Under the bright lights of the rodeo arena, fast, athletic horses lope in choreographed patterns, their hooves pounding to the beat of music. Skilled rider Adison Wright holds Brandy’s reins in one hand and a giant flag in the other. Elly Rainey on her mount named Cactus follows behind, in step. Ridin’ on Faith is an equestrian drill team that uses horses to share the gospel.
Lisa Searcy has learned a lot since founding Ridin’ on Faith Ministries in 2011. She has learned to depend on God when He asks you to do what seems impossible. “I can’t put into words what the team means to me,” she says. “It’s God’s purpose for me.” Over the past 10 years, Searcy says God has “opened the arena gate” by bringing leadership, riders, volunteers, and exciting event opportunities to the team.
“Even if she didn’t ride a horse, Elly would want to be on the team,” says mom Lacey Rainey. Three years ago, Elly was crushed by bullying. That’s when she saw the Ridin’ on Faith team perform at a rodeo and decided to join the team. “I said, ‘Mom, that’s what I want to do,’” remembers Elly. Since her audition, Elly’s parents have watched their daughter become happy and confident. She no longer struggles for acceptance. Teammates remind Elly of her value and purpose as a child of God, gently reminding her how Jesus loves her. Elly’s parents say, “Ridin’ on Faith has changed our lives.” The program helps bring redemption to brokenness.
When Anita Pace lost her first husband in 2012, their daughter Lauren Thomas—who loved horses just like her daddy—felt she had lost a piece of herself. Ashley Oliver was Lauren’s dad’s nurse before he died. She loves Jesus, horses, and the family. Oliver invited Lauren to join the Ridin’ on Faith team, with the hope that God would use it to rescue the teen. That is exactly what He did! God took Lauren’s love for horses and surrounded her with a team that would help her heart heal. “God truly transformed our family, through Ridin’ on Faith,” says Pace.
God continues to use the team to bless its riders and their families, as well as audiences across the southeast United States. “It doesn’t matter if there are 10 people or 1,000,” says Searcy. “We reach people that may not ever go to church. We have a simple message. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
FIRST COMMENT!!!!!!!!
I love this!!!! And I love horses!
2nd comment!
That is SO cool!!!
@ Caroline yes! I mean, how can you not like horses?!
*Gaaaaaaaaaaaasp*
@Abi (do you mind me calling you that?), my brother doesn't like horses! *Gasp!* He calls them "Bug Mammals"
4th comment
This is so cool! I like horses too and I think drill teams are so cool!!! I would love to be on one! It is also neat that they share the gospel while doing it, and that they also let kids and adults on the same team.
This is JENNA
I'm so glad that they have this team! It's nice to see a god based team. Also @caroline N *huge gasp* how could your brother not like horses?! Tell him that they can provide healing of sorts, they can help with farming, you can ride them, and they can also just be your best friend. there are many reasons to like horses!
Dogs are better. Can play
Dogs are better. Can play fetch. Can run longer than horses. (Dogs can run up to 10 miles without slowing down) whereas the average horse will have to degrade speed after about 5 miles.
@Caden W
Yeah, but can they run at TOP SPEED for that long? I don't think so. There was a healthy stray dog that my Dad was chasing down the other day and it was running top speed at over 20 mph, but it was slowing down after about 1 mile. If you go at a steady, even pace, like a canter or something, horses can go a long way. There are goods and bads about both. For one, they can both be pleasure animals. They can both compete, but in much different ways. You can ride a horse, and only walk a dog. Both can be comfort animals, but dogs are more convenient to take places. Some dogs can work with cattle, and so can horses. One benefit to horses is that they can pull things, such as farm equipment, wagons, etc. Dogs can't do that unless you get a team of them, and still it can only be a small dog sled or something of that sort. Sure dogs can play fetch, but is there really a point to that?
@Above
Jessica Blair Fowlkes came and rode at a rodeo here in my town! Although I don't like how she dresses, she sure trick rides AMAZINGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What she does take years and years of practice!
I love horses but they are a
I love horses but they are a lot of work so we got two donkeys. When my 6yo brother saw them he said "Is that a dog?"
For some reason he doesn't like horses
this is so stupid what im
this is so stupid what im auta hear