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Visitor blends the divine, equine
By GAIL HOLLENBECK INVERNESS -- Lew Sterrett is not your ordinary preacher. Both his message and pulpit are unique. Sterrett's sermon Sunday morning will be preached from the back of a horse. The internationally known horse trainer and speaker is returning for the second time to the Citrus County Fairgrounds to present his "Sermon on the Mount." In an afternoon "Horseman's Workshop," he will illustrate basic principles of living and character building with horses provided by local owners. "I'll be taking biblical truths and demonstrating them with horses," Sterrett said. "We take horses and we train them and work with them. We emphasize not only the training technique but the truths that make the training technique work so well. "We actually go beyond method and try to get them attached to the heart of their horse so that he wants to do things that please the master. Our real goal in all training is to capture the heart, which motivates the horse." Sterrett said his audience would be able to witness the horses' transformation. "What we would like to do with every horse that we work with is bring them to a greater understanding of how to grow," Sterrett said. "Whatever stage of maturity the horse is in, the audience can see them enter into the next step. We give the audience a sample of stages so that can help them grasp the concept of maturing in Christ, maturing as a parent, accepting responsibility of leadership in relational development, so they can be more effective as leaders." Sterrett, who is the executive director of Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions in Pennsylvania, is returning at the invitation of the Joe Maddox family of Bushnell. After seeing Sterrett's presentation two years ago and visiting the ranch in Pennsylvania, the family organized a similar demonstration in Citrus County last March. "There was a heart changing response from the audience last year," said Brittney Maddox, 16. "People asked to have him return because they enjoyed it so much." There is no charge to attend the sermon or workshop, although donations are accepted. The Maddox family has worked for months to prepare for the event and has secured sponsorships that have covered the costs. "My dad and I have handled most of the media publicity," Brittney Maddox said. "Ryan and Lauren have addressed, folded, stuffed and stamped more than 300 letters to people who attended last year's Horseman's Workshop and Sermon on the Mount. Derek has handled asking for sponsorships for this year's event. My mom has been the glue to make this possible. She has edited our letters, chauffeured us everywhere and has helped to organize the entire day." The pastor of Shepherd's Way Baptist Church of Lecanto, Byron Hendry, and his wife, Mary Lou, will coordinate the morning worship service. Sterrett's wife, Melodie, will sing at the service. For the workshop, she will prepare the horses and make sure things run smoothly. Other volunteers, such as Maureen Baird, helped with the sponsorships. Baird was also responsible for organizing a concession stand. "Mr. Sterrett's ministry will benefit from the concession stand," Brittney Maddox said. "There will be Pepsi and Coke products, hot dogs, candy bars, chips, bubble gum and cookies." Her family has personally benefited from Sterrett's ministry, Maddox said. "Mr. Sterrett has encouraged our family to follow after righteousness and pursue lasting relationships with the Lord and each other," she said. "We are hopeful for more lives to be changed through this ministry, by increasing the number in attendance. We give all the credit to the Lord for the opportunity to serve him in this unique ministry." Sterrett said he hopes to reach a variety of people. "There is not an audience that does not relate and respond very enthusiastically, from grandchildren to grandparents, from horse lover to horse hater, from very religious people to nonreligious people, because it's very practical. "I think if any of us had really walked with the Lord, we would have been enamored, because he was so powerful with illustrations. This is really a simple illustration in many ways, but it gets past your defenses and helps you see the practical application of biblical truth. "We just enjoy people and love the horses, and it's just a fun time together. We make some people think a bit." If you go"Sermon on the Mount" will be presented from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and "Horseman's Workshop" from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Citrus County Fairgrounds Arena in Inverness. Admission is free. Call (352) 568-3222 for information.
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