We are just a two short weeks away from the Allegan Western Days!!!
As excited as we are, and as amazing as it has been to watch God step in and prepare every detail of this event, we still need to remember that each of us must do our part to reach out to our community and make this event happen.
So, we are once again sharing a list of needs for this years event. Remember we are all a part of the body of Christ, and it is such a beautiful thing when God’s people – a.k.a. “The Church” unite and function according to His design.
Western Days is not about being a cowboy. It is about being the hands and feet of Jesus, it is the live action of the Church reaching out to our community and fulfilling The Great Commission starting right where we are.
So, I encorage you to read through this list. You know the gifts and talents God has given you, or even the ones that have yet to be developed. Let’s all step out of our comfort zone and serve God and our community wholeheartedly.
On behalf of the Ministry team, Thank you.
Western Days 2017 Allegan, MI
This year’s event will be held June 17th-18th. You can find a detailed schedule of this years event on our website: https://www.westerndaysministries.org/
Also, keep updated about our events on our FaceBook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Western-Days-Ministries-1543022115955344/
If you would like to help us out with getting the word out about western days here are a few ideas:
1. Call your friends and invite them. Let them know (especially if they could use encouragement) that cowboy or not Western Days is a great way for families to spend the day together, and be encouraged. There is something for every age at this event. So, don’t be shy, the worst they can say is, “No.” But, who knows how many might say, “YES!”I
2. Share our Facebook event posts, or even better open them and invite people. These FB Events are public and that means you can invite anyone on your friends list. If you can jot a quick note to your friends and let them know you really care and would love them to come, even better!
3. Have you seen our brochures around town? When you do grab one, but don’t keep it to yourself, give it to someone; your neighbor, a friend, a stranger on the street. It doesn’t matter, just let people know you care and that this event is for them.
Tuesday Nights
We have just TWO prayer/planning meetings left before Western Days! This Tuesday Night at 7pm our Prayer and Planning is at the Allegan Fairgrounds. The last one will be at Rectify (728 River St., Allegan) and will include our favorite Christian Country Music Artist, Tommy Brandt! Don’t miss these meetings if you are (or want to be) involved in this event. From the very beginning Western Days has been God’s event and therefore we want to keep Him in the forefront of the preparation and planning. We can testify that God has done mighty things to ensure the success of our past events and we look forward to what is ahead.
Saturday June 17th
This is our “Big Event “ day and we will have a lot happening. There will be complementary food available throughout the day as well as food available for purchase from a local vendor, but feel free to bring a picnic lunch if you’d like. Toss a blanket or some lawn chairs into your vehicle and plan to spend the day with us.
- Life Walk: Back again this year, Positive Options will host their annual Life Walk fund raising event. Participants will begin the walk inside the fairgrounds. Contact your local Positive Options on how to get involved in this special event.
- Family Bible Camp: This is a unique opportunity for families to learn biblical principals in a truly “cowboy” way. Camp is currently scheduled to run from 10am – 1pm and will include several learning stations, each complete with life lessons from the Word of God and hands-on activities. Plan to participate in this one-of-a-kind camp with your children or grandchildren. If you would like to volunteer contact: Sue Sowle (269) 650-6288 or email her at: solwesue@gmail.com
- Cowboy Eventing: ENTRIES FOR THIS EVENT ARE NOW OPEN! Contact Brian Sowle to enter: 269-720-7690.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with set-up/tear down. Contact Kyle & Rita Gleason to help: 269-370-8108
This event features obstacle challenges for horse and rider teams that mimic what a cowboy might experience “home on the range.” Cowboys must be proficient in all areas of horsemanship, as well as be able to ride hazardous terrain to search out stray or loose cattle. The horses that were required for this work also had to be adjustable, in that they had to transition easily from job to job. Cowboy Eventing requires horses and riders to be efficient in three events.
1. Cowboy Dressage
2. Open Range
3. Cattle Sorting.
Winner of the event will be determined by the highest score from all three events. - Ushers: We need about a dozen ushers to help with various tasks on Saturday. These jobs could be greeting, helping direct people, Security, and Safety Staff. Please Contact Brian Sowle (269-720-7690) if you can help.
- Set up/Tear down: If you don’t mind a little manual labor, we could really use some strong men or women to help with the set up and tear down of this event. The more the merrier. As the saying goes, “Many hands make for Light work.” Brian Sowle is the contact for this as well.
- Evangelism Team: If God has laid it on your heart to share the gospel, then please contact Marcia Wright (616-218-4916) Don’t be shy, anyone can share God’s love.
- Chili Cook Off Judges & Participants:
Are you a Chili connoisseur? We’re looking for a couple of judges to choose a worthy winner of this friendly competition.
On the other hand, do you cook a mean Chili? Then you’ll want to get your entry in A.S.A.P. Contact Patricia (269-793-0138) if you want to help with this part of the event.
Sunday June 18th
Happy Father’s Day! We hope you will join us as we close out our weekend with a pancake breakfast and a community church service.
- Pancake Turners: We are still looking for Pancake turners for the breakfast starting at 8am. If you can help us in this area, please contact Patricia (269-793-0138)
Last year we not only had a multitude of people come forward to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior during the weekend events, we also had over 20 people come forward during the church service to be baptized cowboy style – in a water trough. Plan to lift your hearts and voices together as “The Church,” in Allegan while we praise and worship our Heavenly Father.
If you and your congregation would like to become more deeply involved in this outreach ministry, please contact Sue Sowle for additional information. [sowlesue@gmail.com]
Western Days Ministries 