Staff at Wears Valley Ranch are often asked, “Do any students return to serve here?” The answer is “Yes!” There have been several, and recently we were delighted to welcome home Jordan Branch. Jordan was born in Atlanta, the middle of five children. He came from a family of believers and is thankful that God saved him as a child. Despite his upbringing, Jordan still had his share of struggles.
As a child he fell behind academically, in part due to his insecurities and fear of man. “As a late teenager, my family experienced a pivotal time of need. I continued to struggle academically, as well as emotionally and spiritually. In what should have been the final semester of my senior year, I was 19 years old with insufficient credits to graduate High School and no plan for the future. I was ashamed of my poor academics and burdened with doubts about my ability and value to God,” shares Jordan.
In the summer of 1999, Pastor Jim Wood, Founder of Wears Valley Ranch invited 19-year-old Jordan to become a student at the Ranch as an exception to the age of most children. “Although I only spent one year here as a student, I experienced healing, equipping, and inspiration. Wears Valley Ranch certainly inspired me to succeed, but more importantly it helped me see how deeply loved I am by God. Understanding how God has adopted me as his son has changed everything for me! I am His!”
After receiving his high school diploma from St. Andrew’s School, he attended Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, he met his wife Jessica. Their love for Jesus and desire to serve him took them to Raleigh, NC. Jordan attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In Raleigh, he served as Minister to Children and their Families at Open Door Baptist Church. They also expanded their family as they welcomed three children: Nathan, Lillian, and Bryce.
In 2014, the couple responded to a desire that God put in their hearts to plant a church in Denver, CO. They moved their family there and covenanted a new church in 2016. During this time, Jordan was working toward a Doctor of Ministry degree in Biblical Counseling, which he received from Southeastern Theological Seminary in 2017.
Clayton Wood, Ranch Executive Director reached out to Jordan in December, 2021 to serve as Homelife Director at Wears Valley Ranch. “After much prayer, it was clear God was calling me and my family back to Wears Valley to serve in the same healing, equipping and inspiring ministry that changed my life 22 years ago. I love the Ranch, but most importantly I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and want to serve Him. Please pray for me and my family!”
