Sermon on the mount

Holding the reigns to his horse, Desired Spark, Lew Sterrett rode around Flickerwood Arena in Fruitland kicking up dirt and sharing Scripture at the same time.

Sterrett delivered his "Sermon on the Mount" before a standing-room-only crowd Friday night at the arena. At least 1,000 people filled the bleachers in the arena to see Sterrett break a 3-year-old stallion that had never before been ridden.

As he worked to gain the horse's trust, Sterrett talked about faith and developing trust in God.

The event was sponsored by the Cape County Cowboy Church, a new Southern Baptist congregation that meets weekly in the livestock auction barn in Fruitland.

Pastor Jim Matthews said the church wanted to give something back to the community that has supported its beginning.

"What they get is to learn something about horses" while hearing the gospel, he said. "We think that's the greatest gift you could give."

The message of the preacher on horseback transcended the horse sense of the cowboy crowd; listening to Sterrett talk and seeing him work gave a lesson on human nature. As he held the lead rope for the unbroken colt, Sterrett talked about how people live self-centered lives. Each time the horse pushed against Desired Spark, it was trying to prove its strength and exert its will.

"People confuse meekness with weakness," Sterrett said. His stallion wasn't weak, but was used to a relationship with its master and trainer. The unbroken horse was not. "He expects me to come to his standards," Sterrett said as he led the horse around the arena.

Sterrett would lean over from his seated position atop his own horse to reach across the colt's body. "You don't ride the body, you ride the thoughts and affections."

He continued circling the arena and working to break the horse. When the horse learns to put its trust in a master and rider, then it will begin to cooperate with training exercises. But the colt wasn't exactly happy about this new authority in its life.

He lagged behind as Sterrett trotted and walked around the arena. "He's obeying but he's dragging his feet." That's often what people do. They obey God but not always with a willing and cheerful heart, Sterrett said.

It took nearly an hour for Sterrett to get the horse used to his touch and guidance in the arena. A blanket and saddle were introduced separately. The horse bucked and kicked and broke loose from Sterrett's grip. But eventually, the animal calmed down and came to a standstill.

About 10 minutes later, Sterrett's assistant Nicole Larkin was able to mount the creature.

Sterrett has been breaking horses in this manner since 1981. He operates Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions in Pennsylvania and offers workshops for training horses.

"This is the fastest way to break a colt," he said. "It's easy for him to see and borrow the faith of one who he sees has peace."

The things Sterrett teaches really work, said Jim Goggin. Goggin attended a workshop earlier Friday with Sterrett at an Advance farm. "I've been training horses for 40 years, and just wish I'd met him earlier."

Sterrett will be speaking at Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau on Sunday.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126