Ministry News

Worshipers wrangle some religion in Cowboy Church service
[Aug. 3, 2009] Crystal Lyons can deliver a sermon. Even better, she can do it on horseback.

Pastors of small churches get big boost at Truett Seminary
[Jul. 17, 2009] By Terry Goodrich, Baylor University WACO—Auctioneer/cowboy pastor Paul “Hoot” Wibbeler sees parallels between the ministry and the cattle industry. ...

HOME ON THE RANGEPastor Jay Avant is busy rounding up the faithful
[Jun. 21, 2009] The Cowboy Church — bringing Jesus to rodeo riders, barrel racers, ranchers, farmers and Western wannabes — is spreading across the Southeast in a growing effort to bring religion to those who don’t much care for church.

Cowboy roams Idaho, planting churches
[Jun. 21, 2009] BLACKFOOT, Idaho (BP)--Wearing a hat like the one cowboy actor Tom Mix made famous in westerns in the '20s and '30s along with a vest, brown cowboy boots and a full gray beard, Jim Ballard looks like he just stepped out of a Hollywood studio.

Yee-haw! Cowboy Churches Buck Tradition With Promising Results
[May 17, 2009] Snow has forced Ohio's Christian cowboys inside on an early spring day. Bull riders aren't the sort of people who complain about the elements, but there are certain drawbacks to setting up a church for cowboys in northeastern Ohio.

Cowboy churches get back to basics, emphasize salvation
[Apr. 11, 2009] Many churches will round off Easter worship with the "Hallelujah" chorus, but others will be singing "Happy Trails," the old Dale Evans and Roy Rogers tune.

Here, Easter bonnets will give way to Stetson hats, and any baptizing will be done not at a font or in a baptismal pool, but in a galvanized steel trough usually used for watering horses. Easter is a big deal in these churches, but as for the Easter theme of redemption – well, that's what it's about all year 'round.

Amen, then a yee-haw Rodeo competitors find time to worship
[Mar. 9, 2009] The white tent, a world away from the screams of 70,000 fans, is a place to reflect.
Here barrel racers, steer wrestlers, ropers and bullfighters bow their heads and hear only an occasional dog barking, or the creak of aluminum poles as a breeze finds its way through the tent flaps.
On Saturday night they’re the stars of the Houston Rodeo, looking up from the stadium floor to see their own magnified faces on the Jumbotron. On Sunday morning, at a campground a few miles away, they are congregants in a church so humble it has no room for egos.
As dressed-down as its participants, cowboy church offers a no-frills spiritual lesson and, for celebrities of the rodeo world, a brief escape from the spotlight.
Rodeo competitors camp down the road from Reliant Center, in a dirt lot lined with trailers. One long tent houses dozens of horse stalls. Cowboy church is held in what, at all other times, serves as the meal tent.

Luchsinger, Weaver bring Cowboy Church to Lazy E March 8th
[Feb. 26, 2009] GUTHRIE, Okla. - The message is as beautiful as the voice.

For 25 years, Susie McEntire Luchsinger has shared her faith in God through music, a natural reflection of her life, which has been surrounded by rhythm and rhyme. Her ministry has been witnessed by countless people, from large congregations to backyard gatherings to arenas all across this land. By Ted Harbin

Cowboys of Faith - DVD
[Feb. 22, 2009] I am re-running this story because this DVD is still for sale and in my opinion is a must for everyone young and old alike! By Cindy Meyers, CEO Rodeo Attitude

Michael W. Smith to be Inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame
[Jan. 12, 2009] Christian music legend Michael W. Smith and Country music star Dolly Parton will be among the latest additions to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, according to an announcement this week.

Cowboy crowd gathers at Risen Ranch
[Jan. 2, 2009] "There's a little twang in the singing and the people who come here aren't too shiny," said Steve Stafford, pastor of Risen Ranch Cowboy Church in Carthage, Mo. "But we sure do preach one true Gospel."

Pray with your boots on at cowboy church
[Dec. 27, 2008] If there are ponies hitched to the rail outside the First Christian Church at 123 N. Ninnescah on Sunday morning, it's Cowboy Church day. If there are no ponies, it's still Cowboy Church, but poor weather for horses to stand tied up in the cold.

Cowboy churches become more popular
[Dec. 5, 2008] Cowboy churches are becoming increasingly popular over traditional churches and are geared to reach cowboys and the cowboys at heart. As Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church Pastor Roger Keck put it, "it's a non-traditional, non-judgemental approach to religion."

Collin Raye makes the move from Country to Christian music
[Oct. 15, 2008] On Thursday, country music artist Collin Raye will host the Inspirational Country Music Awards. The event marks a new path for the accomplished mainstream artist, as he begins a much anticipated move into the Christian music market.