Breaking Ground

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on solid bedrock.”  (Matthew 7:24-25 NLT)

We opened our first two homes on April 13, 2009.  We welcomed five siblings: two brothers and three sisters.  Since that day, we have loved thirty-eight children and reunified twelve families.   Our mission is and always will be to provide a loving Christian home and family for hurting children. 

In the fall of 2014, we received a $400,000 donation from Cash Express.  The donation was given to help jumpstart a campaign to build, furnish, fill and support an additional two homes for boys and girls.  A few things had to be in place before starting this process.  We hired a Development Director and we contracted with Brandsmith Creative out of Nashville to help us create our Seed Sower Capital Campaign to raise the necessary funds to build and sustain the new homes for a minimum of 3 years after completion. 

On April 13, 2017, our 3 girls, Alaina, Grace and Jaida who are now 14, 12 and 10, received the honor of breaking ground for the two new homes.  We are very excited to eventually welcome 16 additional children, two new sets of house parents and one case worker to our MSR family.  Our new homes will be open by the Spring of 2018!  Children are healing, overcoming and finding themselves in Christ and through His love.  Thanks to our amazing community of friends for believing in us and supporting our ministry.  We have come a long way in a short period of time.  We give God all the glory for the success of Mustard Seed Ranch and know that He will continue providing so that we can continue providing a family for our children. 

Letter From the Director

Favor from the Lord can bring restoration of every thing that the Enemy has stolen or is trying to steal.  "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."  (John 10:10) NLT. God is always able to turn a bad situation into a good one if we allow it and we are faithful to His will.

Lee came to Mustard Seed Ranch when he was 11 years old.  For the first years of his life, he was hurt badly by the people who should be protecting him and loving him the most.  Most would wonder how in the world he could ever overcome, trust and even love...this all sounds insurmountable doesn't it?  Lee came to Mustard Seed Ranch very scared, he didn't want others to hug him or touch him for obvious reasons.  He couldn't read because no one took the time to teach him and he hardly spoke.  Lee soon found the love of Christ through his house parents Greg and Kim Julian, who gave him time, respect and grace to breathe and know that he was safe and that no one would ever hurt him again!  Many of us would have a deep bitterness for what Lee went through.  Lee's mother was a victim of domestic violence herself, she didn't think she was strong enough to take her children away from the abuse they were enduring.  Can you imagine how difficult it would be to forgive and then put tremendous effort into creating new relationships with your mother as an adult knowing all of that?  Lee was able to forgive her and sought to create a loving relationship with her.  Lee has found what true love is, he has found true forgiveness and he has found that through God's love you can overcome any obstacle.  Lee is not an angry young man being released in the world with all the baggage from his past that every person in his life from this point forward will have to "deal" with.  Lee is graduating high school, he is a conqueror and to be quite honest with you, an example for us all to live by.  

The favor of the Lord can also be placed on our lives because we have faith, we forgive and we love.  My prayer for each of you is that you are able to read Lee's story and let love absolutely consume your hearts.  Let Lee's story give you the strength you need to overcome whatever obstacle is in your path.  Let Lee's story inspire you to seek those who have wronged you or those you have wronged and make it right.  Thank you doesn't seem to be enough for so many of you who support MSR.  However, when you see Lee's pictures, that is the thank you that you deserve. You are helping us bring Christ to our children, what could be any better than that???

P.S.  I asked Lee for his permission to share his story. He said, “I would be honored if you shared my story, if it helps people Mrs. Tammy that’s all that is important.”

God bless you all,
Tammy Depperschmidt
Executive Director

Memorials & Honorariums - Spring 2017

Thank you to those who have made contributions to Mustard Seed Ranch in memory of or in honor of family members, friends and loved ones. 

