Latest / 307 Faithful / This Cowboy Knew ABOUT Jesus His Whole Life—But Didn't KNOW Him Until 21 | Troupe Coors

Transcript

This Cowboy Knew ABOUT Jesus His Whole Life—But Didn't KNOW Him Until 21 | Troupe Coors · 307 Faithful

• Devin Davis: All right. welcome back to the 307 Faithful Podcast. I'm your host, Devin Davis. I work for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes here in Wyoming Troupe Coors: . Devin Davis: and really always thankful to have some new guests that are gonna share their story, their testimony, and just tell us a little bit about their faith in Jesus Christ and really how it's impacted them in their sports and in their lives and kind of what their future looks like. So we have another Wyoming athlete with us today. And so I'd like to welcome in to the studio today. he is a cowboy on the Wyoming rodeo team, as you can see from his hat. welcome today to our podcast troupe. Really glad to have you with us today. So thanks for joining us. Troupe Coors: Yeah, Devon, thanks for having me. I'm excited. Devin Davis: You bet. so Troop, I know that y you I've seen you a little bit here and there at FCA camp in the summertime, but I'm gonna kind of jump ahead a little bit here. But tell me about, I mean, I know you're involved in a lot of different manners, but tell me about kind of your involvement with FCA. When it started, the different roles that you've had, how it's affected your life impacted I should say, and and your faith as well. So I just kinda want an overview of how Fellowship of Christian athletes has has impacted troop coupers. Troupe Coors: Yeah, so I started going to FCA right out of the gates my freshman year my older brother Buck Coors played football here and got connected with the Fruits and FCA and when I came up here two years later I just followed right along in his footsteps and joined FCA. Went pretty faithfully the first year and then my second year my sophomore year I was asked to be on the leadership team so I went forward with that and have been doing that ever since. This is my fifth year actually in college, so my fourth year on the leadership team. And I have served at FCA summer camp three times now. This past summer was my third. I have an opportunity to lead the men's Bible study for FCA here at UW with Devin Davis: Okay. Okay. Troupe Coors: the college athletes. We usually have Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: on average about 10 guys and we meet on Monday nights and just go through scripture this year. We're going through Romans. That has been a great opportunity for me to grow as a leader and as a studier of scripture and been cool to see some other guys become friends and grow in their knowledge and application of the word. The final thing that I would say I've been involved with with FCA is I get the opportunity to lead a a chapel service on Sundays at most of the college rodeos throughout the season. So typically I go through the same thing that we're going through in Bible study. So again, this year it was Romans and I'm just thankful for the opportunity to get to sharpen my skills as a communicator. And not only that, but I get a deeper understanding of of the word as I share it with others and pray that it would. be efficacious in their lives. And it's something that they haven't really heard a lot about the rodeo scene. There's not a lot of depth typically, I would say, as far as understanding the Bible goes. So I'm thankful to have the opportunity to share some scripture really with them and let the living and active Word of God do Devin Davis: Really have a top box. Yeah, that's it. Troupe Coors: the work in their lives. But I'm thankful to have the opportunity to do that. Devin Davis: Awesome, man. That I knew you were very involved. I the one question that pops into my mind, 'cause I don't really remember, but we don't have rodeo at Wyoming at sports camp in the summertime. So what sport have you have you been a huddle leader for since you jumped in and helped started helping with that? Troupe Coors: Yes, I usually do soccer is what I do. And it's great. It's fun to get to do that. So they also have a FCA rodeo camp in Colorado Devin Davis: Okay. Troupe Coors: that I've helped with once and I attended as a younger kid. When I was a kid, it wasn't like sanctioned by FCA or whatever, but now it is. So I was able to go serve at that one and it was cool. So it's just rodeo. So it's all the different rodeo events and kids come and get the same FCA experience except with rodeo and it's pretty cool too. Devin Davis: That's that's awesome. I know that FTA rodeo has really grown a lot and I follow them on on social media. So have you b had much involvement with the the rodeo side of things with FCA at all other than that? Troupe Coors: I haven't, no sir, not yet, just been keeping my head down with all the things that I'm involved in right now, but I haven't had a whole lot of involvement with that up to this point. Devin Davis: Well, obviously people are thinking what about Troop Cors and this is his fifth year at the University of Wyoming. He's on the rodeo team. Kinda give us a background of your life growing up, where you grew up, your family, just background, how you started rodeoing and how that led to the University of Wyoming. So a little autobiography of Troop Coors, if you would. Troupe Coors: Sure. Yeah, so I mean, I was born in Texas. We only lived there for about a year and moved for a couple of years to Nevada. And then when I was about five or six years old, we moved to Lafayette, Colorado, lived there for four years. And then we moved to Loveland, Colorado when I was nine, almost nine, and lived there all the way until I graduated. So I would say the majority of my growing up, my childhood was in Loveland, Colorado. my brothers and I, I'm, one of six kids. have two older brothers. Yeah. Two older brothers, a younger brother, two younger sisters. all of us boys played football growing up. So that was, mostly just what we did. and then my seventh grade year was the last year I played football and we ended up, in Loveland. had some acreage and we ended up getting some horses. My parents did, and neither of my parents. did the rodeo thing growing up at all. They were very supportive of it, but they never did it themselves. So we just kind of all learned together, our whole family, and kind of started right there when football ended was when I really started learning and getting into it. then I junior high rodeoed for Colorado my eighth grade year. And then I high school rodeoed all four years for Colorado. And then from there got recruited by the coach at the time and he was my coach freshman year and yeah, got recruited and I really had no doubt in my mind that I'd come to Wyoming. Part of the reason was that my brother Buck was here. That was a big pull as well as the University of Wyoming