ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
FAITH, FAMILY AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF GOD
Cocolalla Cowboy Church was founded in 2002 by Pastor Steven Bradshaw and his wife Cindy. Originally from Houston, Texas, the Bradshaws have lived in North Idaho for more than 25 years. They started our non-denominational church after being called by God to establish a place where those who embrace a simpler way of life can feel at home, while hearing the message of the Cross.
In our church, faith and family come first, the line between right and wrong is clear and your word means everything. These core values have made our country great from the beginning – one nation, under God, from which the love of Jesus Christ can be shared, and salvation is freely available to anyone who is willing to accept it.
Our mission is to compassionately teach the truth straight from the scriptures without apology. Through Bible-based teaching, we carry forward these non-negotiable values that help people to serve others and live in a way that honors the spirit of Jesus.
At any of our Sunday praise and worship gatherings, you will experience down-home, country-gospel music, honest preaching and friendly folks who will welcome you, just as you are.
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
Matthew 7:25
WHAT WE BELIEVE
A FOUNDATION BUILT UPON THE ROCK
THE BIBLE is the living word, written by man inspired by God as His divine and perfect revelation to mankind, the reigning authority for faith and conduct, enduring for all people on Earth.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21; Psalm 119:160
GOD is a single, eternal being consisting of three persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit and has always existed outside of space and time.
Genesis 1:1,26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22
JESUS is the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the Virgin Mary. He died on a cross to deliver man from sin, was raised from the dead and is seated with the Heavenly Father. Jesus will return again someday to claim his Church.
Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Revelation 19:11-16; 22:12
THE HOLY SPIRIT is equal to the Father and the Son and makes people aware of their need for Jesus Christ by indwelling and empowering them with spiritual gifts to be sought out and used to serve others and glorify God.
John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Romans 8:16; Luke 24:49;
MANKIND, both men and women, are made in the spiritual image of God and are given free will. Mankind’s sin can only be reconciled to God through the acceptance of Jesus Christ and repentance for sin.
Genesis 1:26-30; 3:6-24; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3: 16; Acts 20:21; Romans 5:1;
SALVATION is a free gift from God by grace through faith. This salvation was secured and paid for through the suffering, blood and death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
(Ephesians 2:8 - 10; Romans 6:23; Acts 15:7-11)
BAPTISM is an act of public proclamation of a person’s acceptance of Jesus Christ; being washed of their sins and reborn as a child of God.
(Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46)
ISRAEL is a nation of God’s chosen people.
Exodus 19: 3-6; Psalm 122:6; Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-18, 15:1-21, 17:4-8, 22:15-18, 26:1-5; Psalm 122:6; Psalm 89:28-37.
HISTORY OF THE COWBOY CHURCH
REACHING THE REMNANT
Glenn Smith, who competed as rodeo cowboy and clown in his younger years, was a pioneer of the cowboy church movement. Starting his ministry in the 1970s when rodeo life was well-known for being rough and rowdy, Smith answered God’s call.
With nothing more than a simple camping trailer as his home, he set out in his pickup truck witnessing to anyone who would listen as he followed the rodeo circuit. Smith’s wife Ann, joined him on the road after he was ordained to full-time ministry, and together they conducted informal non-denominational services on ranches, in barns, arenas and warehouses.
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Smith’s goal was to reach cowboys, farmers and other people who refused to attend conventional church or anyone disillusioned by some of its more judgmental attributes. He realized he needed to keep it simple and non-threatening. There was no collection or altar call. Smith encouraged people to come as they were, welcoming them in cowboy hats, jeans, boots and work clothes.
From there, the cowboy church movement became a permanent fixture across North America. In 1986, Jeff Copenhaver, a world-champion calf roper, started regular cowboy church services at Billy Bob’s Texas Bar in Fort Worth, marking the first permanent location. Soon after, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, home of the world-renowned Calgary Stampede, became the second permanent cowboy-church location, with Nashville, Tennessee being branded with the third.
Today, cowboy churches are alive and strong across the nation, ministering to the remnant by sharing the truth
and good news of God’s word.
