Camp Horsemanship:  The Ministry of Alpha Omega Horsemanship Center

Published in the Novemmber 2008 issue of The Horse Resource, the official magazine of the NPBA and IBRA

For now, the Alpha Omega Horsemanship Center, Inc. (AOHC) exists primarily in the hearts of just three people, but the results of their vision will soon touch hundreds -- if not thousands – of young lives forever.  Tim Kirkpatrick, Kelly Weatherly, and Liz McCarty are humble, but they know that God has worked through them to create a new kind of camp horsemanship program that does more than offer the chance for campers to listen to His word …they’ll live it.

The idea first came to Tim at a camping conference about five years ago.  “Everyone was complaining that there were no good Christian horse manuals out there for camps” he says, and “it got me to thinking on how I could start a Christian horsemanship ministry and make it cost effective for Christian camps.”  Not long after, as he and Kelly sat watching riding lessons through the office window, the two shared ideas.  Almost immediately, the project began to take shape.  With the addition of Liz to the team, the fledgling ministry was well on its way to becoming a reality.

The road wasn’t an easy one.  Although the trio felt God’s guidance every step of the way, there were challenges.  Not only did they have to find the time in their full lives to get together on the project, they also needed patience.  As Kelly puts it, “Being patient and letting God work through us, giving us the right verses that He wanted us to use” was a key part of the manual, yet it didn’t always come easily.  Still, through His guidance the first book in the series was born and with it, AOHC.

Foundations: A Christian Guide to Horsemanship, Fellowship and Faith became the first camp manual of its kind.  But since horsemanship is horsemanship and there have long been camp materials out there, what makes Foundations different?  As Liz states, “It takes Biblical Principals and verses and uses them to relate to horsemanship.  It draws the reader into digging into God’s word and applying His purpose to your life.”  For Christians, that’s a powerful thing.  But with young campers, it can mean so much more.

The effects of Foundations on campers will run deep.  Whether they are strong Christians or waver in their faith, are disadvantaged or lost, these children come to camp for a fresh start and a new adventure.  Away from their daily lives, their hearts and minds are open to the new experiences and influences that await them.  This is where Foundations can really make a difference. 

How?  Each of the lessons in Foundations infuses Bible verses into the way that campers relate to and work with the horses.  This unique approach bridges the gap between words and actions, allowing each camper the opportunity to actually experience the Bible as a living canvas of God’s word.  Helping kids to make that connection through horsemanship is a powerful experience they won’t soon forget.

And, as all good horsemen and Christians know, the most important part of growth is a good foundation.  Not surprisingly, Foundations begins at the bottom, so to speak.  Kelly explains:  “In this first book we have focused on the foundations. The foundation of our faith must be strong in Christ. And the foundation of our riding must be strong as well, so we can move on to the next level of riding.  We have geared this book to youth ages 8 – 12, and have put together lesson reviews. But where our book differs the most is with the biblical topics, questions and memory verses that we have included with each horsemanship lesson. Everything is all in one place for you.”

Foundations:  A Christian Guide to Horsemanship, Fellowship, and Faith is built on strong American values:  integrity, honor, pride, love of country, and most importantly love of God.  Although the ministry is directed toward campers, the lessons are already making an impact elsewhere.  For Kelly, the experience has really brought home the fact that “things are done in God’s timing, but you have to act on the dream He’s given you and go in faith.  You aren’t going to get anywhere if you just sit and don’t act.”  Liz adds, “I am humbled daily that God has chosen us to fulfill this task for Him.”

The group has amazingly similar dreams for Foundations and AOHC.  In reaching out to young people, Liz hopes to not just nurture young Christians but to also guide “children that would never have the opportunity to read or listen to God’s word, and to bring them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.”  For Kelly, her greatest hope is that “this manual will be used to help others grow in their spiritual life and they will take what they learn with them and use it in all aspects of their lives.”  If they can reach just a small number of campers through their work, then the positive effect they have will be immeasurable.

Foundations is the first in a series of horsemanship manuals for the group, and as they wait for AOHC to be awarded non-profit status the challenges continue.  Still, with the voice of God to guide their hearts and their hands, they have a firm foundation upon which to reach their goals.  As Tim puts it, a great part of the dream is that the “hearts and lives of instructors and riders will be changed for God.”  And with that, he adds “I really hope that we can start a revival in the horse world.” 

To find out how you can help AOHC, Inc. or to pre-order a copy of Foundations:  A Christian Guide to Horsemanship, Fellowship and Faith, visit them on the web at www.aohcenter.org or contact Tim Kirkpatrick at (757) 421-4177 or Liz McCarty at (757) 630-6118.