American Cowboys Spreading the Gospel

A Cowboy fellowship is spreading all over the United States and internationally, sharing the Bible through a Western lifestyle. Fellowship of Christian Cowboys (FCC) is a Colorado Springs-based ministry reaching out to anyone interested...

By Michelle A. Vu, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, September 01, 2005

A Cowboy fellowship is spreading all over the United States and internationally, sharing the Bible through a Western lifestyle.

Fellowship of Christian Cowboys (FCC) is a Colorado Springs-based ministry reaching out to anyone interested in the Western Cowboy lifestyle. FCC delivers Biblical messages before rodeo events, offers Rodeo Bible Camps during the summer, and integrates a Cowboy/Western lifestyle in all their fellowships and events.

“We take the church to the cowboys, to the rodeo arena. We usually meet before a rodeo performance on Sunday,” says Mike McArthur, Partner Development Director of FCC.

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Although FCC might sound like an innovative ministry, it has existed since 1973 and has 72 chapters in officially 20 states, with members in all 50 states and internationally such as in Germany, Canada, Africa, and Australia.

During the summer, the Rodeo Bible Camp ministers to young adults interested in the cowboy way of life. Participants of the three-day long camp begin and end the day with chapel time, and are instructed in horsemanship, trick riding, bull riding, and roping among other trainings during the day.

At the end of the retreat, a special buckle award is given to a man and woman who best exemplify a Christ-like attitude.

The aspect of a Christ-like attitude include, “humility, helpfulness, politeness, attentiveness during chapel time and to team leader,” says McArthur.

“Are they asking question, helping others, and helping when they don't have to? Are they going out of their way to be kind? How hard do they work in event? How are they treating the animals? We have a complete and thorough grading system for this award," he added.

FCC believes its Western Frontier qualities reach out to people because individuals all over the world have a “fondness or romantic idea of the American cowboy, providing a platform to share the Gospel.”

The goal of FCC is to minister to rural America and spread the gospel through forming an alternative fellowship where people who otherwise might be uncomfortable in a mainstream church setting could come and attend service and study the Bible.

FCC consists of a variety of members, from 365-days-a-year Cowboys, to people who are not cowboys but love horses, to businessmen in New York who love the lifestyle but cannot live it.

The vision and dream of FCC is to form a conference center where people from all over the world can come to receive Biblical training, attend Western-style concerts, and to participate in the cowboy lifestyle.

The primary goal of this dream is to “let them know the Lord.”

“We have been an evangelical ministry for over 31 years,” said McArthur, “and we have seen people across the country not understand, they know what other people are saying the gospel mean.”

“FCC is a growing ministry, a Biblical ministry and we place Biblical integrity at the forefront of what we do. We train our people to go to the scripture…something we are very concern with is that the Gospel message being preached may not be the actual Gospel. We have a strong stand on the Biblical Gospel.”

The Fellowship of Christian Cowboys is a non-denominational organization that blends Western and Christian lifestyle, resulting in an services that have “Western-flavored music” alongside traditional hymns. FCC is one of many ministries reaching out to people that traditional churches may not be able to share the Gospel.