First Annual Freedom Run

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The First Annual Freedom Run, hosted by Lynn and Murray McKenzie of Arena to the Cross Ministries as an outreach on behalf of Bible Study in the Barn, and held on October 27, 2002 at City Arena in Marshall, Texas was by all accounts a smashing success. Boasting $4,000.00 in added money and drawing 320 barrel racers from a four-state area, the event paid out a total of $9,372.00.

“Murray and I are as excited about this as anything else we’ve ever accomplished,” said Lynn, a two-time Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Champion and noted clinician. “This has been a great faith-builder not just for us, but for the people in our Bible Study who hosted this event with us. It has been really awesome to watch what God has done with this. Everything came together without a struggle or any stress to us, and the event itself went off without a hitch. The great turnout of barrel racers plus the very positive feedback we received has made us decide that we will definitely do this again. God has been so good to us and our heart’s desire is to minister His goodness to the entire barrel racing industry.”

Carl and Shelly Gish of Hallsville, Texas, hosts of Bible Study in the Barn, originally conceived the idea for the event. Bible Study in the Barn is a non-denominational cowboy fellowship and Bible study held every Tuesday night in Carl and Shelly’s barn. “We wanted a way to reach out to barrel racers in this area and felt like this would be a great way to accomplish that. It just goes to show when you put together a well-rounded event that pays well, runs smoothly, with good ground and a Christian atmosphere that barrel racers will get out and support it,” Shelly noted.

The day began gray and overcast with exhibitions starting at 9:00 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. exhibitions stopped so the arena could be prepared for the Cowboy & Cowgirl Church Service. The service was extremely well-attended, with Mary Styer, a Christian country recording artist from Amarillo, Texas providing wonderful special music and Lynn bringing the Word. “When we came up with the idea for this, we felt like we needed some incentive to get people to come to church, since that was the whole point of all this,” said Carl. “So we hit on the idea that if they came to church, they only paid a $20.00 entry fee, and if they didn’t, they paid a $40.00 entry fee.” It proved to be a great incentive. An estimated 650 people attended the service, with several making the decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! “This is the whole point of what we do,” related Murray. “Those people who got saved this morning made everything we’ve done to pull this together worthwhile. And we hope that there were many more in attendance who, though already saved, left with a fresh determination to serve God no matter the circumstances.”

The barrel race began at 2:00 following the service. Although the weather continued to be cool and damp, with rain setting in later in the day, the barrel racing action inside the arena continued to heat up as the day progressed. The ground stayed remarkably fast and consistent during the entire barrel race, and the fastest times were recorded at the beginning, through the middle sections and at the end. When it was all said and done, though, Chani Payne and Little Bit Princess, of Sulphur Springs, Texas walked away with first place in the 1-D after turning in a scalding time of 14.891. Brooke Bearden and Kicker, of Downsville, LA won the 2-D with a time of 15.409. Kara Bettes and Ivanna, of Paris, Texas nabbed the 3-D win with a time of 15.900, and Lisa Bussey and Dynomites Chicota, from Longview, Texas took home first place in the 4-D with a time of 16.906. Full results are as follows:

1-D

1. Chani Payne, Sulphur Springs, TX	14.891	$562.32
2. Whitney Wells, Nacogdoches, TX	14.958	421.74
3. Angela Gilliam, Delhi, LA	15.092	351.45
4. Shantae Truelock, Henderson, TX	15.161	281.16
5. Megan Williams, Daingerfield, TX	15.176	234.30
6. Whitney Gibson, Kilgore, TX	15.213	187.44
7. Whitney O’Neal, Simms, TX	15.250	164.01
8. Merrill O’Neal, Ruston, LA	15.266	140.58

2-D

1. Brooke Bearden, Downsville, LA	15.409	$562.32
2. Mindy Harr, Fort Worth, TX	15.426	421.74
3. Jennifer Woodhull, Tyler, TX	15.432	351.45
4. Sheryl Hamiter, Shreveport, LA	15.498	281.16
5. Jessica Matthews, Logansport, LA	15.536	234.30
6. Robin Goins, Leesville, LA	15.560	187.44
7. Raeghan Norred, Eros, LA	15.562	164.01
8. Barbara Jenkins, Kemp, TX	15.582	140.58

