Cowboy church wrangles up parishoners

MERCEDES — The Rio Grande Valley has a new way of doing church.

The Preach'n Jesus Western Style cowboy church kicked off their first mass on a rainy Aug. 18 evening at the Rio Grade Valley Livestock Show Grounds pavilion in Mercedes. The church is a non-denominational, non-profit organization headed by Pastor Chris O'Loughlin with music by Chris Marshall, formerly part of the band Texas Heat.

The church is mostly Christian oriented, but locals of any religious affiliation are welcome, organizers said.

"We're just having a good time preaching western style," O'Loughlin said.

And what is his definition of western style?

"Go in boots, pants, really laid back atmosphere," O'Loughlin said. "Music played is western like if we're in a camp fire. That's how we do it."

Cowboy church starts each Monday at 6:36 p.m., an odd time chosen for a specific reason, O'Loughlin said.

"It sticks into people's mind, that's why we do it," he said.

O'Loughlin said cowboy church was created to help local residents who miss traditional Sunday services because they're either out of town or can't wake up in time to attend.

"One thing we need to do is cowboy up and live our lives for Jesus," he said.

So far, O'Loughlin said the response from the community has been a positive one. The Weslaco native said despite a wet evening, 40 people still showed up from as far away as McAllen to participate in the last service.

"It's just to come and enjoy worshiping the Lord," O'Loughlin said.

In a way, cowboy church is a dream come true for O'Loughlin.

The 30-year-old is following the footsteps of his uncle Glenn Smith, who is said to have started a cowboy church in Missouri, and another in Australia.

O'Loughlin has been a minister for 10 years, serving congregations at First Baptist Church and Central Christian Fellowship in Weslaco.  O'Loughlin said the ministry is his calling, a calling he plans to continue to follow.

"My uncle got me started when I was 21," O'Loughlin said. "It's something the Lord has put into my heart."