LORANGER, La. — Before he stands at a pulpit, before he wears a microphone, before he delivers a sermon, Pastor Randy Smith of the Crossbrand Cowboy Church leads a prayer behind the rodeo arena.

Just after 2 p.m. Sunday, a hush comes over the arena as Smith prays that God protect the men and boys about to ride. That God watch over them. That God lead them into church at 4 p.m.

"Amen," the men murmur.

This is how services start at Crossbrand — with the creak of a gate, the clang of a bell and a warning: "Fire in the hole!"

Then a bull bursts out of a pen, kicking up dust, a rider atop its back for five seconds.

For the next hour, Smith will be out there with them, penning bulls, straddling gates and hoping that a few of these men who have never before attended church might find their w

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