In Honor of:

Gary Brewington
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church

Jo Britnell
Elizabeth Hendrix and Sybil Fagan

Daniel and Dusti Brooks and Family
Ellen McNeely

Cardiac Rehab Center Nurses and Staff
Ferrill Gunter

Chapman Family
Kim Powell

Clemmons Family
Kim Powell

Norma Cooper
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church

Lanny Dunn
Bob Gallaher

Billie J Gentry
Don and Nancy Gentry

Dan Haile
Tim Powell

Johnson Family
Kim Powell

Garry McNabb
Bob and Dawn Gallaher

Earl and JoAnna McNeely
Lou Ellen McNeely

Michael and Lynn Nichols
Ruth Ludwig

Ben Reel
One Hour Martinizing - Britt and Susannah Akers

Molly and Barry Reese
Leslie Reese

Mr. & Mrs. George Steele and Family
Trina Pennington

Greg and Anna Stephenson
Paul and Anita Stephenson

Peggy Stout
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church

Tammy, Teresa, and Timothy
Ferrill Gunter

Trudy Weber
Adelaide Stephens

Albert and Becky Willis
Charlotte Odom
Tiresa Parker
Jennifer Shelton
Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Stevenson

Wilson Family
Kim Powell

In Memory of:

H.O. Allison
Bill and Diane Bennett

Tom Arnold
Brenda Beasley

Janet Bacon Baggett
Susanne Bacon
Lee Baggett
John D Wall, Sr.

Morment Barnes
Kelly and Starr McVey

Budd Bishop
Garry and Teresa McNabb

Lorene McCormick Brewington
Bill and Diane Bennett
Garry and Teresa McNabb

Gene Brockman
Mike Reel

Lorena Cooper Brown
Marge E Bell

Michael Butler
Bill and Diane Bennett

A.C. Clark
Mike Reel

Jerry Clark
Don and Nancy Gentry

Marie Cook
Garry McNabb

Blake Currier
Donnie and Sarah Davidson
One Hour Martinizing - Britt and Susannah Akers

Lillian Dalton
Bill and Diane Bennett

Tana Judd Davis
Bill and Diane Bennett

Everet Bazz Dyer III
Bill and Diane Bennett

Doris Ellis
Faculty and Staff Algood Elementary
Life Church

Virginia Rose Ford
Mike Reel

Bunola Garrett
Bill and Diane Garrett

Clarence Gaw
Bill and Diane Bennett
Donnie and Sarah Davidson

Geneva Gaw
Bill and Diane Bennett

Betty Sue Goss
Bill and Diane Bennett

Eli William Hall
Bill and Diane Bennett

Treva Hankins
Mike Reel

Dean and Jeanetta Hearn
Mark, Tammy, and Nathan Fontenot

Oneta Hembree
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church

Charles Lloyd Herren
Dennis and Jeanette Haney

Ronnie Hix
Mike and Julie Yother

Evelyn Holloway
Marge Bell
Mike and Julie Yother

Sue Holloway
Bill and Diane Bennett

Richard House
Mike and Julie Yother

Blake Houston
Donnie and Sarah Davidson
One Hour Martinizing - Britt and Susannah Akers

Vaughn Howard
Sonny and Betty Allen
Bill and Diane Bennett
Anna Grace Loyd and Family

Bruce Huddleston
Donald Huddleston and Family

Gene Anne Hunter
Mike and Julie Yother

Dana E Holmes Kanable
Garner and Shirley Holmes

Larry King
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church
Nancy Hawkins
Donny and Nyoka Julian

Richard and Carolyn Kinsley
Jean Cooper

Tim Ledbetter
Bill and Diane Bennett

Leonard and Anita Leslie
Baxter United Methodist Church

Gus Ludwig
Ruth Ludwig

Brenda Lyles
Robert and Dawn Gallaher

John Thomas Lyles
Bill and Diane Bennett

Ruby Elizabeth Mackie
David and Denise Breeding
Lillian Graham
Phillip and Melissa Graham
Stan and Carolyn Piela
William Ray

Lorraine Maddux
Donnie and Sarah Davidson

Mary Ralph Maddux
Jeff and Molly Gleason

Freddy Maxwell
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church
Garry McNabb

