Our Story - The Roots of Branches

 The story of Branches begins with a calling to serve the city of Las Cruces and the people who live here.

For many years, Taylene Jacko has been involved in ministry throughout the community. Her heart has always been to walk alongside people, pray with them, and help them discover hope in Christ.

One moment that shaped this calling came through a vivid dream. In the dream, Taylene was flying over the city of Las Cruces with Jesus. They stopped on a building in the center of downtown and looked out over the city together.

In that moment, Jesus said to her:

“This is My city. I love this city. And you are going to help Me.”

That moment planted a deep love in her heart for the community of Las Cruces and a lifelong desire to see the city restored through faith, prayer, and connection.

But the journey that led to Branches was not without deep pain.

Taylene experienced a devastating tragedy when her son, Jaxon, passed away at the age of seventeen. In the midst of preparing for his celebration of life, she found herself in a thrift store searching for a dress to wear to the service.

While she was there, a woman began a simple conversation with her and asked what she was shopping for. As Taylene shared about the loss of her son, the two women sat together in the aisle of that store and began talking about life, grief, and the grace of God.

What began as a brief conversation turned into hours of sharing, reflection, and encouragement. Even in the middle of deep loss, Taylene spoke about the comfort she found in God’s love and the peace that faith had given her through the hardest moment of her life.

Before they parted, the woman told her something that would change everything:

“You need to write a book.”

That encouragement became the beginning of the book
Abide, a message about identity, healing, and learning to remain connected to Christ.

The same woman who encouraged Taylene to write the book later became a close partner in helping bring the message to life.

Out of that journey—through calling, tragedy, faith, and healing—the vision for Branches was born.

Branches was founded by a team of passionate believers who share a love for Christ, a heart for community, and a desire to see lives redeemed.

Through partnerships, community leaders, chaplains, and the Abide program, the mission of Branches is to bring faith, hope, and healing into the places where people need it most.

From churches to prisons, from schools to everyday spaces in the community, the goal is simple:

To connect hearts to God and help people discover the life they were created to live.