being definitely the best school in the region as far as the rodeo team goes. Devin Davis: I man, that's a cool story. I I mean I don't know, you know, most of our listeners, I I think most kids at rodeo, I mean, they start like they grow up on a ranch. And around their folks who have rodeoed a a a long time or they have some type of you know, idol that they follow. But there's really none of that at all in your family, d you said until you were like seventh, eighth grade? Troupe Coors: Yeah, right about there was when we really started entering rodeos and learning how to win. We started a little bit before then, but Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: I think I ran my first steer. So team roping ran my first team roping steer when I was probably 12. So definitely a lot later than most kids. You're right. Most of them start when they're really, really young and their Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: parents did it and yeah, maybe they're ranchers and they kind of do it to help out the family. rodeo, practice rodeo in the evenings and go to the rodeos on the weekends. But for, for us and for me, it was a little bit more of a, not necessarily a hobby, but we treated it more of a sport. so we did our normal lives and then got our horses out and practice like it was a Devin Davis: There you go, we're gonna put that Troupe Coors: regular sport and, maybe a little bit less of a lifestyle than most people. Devin Davis: That's that's crazy. So did you have I mean, how did you obviously who taught you how to to rope? Did you have somebody that kind of was your coach or that that helped mold who you are? Troupe Coors: I'm probably going to leave a few people out just because I don't have a great memory, but there were lots of people that helped helped all of us kids and me, especially along the way. A couple come to mind. Skip Dickens was probably the first guy that helped me out. He was a neighbor. He lived like a mile away and he he helped me and my siblings out, taught us how to rope, how to ride our horses, probably helped us buy some horses. Another guy not related, but named J.C. Dickens. Same deal there, a little bit further away, but helped us kind of learn how to rope and rodeo and also he was a godly man, a believer and kind of a mentor in that way. Spent a lot of time with him. Gosh, I'm certainly forgetting of some people, the Sharon family from Ordway. They've been a big help. They have kids about our age and Sharon leads the cowboy. churches or led the Cowboy churches when I was growing up. guess he still does. So we have that second layer of friendship with them because of our shared faith. But also they have been super helpful to me and my siblings as far as teaching us how to rope. And then my parents also, even though they didn't necessarily rope growing up at all, they kind of learn right along with us and just for super, super supportive. it was a, couldn't ask for, any different of a childhood growing up as far as, learning how to rodeo. It was great. Devin Davis: So out of your entire family, And all the kids that you have, d does everybody rodeo or are there some that just that w maybe wasn't for them? Troupe Coors: Yeah, so a little bit of both. So my oldest brother, he really started with the whole horse deal before any of us were on board. But by the time he really started to figure it out, he was kind of older and graduated and moved off. And he ropes a little bit now, not too much. He's a welder. My oldest or my brother that's just older than me, Buck, he roped quite a little bit, junior high, high school. and mostly high school. And he was pretty good, but obviously football was more of his thing because he came here to play. And then I always took it pretty serious. Same with my little brother, Rhett. He ropes very well. He's also a welder and stays pretty busy with that. Chose to do that instead of college, but he's very good. And he doesn't get to practice a whole lot, but when he enters, he does some winning. He's a winner. he robs quite well. And then I have a younger sister, Johanna Blake. She used to rodeo and she was also very good, had a lot of success. she also is good at volleyball. So she ended up going that direction. So she plays volleyball in college at Colorado Christian. She's a freshman right now. So she kind of went that direction. And then my youngest sister rodeoed little bit, did a little bit of cutting. So some other horse type things, but it wasn't, it wasn't really for her. Devin Davis: Okay. It and so you talked to plenty about about roping. is you know, was that always just kind of your event? Is that what you guys did or or did you you know, you said you were involved mainly in team roping. had i is that kind of always been your calling as far as rodeo going rodeo goes or any other areas that you've you've tried or not tried? Troupe Coors: Yeah, so that's a good question. I would say the main two, back when I started were team roping and tie down roping and probably more so tie down roping back then actually junior high, was eighth grade, I was about the size of the rest of the guys, maybe a little smaller. And then everyone got to high school and started growing and I really didn't. I stayed really small. So calf roping, became a little unrealistic for me, quite honestly, just with my size, I, those guys had, had a big advantage over me being big enough to flank those big calves. And I, I, couldn't, couldn't hang really. So I kind of switched to team roping. I continued to calf rope a little bit, but I switched my focus, I would say to team roping, to healing and really just ran with that into college and had some success maybe towards the end of high school that that made me realize that that that was my thing. Did that into college, definitely got recruited as a healer, ended up roping calves, tight end roping a little bit in college. And then I ended up blowing out my knee my sophomore year. And since then, I actually haven't haven't roped calves since then. Just kind of Devin Davis: Okay. Troupe Coors: the way things worked out. So Devin Davis: So for people who don't know rodeo really well, team roping has a header and a healer, correct? and how do you kind of decide, you said you you, you know, you've been a healer for a long time. How do you decide which position you're gonna take? Troupe Coors: Yeah, I would say actually it's kind of funny that the main deciding factor is when there's a bunch of siblings, what usually ends up happening is they go kind of every other. So my oldest brother, he decided to kind of like healing. then Buck, he decided to head. I decided to heal and Rhett decided to head. that we all have people to rope with, if that makes sense. So when we're practicing, Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: you know, the teams kind of line out right so that everyone can be