NAMB Missionary Ballard Roams Idaho, Planting SBC Churches

 

BLACKFOOT, Idaho – Wearing a hat like the one famed cowboy actor Tom Mix made famous in westerns in the ‘20s and ‘30s, a vest, brown cowboy boots and a full gray beard, Jim Ballard looks like he himself just stepped out of a Hollywood studio’s central casting.

 

But unlike the silver screen cowboys of old, Ballard spends his long Idaho days recruiting church planters and helping plant new churches as director of missions for the Eastern Idaho Southern Baptist Association. In ministry for the last 37 years, he’s also served as a North American Mission Board missionary for the past seven.

 

Born in Pueblo, Colo., Ballard grew up working on ranches and farms so he relates well to the ranching and farming community of eastern Idaho.

“We have to find times that work for them,” he said, explaining that the typical 11 a.m. worship service is out of the question if pastors expect cowboys and ranchers to show up.

“Their responsibility is the life of their animals. It’s their livelihood and a stewardship. Come Sunday morning, the cattle have to be fed just like they do on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s seven days a week. So we have afternoon and evening churches up here,” said Ballard. “All the chores are done, they’re through with their day, so having church later eliminates any excuse for them, as far as coming to church.”