Cowboy Up Ministries

History of Cowboy Up!

There are a lot of feedlot cowboys who find it difficult to attend church on Sunday mornings. So in 1999, Jackie and Frank Waitley decided to begin a Bible Study/Worship service for them at a more convenient time. Three college students began to attend and were soon bringing their friends. As more college students began to participate, Jackie and Frank realized God was redirecting the focus of the ministry. Following His lead, they began to reach out to the college students while at the same time continuing to minister to working cowboys and their families.

For the first three years they did no advertising; relying on word of mouth to spread the news. At the end of the first year 20 students were attending regularly, and at the end of the second year attendance increased to 35. In July 2002, Jackie went to be with the Lord. A scholarship fund was established in her memory and is awarded each year to a sophomore college student who participates in Cowboy Up.

Cowboy Up services are held at The Rock Assembly Church (Franklin Community Center) 916 South 4th Avenue, in Sterling, Colorado. The services consist of praise and worship, a personal testimony and a message brought by either Frank or a guest speaker and are held on the first and third Monday of the month during the school year. A fellowship meal is served at 6:30 p.m. The faithfulness of several volunteers make the free meal possible. This meal is served before the services begin at 7:15.

In 2004, Frank married Andrea McWhorter. Together, they are committed to spreading the Good News of the Kingdom.