Howdy and MERRY CHRISTMAS !
We should let you, our precious co-workers and supporters know that in 2004 we have seen the greatest fruit ever. Over 600 people have received Christ! At a Wisconsin Royal Ranger function alone, 200 boys accepted Jesus and 80 were filled with the Holy Spirit.  We remain fixtures at solid established Rodeos like Minot, ND, El Paso, TX, Kansas City, MO and the CO State Fair.  New Rodeo Bible Camps keep sprouting. We are privileged to serve at these very needful discipleship outposts.

Our needs seem to be keeping ahead of our supplies; our two biggest expenses are hay and truck repairs. Our house trailer with stalls in back seems to be terminal. Overland Park A/G undertook to spearhead a new trailer project, which involves considerable investment. Some of you have been contacted and many of you have already offered help. We are totally dependant on your help for all our ministry needs.

You may recall in 97 we lost 8 horses in one day to nitrate poisoning from bad hay.  These horses were irreplaceable as could be.  After a visit to Bruce Ford’s church in Kersey, CO last Sunday, we have about rebuilt the horse numbers. We have the powerful responsibility of feeding them, and that is considerable expense. The drought in Colorado has broken for the time being and feed prices are lower, yet the cost of hay is daunting and we could use help with that this winter.  The old (REALLY old, made in 1984, with 750,000 miles on it) white truck is still in service needing significant repairs. We need help on that as well.

I am deeply disappointed by some insensitive believers who think Rodeo outreach is not valuable.  We have been repeatedly called to the side of someone who has been untouched by any other ministry. The serviceman who make up the Horse-Mounted Ceremonial and Tactical units in the US Army are unreached by any Christian work. We are privileged to evangelize and disciple these target groups.  The isolated ranches are continually ignored by urban America also. They have been hungrily responsive to our outreach. Royal Rangers, Missionettes and Rodeo Bible Camps are having a huge and notable impact. We must continue to occupy until our Lord returns.

The pace is still blistering when taking the Gospel to every creature, with every creature scattered over 70,000 miles of Rodeo Circuit. $2.00+ Diesel Fuel has been a frightening challenge, but we missed no commitments thanks to your faithfulness in giving.  PLEASE keep it up!  Going to Russia was a fantastic blessing, and I may get to go to VIETNAM!!!! Dave Roever’s JOURNEY BACK Ministry has asked me to go with (fellow cowboy and CBC alumnus Rupert Harrol) them in April of 2005.  Finances are indefinite, but we trust God will take care of it.  It is a big step for us.

I was there in 70-71 with the Army and even though God did a lot back then, the memories are not all good.  Ministry as Chaplain of the US Cavalry Association has been a dynamic calling. I have been able to represent Jesus to five of the US Army’s eight Horse Detachments, a door we never envisioned. It was a high honor to preach the Fiddler’s Green Memorial Service in the Ft. Riley KS Post Cemetery in September. We made the Gospel plain and accessible to the hearers. Along with all this in the coming year, we also have a chance to serve at Alaska rodeos in 2005.

If we have been able to emphasize anything in particular to young people this year, it is to be FEARLESS in their Christian service. The World is opposed to the Christian message like never before, the trap of politically correct jargon has it’s greedy jaws full of its victims, and holy boldness has never been more out of style.  We encourage all of you to be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”!!!!!! (I Cor. 15:58)

2005 Itinerary

Jan 14-16 – Great American Wild West Show- Denver, CO
Feb 6 – Katie Scarlett (our Corgi) due with puppies!
Feb 9 – 13 – SW Int. Show & Rodeo – El Paso, TX
March 12-19 – Red Top Ranch Trickriding School
March 24-26 – Red Top Ranch Easter weekend school
March 27 - White Rock Community Easter Sunrise Service
April 1-3 –    Red Top Ranch Mini TR School
April 14-23  - Journeyback to Vietnam
April 22,23 – Red Top Ranch 2 day TR camp
April 26-28 –Rocky Mountain District Council–Pueblo, CO
April 30 –   Royal Ranger Playday – Fowler, CO
May 31-June 2 – Cowboys of the Cross RBC – Howard, KS
June 2-5 – Old Fort Chapter RBC – Ft Smith, AR
June 11-14 – LaVeta RBC – LaVeta, CO
June 15-18 – North Front Range Chapter RBC – Kersey, CO
July 10-16 – Pikes Peak Chapter RBC – Black Forest, CO
July 16-19 – Delta County RBC – Delta, CO
July 28-31 – Royal Ranger Dist.Campout–Ft Collins, CO
Aug 2-5 – General Council of the A/G – Denver, CO
 

These are the places we plan on going, as the Lord directs. There may be a few more places added in. Call or email us if we can see you at any of these!

Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas and God’s richest blessings in the New Year.

Paul and Linda Scholtz