Dear Partner,

At just 26 years old, Brian’s father passed away a few months ago, then his uncle. He was close to both of them. In a young marriage, his wife struggled to understand his grief and it felt like everything was falling apart around him. I didn’t know any of that yet but when I saw a social media post, I knew enough to read between the lines that his situation wasn’t good and I sent him a message. He knew me from years back at cowboy church at rodeos and called. We talked for a few hours about grief, God’s love for him, how to show Christ to his wife through his own suffering and how to move forward.

We text back and forth over the coming days as he dug deeper into scripture and had questions or I would check on him periodically. Then came the text…

“Thank you for helping me turn my life around! I have been reading the Bible and getting back to myself and I just wanted to say thank you.” I pointed the praise to God and encouraged him some more. “Yes sir! All glory to Him for connecting us and allowing me to find Him again!”

These are the kinds of life-changing encounters God brings about through your support of this ministry to a complicated cowboy subculture that embraces faith but with little Christian leadership or pastoral connections to shepherd that faith toward Jesus and the Gospel.

Will you be one of 28 people needed to give $500 (that’s less than $50 a month) so that I can continue leading Cowboys of the Cross in my 21st year as a full time missionary to this under-reached community. That’s just $14,000 to fill this next year’s budget.

The rodeo and cowboy industries embrace the concepts of God, Country and Family but lack solid Christian leadership. Will you partner with me in this to bring a strong Christian presence into this mission field?

WHY THIS MINISTRY MATTERS

*For several reasons, rodeo and cowboy communities have limited to no church family or support in their lives. For many, I’m their only pastoral or church connection.

*I lead cowboy church, short but biblically strong and foundational teaching and prayer at rodeos and cowboy-related events across multiple states.

*Through years of building relationships and trust, I walk one-on-one with cowboys who seeking godly counsel, discipleship, prayer and encouragement.

*The majority of people in the rodeo and ranch communities identify as Christians. Interest in their faith seems to be at an all-time high and with a teaching team of other cowboys, we’re able to provide the solid Biblical teaching they need while still able to make it relevant to the unique challenges their lifestyles present. With weekly content available cross social media and an active website, we have connected with thousands of cowboys across North America, Australia and South Africa. Your gift helps me continue to serve in these ways and more.

REAL IMPACT–Thanks to the generous support of ministry donors, I’ve been able to spend years building trust within these communities and am often the only connection they have to someone in a pastoral role. They will turn to me with questions or problems they are facing and when they do, they come seeking a Christian response.

“Scott has been someone I could trust and count on since I was a 17-year-old kid trying to understand more about what I believed as a Christian. Now, at 34 with a family of my own, I know he’s still there if I need godly advice. Many of these cowboys see Scott as their pastor and the only person they are willing to turn to” –Eythan Laws, Olin, NC

“Scott was there for me when no one else was at a time I was at my lowest. We’re a hard bunch that do

some dumb things but Scott has been Jesus to me when I didn’t feel like I had a friend who understood me. He has traveled here just to take me to a local church.” –Mark McDonnel, Dayton, Ohio.

HOW TO GIVE–Cowboys of the Cross is now its own non-profit. You tax deductible giving can be done *Online https://cowboys.churchtrac.com/give Online giving instructions are on the home page for single or monthly offerings.

*By Mail Checks should be payable to Cowboys of the Cross and sent to:

Cowboys of the Cross

3710 Warden Branch Lane,

Gatlinburg, TN,

37738

Your support keeps me behind the chutes and always accessible from anywhere to bring the hope found only in Christ in a place it’s welcomed but seldom available. Praise God, this will be the 21^st year people like you have helped me serve and minister in this fruitful mission field. Please let me know if I can answer any questions.

In Christ and with thanks,

Scott Hilgendorff                         865 293 2668                         cowboysofthecross@gmail.com