Cowboy Fellowship ropes in more than just cowboys in Pleasanton_10603

Posted: 10/3/03

Cowboy Fellowship ropes in more
than just cowboys in Pleasanton

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

PLEASANTON–The bumper sticker reads: “Cowboy Fellowship. It's not just for cowboys anymore.”

And now the Western heritage church in Pleasanton aims to back that up.

Pete Pawelek baptizes J.P. Meuth in a horse trough at Cowboy Fellowship. More than 90 people have committed their lives to Jesus at the church since May.

While Cowboy Fellowship intentionally reaches out to people who are interested in rodeo arena events, some church members “probably couldn't tell you what a horse looks like,” said Pastor Pete Pawelek. No matter their background, he wants them to know Jesus.

The new church, sponsored by First Baptist Church of Pleasanton, Frio River Baptist Association and the Baptist General Convention of Texas, kicked off services last spring with a crowd of 172 people in the Atascosa County Show Barn.

The group included many people who attended Bible study and roping events held in the years prior to the launch.

“Everybody thought it was good, but it was still new,” Pawelek said. “We did a lot of publicity. We didn't know how many people came because it was new.”

Some may have come because it was new, but they must have found something they liked. Attendance continued to grow as high as 440 people throughout the summer, despite no air conditioning in the metal barn. About 300 regularly attend Sunday services.

As of mid-September, more than 90 people had made professions of faith in Jesus Christ through the church's efforts. Each week, at least one person has made a profession of faith.

Baptismal services are held the first Sunday of each month, followed by a church-wide meal and arena events such as roping and barrel racing.

Pawelek sees the church filling a void other congregations in the area left untouched. Worshippers feel comfortable at the church's events as they come in blue jeans, cowboy hats and boots. Some come to church from working the fields and return to work after the services.

“When people know Jesus is going to be somewhere, and the gospel is going to be presented, and they have the opportunity to encounter God, they will do what they have to do to get there,” the pastor explained.

With a steady stream of people coming to the church and to the Christian faith, the congregation launched “Saddle-Up” seminars, one-hour classes for new members. The classes outline what can be expected from the church and what the church expects from its members. They also allow the pastor to meet each new member.

Additionally, the church recently launched a couple of small discipleship groups, where Pawelek hopes members will learn the basics of the faith and begin to grow spiritually.

“The majority of our congregation is people who haven't been to church in 10 years,” he said. “Some have never been in church.”