Horse whisperer continues to share the Gospel

KINGDOM CITY – Flies were buzzing nosily through the still, hot air pestering horses to whinny in their stalls and 200 spectators to mindlessly slap the backs of their necks as they sat in the bleachers. But persistent flies, heat, mud and the ever so pleasant smell of livestock were not enough to draw the attention of the crowd. Their attention was fixed on the man daring to calm the stubborn and frightened.

The man is David Case and he’s a horse whisperer. More importantly than that, he’s an evangelist. And as Case gently calms, guides and corrects the ornery horse and finally persuades it to wear a bridle and saddle and carry a rider, he paints an image of sinful mankind and God.

Case was the draw for a four-day event hosted by Richland Baptist Church in Kingdom City, culminating in a “cowboy-casual” Sunday morning worship service at the church. Pastor Larry Paris said more than 800 people attended.

“It’s certainly more than any revival service we’ve ever had,” he said. “Even if we don’t see any church growth out of this, we’re hoping for Kingdom growth.”

Meanwhile, as Case steps over the railing and into the horse’s world, the horse is visibly frightened and upset. It wheels, runs as far as possible from Case and occasionally kicks and bucks against the corral. The horse is “living in sin.” Her journey toward obedience illustrates sinful man’s journey towards repentance and acceptance of Jesus as savior.

“Slowly she begins to see that my way is the way to rest and reward,” Case told the crowd as he gained the animal’s trust.

Soon, the slow, quiet and deliberate Case convinced her to follow his directions around the corral. This horse is harder to break than the four horses previous. Like humans rebelling from God, the horse occasionally wants to disobey its master, questions his authority and take its own path… and must face the consequences.

“She’s asking, ‘Who is the person who wants to be my master?’ ‘I want to go my way!’ ‘What if I can’t do what he wants me to do?’” Case said. “But the farther she wanders away the tighter this rope gets and she causes more stress and trouble for herself. She has to die to herself. Jesus said ‘you’ve got to lose your life for my sake and you will find life eternal.’”

Eventually, after 45 minutes of patience and loving gentleness, Case persuaded the mare to take a bit and wear a saddle. Although she’s not a perfect work animal and needs further training, “she’s accepted my authority,” Case said. “Now I can mold her and shape her into my productive plan for her life.”