roping at the same time. Devin Davis: Yeah. Is there different I obviously it's a little different skill, but i you know, if you've you've been a healer for a long time, is it hard to switch to the to the header position? Is that kind of you know, like just thinking of sports, you know, if you play one position, you're probably not gonna switch, but is that the same thing when it comes to team roping? Troupe Coors: That's a question. would say generally all the healers, most of the healers can head pretty well. And then it'd probably be a little more rare to find a header that just naturally heals really well. I kind of stereotypically, I would maybe say headers have a little more trouble healing, but a lot of healers can at least do okay and get by heading. Devin Davis: So now it going it thinking about well j just any rodeo, right? High school, college, it doesn't matter, even the professionals. So how do you make up your your teams? how do you g because I if I'm if I'm not wrong, you know, when I look at different different events and everything like that, because you're you're a healer, you don't necessarily have to have your your partner be from the University of Wyoming. Is is that right or wrong? Okay. Troupe Coors: That's correct. Yeah, I think maybe half of my years in school, I've had a partner that went to a different school. So the only thing that matters is they have to be in your region. University of Wyoming, along with 10 or 11 other schools travel around in a region to all the rodeos. Devin Davis: Mm-hmm. Troupe Coors: So as long as someone in your region is your partner, then you're good to go. The downside would be you don't get to practice with them, but it's less of a big deal than you think. long Devin Davis: Really? Troupe Coors: as you're practicing with someone and your horses are working well and you're roping sharp and everything like that, it's less of a big deal than you think. You can have quite a bit of success like that. Devin Davis: So do you qualify for the national finals at as a pair? i and that's you mean you can't just qualify as a healer. you have to qualify with your partner. Okay. Troupe Coors: That's correct. Yep, the top three teams in the region qualify for the CNFR. Yes, sir. Yep. Devin Davis: Wow. that that's and you said you're halfway through the year. Now you've just finished up your fall season. We'll have a spring season. and so all the fall results carry over then into the spring, right? And that's and then that goes forward and then that's how you decide the final three to make college nationals finals, right? Troupe Coors: That's right. Yes, sir. Devin Davis: Have you have you been to national finals? Troupe Coors: So I have been, I've qualified twice. I've only been once. So that knee injury I was telling you about, that happened right before the spring semester of my sophomore year. It was actually five days before the first college rodeo that I tore my ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL. And I ended up, by God's grace, was able to rodeo that spring. And we ended up qualifying for the CNFR. And then I had surgery the day after the last spring rodeo, which was Devin Davis: wow. Troupe Coors: April 22nd. And I was laying on the surgery table there and the surgeon asked me when I was hoping to get back to roping. And I told him, middle of June, which is when the college finals is. And he said, you can do that, but you'll, you'll tear all these ligaments out. So I had to make a decision and it ended up being a pretty. easy one to continue with the surgery. I ended up earlier that spring, I was riding a kid's horse. let me, he really graciously let me ride one of his horses. And with me not going to the college finals, he was next in line. So he got to go and take my spot. So it ended up being a pretty cool deal that that kid helped me. And then I was able to give him my qualifying spot. So he got to go that year and, then the next year I qualified and Was able to go, yes. Devin Davis: So we're talking a lot about rodeo, but I have just one more question here is we're talking about sports and we all know that, if you go to the University of Wyoming to play football, usually there's scholarship money or or it now NIL money. is that same thing true with the rodeo team at in most of our local colleges around here? Troupe Coors: That is, yeah, the NIL, I wouldn't say is huge. I have a couple teammates who have done some little videos and stuff and gotten some money from that. But the University of Wyoming, I don't know if it's the donors or who it is, but there's an incredibly big pot for scholarships. And I've been super thankful to have my school paid for. And even I'm doing a master's right now in MBA. And I'm thankful that that's paid for as well. And it's a real game changer. I don't think I'd be doing this fifth year if it weren't for that. So it's Devin Davis: Wow. Wow. Troupe Coors: huge, props to, I don't even know who, the coaches, the donors, the university, everyone. So I'm real thankful for that opportunity. Devin Davis: that's awesome. I just always wondered that. Then then at your rodeo events, can you also then you most rodeos, right, you win money. do you with your college rodeos, same thing, you can win money at your rodeos. Troupe Coors: Yeah. So what makes it, I guess, a little different than a NCAA sport is you pay. Actually, we personally pay as athletes. It's like, it's not expensive. It used to be $65. And then this year they raised it to a hundred. And you can win. If you win, it used to be about just over a thousand. And now it's almost 2000 if you win. it pays great. And it's cool to It's not very foreign to me because that's how Rodeo works. It might seem foreign to someone else, but it's cool to be able to gamble on yourself and have a chance to win some money. And yeah, it's fun. Devin Davis: That's all that's awesome. I had a young man on a podcast several months ago, Regan Pierce, he's a bull rider at Sheridan High School and it it was really neat to hear his story and I know that he had qualified for high school national finals and how awesome that was. So yeah I mean it's kind of the way of life where we live in Wyoming. And I, you know, if anybody's not listening or Colorado, you know, that's they it might be a little foreign to them, but you know, that's one of the cool things about being from where we are, right? Is that horses and rodeo are just ingrained really in our culture around here. And so that's pretty, pretty awesome. But The the other thing that I w was gonna tie in is something that you mentioned. I actually talked to Rigan a little bit about this, is just the cowboy lifestyle. And it's you know w I I don't know if what I would say you you mentioned cowboy church. it's a it's a pretty hard not hard. I mean the lifestyle's n not known to be one of the the most connected with church