Elton McBroom
Bill and Diane Bennett

Evan McCanless
Mike Reel

Amanda Ridley McKinstry
Gail Ligon

Teresa McNabb
Advance Financial/Cullen Earnest
Sonny and Betty Allen
Bob and Betty Andrews
Bob and Laura Babbage
Derek and Diane Baranowski
Peggy Barbour
Chris Barns
Herb and Paulette Baugh
Julie C Bishop
Daniel and Jeri Lynn Braunlin
Builders First Source
Larry and Evelyn Burgess
Tessa Byer
Calloway Title and Escrow
Steve Cihat
Johnny Coleman
Community Choice Financial/Ted Saunders
Philip Cormier
Robert and Jean Davis
Shirlie and Judy Denson
Tim Downey
Jim and Vicky Draper
Verdice and Kathy Duff
Dr. Richard and Patty Dycus
F&M Bank Employees
First Bank and Trust Employees
First National Bank of Livingston Employees
Bob and Dawn Gallaher
Larry B Garrett
Erik and Susan Geiger
Billie J Gentry
Don and Nancy Gentry
Doug and Sherry Gentry
Mr. and Mrs. John S Gonas
Ron and Becky Gorsline
Bruce and Nancy Greene
Jim and Evon Hicks
Wayne and Susan Hogan
Rickey and Joyce Holland
Hugh E Bailey and Associates, PLLC
Jon and Barbara Jones
Grant and Jennifer Kaple
Ronald Koksal
Deborah Laurain
Gary and Geraldine Leftwich
Stewart and Melinda Leftwich
Legacy Property Group, LLC
Elizabeth Lowman
Darryl, Kim, and Alexis Lyles
Thomas and Kay Lynn
Hoyt and Shirley Maberry
Edgar and Catherine McCoin
David McMahan
Jonathan and Kathryn McNabb
Michael and Marsha Miller
Wendell and Marilyn Mooneyham
Mustard Seed Ranch Board of Directors and Family
Nancy Nelson
Norrod Builders
Sherita Orange, D6 Cash Express
Ottis and Cindy Phillips
Putnam Properties/Putnam Contracting Services
Mike Rabius
Wayne and Karie Rabius
Bill and Jenny Ray
Stephanie Reeder
Mike Reel
Lindsey Ricker
Paul and Lacey Roberts
Michael and Kaye Roe
Anita Sakowicz
Sam and Cheryl Sandlin
Satellite Management Services, INC
Mark and Tammie Sells
Don and Patricia Sidwell
Susan Siegert
Phillip G Smith
Roslyn Stout
Pat and Sandy Swearengin
Lloyd and Treva Turner and Family
Jim and Beverly Vaden
Meghan Wasserman
Williams Wholesale Supply Company Inc
Tammy Williams

Neoma Meadows
Gary and Geraldine Leftwich
Stewart and Melinda Leftwich

Barbara Hammons Means
Dean Buckner

James Miller
Chuck and Judy Eastman

Ray Montgomery
Bill and Diane Bennett

Robert Moore
Garry McNabb

Alan Morris
Jeff and Molly Gleason

Stacey Mott
Bill and Diane Bennett
Jeff and Molly Gleason

Mike Myatt
Bill and Diane Bennett

Paula Myers
Mike Reel

Juanita Nabors
Gary and Teresa McNabb

Vernon Neal
Mark, Tammy, and Nathan Fontenot
Mustard Seed Ranch Family
Peggy Stout

