International Riders For Christ is for the Cowboy, Cowgirl or the Cowboy, Cowgirl at heart. Anyone who loves the Lord Jesus and enjoys horses, weather you earn your living on a horse or just enjoy riding or showing them, is welcome to join. Please join us and Ride For The Brand Of The Cross! Help us round up the strays and point them to the Gate-Heaven's Gate.
Let me introduce myself, I am John Davis with Osprey Ministries. Like many I grew up on the back of a horse in Florida. Like many I showed horses and cattle over the years along with a little rodeo thrown in. In Florida one of the large producers of beef are the people of the Seminole Tribe. This is where our ministry has it’s roots. Our focus is to share the gospel with Native and Indigenous people. At the same time we are involved with the cowboy churches sharing the gospel with message and song. We would love to speak in any church that would have us. Please visit our web site to see what we have been doing. www.ospreyministries.org
I founded Circle S Ministries years ago after no longer pastoring conventional churches & retiring from being a Christian Family Therapist. I have become a circuit riding preacher/country gospel singer/songwriter who travels to cowboy churches and gatherings all over the U.S. and Canada.
With my wife Carol and our tour bus, we ministered in ove a hundred places this past year to thounads of folks who enjoy the Lords word and good music.
Please visit my website at circleSministries.org....there you will also find a
page of my western art and my cowboy c.d.'s and poetry books.
Greetings from Central Texas......I love to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom of God with technology! Never has there been a time so exciting as this. We can communicate online via computer,I-phone,or Skype in an instant! I am an ordained minister and I teach Kingdom Concepts out of God's word.You know Jesus preached the Kingdom of God where ever he went.It has been a lost and misunderstood message in the western world because America is a democracy. But the word tells us Jesus is a King who rules a kingdom and when we are born again we are born into this kingdom.We become citizens with all of the rights and privileges our king died to give us. He gave us keys to access his kingdom and bring it to Earth just like it is in Heaven.Jesus even told his disciples to pray this way. I would be happy to come to your church or group gathering and expound more on this subject.You can contact me through this venue or by email.Happy Trails......
A Texas size hallelujah for all the ministries that seek to share the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus!
There are many ministries and many churches who would love to have them come to their church. The hardest part is getting the two together. Will this site be it?
Amen, Bob and Sylvia! Getting the singer/preacher with the message to the right church is the toughest part. Maybe this site can be one that assists with that part of the ministry.
This is a great site to start off a new year with....everyone should be able to enjoy the fellowship and making new frieds is always good...remember that we have the promises of our Lord above and that "Sorrow looks back"..."Fear looks around"..and Faith looks up."
Thanks Jimmy. We spend more time on the phone than we do singing. When we get in s church they always invite us back. But it is hard for a church when you call and tell them you want to sing and play in their church. If they don't know you they are apprensive, most think you are wanting to come for the money.
The reason I’m posting this is because there are those here who make there livings as artist and pastors and those who aren’t full time, So I pray I don’t ruffle feathers.
Over the years I have heard so many local groups complain about what others may charge. They always come back with it’s not about the money but for the Lord. Sad to say I was once one of those who also complained about what some groups or artist would charge.
I am still at this time able to ask for a Love Offering at churches and hope to be able to continue to do so, as well as benefits and for nothing at all if need be.
The point is while I was a local artist and my Ministry wasn’t how I made my living money wasn’t an issue, but now that I have a pay role this may change as you have employees you also by nature inherit Other costs, which never seems to end. Even as a local artist I paid those with me.
As artist we all should carry venue insurance, be repaired to pay for the rights (license) to sing the songs we use live ( not all churches and venues have a license) pay royalties on all the songs you record (every copy) if you didn’t write them. Your transportation if used for your ministry (IS NOT COVERED BY REGULAR INSURANCE IF IN AN ACCIDENT) All of our ministries have a business side just as a church if not treated as such not only will you not be able to support the ministry but go bankrupt.
I could continue to go own an own and I found out that for me to feel right about my work for the Lord everything had to be right and the more you do to be a true Christian Artist in all aspects of the ministry the more battles you will fight and the stronger you faith and dependence in the Lord will grow.
I do have a tour bus and it has proven to be cheaper to operate than a van and trailer in the long run, in fact the insurance is even cheaper for me anyways.
We all need to under stand that for some this is a way of life and how they make their living as a full time ministry, for others it weekends as local groups or artists, there is NO room for any of use to be critical of our brothers and sisters and their ministries. We should be lifting one another up in prayer and supporting everyone in everyway we can, especially when we have people going to secular concerts for 25, 50, even a 100 dollars a ticket raising the roof and then complain about a 5 or 10 dollar gospel concert ticket.