Cowboy Church. there's a lot of people there, but on Saturday nights and those kind of things, do you maybe I'm asking my question wrong. D do you see that? Do you see that happy, go lucky, have fun, go out, live life kind of thing? Troupe Coors: Yeah, I'd say you see that quite a bit. That's one of the main things I... main reasons I felt called to do... yeah, Cowboy Church, it's just what they call it at the rodeos, but Devin Davis: Yeah. Yeah. Troupe Coors: I hope that people would just realize that it's just... I just try to teach what the Bible says and the Bible, I really try not to worry too much about what people... are doing or what they aren't doing. I just try to present them with some scripture. I only get so much time with them and I want to really pick some scriptures that kind of expose, maybe expose their sin, but more importantly, proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and that there's punishment for sin for those who aren't believers, but there's forgiveness of sin for those who are. yeah. Yeah, it's a great opportunity and it's something that's definitely just on my heart. A big part of why I took a fifth year was to continue in the ministry realm of things with the college rodeo, the whole scene, because it's more than just people from my team. It's people in the whole region, parents, grandparents, students that come and listen. yeah, all I can do is give them the scripture and what it says. and pray that it would affect their life as well as being as good of an example and as good of an ambassador for Christ as I can be while I'm there hanging out with people and while I'm competing. Devin Davis: That's so cool. just thinking about that. That usually that's obviously on Sunday morning before you you start your competition. on Sunday morning, is that ti usually what time you have it? Troupe Coors: Yeah, so usually the it's called the short round on Sunday that usually starts at either 10 or 11 depending on the weekend. And then I usually do church service two hours before. So church usually starts at eight or nine, depending on the weekend. Devin Davis: And and everybody is welcome to come, you said. Troupe Coors: That's correct. Anyone and everyone's welcome to come. It ranges from, you know, a couple of times there's probably just 20 or 30 people. And then we've had quite a few times where there's probably over a hundred. So it just kind of depends on the, the weekend and the time of time of year and the location and all that. Devin Davis: Yeah. Do you and you have it usually just right there at the arena? Is that where you usually hold church then? Troupe Coors: Yes sir, yeah we just do it right there in the grandstands. I was donated a speaker microphone and speaker system by that that Sharon family that I was telling you about from Ordway and so I use that if they're a good amount of people and they can't hear too well. I use that otherwise I just talk try to get some donuts and apple juice and coffee so people can have a little snack and drink before, while or after they listen and Yeah, it's pretty casual. It's pretty laid back. I also have a friend and brother in Christ, name is Marcus Mater, and he goes to Chattern State, which is in our region, and he leads worship at all the rodeos as well as he preaches sometimes too. He likes to do one per semester, and he always does a great job, and I'm super thankful for him and his willingness to participate and join in that. Devin Davis: And that opportunity was given to you at what point in time, Troop? How how old what year were you? Yeah. Troupe Coors: Yeah, the sophomore. Yep. So I started Devin Davis: Okay. Troupe Coors: doing this my sophomore year. Yeah, the very first rodeo, the guy got up and said he was kind of wanting to pass off the torch Devin Davis: No way. Troupe Coors: and then someone else. I initially was like, that's because it's way out of my comfort zone. I'm not a I mean, I'm social, but I'm not a get out there in front of people and talk type of person. And it's to this day, very uncomfortable for me. But Those first couple of times were really uncomfortable and looking back, let's just say I've had a lot of growth since then. So initially my thought was, I don't want to do this. And then I had a teammate come up to me and be like, Hey, this seems like something you'd want to do. Like, are you going to do it? And I ended up deciding to do it. looking back, I'm very, very glad that I did. And yeah, it gives me a lot more purpose. in the weekends more than just the competition. Devin Davis: That's that's cool to think that that just that just that opportunity. we know it didn't just happen. It was God's providence, right? That that you were there and at just the right time. And I I mean that's that's that's cool. How has that changed then? Obviously everybody knows True Couers as is one of the guys who teaches. at at Cowboy Church and how has that impacted kind of your influence with your fellow cowboys and cowgirls? Troupe Coors: Yeah, I think my teammates as well as even people from other schools, yeah, they know that by God's grace, I'm a Christian and that looks a little different, I would say, than most people kind of in the region or on the team. So everyone knows and people will ask like, hey, are you going to be a pastor? you know, they just like assume that that's what I'm going to do. yeah, there's definitely a distinction between me and them. just, I just try my hardest to. Great as, as close to relationships with, with everyone that I can, especially on my team, because I, I see them a lot. I'd say that's just my main goal is to, no matter who they are or how easy or hard they are to get along with, to just develop a relationship with, with them. I would say I've had minimal. seems like I've made a minimal impact as far as people coming up to me and being like, Hey, I have some questions about what you shared in church on Sunday. What does this mean walking through scripture? There just hasn't been a lot of that, which is a bummer, but I'm holding out hope that, if I create a great relationship with all these people that, when their backs against the wall someday, that I'd be the first guy that they'd call and not because I'm anything special, but that Lord willing, I'd be able to point them to scripture and to the Lord himself to guide them because I just, it's hard to tell how much of an impact I'm having right now, but I'm just trusting the Lord that if I'm faithful to teach the word and just be by God's grace, be obedient and just love my teammates and my coaches well, be a servant, be a hard worker, all those things and just trust the Lord with the. with the results. The Bible says, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. So it's a pretty real life application of that opportunity for me to apply that. Devin Davis: Amen. Just your faithfulness with that. And