3-D

1. Kara Bettes, Paris, TX	15.900	$562.32
2. Kay Nerwich, Farmersville, TX	15.910	421.74
3. Jessica Sistrunk, Lodi, TX	15.912	351.45
4. Katie Bierden, Coushatta, LA	15.926	281.16
5. Brittney Harris, Logansport, LA	15.932	234.30
6/7. Deidra Derrick, Naples, TX	15.948	175.72
6/7. Chancie Neal, Calhoun, LA	15.948	175.72
8. Chelsea Easley, Plain Dealing, LA	15.952	140.58

4-D

1. Lisa Bussey, Longview, TX	16.906	$562.32
2. Nora Caballero, Pleasant Hill, LA	16.914	421.74
3. Travicia Acy, Lindale, TX	16.923	351.45
4. Kim Zimmers, Gilmer, TX	16.926	281.16
5. Kenzie Pogue, Emory, TX	16.928	234.30
6. Jossie Neal, Calhoun, LA	16.949	187.44
7. Darlene Duncan, Avinger, TX	16.950	164.01
8/8. Amy Sustaire, Ore City, TX	17.005	70.29
8/8. Regina Swint, Fouke, AR	17.005	70.29

Arena to the Cross Ministries and Bible Study in the Barn would like to thank all the sponsors who made this event possible. They are as follows:

Gold Sponsors

Cavender’s Boot City, Tyler, TX; Gregg Industrial Equipment, Kilgore, TX; Excel Ford, Carthage, TX; New Frontiers Cowboy Church, Pastors Grace and Randy Sadler, Canton, TX; Toklat-Myler, Lake Oswego, OR; Circle K Tack, Bullard, TX; Elder Randall Dodge, Marshall, TX; Martin Lake Construction, Carthage, TX

Silver Sponsors

A & M Feed, Longview, TX; Haynes Feed Store, Marshall, TX; Bretton Shell Pads, Murray McKenzie, Lindale, TX; Cannon Veterinary Clinic, Lindale, TX; Carmella Bingham C.P.A., Longview, TX; Cartex Trailers, Carthage, TX; Circle K Trailers, Hallsville, TX; Lynn McKenzie Clinics, Lindale, TX; Miracle 15 Ranch, Danny & Vicki Rienhardt, Marshall, TX; Nelson Otero, Marshall, TX; North Texas Equine Hospital, Julie Smith, DVM, Hallsville, TX; Red Ball Oxygen, Carthage, TX; Robbie’s Vet Supply, Bossier City, LA; Royce Plemmons, Marshall, TX; Terri Mason, Avinger, TX; Tractor Supply Company, Longview, T

Raffle Donations

McClendon Veterinary Clinic, Marshall, TX; Valvoline Express Care, Marshall, TX; Marshall Farm & Ranch Supply, Marshall, TX; Josey Enterprises, Karnack, TX; Paul’s Farm & Garden, Benton, LA; Marshall Feed, Marshall, TX; Toni Jimerson, Marshall, TX; Tommy Wilson, Marshall, TX; Millicent Steffen, Arlington, TX; Prosigns, Carthage, TX; Carthage Ag & Vet Supply, Carthage, TX; Baskins, Marshall, TX; Shantae Truelock, Henderson, TX; L.E. Tack, Burleson, TX; A & S Enterprises, Greenville, TX; Raymond & Joyce McCauley, Hallsville, TX

Arena to the Cross Ministries and Bible Study in the Barn would also like to thank all the volunteers who gave of their time and know-how to make this event a success. “One of the ways that we were able to keep our entry fees so low is that all of our help –the announcers and timekeepers, the ladies who worked the entry office, our back gate help and barrel setters – were all volunteers. These people gave of their time, their energy, and their know-how to help us have a successful show and we appreciate all of their efforts on our behalf,” said Lynn.

As stated above, Bible Study in the Barn holds services every Tuesday night in Carl and Shelly Gish’s barn in Hallsville, Texas. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a “come as you are” dress code. Everyone brings a covered dish, drinks, or dessert. Services start at 7:00 p.m. with dinner and fellowship followed by teaching of the Word by either Lynn, Murray, or Wendy McKenzie. Those who would like to attend may call Carl or Shelly at (903) 668-3014 for further information or directions.

Plans are already in the making for the Second Annual Freedom Run, tentatively scheduled for Easter weekend at the Marshall City Arena. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor for this event is invited to contact Lynn and Murray McKenzie of Arena to the Cross at (903) 882-4547 or Carl and Shelly Gish of Bible Study in the Barn at (903) 668-3014. Don’t miss it!