As for as getting rich the only riches my LORD ever promised me are in heaven.
I agree Genevia...most folks don't understand the strength it takes to stand on your faith in the music ministry......Years ago I had a relative make the comment that a "love offering" was like living on welfare while nothing could be farther from the truth.
The workman IS worthy of thier hire!
The first twenty years in the music buisness was doing straight country out of Nashville with a bus and a five piece band behind me to support with thier salaries and expenses...folks thought $5,000 a performance was alot of money ...but after expenses it was not as much as workig a factory job.
For the past 30 years in th ministry I still have a bus...your right ..it is cheaper in the long run and easier on the spririt as it keeps you more focused being in your own surroundings rather than motels or wondering about a place to lay your head at night.
As for the music we perform ....I use 95% of my own material so I don't have the hassel of licenesed material....the other 5% is with permission or it is material that is truly public domain.......I really don't believe most singer's realize they are stealing when they are useing another persons music without permission nor do
the churches ralize they are permiting it....either way it is wrong.
I know as a songwritter I have no problem with folks doing my songs if they ask. Anyway...I just wanted to say I appreciated your comments. Rev./Dr. Steven Spalding
Not only has God Jehovah blessed me with a wonderful cowboy ministry but also with a clown ministry. I have combined them both and developed a character I call "Cowboy Derf." He has only been out on the road once to perform so far but the folks at the church sure enjoyed him. And if I remember right, he got some good comments concerning his witnessing efforts too. Praise the Lord for any chance to spread the Gospel message<):o}
In addition to our gospel music and cowboy poetry ministry, I author Bible studies and, Sunday school teacher and small group leader training materials. In recent months, I have been asked to write discipleship training material that could be used in a cowboy church environment. In order to determine what, if any, such material is already available, I would appreciate any leads related to published or in-house discipleship training material. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
As I stopped to listen to what God was saying to me, I took the daunting steps of creating and spreading the word of my ministry and eventually a church. This is something that has been the an eye opening experience. I have a very long way to go. One step and one day at a time. He will direct my steps. I can do all things thru him that strengthens me.
International Riders For Christ
International Riders For Christ is for the Cowboy, Cowgirl or the Cowboy, Cowgirl at heart. Anyone who loves the Lord Jesus and enjoys horses, weather you earn your living on a horse or just enjoy riding or showing them, is welcome to join. Please join us and Ride For The Brand Of The Cross! Help us round up the strays and point them to the Gate-Heaven's Gate.
Pastor BJ Stone
Founded in Valley Mills, Texas
Jan 25, 2011
Suzy Gayle Ministries
May the Lord bless All that you do to further the Kingdom.
Blessings, Suzy Gayle
Jan 25, 2011
John Davis
Let me introduce myself, I am John Davis with Osprey Ministries. Like many I grew up on the back of a horse in Florida. Like many I showed horses and cattle over the years along with a little rodeo thrown in. In Florida one of the large producers of beef are the people of the Seminole Tribe. This is where our ministry has it’s roots. Our focus is to share the gospel with Native and Indigenous people. At the same time we are involved with the cowboy churches sharing the gospel with message and song. We would love to speak in any church that would have us. Please visit our web site to see what we have been doing. www.ospreyministries.org
Blessings,
John
Jan 26, 2011
Rev./Dr. Steven C. Spalding
I founded Circle S Ministries years ago after no longer pastoring conventional churches & retiring from being a Christian Family Therapist.
I have become a circuit riding preacher/country gospel singer/songwriter who travels to cowboy churches and gatherings all over the U.S. and Canada.
With my wife Carol and our tour bus, we ministered in ove a hundred places this past year to thounads of folks who enjoy the Lords word and good music.
Please visit my website at circleSministries.org....there you will also find a
page of my western art and my cowboy c.d.'s and poetry books.
Jan 28, 2011
Rev./Dr. Steven C. Spalding
that this will be a great year for both of you.
Feb 7, 2011
Deborah Diane Lawrence
Greetings from Central Texas......I love to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom of God with technology! Never has there been a time so exciting as this. We can communicate online via computer,I-phone,or Skype in an instant! I am an ordained minister and I teach Kingdom Concepts out of God's word.You know Jesus preached the Kingdom of God where ever he went.It has been a lost and misunderstood message in the western world because America is a democracy. But the word tells us Jesus is a King who rules a kingdom and when we are born again we are born into this kingdom.We become citizens with all of the rights and privileges our king died to give us. He gave us keys to access his kingdom and bring it to Earth just like it is in Heaven.Jesus even told his disciples to pray this way. I would be happy to come to your church or group gathering and expound more on this subject.You can contact me through this venue or by email.Happy Trails......