Alpha Irene Nelson
Bill and Diane Bennett

Ruth Sewell Payne
Donnie and Sarah Davidson

Glen Pedigo
Don and Nancy Gentry
Mike and Julie Yother

Jerry Phipps
Chapel Class Washington Ave Baptist Church

Betty Sue Sidwell Piercy
Larry and Evelyn Burgess
Garry McNabb

Dennis Poole
Mike Reel

Trish Potts
Kevin and Genetta South

Louise Presley
Bill and Diane Bennett

Beth Prowse
Bill and Diane Bennett

Jack Pullum
Bill and Diane Bennett

Steve Rains
Britt Akers
Mike Reel

Kathleen Ramsey
Ferrill Gunter

 Paul E Ramsey, Sr.
Jeff and Molly Gleason

Harold Randolph
Bill and Diane Bennett

Bryan Sadler
Jeffery and Shelia Collins
Mike Reel

Jo Ann Sandlin
Garry McNabb

Polly Shanks
Jeff and Molly Gleason

Mary Elizabeth Standifer
Mike Reel

Kenneth Tays
Rozella Farris

Owen Tetreault
Barbara G. Tetreault

Rev. Logan A. Tilghman
Ramona Tilghman

Marilyn Underwood
Bill and Diane Bennett

Glen Vinson
Mark, Tammy, and Nathan Fontenot
Peggy Stout

James Walker, Jr.
Bill and Diane Bennett

Dr. Joe Kenneth Wallace, Sr.Shirley Wilson Wallace Family

Tom Ward
Jimmy and Ruth Pittman

Marilyn Watts
Bill and Diane Bennett

Sue Weaver
Class of 1986

Jim Whiteside
Bill and Diane Bennett

Bruce Womack
Bill and Diane Bennett

C.O. Wynne
Ferrill Gunter
Mike and Julie Yother

Fencepost In Honor of:

Bob and Janice Allen
Mustard Seed Ranch Family

Boys and Girls at Mustard Seed Ranch
Garner and Shirley Holmes

Darlene Byrom
David and Christy Huddleston

Teresa Chasteen
Mustard Seed Ranch Family

Phil and Beth D’Antonio
David and Christy Huddleston

Wes Dunn
Teresa Chasteen

William L. Dunn
Mustard Seed Ranch Family

James and Marilyn Evans
David and Christy Huddleston

Johnny and Lisa Fields
Slade and Susan Stroud and Girls

Lynn and Marlene Fogleman
David and Christy Huddleston

Dewayne and Teresa Galey
Slade and Susan Stroud and Girls

Mike and Margaret Gwaltney
David and Christy Huddleston

Brandon and Kim Hall
Slade and Susan Stroud and Girls

Anna Grace Huddleston
David and Christy Huddleston

Matthew and Perri Ann Huddleston
David and Christy Huddleston

Nathan and Dasha Huddleston
David and Christy Huddleston

Charlotte Johnson
David and Christy Huddleston

Principal Connie Kinnaird
Faculty and Staff at Dodson Branch School

Principal Tena Lynn
Faculty & Staff at Dodson Branch School

Garry and Teresa McNabb
Darryl and Kim Lyles

Jeff and Alice Peek
Gloria Vick

Larry and Donna Smith
David and Christy Huddleston

Maggie Smith
David and Christy Huddleston

Ken and Diana Wood
Slade and Susan Stroud and Girls

Principal Tammy Woolbright
Faculty and Staff at Dodson Branch School

Norman and Nancy VanZant
David and Christy Huddleston

Ray and Roslyn Wear
Slade and Susan Stroud and Girls

Fencepost In Memory of:

Dennis F. Desparrois
Tammy Hogan Depperschmidt

Doris Ellis
Donna D Francis
Doug and Debbie Francis
Scott and Donna Francis
Paul and Karen Draper

Howard and Billie Love Huddleston
David and Christy Huddleston

Glenn Jones
Randy and Jan Jones

Stephen H. Jones
Horace Jones

Gabriel “Gabe” Isaac Mason
Lindy Mason

Teresa McNabb
Arlene Barsumian
Ronald Hyder

Robert T. Mills
Ralph and Paige Mills

Sam Poteet
Carol Poteet

Kaydyn Smith
Mustard Seed Ranch Family

Oleta Winfree
David and Christy Huddleston