What is the Furnace?

The Furnace is a place to find your purpose.

The Furnace is a discipleship training program at Shepherd’s Fold Ranch, a Christian Summer Camp, where you will be developed into a powerful and effective follower of Jesus. You will be working with 7-17 year olds, alongside other Furnace students, serving on summer camp staff at Shepherd’s Fold Ranch (located 35 min north of Tulsa). The Furnace includes servant leadership, mentorship, and Biblically-based teachings. You will experience genuine community while working and living with a team of other students. You will be equipped as a confident, Christ-centered, world-changing disciple.

The Furnace is a catalyst for growth!

“Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge.”
— Proverbs 25:4

Contact Luke Kennedy if you have interest or questions about The Furnace! 918-261-8699

 
 
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Do Something Amazing This Summer!

Influence The Next Generation -

Change Your World

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How to Have an Epic Summer:

The Furnace is a discipleship training program for 18-24 year olds who desire to grow as spiritual leaders, have fun at a kids summer camp, and build deep community with other believers.

  • Serve a Cause: Consider others better than yourself.

  • Seek Adventure: Don’t settle for the status quo.  

  • Get Discipled: To lead is to serve. The greatest serve the least in the kingdom of God.

 

When is it?

The Furnace is a ten-week program. Once accepted, all your lodging and meals are provided throughout the sessions and you will be awarded a weekly stipend of $150 for all camp weeks.

Summer 2025

Training / May 18 - May 31

Summer Camp / june 1 - July 26

Staff Debrief / July 27 - July 30

Interested?

Call or text Luke Kennedy your questions about The Furnace or to learn more about how your life could be forever changed by this summer.

918-261-8699

 

Testimonials

“I am thankful for the Furnace because it has challenged me to grow in areas of my life, leading to positive change. This has grounded me more and more in my faith, while helping me apply everything I have learned in my community.”— Sebastian

“Shepherd’s Fold has been a consistent and impactful foundation in my journey with the Lord. From being a camper, to staff, to Summer Leadership Team, there has been something new and life changing I have taken away from each summer.

It is truly an environment rich with the Lord’s presence. Through SFR and the Furnace discipleship program, I have found life-long community, discovered more about the character of God, and solidified my own Christ given identity.” — Juliette

“The Furnace is one of the most defining and marking times of my life. Being discipled and then being able to go disciple campers directly after is such a growing experience that has changed my perspective on what it means to be a disciple. The Furnace has helped me step into a deeper spiritual maturity and become a greater reflection of the character of Jesus. The growth I experience in the Furnace is unlike any other place in the world and has changed my life forever.”

— Owen

“Deciding to be on staff at SFR and going through Furnace has been one of the best decisions l've made in my life. The Furnace has taught me how to experience the fullness of Christ and the realness of His love. There have been so many things I've learned from the Furnace that I take with me in my day to day life. I'm beyond grateful for Shepherd’s Fold Ranch!”

— McKenna

 
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Learn what makes The Furnace a life-changing program.

 

As a summer discipleship program, The Furnace is rooted in three things:

  1. Education

  2. Experience

  3. Evaluation

Since its inception, it has been focused on discipling students: helping them discover their strengths and developing them into powerful kingdom leaders. 

The Furnace has a two-fold purpose:

1) To serve the Lord by sharing His love with hundreds of kids. The Lord provides many ways to stretch our willingness to serve in all capacities. Throughout the summer, you will have the opportunity to rotate through several positions including: camp counselor for kids (ages 7-17), life guard, kitchen staff, and adventure staff.

2) To equip Furnace students with life skills to set them apart from the world. While you are discipling campers, we are discipling you. Our goal is for each student to know how to effectively communicate in relationships, be able to speak in front of a group of people, know how to problem-solve, as well as a focus on personal development.

 

Year One: Foundation

Romans 12:9 - 13:10

Authority & Identity

Year Two: Elementary Teachings

Hebrews 5:7 - 6:12

Spiritual Maturity

Year Three: Kingdom Management

Philippians 1:27 - 2:15

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Year Four+: Kingdom Leadership

1 Corinthians 13

How to Make Disciples

Students in The Furnace will get experience in discipling campers, ages 7-17 years old. These students will go through training classes each week with mentors and teachers who also create opportunities to meet one-on-one. As a part of the training, students will be placed in a variety of positions on summer staff. This “hands on” experience will change your life!

The Furnace is optimally a four-summer program designed to prepare you for Christian leadership. At SFR, we’re not just trying to train leaders for summer camps. Our goal is to also train leaders who can function in their local church, family, school, job, and in life! The four summers are not required, but are highly recommended. The first two summers are specifically geared to challenge and renew your “thinking” about God and ministry. The second two summers focus directly on “acting” out your Christianity as a follower and as a leader.

What To Expect

The most incredible summer of your life. 

The Furnace feels like this:

 
 

What is Shepherd's Fold Ranch?

 

Shepherd’s Fold Inc. is a 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1972. The vision of SFR is to be “…a place called home”. SFR offers a place in the country where people come to do business with God and are trained how to walk in the Holy Spirit. The Furnace is the extension of the discipleship training and was established in 2004 for college students. Check out more about the ministry and programs at Shepherd's Fold Ranch.

 
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Ask Us Questions!

We want to hear from you! Our team is here to help answer any questions you might have about the Furnace. Either fill out the form below or call/text Luke Kennedy: 918-261-8699

The Furnace is located at Shepherd's Fold Ranch which is just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Our address is 185 River Ave, Avant OK 74001. 

Check out our website here!

 
 
 
“Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge”
— Proverbs 25:4