”For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10
Welcome to 20 Years of Denton County Cowboy Church!
It’s hard to believe that the little gathering which began in a barn is now turning 20 years old this month!
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How Denton County Cowboy Church Began
Our roots trace back to a small group of wannabe musicians in Ponder: Doyce Stout, his sons Billy and Bobby, and son-in-law Shawn Wilkinson. A performance of country and gospel music at a family reunion unexpectedly led to invitations for the Stout Family Band to play at churches across the region, including Trail to Heaven Cowboy Church in Celina.
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God had laid a burden on the heart of that church’s pastor, Kevin Landis, to plant a cowboy church in Ponder. After the band’s performance, Pastor Landis reached out to Pastor Kim Broadstreet at the First Baptist Church of Ponder and they began planning.
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Pastors Landis and Broadstreet and the band were joined by Kelly Swafford and the name “Denton County Cowboy Church” became official.
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The First Service and a Permanent Home for DCCC
Llyod Burgess of the Lucky B Ranch offered the use of his barn, and on Sept. 14, 2006, DCCC and Pastor Landis held the inaugural service to a crowd of over 30 people. When next week rolled around, that number doubled to 60. It continued to grow every week after.
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A year later and DCCC needed a permanent home. Ten acres were bought and congregant Kelly Box encouraged the leadership to plan big: a facility with room for 300 plus classrooms, offices and a kitchen. Doors opened in December 2008 to a congregation of 250 and a new pastor, Brandon Henderson, as Pastor Landis returned to his flock in Celina.​
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​The Fire That Tested the Church​​
Then, on Mother’s Day weekend, 2012, disaster struck.
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A fire destroyed the entire building. Shortly after, Pastor Henderson left.
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But the congregation rallied. Services continued in tents and local school gyms while DCCC rebuilt. Jeff Tackett became the new pastor and roughly a year later on Easter Sunday, 2013, the church reopened its doors to over 600 souls. That following year saw 86 people baptized and commit their lives to following Jesus.
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That fire is remembered not only by the blackened cross you’ll see in our worship hall but also in much of the artwork created by our children that decorates our anniversary cards, posters, programs and this here page.
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Expanding the Mission: The Rodeo Arena at Denton County Cowboy Church
As time passed, DCCC purchased a neighboring 12 acres and in the fall of 2015 began construction of its covered rodeo arena. Completed in 2017 with bucking chutes and roping boxes, our arena serves as a central mission field to share the good news of the Gospel through Western events.
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Serving Our Community
Following Pastor Tackett was Tim Stephens, who maintained the commitment to our roots. Continuing the legacy of ministry growth, Jamie McClain stepped out of his role as associate pastor and into lead pastor.
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Under Pastor McClain’s guidance, DCCC has continued its mission and expansion, doubling its sanctuary size and number of classrooms and meeting spaces, while serving as a hub for:
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Worship and prayer offerings
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Adult and youth Bible studies
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Rodeo arena events like team roping, bull riding, ranch sorting and all-age playdays
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Youth group activities, including Colorado trips
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A twice-monthly food pantry
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Work with the Community Clothes Closet Justin
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Helping those in need of home and property improvements
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Horseback appearances in parades
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Donations of school supplies and backpacks
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Operation Christmas Child
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Social events through our men’s and women’s ministries
Join Us for the Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday, Sept. 27, we celebrate that vision, faith and desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ – cowboy style – whether that be through our services, Bible studies, ministries and outreach, annual events or in our rodeo arena.
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Every Sunday morning, country gospel music prepares us to celebrate the love and forgiveness of God, our Father, through the sacrifice of His only son, Jesus Christ, who took the sins of mankind upon himself so we could have eternity with HIM.
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Our official celebration is 10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, when we’ll honor those who laid the foundation of what we call “cowboy church” and we hope you’ll join us!
Our senior pastor, Jamie McClain will lead the special service, followed by a cowboy-style, cast iron dinner (that’s lunch for you city folk) with grateful help from Tracy Lynch and our Chuckwagon and Youth ministries. There will be plenty of food, fellowship and shared stories and memories. We’ll have shuttles available courtesy of our good friends at House of Carts.
Faithful Leadership Through the Years
From an unpracticed family band and borrowed horse barn to a thriving, debt-free ministry, Denton County Cowboy Church’s history stands as a testament to faith, community resilience and God’s grace and mercy. Founded by ordinary folks with no experience in church planting, we continue our mission of reaching not only those in the Western heritage community and culture but anyone who wants God’s honest truth, never apologized for and never diluted.
And remember, when you ride with Jesus, the devil doesn’t have a chance!