By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ZACHARY, La. (LBM) – Cross Creek Cowboy Church, Zachary, will host a summit, March 12, for those interested in starting cowboy churches and ministries.
Scheduled from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., the event at 21160 Plank Road in Zachary will include fellowship, a barbecue lunch provided by “United by Barbecue” (a non-profit organization) and messages from speakers: Louis Husser, pastor of Crossgate Church, Robert; Lane Corley, church planting strategist for Louisiana Baptists; Josh Morris, pastor of Cross Creek Cowboy Church; Randy Smith, pastor of Cross Brand Cowboy Church, Loranger; and Phillip Gilliland, church planting catalyst for the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches.
The summit is sponsored by Crossgate Church and the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
“The main purpose is to encourage those who are either considering planting cowboy churches or those involved in one to receive encouragement and instruction,” said Husser, who is co-organizing the summit. “Our vision is to see multiple cowboy churches planted out of this summit. We are praying for a great harvest in the future and believe this summit could help play a key role in making that happen.”
Corley echoed the thought.
“Our desire is to plant all kinds of churches for all kinds of people in Louisiana,” he said. “Cowboy churches and ministries have seen success reaching a population segment with a unique culture and lifestyle.”
According to Corley, LBC cowboy churches have baptized 540 new believers across Louisiana since 2015.
“We’re not done yet,” said Husser, whose church has planted four cowboy churches since 2004. “We are just getting started. The summit will be a great day of meeting those ready to start a cowboy church and catching onto the vision among the cowboy church culture.”
Register by visiting the summit website.