and let me tell you, I've learned through the years I volunteered and the the number of chapels that I've done and Bible studies that I've led. It's it's always crazy to me. You in your mind go, man, is anybody getting anything out of what what I'm sharing or what I'm teaching? And and sometimes the you know you I think you never know, but just at that it's always amazing to me just when I'm questioning that, I'll get a text message from from somebody that Troupe Coors: you Devin Davis: one of the football players or something that I didn't think was listening to a dang thing I said, right? And and now they're out of out of school and they're maybe having some difficulties in college and they'll reach out to me and and Troupe Coors: Thank Devin Davis: ask me some questions or whatever. And it's like, wow, Lord, they were listening to me. You know what I'm saying? And so I mean, you just have to believe and and continue to to be faithful in what you do and but on top of that teaching is just such an awesome way to help yourself to to grow in your faith and to study God's word. I mean when I put together a sermon, I I love it. I love what I learn when I get Troupe Coors: Okay. Devin Davis: out of that. and so now I can look at the Bible like a little differently than I did. before because I've actually dug in and really looked at other commentaries and other references and other translations. What does this really mean? Do you feel like that's changed your your knowledge of the the Bible and the ability for you to to be comfortable with God's word? Troupe Coors: Absolutely. I'd say it's one thing to read a passage or I guess the whole Bible in general, but let's just say a passage. It's one thing to read it and understand it. That's great. I would say it's another thing to be able to read it, understand it and lead a Bible study Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: over that passage. And then I'd say it's a whole other thing to lead a sermon or teach a sermon over a passage because you don't have times of feedback and questions. You're just on the spot. And I guess there's this aspect of kind of to put it the spiritual side of it on pause for a second. It's this aspect of public speaking that though it's the Lord speaking and the spirit inside of me, there is still an aspect of Naturally, I'm not a good public speaker and it takes, it has taken me a lot of work to, for one, not be super nervous, not talk too fast, not read my notes, all these things that that's my responsibility is to put in the work to be a good public speaker. And I would say that's been something that's been super helpful is over the years by God's grace. I've just gotten better at that. And I'm still a long ways from where I'd like to be, but just the delivery so that the word can. can affect these people. to your point, studying for sermons or Bible studies absolutely deepens my knowledge and gives me an excuse or reason to study hard these passages. Devin Davis: Yeah, yeah. Troupe Coors: And yeah, it's great to have a chance to do that. Devin Davis: Yeah, you it's it's a double benefit, right? You have the opportunity to share God's word and encourage people with it and guide them in their knowledge, but it's also it's also you know, producing fruit in your heart as well. So I I I mean, it the Bible says, you know, talks about teachers being, you know, just being judged differently than everybody else. and I can understand that, but there is so much. I I d I don't know. There's so much enjoyment in telling people about God and using his word, showing them how to study that. It's like that just just I don't know. It g gives me a lot of purpose in my life doing that. Have you felt that same way, Troop? Troupe Coors: Definitely. I talk to my pastor frequently and he always says the same thing that I feel and it's the night before on Saturday night. I really don't have a great feeling in my stomach. I don't Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: always sleep that well. I'm just really nervous. I guess it's the main thing and kind of have just a bad feeling. But after I give the message and share the scripture, there's actually no better feeling than after it's done, not because it's over, but because I was able to share truth and it truly is a feeling like none other, not just for the aspect of having a good feeling, but knowing that by God's grace, I was obedient and left them with Devin Davis: Amen. Troupe Coors: truth and that that's what the Lord can use to eventually save someone. Devin Davis: Yeah, over and over and over in the Bible, man. He used some people that were just not the best at like you said, public speaking, not not well spoken, not well educated. and I mean that's a a lot of our Bible is written by guys who were were like that. So God has a crazy way of using people who'd maybe not feel really qualified, to to be able to impact others. And that's and that's one of the cool cool things. If you're just obedient, like you said, to the place that he's put you, then he's glorified through that. So that's that's cool. so there isn't any chance that you might become a preacher? Troupe Coors: I don't know where the Lord's gonna lead me after school. got my undergrad in civil engineering and I plan to continue doing that. I'm doing an internship right now for my dad's small water resources engineering company and I plan to continue working for him and just kind of do ministry where the Lord's planning me. something that my pastor was saying the other Sunday that was encouraging is it's great that people that are called and sent to the mission field or FCA or whatever, but there also will be people that are called to work a job and use their time and resources there to share the gospel and do ministry that way. And I feel like that's how the Lord has has equipped me is to do something like that. Devin Davis: Yeah, and I think that's a good point, right? Is for some reason people think a lot of times that to to be be an evangelist, be a witness, that means we have to go places or do things and but we forget that in our world in in our country, some of the best opportunities to to share the gospel may be in your w workplace or with your coworkers, and do that. And that's no different than somebody who happens to, you know, go to Asia and share share the gospel. I mean, we're all called to where we're planted and and that may be like you said, where wherever that might be where you get a job when you graduate. So I I had been a volunteer with FCA for years until and I just felt always called to be on staff with with with FCA. You can I've known Aaron for a long time and he w can testify to that. And so I've just been blessed to finally be able to take that step and be on Troupe Coors: Thank Thank Devin Davis: staff with FCA just since January. So I'm thankful for that. But I also wanna