Cowboy Culture: Oak Ridge church mission leads to offshoots

The Cape County Cowboy Church started, fittingly, in a livestock barn. The barn, in Fruitland, seated 275 people.

Since that humble beginning in January 2004, church attendance has exploded, so much so that by 2009, church leaders decided to build a sanctuary in Oak Ridge, just off Interstate 55 about 20 miles north of Cape Girardeau.

"As soon as we had the new facility, we had about 800 people coming every week," said Denah Siebert, minister of disciples. The new sanctuary seats 1,300.

To say the church is different from most is an understatement.

The church's altar was built using rough-hewn wood and reflects the spirit behind the unique place of worship.

Tim Mills and his mother LeeAnn lead church members in worship Tuesday evening, May 19, 2015 at the Gravel Hill location of Cape County Cowboy Church. (Glenn Landberg)

"We want people to feel at home," said Jim Matthews, who has served as pastor of the church since its inception. "There is one cross in the whole building. One cross was all it took to pay for our sins."

While the church has a different model than most, the point is the same, Matthews emphasized.

"We preach the same gospel in a different setting," he said.

Siebert also has been with the church since it started, and she said, as did Matthews, that the idea behind its country focus is to reach an underserved population.

"We were trying to reach people with the cowboy culture," Siebert said.

Allison Elfrink stands with Chico, a wild mustang she is training, while Leanna and Cash Menees debate petting him at the Gravel Hill location of Cape County Cowboy Church Tuesday evening, May 19, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

And it worked. The church has helped people who might feel uncomfortable in a traditional church get to know about the gospel of Christ, and let them know they are accepted.

"God loves you. You don't have to change for God to love you," Matthews said. "He loves you just as you are."

That message has resonated, and, by 2012, membership grew so much that the church needed a second facility.

An indoor arena in Gravel Hill, Missouri, was chosen for the second location -- about 20 miles west of Cape Girardeau, just beyond Burfordville.

Matthews has his hands full.

Pastor Jim Matthews saddles a horse before participating in calf roping practice at the Gravel Hill location of Cape County Cowboy Church Tuesday evening, May 19, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

On Sundays, he preaches at the 8 a.m. service in Gravel Hill, after which he dashes to Oak Ridge, where he preaches at 9:30 a.m.

Instead of a Wednesday night service, The Cowboy Church has special services at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Tuesday-night services are held at Gravel Hill. Before and after the service, there are roping events, such as team roping, so people who participate in those activities bring their horses to church with them.

"If you had a family life recreation center, people might play basketball and bring their own basketball with them," Matthews said.

Thursday-night services are held in Oak Ridge, and during the school year, before church, a meal is served at 5:30 p.m.

Charlie Wade pilots a four-wheeler pulling a sled with a plastic calf attached to it Tuesday while Becky Menees practices roping at the Gravel Hill location of Cape County Cowboy Church. (Glenn Landberg)

"It works great for people who are at shows or rodeos on the weekend, or people who are just getting off shift," Siebert said.

All services are casual.

"Most drive trucks, not cars. Most would have more boots in their closet rather than sandals and most drive on roads made of gravel, not pavement," Matthews said.

That doesn't mean that only horse people attend the church.

"We've got doctors, lawyers, judges, as well as cowboys and horse trainers," he said.

Pastor Jim Matthews enjoys a laugh during worship before delivering a sermon Tuesday evening, May 19, 2015 at the Gravel Hill location of Cape County Cowboy Church. (Glenn Landberg)

Contemporary Christian music is set to a country beat, making even the music a different experience.

Summer programs at the church reflect the cowboy way of life, too.

Since the church's beginning, each year it has held a family Bible Horse Camp at the Golden Hills Resort in Raymondville, Missouri; this year it is June 4 through 7.

Vacation Bible School will be held June 15 through 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

June 21 through 24, a youth camp will be held, and the young people are encouraged to bring their horses for trail rides. Those without horses, are provided with one to use during the camp.

A sign instructs members on how to enter the Gravel Hill location of Cape County Cowboy Church Tuesday, May 19, 2015. (Glenn Landberg)

So well received is the Cowboy Church that, Matthews said, several churches have spun off from the Cape Girardeau County church, and, he said, Siebert was instrumental in helping get them off the ground.

"Since day one, she knew we needed to leave a trail for others to follow," Matthews said.

More information about the church is available at capecountycowboychurch.com.

---

Cape County Cowboy Church helped establish the following churches

• Southern Range Cowboy Church in Goreville, Illinois
• Stoddard County Cowboy Church in Puxico, Missouri
• Thousand Hills Cowboy Church in Poplar Bluff, Missouri
• Phelps County Cowboy Church in St. James, Missouri
• God*'s Country Cowboy Church in Fredericktown, Missouri