By Don Lowe
As Peterson Outdoors Ministries (POM) and Lodge of Hope (LOH) focus on serving injured and recovering veterans and their families, first responders, and youth and adults with disabilities or serious illnesses, making more room for guests prompted the idea of constructing the Bunkhouse as the organization strives to broaden its outreach capabilities.
“As we continue to grow, we’ve been talking about the need for additional housing for about a year,” says Tron Peterson, director of POM. “We have several buildings on the property with names such as the Lodge of Hope, the Nashville House and the Guesthouse.
“When we saw the need for additional housing, we came up with the Bunkhouse, which will hold between 16 and 20 more beds, while almost doubling our current capacity.”
Tron continues, “The Lodge of Hope is a 7,000-square-foot building with five bedrooms and six bathrooms, while the Nashville House includes four bedrooms and 2 ½ baths, and the Guesthouse has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.”
In describing details for the Bunkhouse that is hoped to be completed in about a year, Tron says, “It will be a 4,000-square-foot building with four bedrooms and several sets of bunkbeds in each room. Each bedroom will have a bathroom with walk-in showers.
“There will be a large great room with high ceilings and a large fireplace in an open floorplan with a kitchen and dining area. At the east entrance there will be a locker room with 12 lockers for hunters and attendees to hang their gear and get out of their muddy clothes if needed.
“Connected to the locker room will be a laundry room. And the laundry room will be connected to a large bathroom with multiple showers, sinks and toilets to accommodate large numbers of attendees.
“Outside the Bunkhouse, there will be a large patio with a firepit area and a scenic view of the lake. There will also be a dog kennel where hunting dogs and service animals can stay when needed.”
This addition is all about serving more people and he says, “The Bunkhouse will allow us to double the number of attendees at events and expand our outreach to not only veterans and first responders and those with disabilities, but also for youth and marriage retreats for veteran and first responder families.
“It will also allow for more people to attend highly impactful men’s and women’s veterans and first responders encounter weekends throughout the year, and we’ll even be able to do simultaneous events on the property.”
Veteran Robert Duke, of St. Robert, Missouri, who served in the U.S. Army (1997-2012), while achieving a final rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC)/E7 and Infantry MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), has benefitted from events at POM and says, “They don’t do anything to glorify themselves.
“They don’t ask for government assistance. It all comes from donations. The new Bunkhouse will provide more opportunities to communicate and spend time with your brothers and sisters (fellow veterans).”
There are several gatherings where attendees are provided quality time together and Tron says, “Events that will take place at the Bunkhouse won’t be limited to but also include the men’s veterans and first responders encounter, women’s veterans and first responders encounter, marriage retreats, youth of fallen soldiers, first responders’ retreats and leadership planning retreats.”
It was at one of these events where Michael Hochstetler of Independence, Missouri, turned things around and he’s confident the new Bunkhouse will help those just like himself get the comfort and compassion they need during difficult times.
Michael, who served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division (1989-1996) as an 88M1P/11B1P before being medically retired with a final rank of E4, says, “POM and the things they do to help veterans, first responders, and disabled people is life changing. I’m one of many who’ve been saved through the actions of POM.
“I attended a veteran’s encounter that changed my life. I was baptized and everything in my life changed. Before attending the encounter, I’d planned to hang myself on the anniversary of my youngest son passing away.”
Reflecting further on that roughest of times and coming back from it, he says, “I had to make the decision to remove my son from life support, and I was struggling with my decision to play God. All those thoughts went away the day I was baptized.
“The follow-up support (from POM) has kept me going. Now, I share my story in hope I can impact just one person to get help and stay alive. The new Bunkhouse will be an added blessing to the Lodge of Hope property and will only enhance the miracles that happen through activities that take place here.”
When he considers what this new housing will bring about, Tron says, “The new Bunkhouse will be just another tool in our arsenal to help stop veteran suicide and share the hope that’s found in Jesus Christ.”
As for how it will all fit together, he says, “The Bunkhouse and Lodge of Hope will complement each other. But the Lodge of Hope will always be the central focus. It not only houses several individuals, but it also includes an industrial-sized kitchen and dining hall to accommodate more than 150 people and allows for larger gatherings.
“Both buildings will have their own unique design and work together for the common purpose of helping to stop veteran suicide, strengthen military marriages and families, and provide a setting where those in attendance can find peace and relax, while hearing about the love of Christ for each of them.”
While the Bunkhouse is a big undertaking, it will be worth it. Tron says, “Anytime a project of this magnitude is started and finished, it’s a huge deal because it allows for ministry to those who serve from all over the country and gives us a national presence in the battle to end veteran suicide.”
Tron knows that all POM does is vital, and he says, “There’s never a shortage of veterans and first responders across our nation that need to be ministered to. The number of those who struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide is staggering.
“Veterans and first responders will always be in high trauma fields of service. They need a place to go and stay with their families to experience what Peterson Outdoors Ministries has to offer, which is ‘Hope-Healing-Restoration’ through faith-based outdoor recreational therapeutic retreats.”
Peterson Outdoors Ministries (POM)/Lodge of Hope (LOH) Bunkhouse Fast Facts
Headquarters: Lodge of Hope is located at 26756 S. 2440 Rd., Sheldon, Missouri. Website is www.petersonoutdoors.org
Contact: Executive Director Tron Peterson
Phone: 417.529.0115
Email: [email protected]
New Bunkhouse Facility Timeline: Construction begins this spring with hopes of being completed in spring 2026.
The Great Outdoors: POM has 214 acres, a private 35-acre lake with lots of fish and allows for numerous outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, boating, kayaking, shooting sports, archery, hiking, camping and horseback riding.
Not for Profit: Peterson Outdoors Ministries, as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides all events at no cost, including covering travel expenses, food, lodging, licenses, permits and outdoor therapy.