need and unites us as we work together towards His goal.
Dennis Blake
President Emeritus
*DENNIS is the FOUNDER of this organization*
It truly is amazing how fast time flies. Nancy and I are on our 12th year here in Hazelton, Ks. Romans 12:1 teaches us this: Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship.
Many people have given to and helped FGBR as sacrificial acts of worship. Every day I am humbled as I witness the growth in our boys as the result of others' sacrifices.
Our goal, here, is 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. The verse I hold on to in revealing God's calling to me comes from Psalms 71:18-20 Now as I grow old and my hair turns gray, I ask that You not abandon me, O God. Allow me to share with the generation to come about Your power; let me speak about Your strength and wonders to all those yet to be born. God, your justice stretches to the heavens, You who have done mighty things! Who is like You, O God?
May God bless you as He continues to pour out His blessings upon each and every one of the boys and the staff.
President Emeritus
*DENNIS is the FOUNDER of this organization*
It truly is amazing how fast time flies. Nancy and I are on our 12th year here in Hazelton, Ks. Romans 12:1 teaches us this: Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship.
Many people have given to and helped FGBR as sacrificial acts of worship. Every day I am humbled as I witness the growth in our boys as the result of others' sacrifices.
Our goal, here, is 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. The verse I hold on to in revealing God's calling to me comes from Psalms 71:18-20 Now as I grow old and my hair turns gray, I ask that You not abandon me, O God. Allow me to share with the generation to come about Your power; let me speak about Your strength and wonders to all those yet to be born. God, your justice stretches to the heavens, You who have done mighty things! Who is like You, O God?
May God bless you as He continues to pour out His blessings upon each and every one of the boys and the staff.
Kody Haas
Farm and Ranch Foreman- Assistant House Parent
Since January 2020 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 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 and agriculture to bring a new level of connection with our boys.
Farm and Ranch Foreman- Assistant House Parent
Since January 2020 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 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 and agriculture to bring a new level of connection with our boys.
Konnie
Office Assistant, Plus
Really. I always knew that I loved kids, but, I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO REALLY love being a part of helping these boys. I help all over the place. I help Mary with all kinds of office 'stuff'...I do the newsletter and praise/prayer emails... I take boys to dental appointments... I make lunch...I walk show heifers with the boys... I nag the boys to clean horse tanks... I just do whatever anyone needs me to do, and you know what? That is a really good fit for me. Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me."
Office Assistant, Plus
Really. I always knew that I loved kids, but, I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO REALLY love being a part of helping these boys. I help all over the place. I help Mary with all kinds of office 'stuff'...I do the newsletter and praise/prayer emails... I take boys to dental appointments... I make lunch...I walk show heifers with the boys... I nag the boys to clean horse tanks... I just do whatever anyone needs me to do, and you know what? That is a really good fit for me. Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me."
Caleb Cox
Para
Since I started working at the Freedom gates Boys Ranch in July 2022, I have learned a lot and have grown quite a bit in the short time here. I came to FGBR because I saw how evil the world was becoming. I knew that I wanted to help make a difference in the world. I felt like God was calling me to teach others about Him. Spreading His word, giving generously with my time, helping feed the hungry, and helping people in need all tugged at my heart deeply. It has been a blessing to be able to work with a wonderful group of people. I'm so glad to be a part of these boys' lives. My prayers are that with God's direction I can teach them and make a difference in their lives and set a good example. I get to bond with each of the boys on so many different levels. I have learned that hunting, fishing, playing airsoft, playing board games, and riding horses are things the boys and I have in common. I'm like an older brother to them all. At the ranch, my job consists of the boys' P. E. class, helping around the ranch such as trash pick up, light maintenance, helping with projects and doing any other tasks that may need attended to. I enjoy working with Kody in his Ag program. The Christian atmosphere at the ranch is positive and life changing.
Para
Since I started working at the Freedom gates Boys Ranch in July 2022, I have learned a lot and have grown quite a bit in the short time here. I came to FGBR because I saw how evil the world was becoming. I knew that I wanted to help make a difference in the world. I felt like God was calling me to teach others about Him. Spreading His word, giving generously with my time, helping feed the hungry, and helping people in need all tugged at my heart deeply. It has been a blessing to be able to work with a wonderful group of people. I'm so glad to be a part of these boys' lives. My prayers are that with God's direction I can teach them and make a difference in their lives and set a good example. I get to bond with each of the boys on so many different levels. I have learned that hunting, fishing, playing airsoft, playing board games, and riding horses are things the boys and I have in common. I'm like an older brother to them all. At the ranch, my job consists of the boys' P. E. class, helping around the ranch such as trash pick up, light maintenance, helping with projects and doing any other tasks that may need attended to. I enjoy working with Kody in his Ag program. The Christian atmosphere at the ranch is positive and life changing.
Vickie Farris
Counselor
Hello. I would like to introduce myself. I am Vickie Farris, and I am the in-house therapist for Freedom Gates Boys Ranch. I am a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas. I am, also, a licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor in Oklahoma. I retired from Mental Health work in October of 2019. I found myself looking for something to do with my time, so when Michael came and spoke at our church, I was moved to inquire about FGBR's need for a counselor. The rest is history. I began working with FGBR in April of 2022.
I provide individual and group counseling two or three days a week. I, also, help to coordinate and provide staff training. I am completely bowled over with the amount of love and devotion that is given to these boys. After working for governmental agencies, it is such a breath of fresh air to work where the client's needs are being met in a Godly manner every day. I, thoroughly, enjoy being able to add spiritual aspects to my counseling; this is a freedom I have not had in the past. I still use the traditional counseling methods, but, for the first time, I can freely speak of God, and the power of HIS divine healing over our minds and souls.
Freedom Gates Boys Ranch is truly a place where the boys have the freedom to heal, grow and prosper.
Counselor
Hello. I would like to introduce myself. I am Vickie Farris, and I am the in-house therapist for Freedom Gates Boys Ranch. I am a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas. I am, also, a licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor in Oklahoma. I retired from Mental Health work in October of 2019. I found myself looking for something to do with my time, so when Michael came and spoke at our church, I was moved to inquire about FGBR's need for a counselor. The rest is history. I began working with FGBR in April of 2022.
I provide individual and group counseling two or three days a week. I, also, help to coordinate and provide staff training. I am completely bowled over with the amount of love and devotion that is given to these boys. After working for governmental agencies, it is such a breath of fresh air to work where the client's needs are being met in a Godly manner every day. I, thoroughly, enjoy being able to add spiritual aspects to my counseling; this is a freedom I have not had in the past. I still use the traditional counseling methods, but, for the first time, I can freely speak of God, and the power of HIS divine healing over our minds and souls.
Freedom Gates Boys Ranch is truly a place where the boys have the freedom to heal, grow and prosper.