Dear Pastors and Friends,
Consider being in the White River Flat Tips Wilderness area this summer for the first time. Now consider you are a child of a prison inmate who would never had thought such an adventure would be possible. Even beyond that consider you are on a horse back trip that one such as you could only dream about. Such dreams are coming true. As pastor of The Church at Meeker I am privileged to present to you a unique youth program being ministered through Christian Cowboy Ministries. Please read the enclosed information and feel your heart blessed as I have.
In Christ,
Pastor R. Cox
A horseback ministry just for the Children of inmates
For one week youth between 12 and 17 can experience a horse back vacation trip in the beautiful Colorado mountains. These youth will learn the how to's of horse back riding, camping, outdoor cooking, wildlife viewing and environmental stewardship, but foremost, they will learn of God's endless love for them, His glorious plan of salvation and how a Christ centered life can lead them over any obstacle they may be facing. CCM's youth horse program is not a camp, there are plenty of camps. Our program is a wilderness horse trip designed to take a youth completely away from their environment, both mentally and physically. A trip that we pray will end in many youth accepting Christ and developing a deep and understanding love for their inmate parent.
I formed Christian Cowboy Ministries three years after God called me to a prison ministry. The idea for a youth program came from many conversations with inmates about their children and my real life experience. My father, mother and brother all served jail or prison terms. I have never been arrested but I know too well the struggles, fears and emotions facing these children.
Sobering facts why CCM is such a valuable ministry in today's society
Today approximately 1 in 150 Americans are incarcerated in our country's prisons or jails. This means 1.5 million children are left behind. Statistically, over 45% of the children inmates will serve a prison term. 25% of inmate fathers will serve time with a son. The average incarceration period for an offender in Colorado is 23 months at a cost of $50,000. This amount will send over 125 youth on one of CCM's horseback trips.
Your $300 maybe the first step in a child's eternal walk with God
Is $3.00 per year per church members too much to invest in the life of the most forgotten segment of God's children? Like every saved brother or sister these children need that one on one relationship to help guide them in their walk, but it all starts with that first step. Please consider supporting Christian Cowboy Ministries as one of your outreach ministries, (our brochure explains more about CCM). I'm sure there is more you would like to know about CCM and if you would write or call us we will be happy to answer all you questions.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fred G, Ellis, Executive Director