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Edwards: How cowboy church came about when Lost Dutchman Days 2021 was canceled

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I got the call from Rodney Wayne regarding Lost Dutchman Days with news… Lost Dutchman Days 2021 was canceled and so was the cowboy church that I had started over 25 years ago.

Heartbroken, I called Todd, Melinda and Danielle Carter of the Broken Chair Band with the news. They’ve been doing the worship service with me for the last eight years and were disappointed as well.

As Christian patriots, we decided to have the cowboy church service anyways. The team set out to get a permit from the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department, along with a COVID-19 mitigation plan that included “bring your own chair” and a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputy as well as an EMT for the service.

As Christian patriots, we decided that we still wanted to have the service at the rodeo grounds if possible. Thanks to the assistance from Jeff Kopp at Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department, we felt we needed to stand up and provide the service to those who needed encouragement because of the pandemic.

With an article in the Apache Junction Independent newspaper, lots of posters around the Apache Junction area and folks that are accustomed to attending the annual cowboy church, the team pulled the praise and worship service off.

Yes, we held cowboy church and it was a tremendous blessing to see Christian patriots come out and put forth the effort.

Editor's note Queen Valley resident Steve Edwards is with Cowboy Christian Ministries.