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Frontier Preachers / Circuit Riders Not long after the War of American Independence
the Lewis and Clark expedition began in 1804.
As the Westward expansion progressed along with the Lewis and Clark Expedition
the need and opportunity to "...go into all the world..."(Mt. 28:18-20) became greater and greater. The trails West were first established by the Mountain
Men but almost literally right on their heals were the brave and fearless "Frontier Preachers" and "Circuit
Riders" preaching the "good news" to a wild frontier. Frontier Preachers / Circuit
Riders ventured into the wilderness to encounter Mountain Men, Indians, settlers, tradesman, individuals, families
and all they could find to spread the good news. It is with this spirit also that Mountain Man Missions
goes forth as a part of Living Water Homestead of Faith.
For the Circuit
Rider / Frontier Preacher training was mostly done on the job. New preachers were often assigned to travel for
a time with a more experienced person on a circuit. Thus they learned first hand how it was done and had the opportunity
to have their efforts critiqued and improved. Unlike their Eastern counterparts; education was not the prime prerequisite.
Their love for God, the people and the desire to touch lives was often the most stringent requirement for the position.
The enthusiastic response to their preaching and exhortation
(which were often blended together) at a Camp Meeting or other meeting would often result in the formation of a new
weekly home group that would continue on even after the Circuit Rider's return 4-6 weeks later.
Camp Meetings  The Circuit Rider tied these local groups together; often with quarterly / regularly scheduled meetings which were sometimes
referred to as "Camp Meetings ". Camp Meetings were times when people living throughout a region who
were involved with the local home groups would gather together in unity for fellowship, encouraging and teaching.
These were wonderful times that were electrified with the unity of God's people. With the combination of Camp Meetings
and the Frontier Preacher's personal visits he would encourage the local home group leaders with personal
testimony and galvanizing sermons as well as occasional materials to read and share with others. New Believers brought
into the fold at the larger Camp Meetings were nurtured and remained because of the smaller home fellowships and the
life long relationships that were formed therein. For many on the frontier, the Camp Meetings, home
groups and other meetings were the only social gatherings that existed where they could meet their neighbors, share experiences
and organize help for one another.
The Frontier Preacher's Life The Frontier Preachers pace was
always busy. Between the periodic Camp Meetings he would often travel only a few miles before stopping for a
home group meeting. He might preach at or lead home meetings two or three times a day. This of course meant
that gatherings could and would occur on any day of the week. While at a stop, the Frontier Preacher would check
on the weekly home groups and also visit as many of the local families as possible, usually sharing a hymn and a
prayer. There were relatively few days of rest in the Circuit Rider or Frontier Preacher's schedule.
Preaching was done wherever it was convenient which was most often in a home. Along with homes and
Camp Meetings the Frontier Preachers were known to utilize schools, stores, and taverns (even during business
hours), as well as the open air. If a Frontier Preacher used someone's home, he would often stay there for the night
and eat dinner with the family.
The life of
a Circuit Rider was physically demanding. They traveled, usually by horseback, through all kinds of weather with little
more than the clothes that they were wearing. On the frontier where conditions were primitive, there were stories that
preachers sometimes declined the offer of a bed and slept out of doors to avoid the fleas and bedbugs. Circuit Riders
were supported in their task mainly by the fraternity of the other Circuit Riders, whom they would often meet at a Camp Meeting
or other conferences. A great camaraderie developed, and many Circuit Riders maintained a lifelong mail correspondence
among themselves. For the Circuit Rider, illness and accident were constant perils. At the beginning of the 19th
century, about one in six of the Circuit Riders died between Camp Meetings and home group meetings while on circuit.
Frontier Preachers were heading West as fast as
there were people to reach. Some stories tell about preachers who appeared even before the wagon was unloaded and timber
felled for a new house.
Usually after several years
of service the Frontier Preacher would sometimes meet an available woman and marry, which usually led to the conclusion of his
traveling and the beginning of a more local ministry. Once this occurred they would often pastor a local congregation
and then work at another trade to help pay the bills.
The Fruit of Their Labors Due to the diligence of these hardworking men; within a generation of the
War of American Independence it was not unusual to receive a visit by the Circuit Rider / Frontier Preacher and it even came
to be expected. Their messages were often pointed and aimed toward the heart and winning souls. The subjects were
often of hell and the devil, with a clear eye on the coming day of judgement. The theology was practical, recognizing
that even if one was brought into the family of God it was still possible to falter and return to sinful ways. The
Frontier Preacher's message emphasized discipline, moral uprightness and strong work ethics. As such, it fit well
with the aspirations of new settlers who saw themselves as the creators of a new nation and a new economy based on the industry
and initiative of its citizens. It addressed their hopes more than their despairs and frustrations.
People took to these messages eagerly, in part because as a result
to hearing about God's plan and purpose (as well as God's judgment), folks could see themselves as a meaningful part of a
"Great Commission" to build a new world. They were enfranchised and liberated from the tyranny of old
governments. The future, whether as citizens of the nation or as the people of God was in their hands. Their fate
was not at the whim of a capricious king. Young men who became Circuit Riders saw this not as a career choice, but the
highest calling to which they could aspire and the best possible thing they could do with their lives;
this vision permeated their work.
Living Water Homestead of Faith As a part of Living Water Homestead of Faith, in the spirit of the Frontier Preacher; Mountain Man Missions likewise goes forward in these perilous times to share the good news of life, love
and forgiveness offered by a gracious God to a dieing generation. We look forward to seeing you on the trail
or perhaps visiting with you when we stop by. Or maybe we can meet at a Frontier Fellowship gathering or a Camp Meeting!
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