Mark's Notebook


	Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. - Isaiah 1:18

Cowboy church rounds 'em up

Orlando Sentinel

Thursday 20 October 2005, 10:24 am
Keywords: Christian Topics , News Articles

by Mark I. Pinsky, Sentinel Staff Writer

The Rev. Gene Blankenship Jr. pulls up to the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show building in Osceola Heritage Park every first and third Thursday evening of the month to preside at the Cowboy Church of Central Florida.

The cowboy ministry, which is supported by New Hope Southern Baptist Church in St. Cloud, began six weeks ago, after several years of planning. Blankenship says he feels called to "outside evangelism" -- nontraditional approaches to saving souls. He heard about cowboy churches in the West and Midwest, and thought the concept might work in Central Florida, with its long tradition of "cracker cowboys."

"Our goal is to reach those who enjoy the Western culture with the gospel of Christ, whether they're a working cowboy or a cowboy at heart," says Blankenship, 43, whose day job is running an audio-production company.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-view1705oct17,0,4749708.story?c
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