It is a Gathering for Cowboys and Western folks who want God in their lives, but not religion. Is relevant to the Cowboy lifestyle (i.e. clothing, setting, music, and so on) and activities, such as ropings, cuttings, sortings, trail rides, play days, clinics, camps, rough stock events, barn dances, etc. It is simple, non-judgemental, and accepting, that is fun and Biblically based. S #1: Sort--to
place, separate, or arrange according to class or kind; to separate from others. A rancher sorts his cattle for special purposes (i.e. shipping, weaning, breeding, culling, doctoring, etc.). God also sorts people for special purposes. Though He loves all people and wants all to be with Him (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4), he knows not all will choose Him (Mt. 7:13,14). He separates (sorts) the wheat and the weeds, the believers from the unbelievers, the sin from the sinner, (Mt.13:24-30; 2 Cor.6:17; Rm. 6:22,23; John 17:17; 1 Thes. 5:23,24). “When he (Jesus) finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left” (Mt. 25:31-33, The Message Bible). S # 2: Seal--As a rancher brands the cattle and horses he owns, the brand “seals the deal” and there is no question who that animal belongs to. So it is when God put, “…his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,…”(2 Cor.1:22, NIV-- “He has put His brand upon us--His mark of ownership…The Living New Testament) and “…Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…(Eph. 1:13,14). We are branded for Christ and we belong to God and He will never abandon us (1 Pe. 2:9; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 7:23; Heb. 13:5). S # 3: Settle--to put in order; to become or make a resident of a place; to stop moving and come to rest somewhere. When cattle are worked, or handled, they can get shook up and the herd can break apart and scatter if pushed too hard. The rancher knows the breaking point of his cows and takes the pressure off until they can “settle” and then continues working them. When done working them he puts them in a place where they have good feed, water, and shelter (“The LORD is my Shepherd…He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…” Psalm 23:1,2). He protects them from predators and thieves; the cattle get to know their owner (recognize his voice and mannerisms) and after a time can be handled easier than when they were first purchased; they settle in. Heaven is our “forever” home (John 14:1-6; Rev. 7:17), but we can be “settled” into God’s family now also (John 3:16; Rom. 10:9, 10,13; John 15, etc.). “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10, NKJV). S #4: Spur--to encourage or cue a horse; to stimulate a person or organization to take action or make greater efforts… “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). We are called to be encouraging to fellow believers (v. 25) and to spread the Good News to those who do not know the Lord (Mt. 28:18-20). Let’s spur and ride! THE CORE VALUES OF OUR VISION:
4 God and People-- Placing Jesus first in everything we do with an emphasis on people. Bible Believing--the Bible is the inspired Word of God and it is profitable for teaching, showing us the truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way (2 Timothy 3:16). Agree--to accept people the way they are and not condemn them, just as Christ did not come to condemn us. Agree to NOT Gossip and to treat others the way we want to be treated. Relevant--to do those things that are relevant to the cowboy way of life. Simplicity--as a church we try to keep things simple and easy in function, message, and dress. We would remove barriers that would keep individuals from attending a service. We meet at Headquarters:
6675 Hwy.78 W.; Pueblo, CO 81005
For more information call (719) 659-9717
Come join us on Sundays at 9:45am for coffee and donuts and then the church Gathering at 10:15am. Jake Shue, Pastor
4 Bar S Gathering
