Duke Edwards, former rodeo star, will preach at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Williamsburg Assembly of God in Jefferson County.

The Rev. Terry Newell wants to make sure cowboys hear the Word of God.

Newell, associate pastor at Williamsburg Assembly of God in Jefferson County, is helping spur development of a new Cowboy Church that will be part of the church’s ministries.

“It’s a ministry to the western culture,” he says. “We’ll do a lot of stuff with rodeos and everything that goes along with that. Basically, we’re trying to build relationships and spread the Gospel.”

The ministry, which has a tentative launch date in October, would have midweek services to allow those attending weekend rodeos a worship opportunity they could attend when they’re not on the road.

As part of the planning for the service, the church is playing host to Duke Edwards. Edwards will both lead workshops this weekend and preach at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, at the junction of U.S. Highway 59 and Kansas Highway 76.

Edwards, who works on church planting for the Assembly of God denomination, is a native of Canada. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves but opted to ride the rodeo circuit instead, eventually becoming the Canadian bull-riding champion. After a near-fatal injury, he quit rodeos and started full-time ministry.