History of the Woodburn Christian Children's Home 
The Woodburn Christian Children's Home was established in 1971 by faithful Christians desiring to impact discouraged children in the name of Christ. Seeking to fulfill the biblical mandate of James 1:27, scores of Christians have sacrificially served and supported WCCH. We are forever thankful to God the Father.
Below is an excerpt from an original promotional brochure about the Woodburn Christian Children’s Home:
​"The Woodburn Christian Children’s Home came into being to meet the needs of a most neglected Christian Service. The Children’s Home is needed to take care of the twisted and wrecked lives of many of America’s Youth. It seems that our nation is becoming more involved in sin daily because many homes are falling apart. Children are crying for someone that cares.
JESUS CARES. Who better qualified to take care of these children than Christians?
​Christ, our Lord said, “Suffer the little ones to come unto me.”

"Woodburn Christian Children’s Home intends to care for orphaned, homeless, neglected or abused children between the ages of six and eighteen years. It is the purpose of the Home to lead in the spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth of each child.
The Home will have the enjoyable life that needs to exist. “Mom” and “Dad” will care for ten children in their home. These house parents will see that all of the children receive attention physically rounded out with a Christian atmosphere.
Because of the Christian atmosphere the family will become a unit in Christ. Every member of the Home will share on the home type basis. Sharing is the KEY. All will share in work, pleasure and LOVE."
WCCH Historical Timeline
  • ​March 20, 1971 – A meeting was held at Jerry Leonard’s home. It was at this meeting that the men decided to start a corporation that is now the Woodburn Christian Children’s Home, Inc.
  • July 15, 1971 – The Home was established as a non-profit corporation under the name of: Woodburn Christian Children’s Home, Inc. through the State of Indiana
  • July 1972 – The steering committee for the Indiana Children’s Christian Home – Woodburn Extension consisted of John Bowen & Dan Chambers (ICCH directors) and nine men from Woodburn and Harlan churches.
  • October 24, 1972 – Ground breaking for the first home 
  • February 28, 1973 – Original property (8.64 acres) was officially purchased by Indiana Children’s Christian Home for the Woodburn Extension from Richard & Eunice Harris 
  • Summer 1973 – Angel House finished being constructed & furnished
  • May 20, 1974 – 1st Annual Meeting of Indiana Children’s Christian Home – Woodburn Extension
  • Summer 1975 – Original Shelter House constructed
  • Summer 1978 – Superintendent Home & garage is built
  • January 1, 1980 - WCCH reincorporated to become Woodburn Christian Children’s Home, Inc. in order to operate a separate, non-profit, religious corporation to provide a Christian home for at-risk and neglected children of the Tri-State area 
  • In early 1980 - WCCH logo was designed by Al and Raeann Hart. The logo is extremely attractive and depicts the message of WCCH with great warmth. Christ’s love is symbolized in the “cross”, the sign for “agape love”, and the “heart”, all under the “roof” of a home.
  • August 6, 1984 – Lee Bracey replaced Lee Strang as Superintendent
  • Summer 1986 – Second eight bedroom home is completed debt free (Ark House)
  • Summer 1989 – Playground built in memory of Jenny Tutwiler
  • Summer 1990 – Inground Pool added to the grounds
  • 1992 - New position created "Program Director" & Superintendent position changed to Executive Director
  • July 4, 1992 – New pantry is built to replace the old garage pantry
  • August 1994 – Steel Storage building constructed 36’ x 48’. Built by volunteer labor and donated supplies. 
  • September 23, 1995 – WCCH purchased the field (11.13 acres) to the west side of our campus under land contract from Richard & Eunice Harris 
  • Summer 1997 - The Mound System was added to replace old waste-treatment system
  • Summer 1998 - Pantry walk-in cooler & freezer added (replaced with new units in 2018 - tripling capacity)
  • March 15, 2001 – WCCH purchased the woods (11.219 acres) to the south side of our campus under land contract from Richard & Eunice Harris 
  • September 2001 - First Benefit Golf outing at Pond-a-River Golf Course 
  • Fall 2002 - The Legacy Fund is started in memory of Denny Baker, a long time friend, supporter, and board member of WCCH 
  • October 2005 - First Benefit Auction
  • Summer 2006 - Houseparents' apartments added to Angel & Ark Houses without incurring additional debt
  • January 1, 2018 - Joe Heins replaced Lee Bracey as Executive Director
  • November 2018 - New position created "Clinical Director" and Program Director position changed to Residential Director and Administrative Assistant changed to Ministry Coordinator.
  • March 2021 - New Strong & Courageous Strategic Expansion was announced at the annual meeting. (click for more info)
  • September 2021 - Groundbreaking ceremony for new 13,000 SF Learning and Counseling Center (Phase I of strategic expansion)
  • April 2023 - Respite houseparent apartments added to Ark and Angel Houses and fulltime respite houseparent couple hired
  • April 2023 - New Learning and Counseling Center dedicated to the work of the Lord (click for more (Strategic Expansion info)
  • January 2024 - WCCH core values reaffirmed and essays were written to provide guidance to future WCCH workers and Board members. 
  • August 2024 - Prayer and research for the next part of the Strong & Courageous Strategic Expansion (3rd home for children and aftercare housing)​

Wcch House Parents
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed" Psalm 82:3
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Lee and Kay Strang & Family
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Angel House completed in Summer 1973
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Summer 1975 – Original Shelter House constructed
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Summer 1978 – Administrator Home is built.
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WCCH logo designed by Al and Raeann Hart in 1980
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Ark House completed in Summer 1986

Executive Directors

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Left to right: Joe & Vikki Heins, Lee & Vivian Bracey, Lee & Kay Strang
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27