Cowboy Church

[resecoy]

I was just sitting in church and someone had just testified about GOD not always revealing the whole picture but just the next step when it came to me that the next step is Cowboy Church. I mean it's like I have been sitiing there in church for the last 4-5 years while GOD had me on hold.
Yeah I am active. Let me see, I fill in for the Sunday school teacher, go to mens' morning prayer, conduct open assembly for the seniors, show up for work days, go to the mens' breakfasts, go to the associational evangelism get togethers, preach when the pastor wants me to, make a joyful noise, tithe, serve on a committee, visit nursing homes, call prospect church members, pray, encourage, uplift, instruct, make a joyful noise - all of the organized religious stuff and with zeal and in faith and with love. But the desire of my heart was that in some way He would simply use me to spread His Wrd, bring others to Jesus, serve up close and personal.
And right there in the middle of a service I get the message - Cowboy Church. A place like an arena or feed store or a local place where people congregate that doesn't have a cross on it, there ain't no pews and people don't look down on you if you track in manure. You know like Jesus going out to get with the people right where they live and participating in their lives for the sake of their souls.
We have been involved with horses, arenas and country folks for our pleasure for almost a year. Was that GOD positioning us? I've been learning to simply the message in general assembly. Was that GOD training me?
I've had encouragement and validation in any number of ways since then. I think even this website crashed so I could think anew where I am and what I am doing. I am excited!!!

[resecoy]

Been in prayer for the planting of cowboy church and I am sure you have been praying, too. I have a group of prayer partners and we are praying scripture on a daily basis. My wife and I have really started to come closer and more unified as time goes on.
Looking for a core group to start this work of GOD. Pray that He will send people who want to come alongside Him and partner with my wife and I.
It's time to go out and beat the bushes and combs the canyons for His strays and the lost herd that is wandering out on the range. Lord I need some wranglers, ropers, point men, drag men, scouts and a cook for this drive.

[Alabaster]

What you have shared here is very exciting, resecoy! I pray that you will see the Lord's hand at every turn in the road and follow it!

Isaiah 30:21
Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left.

[His Masters Voice?]

I have been thinking of you and praying for you as well as your concept of the cowboy church. I just wanted to check in and see how the idea is progressing. I will continue to pray for you and your hope of ministry.

[His Masters Voice?]

I thought you would enjoy this as well; hope I didn't post it in a spot people would think it didn't belong. When I was surfing the net and saw this, I knew I had to post it for you. Inspiration, perhaps?

Reaching out to those people who feel far more comfortable in a saddle than a pew.

Some people in Texas were having trouble with all those shalls and shall nots in the 10 Commandments. Folks there just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks out in west Texas got together and translated the "King James" into the "King Ranch" language:

Ten Commandments, Cowboy Style.
Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, TX
(1) Just one God.
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(3) No telling tales or gossipin'.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
(5) Put nothin' before God.
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
(7) No killin'.
(8) Watch yer mouth.
(9) Don't take what ain't yers.

(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

This is cowboy church — straight-shooter, sinner-saved-by-grace theology throwing a rope out to the lost, the lonely and those who long for an unvarnished faith.

No fancy duds. No politicized preaching. No denominational hair-splitting. It's come as you are, in spirit, spurs and Stetsons. It's bucking bulls and plumbing Bibles in a dusty arena or dropping a hard-won dollar in a boot on the back table after a punchy sermon.

Fundamentally, it's an attitude, whether you ride a bronc or a computer keyboard.

What Is church really ? — a transmission vehicle to let people hear about the saving grace of Jesus.
It's the horse that God rides in on.

[resecoy]

I trulu appreciate that and have passed it on to my prayer posse. If you pray for us, pray for our unity to each other and to GOD and that we can get an even closer relationship with Him.

Being one with each other and one with GOD and letting Him have the reins and hanging on for the ride.

[Alabaster]

Prayer posse!

