Journey To The Cross Chapter" of the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys is bringing back "Rodeo Bible Camp" to Garden City and Southwest Kansas for a second year. This year's event will be June 14, 15 and 16 at F Diamond Arena in Garden City. The organization expects 25 to 30 young people to attend with another 25 to 30 adult volunteers doing the "work." Randy Fisher, organizer of the event, said, "We have taken on a motto for our Rodeo Bible Camp as 'Taking kids to cowboys and taking cowboys to Christ.'"

Rodeo Bible Camps are a unique blend of biblical teaching and rodeo instruction geared towards encouraging a young person to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ while improving their rodeo event skills. Rodeo Bible Camps are held every summer throughout the country. The camp is not just a "vacation." There will be individual and group sessions going on continuously June 14 from 6 to 10 p.m., June 15 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and June 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult spiritual counselors and leaders, mostly different people from the rodeo event instructors, are there to spend time and encourage the campers in a biblical manner, and help them to build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The students are referred to as "campers" because they will be camping at the location. Adult leaders are with the campers at all times, and there are sleeping arrangements with separate facilities for boys and for girls.

Instruction is taught simultaneously by highly qualified instructors, very knowledgeable in Rodeo events. Randy Fisher said, "We feel they have the capability to promote success, leadership and motivation, along with professional instruction in their particular event. They teach how to get individual goals and the skill necessary to obtain them. Communications between instructors and students is close throughout the camp and many will remain in contact long after the camp is over."

In addition to the events, the camp also offers activities, special speakers, dynamic Bible study times, singing, good food and exciting rodeo action. Rev. Randy Caddell will be conducting "Cowboy Church" several times during the camp.

Camps are for Junior And Senior High youth, age 13 to 19 for the senior division and 8 to 12 for the junior division. No experience is necessary to attend, however the camps usually attract individuals who are currently participating in rodeo activities.

Randy added, "Our goal is to raise up a generation of young people who will walk in integrity, to be committed to Jesus Christ, and compromise nothing at all cost in living the western heritage way of life."

This year's events include: Calf Roping, Team Roping, Chute Steer Wrestling and Horsemanship for the cowboys. Events for cowgirls are Goat Tying, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping and Horsemanship. Entrants may participate in as many events as they choose, but Horsemanship is required for all cowboys and cowgirls.

Visitors and parents are invited and encouraged to attend the Rodeo, cowboy church and awards program which starts Tuesday at 1 p.m. F Diamond Arena is located at 1205 West Maple St. in Garden City. Otherwise, Randy said, "No parents hanging around." Bleachers are provided for these events.

Each camper is required to provide a proof of adequate insurance with your registration form. Each form MUST be signed and NOTARIZED by a parent and/or legal guardian.

Tuition for the camp is $100, but a limited number of scholarships is available. Randy emphasized that "No one with an interest to participate will be left out because of financial conditions." Registration is due June 7, 1009. Late applications will be accepted, but the late tuition is $150. Check in time is 5 p.m. June 14 and the event concludes at 5 p.m. June 16 after the Rodeo and awards. Each participant is responsible for providing their own horse, but pens are available.

"Journey To The Cross Chapter" is a member of The Fellowship of Christian Cowboys. The Fellowship of Christian Cowboys was founded by Wilbur Plaugher, the famous rodeo clown and Mark Schricker, National Finals Rodeo Calf Roping and Steer Wrestling Champion. When Mark and Wilbur first had the vision for starting a fellowship for cowboys they envisioned cowboys ministering to cowboys. They knew there was an important message to get out and they knew cowboys would listen to cowboys. They just never guessed the full scope of what God had in store for the ministry.

The Journey To The Cross chapter was founded in 1992 and meets the last Tuesday of each month at the F Diamond Arena. Randy estimates that the average attendance is 25 to 40 on a regular basis. Randy said, "We get excellent participation from Garden City Community College students and Rodeo Team members during the school year. Many of these students have previously attended one or more Rodeo Bible Camps."

The monthly meeting starts at 5 p.m. with a "Rope and Ride" (weather permitting.). A free covered dish meal is served at 7 p.m., followed by music and message at 7:30 p.m.

Journey To The Cross is a non-denominational organization and has been described by visiting area pastors as "Raw Church" in the simple and straight line approach to ministering and a personal relationship with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. The chapter President is John Bauerle and Secretary/Treasurer is Jimmy Stephenson.

PUBLIC WELCOME. Everyone is made to feel welcome to the Journey To The Cross meetings…whether wearing boots or sneakers. F Diamond Arena is located at 1205 West Maple St. in Garden City. For further information about the Rodeo Bible Camp or Journey To The Cross, contact Randy or Rhonda Fisher at 620-521-1949 or email: rhondafisher@gcnet.com