Passion as wide as Alberta sky
by Cindy Stephen

With his handlebar moustache and discus size belt buckle, Bryn Thiessen would fit right in as an extra in a John Wayne movie. But don’t let the 40-gallon hat fool you – Thiessen is the real deal.

Thiessen, father of three teenagers, raises commercial cattle and ranch horses at the 2,500 acre Helmer Creek Ranch south west of Sundre with his wife, who raises Border Collie dogs.

His Mennonite parents live downstream at Gamble Flats. But Thiessen is more widely known as a cowboy poet, philosopher and pastor of the widely attended Cowboy Trail Church, in Cochrane just over an hour away from his home.

He appears a bit eccentric with a slow, quiet manner and a wry sense of humor, but he’s chock full of no-nonsense theology and exudes a passion for God as wide as the Alberta sky.

Cowboy Bryn Thiessen tips his hat — photo by Cindy Stephen

Thiessen preaches Tuesday nights at the Ranche House in Cochrane and together with church visionary Mike McGough has led the congregation for almost three years.

"Our church is affiliated with the Canadian Southern Baptists. We joke that we’re ‘offside Adventists,’" said Thiessen. "Offside is a horse term, meaning you’re getting on the wrong side."

It was during an organizational meeting that Thiessen was voted preacher because he wasn’t there to say no, he said with a twinkle in his eye.

As a poet and sometimes preacher, Thiessen was right for the job and was experienced in speaking to people.

"I absorbed so much teaching over the years and I learned to public speak in 4-H. I like to say I have a Jack Pine degree in theology and veterinary medicine," he quipped. Meaning, when it comes to the Bible and animal husbandry, Thiessen is totally self-taught.

The church chose Tuesday nights to hold services since ranchers are too busy to attend on Sunday mornings. He said The Ranche House is a neutral place that the unchurched cowboy would be more comfortable in. "Our worship music is more Western Swing Bluegrass style with a steel guitar and the occasional fiddle," said Thiessen.

"I think it’s easier for agricultural people to believe in a creator, because they see it all around them all the time," he said. "And many of them understand Native spirituality – they can embrace the mystic side of it. But the contemporary style in church doesn’t appeal much to men, and cowboys don’t want to know a wishy-washy gospel. They want the truth, worded in a way they can understand it. My job is to put the Gospel in a palatable form."

Thiessen says he doesn’t use "Christianese" or "churchianity" when he speaks, but services are structured and predictable, just the way cowboys like it.

Thiessen has read his poetry at Cowboy Festivals and rodeos throughout Western Canada and is past-president of the Alberta Cattlemen’s Fellowship, an organization that ministers to rodeo cowboys. This year the fellowship held a pancake breakfast at the annual Ponoka Rodeo and will be on hand in the infield at the Calgary Stampede.

More info on Bryn Thiessen and the Cowboy Trail Church can be found at www.cowboytrailchurch.com.

Ten Commandments Cowboy Style
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 1. Just one God.
 2. Honor your Ma & Pa.
 3. No tellin’ tales or gossipin’.
 4. Git yourself to Worship Meetin’s.
 5. Put nothin’ before God.
 6. No foolin’ around with another fella’s gal.
 7. No killin’.
 8. Watch yer mouth.
 9. Don’t take what ain’t yers.
10. Don’t be hankerin’ fer yer buddy’s stuff.