“The women who proclaim the good news are a mighty host!” - Psalm 68:11
Following her successful recovery from 17 years of debilitating, suicidal depression, Julie then spent her forties and the better part of ten years serving and learning at local therapy farm Peace Ranch. Volunteering at the ranch offered further personal healing and growth and helped her develop a therapeutic mindset as well as a skill set of working with horses, working on the land, and serving and leading others. There she experienced for herself the profound healing impact a natural farm environment of working with animals and working the land in the context of safe community offers the hurting and broken. She had the opportunity to participate in the growth of the nonprofit therapy farm and was its first college intern. About the same time, she served for five years on the board of a local nonprofit ministry serving single moms and worked as a life coach for a year and a half there as well.
After a season pursuing an education, during a day of prayer she received an unusual and powerful vision. That vision would become reality with the establishment of Freedom Farm Ministries Grand Traverse in 2016. A friend purchased a 2 ½ acre property outside the village of Kingsley, Michigan, and invited Julie and her husband Dave to come live there and launch Freedom Farm. After 4 1/2 years at that site, we were offered the incredible opportunity to move operations to Maple Ridge Place, a beautiful 14-acre property centrally located between the communities of Traverse City, Kingsley, Grawn and Interlochen, owned by dear friends and ministry partners Susan and Dick Hoekstra. This new home base allows Freedom Farm to combine the HeartSkills Coaching, garden, and equine-assisted therapeutic programs in one place, and also shares space with Ms. Hoekstra’s Affirm Ministries.
Nan Meyers has been a disciple of Jesus Christ since 1975. She is married with three adult sons and two grandchildren. She is a professional interior designer and owner of Meyers Interiors in Traverse City, MI. Nan has decades of ministry background both in lay and full-time capacities. She especially enjoys teaching the Word and facilitating small groups. She has known David and Julie Eickenroth for over 20 years, and loves their hearts and integrity and the vision of Freedom Farm.
As physician, CEO, family member, volunteer, I am a facilitator at heart. My enduring roles in life have always involved summoning faith, love, and experience to facilitate healing, growth, and functional excellence for individuals and organizations. I believe every person and group has the power within themselves. I simply try to come alongside and support.
I'm a behind-the-scenes person, in my work as president of Table Health and in my personal life, where I enjoy quiet time in nature, reading, and loving on family, friends, and canine best friend. Faith is central in my life, the foundation from which I plan and do everything (on good days anyway). I'm passionate about Freedom Farm because it supports healing of individuals, families, and communities in a non-judgmental atmosphere that is supportive and loving.
Stephanie lives in Traverse City, MI with her husband Jay. She grew up in a loving, Christian home and has been a follower of Christ from a young age. After high school, Stephanie spent four years dancing professionally in both ballet and modern dance ministries, through which she got the opportunity to live in Mississippi, Michigan, and Texas. While living in Houston, she met Jay at a swing dance event and through the Lord’s leading they got married within the year. She has learned that the Lord always provides in the right way, at the right time, and she is thankful for the hope and security He gives. She is currently working at Table Health as the front desk/office admin, and is enjoying being back in TC near her family. Stephanie’s favorite activities include spending time with Jay, reading novels, singing, swing dancing, and laughing with friends.
Since he was a child, David knew there was something special about the completeness of God’s creation. Everything from the smallest bacterium to the tallest tree serves His purpose and impacts every other being. David has been involved in agriculture for over 2 decades, and still takes great pride in stewardship of the land and everything living on it. For all its merits, modern living deprives us of the natural healing that the Lord has provided. Freedom Farm aims to imbue modern problems with real healing through stewardship, and David is thrilled to be a part of it.
A professional musician for many years, David Eickenroth played in rock bands around the Midwest and lived the life of a rock musician. He graduated from eastern Michigan University with a bachelors degree in English literature and history. Dave was born into the kingdom of God in 1972.
When he became a Christian, the Lord called him to be a psalmist and worship leader, which he has done faithfully for years. He has written many worship songs that have been used in some of the local fellowships and churches. Dave was also involved in the music business, starting and maintaining local guitar shops for over forty years.
David is now a staff member at the Grand Traverse House of Prayer and spends many hours worshiping and praying for the city, America and Israel. His one desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. He is married to his beautiful wife Julie, founder and Executive Director of Freedom Farm and a gifted teacher with a dynamic ministry called HeartSkills™. Dave and Julie live in Traverse City, Michigan, at beautiful Maple Ridge PLACE, owned by dear friends Dick & Susan Hoekstra, where together they run Freedom Farm, enjoy their large extended family of children and grandchildren, and serve their community.