Standing in the freezing rain one February, directing traffic, at 5AM in the morning, Clint Swindall began to pray.  He asked God to show him how to best use his talents for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.   He had started as a volunteer in 1999 moving bales of hay and directing traffic, but, after an answer to his prayer, he went on to join the Cowboy Church Committee and is now in his third year as committee chairman.

By day, Swindall is a motivational speaker in leadership development, but by night and weekend, he oversees about 130 volunteers who have followed God as He has directed people and grown small tent meetings to church services with over 800 in attendance.  Their mission, as written:  To glorify God by sharing His spirit throughout all aspects of the Rodeo. We will accomplish this mission by offering relevant worship opportunities, raising the awareness of Cowboy Church to our five primary audiences, being fiscally responsible with the resources provided, and maintaining a strong volunteer base.

“We had humble beginnings,” he said as he recalled stories of meeting in a windy, cold tent with beer cans literally blowing through from the night before.  Also, the mission at that time was to only provide a Sunday worship location but the ministry has gown immensely since then.

“We have fought a misconception about the church,” he said.  “Many believe it only exists for the contestants…the cowboys and the cowgirls who ride in the competitions.”  This is why Swindall and committee members stress the church is there all eighteen days of rodeo for five groups of individuals.

“First, we are there for the 5000 volunteers who work so diligently to put on the best stock show & rodeo in the country,” he said.” We are so honored to be associated with an organization that has had such a huge impact on our city and the youth.”   They have provided over 113 million dollars to help educate the youth of Texas, and nine million of those dollars were raised just last year.

Secondly, the church serves the commercial exhibitors who travel from all over the country and are weeks without their home fellowships.  “Of course, third are the rodeo patrons and their families,” Swindall continued.  “Anyone who comes early on Sunday to attend services will be allowed onto the grounds at no charge.  After church, they can have fun at the exhibits and rides.”

The fourth group is composed of the families and students who participate in the livestock show and horse show. “Finally, we are here for the contestants,” he said.  He smiled as he spoke of the “Tim Tebows” of rodeo.  “You will find the heroes of the faith with “Jesus” stitched on their collars and sharing their testimonies with anyone who will listen.”  They also work closely with an “on fire” group of Christian bull riders who put on a service called Xtreme Life.  “We want those contestants to know that we are there for them as they go to the chutes to compete,” he said.  Church volunteers will be there outside of their dressing rooms to pray before and during competition.  They assure the contestants that should an injury happen, immediate prayer will also happen.”

Services consist of powerful Praise & Worship music and a variety of speakers.    This year they are excited to include Trevor Brazil,  9X World Champion All-Around Cowboy, Pastor Jeff Bishop of the Bandera Cowboy Church, and Dr. Mark Jones known for his speaking and singing in San Antonio.  “My most memorable speaker,” Swindall said, “was the testimony given by Leon Coffee, perhaps the most popular rodeo clown around.  His smiling face and public façade came off as he discussed how God had used the trials in his life to develop his faith.  It was a moving experience.”

Swindall knows that San Antonio is blessed and that is why he has watched the church grow.  “The three men who oversee every aspect of the rodeo are the most faithful you would ever want to be around.  They support our efforts and our ministry.  They attend our services and we know that is unprecedented.  We are one of the few rodeos in the country that begins with prayer,” he said.  “Our success is a direct result of God being in charge.” 

Swindall is willing to handle anything God gives him, but he is currently so pleased that he was moved from the parking lot to the pavilion.  “We are there to Glorify God and share Him with the most incredible people in the world.”

*The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has been named the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for the seventh consecutive year.