Pastor Jason Norton of King’s Trail Cowboy Church in Van Alstyne, Texas, collects goods for needy families.
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VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (ABP) — Rain and snow don’t deter mail delivery, at least according to the old saying. Neither can they deter Pastor Jason Norton’s desire to help people in need this Christmas.
The pastor of King’s Trail Cowboy Church in Van Alstyne, Texas, is fasting 25 days while living out of a tent in order to raise awareness about people in need and to collect new toys, clothes and food to help needy families. He has asked his friends and family to donate items rather than give him gifts.
It rained his first night beneath the stars. It snowed the next day. Outfitted with a black cowboy hat, white gloves, brown coveralls and a Bible, Norton still continued his commitment.
“I know there will be some pretty tough times,” he said as he sipped thick black coffee poured from a large pot brewing over a fire. “The Lord will protect you just as much in the rain and snow as on a sunny day.”
In the first eight days, a steady stream of people dropped off non-perishable food and a variety of items to help sustain families and provide Christmas gifts for young people.
Having heard why Norton was fasting, many of the people come with tears in their eyes, handing over a box of food or a few toys.
Members of his church committed to pray for him daily. Often, they came by to visit with him or help sort through the donations.
More than 40 families in need also visited with Norton, and he’s helped each of them, sharing from the generosity of the community.
Norton is fasting 25 days while living out of a tent in order to raise awareness about people in need and to collect new toys, clothes and food to distribute to needy families.
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Many of these people he’s met for the first time, expanding the connection between the cowboy church and the community.
“Some people don’t have Christmas,” Norton said, referring to individuals who do not receive gifts. “Some people don’t eat.”
One person stopped by the temporary campground to talk about what was going on in her life. In the process of talking about her issues, she made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Through each action, Norton sees God working in people’s lives.
“This is the cool thing — God gets the glory every time,” he said.
Norton said this is the latest example of God’s movement through King’s Trail, a congregation affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Texas Fellowship of Cowboy Churches.
Since March, 45 people have been baptized in the congregation’s horse trough. The church has grown from 20 people to roughly 120 during the same period.
“People are getting saved and baptized,” he said. “Families are being healed. People’s addictions are being healed. People are responding to God’s call to leadership. God’s blessing every part of it.”
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John Hall is news director for Texas Baptists.