Traci Davis   informational blog!

Several weeks ago, I heard about a new Christian Ministries in Weatherford, Texas obtaining a restored 1880’s era STUDERBAKER wagon. The congregation plans to convert the wagon into a working Chuck Wagon as did Charles Goodnight when he planned the logistics for his first cattle drive.  Goodnight selected a Army surplus supply wagon manufactured by Studerbaker. Then added the pantry that had the fold down table that has become known as the chuck box. The group are members of  Cow Camp Cowboy Church plan to use the wagon for many future gatherings states, Traci Davis, who is a member of the congregation and co-owner of T-N-T Ranch along with her husband Tom Davis.

With such excitement over the wagon, Traci expressed that while this is a beautiful wagon, they are a long ways from a full conversion. A basic wagon will need many items to complete the task. Luke 11: 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.”  Traci’s prayer is merely for the help to outfit this fine restoration so it can be used to bring forth Christian fellowship.

Items like building the future Chuck box, a boot box, fire box along with adding the bows, canvas cover and such will slowly come into gear. Chuck wagons also had to be outfitted with cookware using cast iron dutch ovens and skillets, Enamelware coffee pots, iron spit and tri pod are just a few items that will be needed to making this into a fully functional Chuck Wagon. Of course, what wagon would not be complete without having the large water barrel and the mounted coffee grinder.

Pastor Frank Johnson is the minister of the Cow Camp Cowboy Church. He has a vision that some may believe is as big as a 10-gallon hat, and rightly so, that vision is to bring the gospel of the Lord to the small town community of Weatherford in a way that people can relate and enjoy through Cowboy Ministries. Their motto is “Gathering Mavericks and making top hands” where his congregation is growing since opening last April.

Pastor Johnson wants people to see “cowboy” as they drive-by the church. Also have parking attendants greet visitors by horseback, and most of all to have the church function as a haven of rest and fellowship, much as the historic cow camps did during the days of the Texas cattle drives.

He moved to Weatherford from East Texas with hopes to eventually have more acreage with a Rodeo Arena, bleachers and facilities to host many large scale Cowboy Christian gatherings. However, for now, operating on several acres and the recently restored wagon is an exciting start.

Pastor Johnson stated, he does not plan to use the wagon in Chuckwagon Cooking Competition, but would like to use it as a spiritual tool. The Chuckwagon not only provided as a kitchen but was home on the range for the working cowboy.

Other Cowboy Ministries have used the chuckwagons in unique ways. David and Sherry Roberts, owner of Deep Fork Cattle Company in Chandler, Oklahoma along with Arb Lenamon of Fannin, Texas are among several Chuck wagon teams who annually team up for Cowboys for Heroes.  A program assisting wounded military members from Iraq and Afghanistan along with their families held at Brooks Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.  The Cowboy for Heroes provides a western entertainment day that is a free event for the military members held annual during spring each year.

Other Cowboy Ministries are helping out nation wide, too. Whether traveling to events or at home in their local communities, the Chuck wagon seems to make people feel at home. Perhaps it’s the aroma of coffee, a hearty meal or sitting around a camp fire in the western environment that makes folks comfortable. Sometimes, one merely needs to Ask, and you shall receive. We look forward to the progress and completion of the Cow Camp Cowboy Church Chuck Wagon.