April 11, 2008
By Stefani Rae Carter
The Flying W Ranch and the Colorado Wranglers are reuniting under the common purpose of keeping the flavor and faith of the Old West alive through cowboy music.
The Flying W Ranch, owned by the Wolfe Family, will continue its Chuck Wagon dinner shows hosted by the Flying W Wranglers much as it has for the past 56 years. The shows open with a prayer and include 2-3 gospel songs mixed in with traditional cowboy tunes each night. Part owner Leigh Ann Wolfe says that the focus of the Flying W dinner shows is “to be a blessing to people with a very simplistic Gospel message.”
Joining that vision, the Colorado Wranglers, composed of Scotty Vaughn, Vern Thomson, and Joe Stephenson, who broke away from the Ranch three years ago to pursue full-time ministry with their music, will make their home-base at the Flying W as a more overt Christian ministry arm of the Ranch.
As part of the transition, the Colorado Wranglers will change their name to the Colorado Cowboys for Jesus. Thomson adds, “Cowboys for Jesus has always been a part of our name and reflects our up front Gospel message. The name change is so there won’t be confusion from two groups called the Wranglers at the Flying W.”
Russ Wolfe explains, “We are continuing our western music show with the Flying W Wranglers, as always. And, we are glad to add the Colorado Cowboys for Jesus back to our family as they perform a gospel show and hold a church service each month.”
The Cowboys for Jesus, the Wolfe family, and the Flying W Wranglers all are excited about the prospects of working together again. Vern Thomson shares, “There is a lot of great history between us all, and I think the community wants to see us pulling together for Jesus Christ.” He echoes the thoughts of the others when he says, “We believe the family dinner and show of the Flying W Wranglers plus the ministry of the Colorado Cowboys for Jesus will be a powerful tool for the Christian Community.” He adds, “The sum is greater than the parts.”
When asked about the break away of the Colorado Wranglers three years ago, the group said there was a lot of simple misunderstanding and, in the words of Thomson, “I think all of our desires collectively and individually to serve God is what brought us back together.”
Part Owner Terry Wolfe says that the reunion is more than a business arrangement to work together; everyone is most excited about the deepening of their relationships with each other.
Vaughn adds, “The biggest benefit is the restoration of our friendships. I’m excited to see what God is going to do with all this.”
Terry Wolfe concurs, “I am hopeful that our reunion and reconciliation will show the Christian community and the rest of the city that Christians can be reconciled not just on the surface but where it counts, at the heart, in a way that is lasting and has true meaning. The best part is having my brothers back.”
The Cowboys for Jesus will begin their new role with the Flying W by conducting a Cowboy Gospel Jamboree once a month, beginning on April 27. The evening event will include a chuck wagon supper and music show consisting of predominantly cowboy gospel songs along with a gospel message. The Cowboys will openly talk about their faith and give an alter call inviting others to join them in trusting Jesus Christ. The western town and shops on the Ranch grounds will be open before the show for folks to browse and to shop. The following Jamboree performances for the summer months will be May 18, June 22, and July 27.
The Flying W will also open up the ranch grounds for the Colorado Cowboys for Jesus on the 2 nd Sunday morning of each month for a cowboy church service, beginning May 11. Scott Vaughn will be preaching and the three Cowboys for Jesus will lead music. Admission to this service is free and open to the public.