What is the Five Ford Ministry?

The Five Ford Ministry is an outreach program begun by Rylee Johnson at Willow River Evangelical Free Church in Valentine, Nebraska. When her granddad, Riley Johnson, retired from his crop insurance office, packed up, and moved to Arizona, he left Rylee all his vehicles. At first, she didn't know what to do with them, especially since she was too young to drive. It was Pastor Vernon Lindstrom who suggested she find a ministry for them.

The N-series Tractor is perfect for local parades. It's small enough it doesn't overwhelm the hay wagon filled with toddlers from Precious Little Farmhands Day Care. Added bonus: it's loud enough it nearly drowns out the Valentine, Nebraska, Bagpipe and Bugle Corps.

The '57 Thunderbird, she rents out to students at Central High for proms, homecomings, and other formals. When she can get it away from her mom, Clair, who says she's going to take it out "for a quick errand" and doesn't return for five days.

Rylee races the '76 Granada. It's not as fast as some of the other cars on the ½ mile dirt track, but it's so big and solid the other drivers are afraid of it and let her pass.

The 64 ½ Mustang is used for birthdays at the Shady Homes Care Center. The kids of the residents pick up their folks on their special day and drive out into the country while Rylee pretends she doesn't know they let their parents take the wheel. At least 90-year-olds can drive a stick.

The '84 Tempo is on permanent loan to the Valentine, Nebraska, Girls' Rehabilitation Home where Tylyr Swensen teaches car maintenance. None of the girls have a license, but that's okay, since Rylee figures they'll never get the car running anyway.

You don't have to be a prophet in a Five-Fold Ministry to know that.

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