I think there's another little connection here that I didn't really connect until earlier today, but I I noticed on your finger you have a a ring. So you are a married man and in college and I think you've been married for just a little under a year, is that right? Troupe Coors: That's exactly right. Yeah, yeah, that's a good thing to add in there. Yeah, so it's been coming on 11 months since we've been married to my wife Emma. We met kinda through FCA, kinda mutual friends type of deal, her and her family. have been involved with FCI for a lot of years and yeah. Devin Davis: That she is she played if I am correct, played volleyball at Shadron State, is that right? Troupe Coors: That's correct. She played volleyball at Shatter State for a year and a half and then ended up moving over here to Laramie. We dated for another eight months and then we were engaged for three and a half months and then have been married for almost a year now. Devin Davis: Wow. And so how being in college, being a married man, how is how is married life as a college student, as a cowboy, different than it was as a sing single guy, or is there any difference? Troupe Coors: Yeah, if I had known it was like this, I'd probably done it sooner. It's great. Yeah. Yeah. I highly recommend it. Yeah. I'm, Devin Davis: Ha ha ha. Troupe Coors: I'm thankful. it's, it's fun. I would say I would be one of the main things getting to do all these things, with, with my wife. And we have such great friends that we hang out with together. a lot of them aren't necessarily younger than us, but aren't quite married yet. You know, we got married pretty young. I'm 23 and she just turned 22. So our friends are either dating or engaged, but we just, we just have a great time with, with each other and then hanging out with, Devin Davis: that way on the pattern. Troupe Coors: with other friends. A lot of them are on FCA leadership. So we, we do the FCA thing together and it's, it's been great. The past, the past year of being in merit or being married and being in school and rodeo. she comes to all the rodeos with me and is friends with a lot of my teammates and it's just great. It really is a blast. Devin Davis: That's awesome. Do you do you feel like there's, any downside of being married as a college student? Troupe Coors: I don't think so. The one that maybe would come to mind is so they get us hotel rooms at the rodeos, which is great, but sometimes depending on the year or the weekend, there might be four guys in a room. So that would be the only downside is if we get put in a, or if I get put in a room with four guys, then we got to find somewhere else to stay. But otherwise there've been a couple of times where I'm only assigned with one or two other guys and we just take one bed and they take the other. And it's all good. But yeah, that's the only thing that comes to mind. Otherwise, there are no downsides. Devin Davis: Did you know, I'm I'm sure, I mean, as you said, being married at twenty-three, now almost a year into it. So n did people kind of question you? or did you get any like negative feedback of like what in the heck are you doing getting married this young troop or or or Emma, your wife, did any anybody, you know, were there any naysayers with all of that? Troupe Coors: I wouldn't say so. Both of our parents were real supportive of us getting married really from the get go. We actually almost got married quite a bit sooner, right when she moved to Laramie. That was just our plan, but we ended up, the Lord kind of had a different plan and we decided we'd just kind of hold off and date for a while more in person. So we truly almost got married earlier, but we ended up waiting another eight months. about till August from January to August and then got engaged and got married. she is, she's a little bit younger than me. She's about a year and a half younger, but I, I mean, I'm young, but it doesn't feel like super out of the ordinary, I guess, with how, Devin Davis: Mm-hmm. Troupe Coors: with how young we are. just kind of, a lot of people in our church are getting married about our same age. And I guess it doesn't feel super out of the ordinary in the, the stage of life and with the people that we hang out with. Devin Davis: and it's funny, I was just having this conversation with somebody earlier today. So from the time you met, time that till the time you got married, how how long was that about? Troupe Coors: Yeah, so the first time we met literally shook hands was August of 2022. So that was quite a while ago. That was my freshman year. And the time we started really like talking in a. Romantic or whatever you want to call it since was March of 2024, so kind of a year and a half after that. So from March 2024 all the way around to we got married in November of 2020. five, so that'd be close to two years, something like that. Devin Davis: And so in March she wa was she still living in Shadron? Okay. Troupe Coors: She was. Yep. She was living in Chatham wrapping up her freshman year playing volleyball over there. Yep. Devin Davis: And then she moved to Laramie that that following fall then. Troupe Coors: It was January when she moved, just about. Devin Davis: Okay. So she okay. Played two years of vul college volleyball then for Shadron State. Troupe Coors: She did. yeah, with it being a fall sport, she played fall and then trained in the spring, played again in the fall and then ended up making the decision to be done with volleyball and move over here to Laramie. Devin Davis: So did you put a lot of miles on the car or how did you guys stay connected with that? Troupe Coors: Yeah, we did. We were both pretty busy. Her with volleyball and me with rodeo. So we while we were long distance, we saw each other when we when we could. There were definitely quite a few weekends of driving out there and then her coming back because her family as well as my family live kind of over here. She's from Cheyenne and my parents are from Loveland. So she probably came back more than I went out there, but we definitely made some trips and had some good times hanging out. while we were dating and then on the weekends. Devin Davis: So no, I was I my conversation earlier is like as as Christians, as believers, dating Christian dating is very, very different than w worldly dating, what the world says, right? Troupe Coors: Yeah. Devin Davis: and I think it that's because we kind of we have a different motivation as as followers of Jesus and and I I think that's an example of that, right? You just know. and doesn't matter if you date for seven years or live together or anything like that at all. That's that's that's not really how marriage is meant to work according to God's word. Do you agree with that? Troupe Coors: I do agree with that. That's a good point. Something that we have believed in from the get go was that if we just try to, by God's