COWBOY CHURCHES ARE A THING
One woman went searching for cowboy curches and found down-home humility and folksy wisdom.

By Melanie Saxton
It raced toward me from the left side of the two-lane highway. The familiar big and white sign had become my own personal landmark over the years. On the outskirts of Sealy, Texas, just north of I-10 and Port City Stockyards, it signaled the countdown: 29 minutes to go before reaching my parents’ farm. 

This time, there was something about the image that touched my heart—the kneeling cowboy in front of a cross, the horse in tow, and the simple lettering: “All Around Cowboy Church.” The collage of symbols called to me as I navigated the mix of dually trucks, cattle trailers, SUVs, and the occasional motorcycle passing to and fro on Highway 36.

The young Abercrombie-clad teen sitting next to me woke me from my reverie. “We should visit the All Around Cowboy Church, Mom,” she piped up. I realized immediately that my child and I could both benefit from some old-fashioned, rugged church­going. 

I was craving something deeper, something more organic and natural, something … wholesome. I wanted more than just an experiment. I wanted an experience, a departure from padded pews.

The next Sunday morning we sped toward Sealy to make the 10 a.m. service, and my daughter asked if Pastor Sonny Rice would do rope tricks. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure myself, but we were both just happy to be wearing jeans to church...read more