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(PLATE 1) Smyrna Baptist Church 


FREEDOM RIDE at Smyrna Baptist Church w/ Emma Carter

For a church to grow they have to reach out to folks around them that are currently not involved in church. How do you do that? You find a way to meet a need or something that interests people enough to get them to come and get involved. Ministry comes in all kinds of forms.

I want to tell you about a very special church, with the most unique outreach I’ve ever seen or heard of. Last year when my family traveled to Branson, Missouri, for the Branson Gospel Music Revival we had the honor and privilege of getting to minister at Smyrna Baptist Church

We woke up that beautiful Sunday morning to the “moo”sic of cows in the pasture behind our bus. Let me tell you, if you want to meet some of the nicest people in the world, that is where you'll find them! We’ve traveled and sung in a lot of different places and different churches. We’ve seen all kinds of outreach ministries from backpacks for kids to motorcycles, but without a doubt Symrna has the most unique and fun outreach I’ve ever experienced.

They ride horses! Yep, that’s right, horses!



(PLATE 2) Reese loves the camera. 


Smyrna Baptist Church has a Freedom Ride on the Sunday before the fourth of July. This year, we were lucky enough to sing there on the Sunday of the Freedom Ride! Which means we got to ride horses to church.

We started the day by meeting at Miss Harriet’s house for a good ole country breakfast of biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee and juice. Then we loaded up the wagon and mounted the horses for the ride to church. I rode Katy, a pony, to church. When we got to there we had service outside. Pastor Dale asked Mr. Don Bilyeu to pray before we sang. He prayed the most heartfelt and beautiful prayer, thanking God for the beautiful day, the trees and the “beautiful Cathedral” that He had blessed us with to worship in that morning. Wow! God’s creation is indeed the most beautiful cathedral and we are privileged to live and worship in it.




(PLATE 3) Brother Stone, Mama Sharona, Miss Harriet, Dad Bobby and myself, Emma Carter.


 There was some amazing food and fellowship following the morning worship service. Then it was time to get the horses ready and ride back to Miss Harriet’s house. On the way back I rode Suki. How fun is that? I had the time of my life, and I’ve come to find that I have a great love for horses.

Now that wasn’t my first time riding a horse. On the Saturday before the Freedom Ride we went to the Reasons’ Ranch. Mr. TJ and Miss Rita invited us to come and hang out at their ranch. They saddled up the horses and we took a nice long trail ride. I rode Gator on Saturday, and I loved him! I think he was my favorite.

After our ride we ate an amazing lunch of smoked turkey, cheesy potato casserole, green bean casserole, pistachio salad and rolls. Later we had cake and ice cream! We made some awesome new friends that day too: Miss Mary, Madeline, Tucker, Addie, Helen and Rachel Virnig. On Sunday we got to meet Emma also. Another Emma, I like that!!

We meet some amazing people when we travel, and these people have become our family! It truly feels like going home when we go to Smyrna. I can hardly wait until next year!!

By Emma Carter




(PLATE 4) “I pledge allegiance to the flag....”




(PLATE 5) (From left to right) Princess, Reese, Sugarfoot, and Suki.




(PLATE 6) Pastor Dale showing his patriotic side.




(PLATE 7) Mr. TJ Reasons, Daddy and Pastor Dale Grubaugh.




(PLATE 8) Sweet Prissy.




(PLATE 9) The whole crew!



_____


Branson Gospel Music Revival with Emma Carter photo plates

All photo credits: Emma Carter. Location: rural Christian County / Parch Corn Holler, Missouri
JULY 3, 2011