grace, date the Lord's way, that he would take care of compatibility type things. Because the world tells you that, well, if you want to get married, you better live with her for a while and make sure you can get along with her. and make sure she cleaves that or keeps the house clean or all these things that are just kind of taking things into your own control. And I believe the Bible makes it pretty clear that if you just date God's way in purity and treating the other as a brother or sister in Christ and they're godly and you think it's the right time to get married, then you just go forward with that and trust the Lord that he will take care of that. And that's been something that Not only Emma and I have learned, but a lot of our couple friends here in Laramie through our Bible study. It's just been a conversation that has come up a lot and a lot of faithful friends and faithful couples that have done that and the Lord has just blessed it. And it's cool to see and be a part of and kind of a testimony that Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: we're thankful for. Devin Davis: It it's it's amazing because really it's it's a it's a it's a vow to God when you when you when you get married. It's it it's promising that you're gonna take care of her and she's gonna love you and and you've made that vow to God and that, that's that's through good times and through bad. That's why we say that, right? And through sickness and through health. And it it just meaning that you're committed to that person. and I mean I can the one thing you're you're still at that that s stage of the marriage where the you know it marriage is pretty cool, right? And and you're twenty three years old. It but N I've been married for 30 years, 30 plus years. And man, I'll tell you what, the way that I love my wife is so different than the way I loved my wife when we first got married when I was about your age or so. love is just faithfulness to your partner and that you're you're there beside them through thick and thin and ups and downs. And and I I think that's Troupe Coors: Okay. Devin Davis: That's what marriage is is meant to be, that you that you can do endure anything if your focus in your marriage Troupe Coors: you Devin Davis: is on Christ. And you've probably heard heard a lot of people tell you that. So I'm not telling you anything new at all, really. But and that that kind of leads to your parents. I mean, y you know, just listening to your background, what you've shared with me, your your motivation, your heart. your parents had to have something to do with that, didn't they? Troupe Coors: Yeah, they did. I would say they were the primary reason for that. Yeah, they raised all of us kids in a way that I am thankful for and Emma and I plan to just do it as similarly as we can. We would dream to be parents like they were. it shaped and molded who I am today. yeah, they are two of the most incredible people that I know as a couple as well as individuals. Devin Davis: So they're they they're the ones who who raised you like that. Was there a time troop in in your life where you've you finally made that this is you know the faith that my parents shared with me and I and I believe that, but now I'm gonna make it my faith. Is there a time in your life or a period of time where that transition, that transformation happened? Troupe Coors: Yeah, so that's a huge part of my testimony. The crazy thing is though my parents were incredible, I did not get saved until I was 21. So I had a, could share the gospel with you growing up. I was a great kid. Didn't get into much trouble. Memorized verses, all these things. And I truly, I could share with you a detailed gospel, but The Bible says that man looks at the outward appearance and God looks at the heart. And actually deep down what my heart believed until I was 21 was that because I was this good kid, that I was earning God's favor salvifically and that he, he, that I'm a Christian or I thought I was a Christian because I was a good kid and God looked at me and said, yep, that's my, that's my guy right there. He's not like those other centers. That's why he's a Christian. And somehow I completely missed that. what it actually takes to be a Christian is you're required to have God's righteousness. And the only way you get God's righteousness was God in the form of man when he lived on earth for 33 years and executed that righteousness. And then he died on the cross and he became sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God. He exchanged his righteousness to believers and our sinfulness. was nailed to the tree on that day. And he rose again and defeated death and says that he was the firstborn of many brethren so that we can have confidence that we too will rise and spend an eternity with him. that when I truly understood that in my heart, when I was 21, I realized there's no room for I'm a good kid, I'm better than my friends. There's no room in that true gospel for that junk. it's you're saved by Christ righteousness so that you can stand before God and a holy and righteous God can be just and let you in because, because you're clothed in Christ righteousness. So it was, it was something that I had heard. went to great churches. My parents taught me great from the Bible, all these things, but the, the Lord, I guess just didn't, open my heart to the, to the real truth until, I was 21, which I guess just is what it is, but I'm thankful. Who knows what it would have been like if my parents didn't kind of mold and shape me up until that point. Devin Davis: Yeah, no, and that I think that's that's a discussion I had at our at our high school Bible study last night where we've just been kind of studying the gospel through the Discovery Bible study series and we were in Romans last night and and just talking about that. There's there's only, you know, we are saved by faith alone. And I I think it it makes my heart sad that we have a lot of people in our churches. that don't understand that. Like you just said, they're they're there and they're checking off the box and they think they're living their life the right way. but they completely miss out on the grace part of of of God and and it and it just makes me sad that that that there are people like that. And it just it just it just hurt hurts. And that's why, man, my motivation is guys, there's only one way to salvation. And and it's by it's nothing that you do and it's only by faith alone. And I I I don't know, do you feel do you see that in your life and maybe with some of the kids, the students, the young people that you're around that that have just this wrong view of what it means to be saved? Troupe Coors: Yeah, yeah, that's that hits right on the head I'd say since I've been saved that's my biggest mission I guess is people who perhaps were in the same shoes that I am and I think it's more common