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He Was Inspired to Minister to Rodeo Cowboys

Journalist Scott Hilgendorff never expected to find his calling at a rodeo.

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He recognized a spiritual need among the cowboys who ride on the rodeo circuit and was moved to create the Cowboys of the Cross ministry on their behalf. Photos by Wade Payne

Scott Hilgendorf; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

1 of 10 Circuit Rider

Scott Hilgendorff was a journalist looking for spiritual direction when he attended his first rodeo in Tennessee 25 years ago. Amid the bull riders and steer ropers, he felt a peace and an urging to devote his life to cowboy ministry.


A bullrider hangs on during a rough ride; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

2 of 10 Centered

Cowboys often turn to the Bible for reassurance. Scott counsels them to dig deeper in their relationship with God.

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Young cowboys kneel in prayer; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

3 of 10 Faithful

Opening with prayer is customary, as at this youth event. “I talk to kids about their identity in Christ vs. being cowboys,” Scott says. “They listen better than the adults do.”


Scott Hilgendork ministers to rodeo cowboys; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

4 of 10 Cowboy Church

Before the bull riding, there’s a short service. Scott preaches about God’s faithfulness to people in all their struggles.


A bull rider bows his head in prayer; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

5 of 10 A Bull Rider's Prayer

Bull rider Rusty, whose home got filled with mud in the July 2022 Kentucky floods, ruining most of his possessions.

A cowgirl rides with an American flag; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

6 of 10 American Tradition

Scott thinks of himself as a modern version of the circuit riders from pioneer days. “They went where the cowboys were,” he says, a legacy he continues with his Cowboys of the Cross ministry.

Rodeo attendees sing the National Anthem; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

7 of 10 Generation to Generation

Rodeo riders have short careers. “I’m on my fourth generation,” Scott, 52, says of his role as chaplain to Triple T Bucking Bulls and other rodeo associations. “This group and I will age out together.”

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Young cowboys pray; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

8 of 10 Prayerful

Reaching the younger generation of rodeo riders is important to Scott. He talks to them about their real world concerns, such as bullying at school and peer pressure.


A bull rider hangs on tight; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

9 of 10 Unexpected Calling

Scott never imagined a life ministering to cowboys. Still today he’s afraid of horses. But despite not being a cowboy himself he feels accepted in their world.


A bull rider melts rosin on his glove; photo by Wade Payne
Credit: Copyright 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For usage rights contact: Wade Payne wade@wadepaynephoto.com

10 of 10 Tight Grip

A rider melts a bit of rosin onto his glove to help him stay atop the bull as long as possible.

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