Faith and Rodeo - Casey Tew

Casey Tew a young roper from Weatherford, Texas gave his live to Christ at an USTRC team roping in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 2009. To Casey, Rodeo isn’t a whole lot different than anything else. Even though there are times when things get pretty busy and seem to run together, his priorities stay the same. When in situations like this, he reaches for Matthew 6:33 “Seek God First.” Casey sets his priorities on reading scripture every morning.

As a young athlete, Casey looks up to many successful cowboys with Trevor Brazile being his favorite. However, there are many other cowboys that live a Christian lifestyle that he views as his role model including Clay O’Brien Cooper, Patrick Smith, Clay Tryan, Travis Graves, and Rickey Green.

Casey enjoys sharing his love of Christ by loving on people. He believes that if you are doing your best and keeping a great attitude than people should be able to see that. In Casey words, “The best sermon is the one you live, not the one you preach.”

Casey has been blessed with the opportunity to share his testimony at various cowboy church services, roping, and rodeos. His testimony has touch many people. He considers himself blessed to be the blessing to others.

Although, Casey Tew has a knack for roping, he also finds himself doing leatherwork. From bracelets to headstalls, Casey uses his talent and love for Christ to accomplish beautiful leather work.   

 

Casey's Leather is pictured below. If you would like him to do any custom work for you, you can reach him through his facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/casey.tew.3
 

 

 

Faith and Rodeo - Kory Keeth

Kory Keeth, a young professional rodeo announcer, remembers accepting Jesus Christ into his life at the tender age of 11.  With strong Christian influences guiding him, Keeth knew that accepting Christ was something that he needed to do.

 

As a rising rodeo announcer, Kory often finds himself on the road traveling between rodeos and bull riding events. With every opportunity to travel, he views it as a mission field to share Christ. Whether he is on the ranch working or on the road, there is always someone who needs Jesus. In the words of Keeth, “Behind the wheel or in front of the crowd, I speak Jesus. I speak what God puts on my heart.”

 

Although Kory Keeth grew up in a Christian household, he looks up to many other individuals in the rodeo industry who have strong Christian values. Justin McKee, Trey Johnson, and Dale Hirschman all serve as Kory’s Christian influences. Justin has been blessed with a successful career announcing many professional rodeos and bull riding events. When Justin isn’t in the arena announcing, he continues to serve Christ out of his Church in Oklahoma.  Another individual that serves as a role model for Keeth is Trey Johnson. Trey was fortunate to win PRCA Rookie of the Year in 2000. However, it isn’t his accomplishments that inspire Keeth, it is testimony of faith and dedication to Christ to serve one service, one roping, one rodeo, one person and one thought at a time. Keeth also looks up to cowboy minister Dale Hirschman as he encourages Keeth to have a deeper relationship with Christ.

 

As Kory progresses forward in his career, he continues to serve as a Christian example for other young professionals in the industry. His hope is to show others that Jesus Christ is the reason that they get to ride and swing a rope. By speaking life into other young professionals, Keeth’s goal is that they will realize that Christ is missing piece of their life.

Faith and Rodeo - Dane Kissack

Tie-Down Dane Kissack is a man who is easy recognized by his huge heart, positive attitude, and firm faith with Christ. Spending many days at a time on the road and long hours traveling between rodeos, Dane finds himself growing in his relationship with Christ everyday. 

 

Dane was introduced to Christ at a young age and found that he could have a one on one relationship with Christ. At thirteen years old, Dane realized that roping was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. In his words “ I want to take my life and give it 110% for the Lord in whatever I do. When things don’t go my way, I know God has bigger and better things planned for me and it makes me excited to see what He is going to bring me next in my life.”

 

All too often we see the goody-too-shoes, the buckle bunnies, and the trailer parties. With road life and free range there is a possibly of poor decision-making. For Dane, it can be discouraging at times but also encouraging to see that there is a need for good wholesome people to be leaders in rodeo. As a role-model to tie-down ropers of all ages, Dane focuses on why God has him in rodeo. It’s easy to get caught up in the sinful actions that happen behind closed doors; however Dane stands true to his values. “I can made a difference if I set an example and follow that.”

 

God has specifically placed Dane in the shoes he is wearing now, sharing his love and compassion for the Lord with each person he interacts with. When the opportunity arises, Dane leads Cowboy Church services and also hosts bible studies with friends and family. He encourages them to grow in their relationship with God and to find a personal reason, an interest to love the Lord and serve him with your actions.