Feb 9, 2011
Bob and Sylvia Jordan
A Texas size hallelujah for all the ministries that seek to share the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus!
There are many ministries and many churches who would love to have them come to their church. The hardest part is getting the two together. Will this site be it?
Feb 9, 2011
Jimmy Pate
Feb 9, 2011
Rev./Dr. Steven C. Spalding
Feb 9, 2011
Bob and Sylvia Jordan
Feb 12, 2011
Bob and Sylvia Jordan
Do you know the way to make a million dollas singing gospel music?
Start out with 2 million.
Feb 12, 2011
Bob and Sylvia Jordan
One of our favorite places to minister in jails and prisons. If you want to get you boots blessed off go and share with those behind bars.
Lord, when did we see you and prison and visit you? ...... When you have done it to the least of these you have done it also unto me.
Feb 18, 2011
Rocky Morris, Founding Director
Feb 18, 2011
Genevia Johnson
The reason I’m posting this is because there are those here who make there livings as artist and pastors and those who aren’t full time, So I pray I don’t ruffle feathers.
Over the years I have heard so many local groups complain about what others may charge. They always come back with it’s not about the money but for the Lord. Sad to say I was once one of those who also complained about what some groups or artist would charge.
I am still at this time able to ask for a Love Offering at churches and hope to be able to continue to do so, as well as benefits and for nothing at all if need be.
The point is while I was a local artist and my Ministry wasn’t how I made my living money wasn’t an issue, but now that I have a pay role this may change as you have employees you also by nature inherit Other costs, which never seems to end. Even as a local artist I paid those with me.
As artist we all should carry venue insurance, be repaired to pay for the rights (license) to sing the songs we use live ( not all churches and venues have a license) pay royalties on all the songs you record (every copy) if you didn’t write them. Your transportation if used for your ministry (IS NOT COVERED BY REGULAR INSURANCE IF IN AN ACCIDENT) All of our ministries have a business side just as a church if not treated as such not only will you not be able to support the ministry but go bankrupt.
I could continue to go own an own and I found out that for me to feel right about my work for the Lord everything had to be right and the more you do to be a true Christian Artist in all aspects of the ministry the more battles you will fight and the stronger you faith and dependence in the Lord will grow.
I do have a tour bus and it has proven to be cheaper to operate than a van and trailer in the long run, in fact the insurance is even cheaper for me anyways.
We all need to under stand that for some this is a way of life and how they make their living as a full time ministry, for others it weekends as local groups or artists, there is NO room for any of use to be critical of our brothers and sisters and their ministries. We should be lifting one another up in prayer and supporting everyone in everyway we can, especially when we have people going to secular concerts for 25, 50, even a 100 dollars a ticket raising the roof and then complain about a 5 or 10 dollar gospel concert ticket.
As for as getting rich the only riches my LORD ever promised me are in heaven.
GOD BLESS
Genevia Johnson
1 Peter 3:15
Feb 19, 2011
Rev./Dr. Steven C. Spalding
I agree Genevia...most folks don't understand the strength it takes to stand on your faith in the music ministry......Years ago I had a relative make the comment that a "love offering" was like living on welfare while nothing could be farther from the truth.
The workman IS worthy of thier hire!
The first twenty years in the music buisness was doing straight country out of Nashville with a bus and a five piece band behind me to support with thier salaries and expenses...folks thought $5,000 a performance was alot of money ...but after expenses it was not as much as workig a factory job.
For the past 30 years in th ministry I still have a bus...your right ..it is cheaper in the long run and easier on the spririt as it keeps you more focused being in your own surroundings rather than motels or wondering about a place to lay your head at night.
As for the music we perform ....I use 95% of my own material so I don't have the hassel of licenesed material....the other 5% is with permission or it is material that is truly public domain.......I really don't believe most singer's realize they are stealing when they are useing another persons music without permission nor do
the churches ralize they are permiting it....either way it is wrong.
I know as a songwritter I have no problem with folks doing my songs if they ask.
Anyway...I just wanted to say I appreciated your comments.
Rev./Dr. Steven Spalding
Feb 20, 2011
Douglas Palmer
Mar 5, 2011
Songs of Faith Ministries
In addition to our gospel music and cowboy poetry ministry, I author Bible studies and, Sunday school teacher and small group leader training materials. In recent months, I have been asked to write discipleship training material that could be used in a cowboy church environment. In order to determine what, if any, such material is already available, I would appreciate any leads related to published or in-house discipleship training material. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
On the trail for Him
Mike Burns
Songs of Faith Ministries
Mar 5, 2011
Phillip E. McAllister
Mar 17, 2011
Bob and Sylvia Jordan
Follow our ministry on our web site www.JordanGospelMusic.com or
www.BobandSylvia.org.
May 9, 2011