Wildwood Ranch Staff Bio & Contact Information:

To contact a staff member at our parent organization, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, please click here.

Carl Jones, Follow-up Coordinator
Carl originally came to Wildwood Ranch to serve as a Summer Cabin Counselor in 2000. He worked on our summer staff for four years then joined the Discipleship Program at Wildwood Ranch.  After completing this program he joined the full-time staff with a vision of maintaining relationships with the campers after they return home. Carl was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, attended college at Liberty University in Virginia and is married to Faye Anna Jones.  Carl has a passion for teaching the Word of God and a vision to see the youth of Detroit immersed in the Scriptures through discipleship and teaching. He also has a passion for high school graduates, helping them see their full potential in Christ Jesus.

Ryan "Buff" Ratliff, Barn Manager
Chris and his wife Sara joined our team in May 2007. He  holds a bachelors degree from Kentucky Christian University with an emphasis in Missions. Chris has a love for the outdoors and is committed to sharing his love for Christ in cross-cultural settings..

David Gielow, Program Director
Dave and his family (wife Amy and children Bethany, Cameron, Everett and Faith) joined our team in May 2003. He  holds a bachelors degree from Cornerstone University.  He is a Tentmaker trained Youth Director and has served in this capacity at various churches. Dave enjoys playing various musical instruments and leading worship. Dave is the contact at Wildwood if you or someone you know has a school group that wants a great Outdoor Education experience! He also oversees our Adventure Challenge Course.

David Long, Executive Director
David and his family (wife Marie and children Joy, Hope and Grace) moved to Wildwood Ranch in 1996 from South Carolina where he directed a large non-denominational summer camp and conference center. David has a diverse history of ministry to youth including serving as a interim Pastor and a Youth Pastor at different churches, and an Executive Director of a Boy's and Girl's Club. David holds a bachelors degree from Cornerstone University and a masters degree from Covington Theological Seminary. He is active in the Christian Camp and Conference Center Association, serving on the Michigan Sectional Cabinet as Government Relations Coordinator and with the American Camping Association where he serves as the President of the American Camp Association, Michigan Board of Directors. He has a passion for seeing people connect in an authentic Christian community that reflects the glory of Jesus Christ. This extends into camp ministry by fostering an environment (among the staff and in the programs) that focuses on people and relationships rather than toys and gimmicks.

Elise Sulick, Equestrian Program
Elise has directed the Horse program at Wildwood Ranch for over 15 years. Her full time job is that of a fifth grade school teacher at Central Elementary School in Linden, MI. She teaches Saturday horse lessons, supervises the summer wrangler staff and is the primary teacher at our summer equestrian camps. Elise also directs the annual horse show that Wildwood host each August. She received her bachelors degree from Eastern Michigan University and her Master's degree in Education from Marygrove College. 

Joanna Godfroy, Guest Services Manager
Joanna came to Wildwood Ranch in 2006 to serve as part of the summer staff. At the close of the summer she began Wildwood’s two-year Discipleship Program and has been serving as Guest Services Manager since October, 2007.  Joanna enjoys building relationships with campers and staff as well as working to create an atmosphere in which Wildwood’s guests can encounter Jesus Christ.   Joanna received a B.A. from Ashford University in Clinton, IA and has attended Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL.

Joe & Angela Amini, Exodus Adventure Program
Joe and Angela Amini reside in Detroit. Joe works as a trim carpenter and Angela as a nurse at the Detroit Medical Center. They attend Messiah Evangelical Covenant Church in Detroit, where they are directors of the youth group - Genesis. They have been involved in youth ministry and Christian camping for the past 10 years, and have served at Wildwood in various capacities throughout this entire time period. Adventure programming and teambuilding being two of their passions, they have lead Wildwood's wilderness trip for the past few years, which allow them to share Christ in their favorite setting--the outdoors! Joe and Angela  were both campers at Wildwood, they both served as Junior staff and eventually Summer staff and Joe was even a participant in the very first class of the Discipleship Program!

Josh & Alycia Meriweather, Leadership Program
Josh and Alycia are life long Detroit residents and are active members at Messiah Covenant Church on the Southwest side of Detroit, where they also reside. They grew up in the church that they currently attend and directed the youth group that they grew up in for ten years. They have a love for Detroit, teens, and discipleship / mentoring in youth ministry. They have been working with the Leaders In Training program since 1999. The Meriweathers have a great love for Wildwood; Alycia even attended as a 10 year old camper and junior staffer in her teens! Alycia is the Middle School Science Supervisor with the Detroit Public Schools, holds a bachelors degree from the University of Michigan and a masters degree in administration from Wayne State University. Joshua is a middle school teacher with the Detroit Public School system and leads a Sunday night church gathering in Southwest Detroit. The Meriweathers have a deep desire to see spiritual growth, discipleship, and challenge among the junior staff as well as the senior staff, and have designed a program to meet those requirements.

Kirk Moore, Facilities Manager
Kirk grew up in the Livingston County area, graduating from West Highland Christian Academy. He and his wife Karen have two children, Luke and Morgan. He has served at Wildwood for more than ten years, with a short time serving in South Carolina at a Christian Conference Center interrupting his service here. He is a talented member of our team, bringing with him a variety of building skills and outdoor education knowledge. Kirk has owned a construction company and been active in the construction and building trades throughout his career.