For several days last week, horses and fun were one of the primary focuses of an event at Golden Hills Trail Rides and Resort near Raymondville.
But there was another subject that took priority for approximately 250 people participants who came from all over Missouri and many other states to gather at the 5,000-acre equine venue: God and Jesus.
This was the 11th consecutive year that the Heartland Christian Cowboys and Cowgirls Gathering has taken place at Golden Hills. Founder Matt and Melissa Wagner, of St. Joseph, founded the event 13 years ago, and it quickly outgrew the first two locations it was held.
“Basically, it’s God and horses,” Matt said. “We all say we have a friend in Jesus, but I want to take it one step farther and introduce you to my friend. I think a lot of people just don’t have the boldness to go out and share that, and we just try to encourage others as much as we can.
“After all, He’s our Lord and savior.”
The Wagners are each connected with the “Cowboys for Christ” national organization, with both being cardcarrying chaplains and Matt also being a regional director. They host weekend gatherings about 35 times each year, but have designated the same week for the Heartland Christian event.
On weekdays, Matt runs a lawn care company and Melissa is philanthropy director for a hospital.
“But when the weekend rolls around, we’re usually ministering to others,” Matt said.
Not all the Wagners’ events involve horsemanship. They also host gatherings based on boating, fishing and other activities.
“Anything you have a passion for can be turned into a ministry with likeminded people,” Melissa said.
About a dozen states were represented at this year’s Heartland Christian gathering, and as many as 17 have been in the past.
“We pull from a big area,” Matt said.
The Wagners said they don’t know of a better venue to host the event the Golden Hills, and they enjoy the openness and hospitality of owners Chuck and Kay Golden.
“There’s not another place that has the amenities they have here, not to mention the family and Christ-oriented ownership of the place,” Matt said. “Basically Chuck and Kay handle the office, and when we show up it, ‘here’s the keys, it’s your place for the week.'”
“They’re very accommodating,” Melissa said.
The Heartland Christian gathering started as a Cowboys for Christ weekend event and grew to become its own entity. Last week’s version included trail rides, “horse games” (even horse soccer), dutch oven cooking classes, a live bluegrass band, square dancing, various contests, swimming and much more. But Bible studies and devotional activities were the main attraction.
“We’ve heard over the years that many people now plan their annual calendar around this week,” Matt said.
“A lot of the kids delay their summer jobs until this is over,” Melissa said.
The diverse and busy schedule of the Tuesday through Sunday Heartland Christian event requires plenty of manpower.
“We couldn’t do this without the volunteer help we get from a lot of people,” Melissa said. “There used to be about three or four of us who did everything and we ended up totally exhausted. Now there are people who have stepped up and handle many different parts. That’s been great.”
The Wagners also have a chuck wagon racing team and compete in many national-level races. They plan to continue hosting ministry events as long as God keeps that door open.
“We’ve got a really good gig,” Matt said. “We get to do things we love to do and share Jesus while we’re doing it.”
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Heartland Christian Cowboys and Cowgirls Gathering, log onto www.heartlandcowboygathering.com. The organization can also be found on Facebook.