Not Church

January 27 was a day that will go down as a day... well... as a very different day. Land of the Sky Cowboy Church was asked to help sponsor Cowboy Day at Swannanoa First Baptist Church. The day would begin with a breakfast and then a cowboy style service. You just don't say that to a cowboy pastor if you don' mean it. Steve Rayburn, pastor of Swannanoa gave us the reigns and said one thing, "preach the gospel". There were 150 for breakfast and around 600 for the service. Steve told the congregation that they came within 10 people of setting the Sunday School attendance record.

Our ministry team from Cowboy Church really made an impact. My wife Suzanne in conjunction with, Natilie, Nikki, their Dad Mike along with Matt and Lacie all brought out their horses and greated everyone as they drove up to the church parking lot. Now that's Cowboy. The service started with a Stick Horse Stampede featuring 30 children from the Kingdom Kids ministry of Swannanoa First Baptist. From there we "Cowboy'd Up" and gave the gospel cowboy church style. The people at Swannanoa First Baptist made us feel very welcome. My Mom has been the organist for this church for 42 years, so most of the members know me because I grew up there or they know my Mom. It made me a little nervous knowing that just about everyone there knew me when I was in High School, yikes! Gods plan for my life continues to unfold each day as we move forward. None of this could have happened without people praying for us. If you are reading this I would encourage you to please pray for this ministry. It is our mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ within the Cowboy Culture and help others become effective Christ followers.

From Suzanne and myself we want to thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Time to Cowboy Up

It's January 1, 2008 and what a better way to begin the New Year then getting Land of the Sky Cowboy Church running. Since we've been here in Asheville we have seen Gods hand at work despite some of the obvious obsticles. The great thing is, God is bigger than anyone or any problem. I'll give you an example. Last week I was speaking to a Raymond Bell the founder of the Cowboy Church of Virginia and we were talking about our new work here in Asheville. Ray and I had talked a few times over the past couple of years but had not officially met. We talked for about 2 hours on the phone. A few hours after we had hung up he called me back and asked what we were doing Saturday, Suzanne and I had nothing pressing, Ray asked if I would like some company, sure I said, and the next thing I new my wife and I were making plans for our guests to arrive.

Ray and his wife Linda showed up at our house around 10:30 am Saturday morning that meant they left their house in Roanoke, Virginia at 6 AM. One thing is for sure when you do something out of the ordinary you find out really quick who your friends are. Ray and Linda spent the better part of Saturday with us just getting to know one another. I know this sounds strange to say but Suzanne and I haven't really found many friends here in Asheville that understand what we are undertaking with the Cowboy Church plant and how it can take a toll on you. I am not quite sure why that is, we have reached out to alot of people here but maybe we just haven't been able to connect with anyone locally yet.

I know Suzanne has had alot on her plate with home schooling and also hepling me with getting the church started. Ray and Linda listened and shared their experiences from years of ministry work and service. The Cowboy Churches in Virginina, like here in the Carolinas, are seeing tremendous growth as God works through the men and women of the Cowboy Church. It's not just about having a new niche to share the Gospel or impressive music but it happens because men and women are praying for change in peoples hearts. Only Jesus Christ can make that change possible, if we are ready.

All I can say is that it energized us to meet people that are out there on the front lines of ministry, doing what the Bible says,...GO! And go they did right here to Swannanoa, NC and shared their light with Suzanne and I. I'll never forget that day and someone lending a hand of freindship for Christ. Now that's being a light and an example for how Christ says we are to act towards one another.

On Thursday January 10 at 7PM we will begin holding services in Madison County. We have already been asked to start another Cowboy Church in Haywood County this spring. Please continue to pray for Suzanne and me as we share the gospel in the Cowboy culture.

Thanks Giving

I sat on the hill over looking my parents farm tonight and just watched the sun go down over the mountains. Since we moved here I don't think I had taken time to just sit and look at the mountains or watch the sun set. It was one of those moments that I just stopped to watch the horses eating grass and let Lucy the dog (not our dog, just one that comes up to the house when we show up to chase Fletcher, our dog) curl up beside me and we just sat there listening to the wind and the sound of the horses moving through the field. When is the last time you stopped and let the world go by so you could slow down? The time to say "thanks" to those that have made a difference in your life. Then "give" back to those with who you can make a difference. God gave us His great gift in His son Jesus Christ, we say thanks by being faithful to Gods words and sharing what Christ has done for us with others.

Wagons Ho

When is the last time you moved? I don't mean a job move, where a compnay pays the expenses and you have a job waitin' for you. Have you ever moved to a new town with nothing more than a dream and a plan to make it happen? That's church planting.

After planting a Cowboy Church in Kissimmee, FL we felt Gods leading and now we are in the process of planting a Cowboy Church here in the Western North Carolina region just outside of Asheville. It is quite an experience, we have visited a few churches and spoken to many pastors about our plans and just about everyone we have met has offered their assistance. One thing is for sure, though, not one of the churches we have visited have had anyone followup with us or come by to visit. Even the church I grew up hasn't called or come over to visit even after we filled out 4 Visitor Cards. That's not a complaint but an observation. It would have been nice if some of the people from the church would have stopped by and asked if we needed anything or just brought a plate of Grits over. Ha ha.

That to me is a good example of why church plants are so needed in this area. A church planter understands the basics of a servant heart. When Suzanne and I first got here we went by the church office, of the one I grew up in and where my Mom serves in the music ministry, and asked if there was a ministry in the church that could maybe give us a hand as we moved in, but their response was, "We really don't have anyone for that". If churches aren't able to reach inside their own community what good does it do to travel half a world away and build a building. We need to look at the needs around us.

