A Letter From Agape Acres and Cofounders Brian and Janie Nelson
Dear Friends of Agape Acres,
We want to share something with you personally and openly, as your trust is very important to us. This information has already been given to our volunteers and the parents of our participants. Recently, Janie’s brother moved onto her personal property (20 acres total—5 acres are dedicated to Agape Acres) to help with the care and feeding of the horses. As part of this transition, an official notification was mailed to the immediate neighborhood regarding his status as a registered sex offender. We waited until confirmation of his classification before making this public statement.
Janie’s brother served over 19 years in prison for serious offenses involving child pornography and inappropriate conduct with a minor (one female minor child). We recognize the gravity of these crimes, and we want to be clear: this is a difficult and painful truth, and the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve will always remain our highest priority.
Please be assured:
If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to talk about this further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We welcome the opportunity to listen and answer openly.
Thank you for your continued trust, support, and partnership in this mission of healing and hope.
With sincerity and respect,
Brian and Janie Nelson
Co-Founders, Agape Acres
Dear Friends of Agape Acres,
We want to share something with you personally and openly, as your trust is very important to us. This information has already been given to our volunteers and the parents of our participants. Recently, Janie’s brother moved onto her personal property (20 acres total—5 acres are dedicated to Agape Acres) to help with the care and feeding of the horses. As part of this transition, an official notification was mailed to the immediate neighborhood regarding his status as a registered sex offender. We waited until confirmation of his classification before making this public statement.
Janie’s brother served over 19 years in prison for serious offenses involving child pornography and inappropriate conduct with a minor (one female minor child). We recognize the gravity of these crimes, and we want to be clear: this is a difficult and painful truth, and the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve will always remain our highest priority.
Please be assured:
- He has no role in, or access to, our therapeutic riding lessons, ground programs, volunteers, or events involving children.
- He is under strict monitoring and legal restrictions, including electronic tracking.
- His responsibilities are limited to horse care and property maintenance away from program areas.
- Our established safety protocols and supervision policies remain firmly in place.
If you have questions, concerns, or simply want to talk about this further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We welcome the opportunity to listen and answer openly.
Thank you for your continued trust, support, and partnership in this mission of healing and hope.
With sincerity and respect,
Brian and Janie Nelson
Co-Founders, Agape Acres
Agape Acres
Guided by our faith-based mission to exemplify the boundless and unconditional love of Christ (Agape love), we extend our hearts and hands to individuals with special needs , veterans in offering transformative experiences with horses through our equine-assisted activities and programs.
Additionally, we provide a retirement sanctuary for all our equines partners once their "day job" comes to an end.
At Agape Acres, our foundation is rooted in a profound spirit of service and compassion. With a heart dedicated to servitude and a mission fueled by love, we stand as a beacon of hope and healing for our community. Our center is more than just a place; it's a sanctuary of transformation where equine-assisted activities become powerful catalysts for change.
Driven by a servant heart and guided by a servant mission, we extend our arms to embrace those who often face life's greatest challenges. From individuals with special needs seeking empowerment, to veterans longing for connection on their journey to reclaim their lives, our doors are open to all who seek solace, growth, and renewal.
Our equine-assisted programs are meticulously designed to nurture not only the bodies but also the spirits of our participants. Through the intuitive wisdom of our therapy horses, the serenity of nature, and the expertise of our dedicated team, we create a space where profound connections are forged and self-discovery flourishes.
Creating a sanctuary for our therapeutic riding horses is not just a commitment but a labor of love for us as well. Our mission also includes insuring that these magnificent equine partners, who play an integral role in our therapy programs, experience a life of comfort, care, and dignity. We provide spacious pastures, top-notch veterinary care, and a team of dedicated professionals who are trained to understand the unique needs of these animals. Our sanctuary is a place where our horses can thrive, fostering a strong bond of trust between them and the individuals they serve. Through this environment of compassion and respect, we enable the incredible healing and transformative power that therapeutic riding offers to our participants. In our sanctuary, the well-being of our equine partners is our top priority, as we recognize that their happiness and health directly contribute to the success of our therapeutic riding programs.
Every hoofbeat, every smile, and every moment of triumph is a testament to the love that fuels our existence. Together, we strive to transcend boundaries and embrace the inherent dignity and worth of every individual and horse.
Our commitment to sharing the unwavering love of Christ – an agape love that knows no bounds – defines our purpose and fuels our journey towards making a positive impact, one life at a time.
Join us in this journey of empathy, healing, and empowerment. Together, we can create a tapestry of stories that reflect the power of equine-assisted activities, bound by the common thread of hope, resilience, and love.
Additionally, we provide a retirement sanctuary for all our equines partners once their "day job" comes to an end.
At Agape Acres, our foundation is rooted in a profound spirit of service and compassion. With a heart dedicated to servitude and a mission fueled by love, we stand as a beacon of hope and healing for our community. Our center is more than just a place; it's a sanctuary of transformation where equine-assisted activities become powerful catalysts for change.
Driven by a servant heart and guided by a servant mission, we extend our arms to embrace those who often face life's greatest challenges. From individuals with special needs seeking empowerment, to veterans longing for connection on their journey to reclaim their lives, our doors are open to all who seek solace, growth, and renewal.
Our equine-assisted programs are meticulously designed to nurture not only the bodies but also the spirits of our participants. Through the intuitive wisdom of our therapy horses, the serenity of nature, and the expertise of our dedicated team, we create a space where profound connections are forged and self-discovery flourishes.
Creating a sanctuary for our therapeutic riding horses is not just a commitment but a labor of love for us as well. Our mission also includes insuring that these magnificent equine partners, who play an integral role in our therapy programs, experience a life of comfort, care, and dignity. We provide spacious pastures, top-notch veterinary care, and a team of dedicated professionals who are trained to understand the unique needs of these animals. Our sanctuary is a place where our horses can thrive, fostering a strong bond of trust between them and the individuals they serve. Through this environment of compassion and respect, we enable the incredible healing and transformative power that therapeutic riding offers to our participants. In our sanctuary, the well-being of our equine partners is our top priority, as we recognize that their happiness and health directly contribute to the success of our therapeutic riding programs.
Every hoofbeat, every smile, and every moment of triumph is a testament to the love that fuels our existence. Together, we strive to transcend boundaries and embrace the inherent dignity and worth of every individual and horse.
Our commitment to sharing the unwavering love of Christ – an agape love that knows no bounds – defines our purpose and fuels our journey towards making a positive impact, one life at a time.
Join us in this journey of empathy, healing, and empowerment. Together, we can create a tapestry of stories that reflect the power of equine-assisted activities, bound by the common thread of hope, resilience, and love.
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Thank you to the following individuals and companies for your support of Agape Acres!!
We are a proud member of the Marana Chamber of Commerce
