The American Cowboy Tradition

Like most cowboy traditions, necessity was the mother of invention of Cowboy Church. The Luxury of a church rarely was available to ranch hands on long cattle drives or isolated ranches. Occasionally, the spiritually inclined would take time to reflect back on their week of trials and successes, and offer thanks for disasters averted. These times brought the cowboys closer to each other and also to their maker.

As the west was settled, the saloon, the largest building in town, was used for town functions such as court proceedings, elections and such. The saloon also most often became the meeting place for church services. Here in this setting, cowboys and their families would get together and join in a time of music and worship. These cowboy church services were a thread that kept not just families but communities together during some of the most difficult times.

How The West Is Being Won...The History of Nashville Cowboy Church

In the summer of 1990, Dr. Harry Yates and his wife, Joanne, felt that God was calling them into a new area of ministry. Having established themselves as full-time evangelists since 1976, Harry and Joanne had ministered in all 50 states and 30 countries worldwide. Not only were they sought after for their music ministry, but also for the solid foundation of teaching that their ministry was built upon.

The Yates’ knew that two of the major categories of people who had made Nashville world-renowned were tourists and those in the entertainment industry. Yet, the typical church neglects these very people, often leading several to fall through the cracks by not being ministered to. Dr. Yates, having been raised on the family ranch in Texas, and having a love for the cowboy tradition, felt that God was moving them in the direction of an outreach ministry in the traditions of the old west.

So in keeping with that tradition, the search was started for a suitable location that would be near the heart of the tourist area. Holiday Inn on Briley Parkway accepted a proposal making available their “Sweetwater Lounge” for Sunday morning services. September 30, 1990, was Nashville Cowboy Church’s first service. A crowd of 31 on the first Sunday morning grew over the following weeks, and eventually two services were offered to accommodate the crowds of 250 per service.

In keeping with the tradition of the old west, when the church outgrew the saloon, they moved on to the Opera House. After 4 ½ years the time came for Cowboy Church to move onto a larger facility. In August, 1995, the Nashville Cowboy Church began its outreach at the “Texas Troubadour Theatre” located in the Opryland Hotel area. This was a great opportunity to reach out to the thousands who pass through this area weekly.

Each year approximately 20,000 people attend Nashville Cowboy Church services at the Theater. Almost 80% of the audiences each week are first time visitors. Audience members have been from all 50 states and many countries including: Canada, Brazil, Peru, England, France, Norway, Holland, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, and Russia.

As the Sunday morning outreach grew, it became necessary to have a meeting place during the week for Sunday evening and mid-week services. Located not far from the Opryland area, a quaint country style church was found. “The Ranch House” became the meeting place for other related ministries of Nashville Cowboy Church.

“In The Last Days The Gospel Will Be Spread By Cowboy…”

This was a prophecy of noted English Prophet Smith Wigglesworth in the late 1800’s. After the coming of the new millennium, it seems evident that this prophecy is being fulfilled. “Cowboy Church” type services are enjoying a tremendous resurgence. Regardless of the setting, the one thing that many people seem to feel is the simplicity of the message and the informal “Come as you are,” down to earth, God inspired love toward one another. People are hungry for something real. Cowboy Church is breaking down the walls that have separated people from enjoying a personal relationship with their maker, no matter what their background is, where they came from, or what they wear.

Over the past years, several other Cowboy Church Outreaches have been started as a direct result of Nashville Cowboy Church. These outreaches vary from state to state, and locations vary from churches to lounges to rodeo arenas, and at various days and times. The one common thread just as in the days of the old west, is that cowboys and families come together and join in a time of music and worship. Nothing else feels quite like it!