I saw a friend of mine from Orlando here in Asheville at Wal-Mart and his first words to me were " we need to get people outside of the Stained Glass Prison." He's so right. The leadership in many churches seem challenged by church plants in their communities. Reaching the unchurched is not a subject I take lightly. Only with God leading us are we able to fullfill the work He has called us too.

Cowboy Church here in Ashveille will reach people that don't go to church now and become a ministry of example. The time has come to put all the teaching that we have learned in Sunday School, and Church to work in our neighborhoods where we live.

National Day of the American Cowboy

This should be a hoot! An entire day, July 28 2007, devoted to celebrating the heritage of the American Cowboy, or if your from Florida The Cowhunter. When I first heard about this holiday I was excited because I'm always looking for ways to meet people in the cowboy community here in Florida. Any chance I get to share Christ whether it's at a rodeo, horse show, or a Holiday that's dedicated to the continuing education of a lifestyle that engages the memories of youth and mystic of the old west. If you don't know the history of the Florida Cowhunter you may want to do a little research and discover why the Cowhunter is one of the most unique styles of Cowboys with a history that rivals any story from the old west.

Our plan for the holiday is to bring a little cowboy entertainment to Lakeland which is about half way between Orlando and Tampa. At the same time let the community know about our Cowboy Ministry.

So come and join us Saturday July 28 at Conibear RV on North Highway 98. You can find more information about The National Day of the American Cowboy at http://www.cowboyday.com/ or you can visit the Mill Town web page http://www.cowboyministry.com/ for more information.

Come on by and visit with us Saturday July 28 and experience the Cowboy in you.

Listen'n to the Trail Boss

We just got back from 2 weeks in Asheville, NC where I grew up. Our first stop was with Jeff Smith of the Cowboy Church Network. He held a conference for all of the Cowboy Pastors at his ranch near Charlotte, NC. It is very encouraging to so many men mobilizing to spread the gospel through the cowboy culture.

There are alot of people who like to trail ride and compete in all types of equestrian events and the men involved with Cowboy Church have a call to go to where these people are. Many times just being on the trail with a few people is enough to share Jesus Christ in a way that is comfortable to those your riding with. The Cowboy Church is growing and it's impact is being felt in unique ways. Some people that haven't been to church in many years enjoy the layed back atmosphere, in some locations tourists stop by to visit just to take in some of the local traditions.

While we were in Asheville we visited the Blue Ridge Cowboy Church near Asheville and the Cross Country Cowboy Church of Shelby. Each of these churches is serving a needed ministry in their community.

During our trip to Asheville we had planned on relaxing a bit but our first few days were spent at the emergency room. Suzanne had a pain in her side and the doctor thought it was her appendix but thankfully it turned out to be less serious but no less stressful.

The night we went over to the Blue Ridge Cowboy Church Jeff spoke about Listening to the Trail Boss. If you've ever been on a trail drive or just seen one in your favorite western you know there is typically one man in charge of the operation. You take all your direction from him while your on the drive. It can mean the difference between getting a paycheck at the end of the drive or even life and death. Jeff used verse from John 14:13-14. Verse 14 says "If you ask Me anything in My name (Jesus), I will do it."

If the trail boss knows you and you know him chances are you can go to him with a request or concern and he''ll listen. Our relationship with God is much the same, if we have a relationship with His son, Jesus, then He will listen when we talk to Him. If we don't know Jesus we don't know God and He doesn't know us. I realize this might sound harsh but it's the truth. If we ask God to answer our prayers He wants us to be living a life that is worth blessing and is in tune with what God expects from us.

I find myself not always listening to the Trail Boss and that's when I usually begin to wonder off the trail into some deep forest. I don't know about other ministries but the more I try to do things my way the more difficult it is for the Trail Boss to communicate with me. We always have great ideas and strategies for events and ways to bring people in to participate in Cowboy Church but that's not always what God has in mind.

Maybe God has been trying to talk to you on the trail and you've too busy to listen. Take some time and get alone with Him, clear your mind of the duties and commitments and the things that would distract you attention. Get into a right relationship with God, ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and ask Him to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be and then commit yourself to living each day for Christ taking your direction from the only Trail Boss that will ever count.

On The Trail

This has been a year full of exciting trails for the Cowboy Ministry. One thing is for sure, if you know God is calling you, it's best to head that direction. We've traveled to Rodeo's, Horse Shows, and Cattle Drives. And each time we travel to a different location we see Gods' had move in a mighty way.

Last night I went to Lake Alfred to the South of Heaven Rodeo. Tucked away, off of Hwy 17-92, down a dusty road, drive behind the house it opens up to pick-up trucks and lots of boys and girls wearing hats and boots and a small rodeo arena. This is a training facility for Cowboys and Cowgirls to learn how to Rodeo. It is owned by CJ Brown. He helps young Cowboys learn the "ups and downs" of the rodeo business. Each Tuesday they have a "Buck Out", this is a chance for new riders to learn how to get on and off Bulls or Broncs (horses). CJ and I talked about his training and he told me how important is was to him not just to teach how to ride but also how to live. Life lessons are important to him and he conveys that to the young cowboy's at his ranch.

So we have a standing appointment each Tuesday to go over, pray with these young men and women and watch them learn a little aboutlife one ride at a time.