[resecoy]

Thought I would update all of you, especially those of you who were praying for me about a cowboy church. I haven't gotten one started and the passion I had for it has died or at least is at a low simmer. I think GOD has said no or at least not now. But I still marvel at what he does and how he does it.

As summer turned into fall last year I realized I that I didn't have the support and resources I needed to start a cowboy church. I gave it to GOD and said, "It would be Your church anyway, so if it is going to happen it'll be in Your time and Your way." And that's where it stands. However, I still didn't feel comfortable at the church we were attending. GOD said move on and so I have. We have, that is, the whole family moved on to Chisholm Trail Cowboy Church in Duncan, OK.

Since attending our 11 year-old-dughter started singing in the choir, playing music, helping with the children's church and generally ingratiating herself to others with her modesty, sweet spirit and willingness to work.

I have started writing and reciting cowboy poetry and my wife does baking for the various events we have. We look forward and enjoy going to church and feel like we are serving the saints that worship there.

Two week ago at cowboy camp at the men's retreat at Falls Creek near Davis, OK, I got to meet Ernest who has just started a cowboy church. I must say I have to repent of envy but on the other hand GOD has blessed me by letting me be a part of that church plant.

Last summer I went through the various ups and downs of trying to start a cowboy church. When I heard of this person who was having some turmoil about same thing, the Holy Spirit nudged me to talk to him. I called him two nights in a row.

It was very evident to me that he had it all together as far as starting a cowboy church. I felt that the Spirit was working within him, he was deeply rooted in the faith and the Word, well positioned and above all had a heart that was burdened for the lost. The only thing lacking was a place for the church. He did relate to me he had found an arena with a bar attached that would work well but wasn't sure the owner would give him a lease, especially one he could afford.

I had collected $250 in donations towards a cowboy church start but didn't have any idea what to do with it since my plan had failed. GOD said give it to Ernest, so I sent him the check. The first $150 of that came from a vacation bible school class in Hardesty, OK who had heard that I wanted to start a cowboy church. The rest came from a man who put it in my hand for my ministry.

The owner of the arena and bar finally leased them to Ernest. Now the cowboy church at Calera, OK is a reality. Praise the Lord. And the first year's lease was $250.

So I am alive and well, living in Duncan, OK, marvelling at what GOD does and feeling blessed that He didn't give me what I wanted but sure has given me everything I've needed.

[resecoy]

Update:

Ernest Martel and the Cowboy Church at Calera, OK is going great guns. Thank You Jesus.

Put in my pathway was another man, Wes Kinder who is in the process of starting a Cowboy Church. I have visited with Wes and believe the Lord has begun a work in him that will progress to the planting of the church. Praise the Lord!

I am writing and reciting Christian Cowboy Poetry. My daughter is active with the children and youth. She contributes to the church website, sings in the choir and performs from time to time.

Had a recent watermelon, homemade ice cream, trail ride and sing along that keeps feeding the fellowship within the church. The Lord loves the cowboy and we are doing our best to lead the cowboy to love the Lord.

[resecoy]

Wes is down in Texas attending a seminar on starting a cowboy church. Looks like he will kick off Cache Creek Cowboy Church near Walters, OK sometime in November. GOD is at work here - in the field, in the arena, in the barn, in the corral, in the hearts of people who get their hands dirty every day with the soil and animals of Oklahoma - and he is calling people to help him in His work. "The fields are ripe, the workers are few, pray the Lord of the harvest send the workers."

Have others asking about starting a cowboy church in Frederick, OK. I believed last year the Lord had called me to start a cowboy church. I answered that call from my heart but then nothing materialized. Now I see that the labor I am to do is to help plant a whole orchard and not just be the tender of one tree. Thank you Lord for much fruit.

Father,
I know he is just as wild as some of the untamed land You created. He ans she is full of cactus, briars, long dry stretches and rough edges. But we know that You created Him because You love him. That cowboy is no more barren or unfruitful then the desert. Send someone to tend, water and feed him and her with the best from Your heart and watch them flourish and grow to Your praise, honor and glory.

Amen.