About Us
Hosting Christian Retreats Since 1970
Since we opened our gates in 1970, Twin Oaks Ranch has hosted over 3,000 Christ-centered retreats at our creekside location in Buda (between Austin and San Antonio, TX). Our heart has always been to create a place of beauty that is also affordable. All of our immaculate retreat facilities were hand-built by volunteers, and we commit all 12 oak-filled acres to the glory of God.
Along with a dedicated board, our fearless leaders Don and Debbie Haluzan work tirelessly to maintain the property and support our amazing guests.
Our Statement of Faith
We welcome all church and church-related groups who affirm our statement of faith.
God – We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
The Bible – We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
The Human Condition – We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
Jesus Christ – We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
The Work of Christ – We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
The Holy Spirit – We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
The Church – We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Christian Living – We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
Christ’s Return – We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
Response and Eternal Destiny – We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
Note: This is an edited version of the EFCA Statement of Faith.
Our Leadership
Don & Debbie Haluzan
Don and Debbie Haluzan are the people behind the magic at Twin Oaks Ranch! Selfless and always eager to help, these two will be your contacts both before and during your retreat. Don came to Twin Oaks Ranch in 1994. He accepted the position as Camp Manager, not seeing the camp as it was, rather believing God for what it could become. Don
has experienced and witnessed the many blessings from time spent at Twin Oaks Ranch throughout his years as the Executive Director.
Jose Luis Del Angel
Jose Luis currently serves as the President of the Board. Jose Luis is a devoted family man, dedicated pastor, and advocate for the Twin Oaks Ranch. With a loving marriage of over three decades, two thriving adult children, and a deep commitment to his faith, Jose Luis brings experience and compassion to his role as a board member. He is licensed through the EFCA and serves as pastor of a bilingual church in San Antonio. His journey with Twin Oaks Ranch began when his church utilized the beautiful grounds as a campsite for children.
Becky Ryan
Becky Ryan first and foremost loves Jesus. She fell in love with Twin Oaks Ranch when she served with the Kids Camp ministry at her church for several years. Serving now as Secretary of the Board of Twin Oaks has been such a blessing as well. Becky actively serves the Student Ministry at Northeast Bible Church along with serving as a mentor mom with the MOPS ministry. She has previously served on the Boards of the local soccer organization, SAYSAT, and the Schertz Humane Society. She and her husband, Duane, have been married since 1995 and have two thriving adult children.
Jody Cronenberger
Jody works full time in the aerospace industry conducting laboratory tests and structural life predictions for a wide range of structures. He is also a programmer and has occasionally supported autonomous vehicles research and submersible design development for
extraterrestrial applications. Jody is married to his best friend and “the love of his life” Emily. They have been blessed with six amazing children. Jody’s greatest joy, meaning, and purpose in life comes from following Christ and encouraging others to do the same.
Mary Berg
Mary has over 15 years of Christian camp volunteer experience. She served in the kitchen at Twin Oaks Ranch several of those years with her church, Northeast Bible Church. With a career in Food Service Management and Healthcare Dietary Services, the TOR kitchen felt like home to her. She has served in many other areas at her church and currently is serving as the Mentor Mom Leader for their local MomCo group. Mary and her husband have three daughters, all graduates from Texas Tech University. Together as a family they enjoy
traveling, outdoor activities and playing games of all kinds. Mary currently serves as the Vice President of the Board at Twin Oaks.
Kevin Rodriguez
Kevin works in the business office of a small Christian University. Prior to that, he worked in public education as a middle-school teacher and as a youth minister. Kevin has served his local church since 2009 in a variety of roles such as chair stacker, speaker mover, youth/missions coordinator, worship leader, and elder. He became active at Twin Oaks by serving as a worship leader at men’s retreats. Kevin, his wife, and their three sons enjoy ministry to the local church, traveling, and being outside (if the Texas weather permits).
Steven Penshorn
Steven Penshorn grew up coming to Twin Oaks with his church, volunteering with the church’s Kids Camp in his teenage years. Since then he has worked at several camps and grew his passion for cultivating an escape for people to allow for a focus on Christ and community. He is active in his own church’s youth group and lives in Houston with his wife.