than either of us realize Isaiah 64 says that our righteous acts are seen as filthy rags in the sight of the Lord and just realizing that what we bring to the table or we think we bring to the table is just nowhere close to what it needs to be to be perfectly righteous. And God is holy and righteous, but he's a just God. And when he judges, he has to judge justly. And the only way that he can let someone into heaven is if they're perfect. And it's just this understanding that you do not have what it takes. You have to be clothed in Christ's righteousness. then once you realize that, that you're a sinner and you're lost, it is pretty simple what the Bible has to say about how you acquire Christ's righteousness. And that is, like you said, through faith, by grace, you're saved through faith that is not of your own, but a gift of God, not by work so that no man can boast. Devin Davis: Yeah, amen. We we talked a little bit about in Romans the word propitiation, and that's kind of a big word that that they're like, what does that mean? but that that means that the dead is completely satisfied, right? I mean, what we owe it is completely paid by the the the righteous pure act of Christ on the cross. And and we and so we can stand. I I still just I it's hard for me to grasp. We can stand before God and and be completely pure and innocent because of of his blood. And that's that's a hard thing to wrap your wrap your mind around, isn't it? Troupe Coors: And ask, amen. Yeah, this is great because God, God has to have wrath for sin because he's just like, like I've said a couple of times now, but his, his wrath has already been satisfied for our sins upon his own son. So his wrath that he had to show had been satisfied on his own son who didn't deserve it. But, but he loves us so much that he took it in our place. So Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: we can stand faultless before God because of that. Devin Davis: Yeah, and that's and that was the other part. Just below that, the verse was that God is just and he's the justifier. and and and then and I was like, guys, does you know what that means? It means he has to judge sin. And there is punishment for that, eternal judgment, but he is the justifier, meaning he made a way for us to be judged as justified. as innocent, as non not guilty. And yeah. This guy just gets me fired up just thinking about it. And it's like Troupe Coors: Yeah. Devin Davis: you know, being able to share that with people and and give them hope that it's not based on Troupe Coors: Yes. Devin Davis: the junk in their lives or the times they've messed up, man, I'd be the first one, you know it just makes me excited. It just makes it hurts my hurts my heart though when people reject that. and and I know we we all can make our own decisions, but we can be chosen and and and you know and and called not guilty by just trusting in Christ. so I don't know, going off a little bit on that, but it it's it's cool to talk about that. Troupe Coors: Yeah, no, it's that's that's why we're here. That's that's the gospel. And that's what what people need to hear and what I like talking about. mean, I think it comes down to obedience. If you think that obedience is what it takes to acquire God's righteousness, that that is wrong. But once you realize, like you said, you just get this incredible gratitude realizing Devin Davis: Yes. Troupe Coors: that you get God's righteousness by faith as a free gift. by grace. And when you realize that, it gives you this gratitude, causes you to be obedient. But as far as the people that make your heart hurt for not accepting it or rejecting it, think primarily it's just realizing that God has to change their heart just like he did with mine when I was 21 years old. But also in John 3, where it talks about starting in verse 17 for he did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not, whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the son of God. And this is the judgment. Light has come into the world and men love darkness rather than light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things, hate the light and do not come into the light lest his work should be exposed. but whoever does what is true comes into the light. So it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been done through God. And I think it's really important to realize that those who are rejecting it are living in the dark, but don't want to go into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. They love their sin more than they love coming to the light and God. Devin Davis: Yeah. Yeah, that's that's a good ver those are good verses right there. The light and the dark. We talked about that at my football chapel a couple of weeks ago. And I I I I think that's that's true. It's just it's just hard, once you know Christ and and your your heart has changed, like you said at at at twenty one, it it's like there's this head knowledge of the gospel and of the Bible, and then there's this heart knowledge. And once your heart is changed by it, Man, your your whole life and the way that you view life is is completely changed. And man, I wouldn't I would never go back to to those days when I really wasn't living like I should have or or really believing Troupe Coors: you Devin Davis: like I should have. And so I mean man, life is different when you're a follower of Jesus. Troupe Coors: Yeah, absolutely. Devin Davis: So yeah, good that's that's awesome troop man. I think we probably could make this a couple hour interview here by by the way we're talking. And so this is really encouraging. And I hope that people that are listening, I mean it should be clear to them, right? It's if they read their Bible and and if they look, especially as you're studying Romans, as they look through R Romans, it you know, puts it out perfectly Troupe Coors: you Devin Davis: about what we were without Christ and then who we are with Christ. and and so if they want a good place to to go read is is the book of Romans for sure. And it's a great one to study as as you've probably found out with your Bible study. But well good. I know that I've really enjoyed this and I don't really have any other questions at all. I think we've covered in everything Troupe Coors: Thank you. Devin Davis: for the most part. Do you have anything at all? that that you can think of that you'd like to add or maybe before we did this this interview that you were thinking that you wanted to share anything at at all troops? Troupe Coors: I was pretty pleased with the last section there where we got to kind of hash out the gospel and yeah and thankfully we got to go through some of the word and go through some stories and yeah thanks for having me on and giving me the Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: platform to share. Devin Davis: Well, I I'm thankful that you are faithfully proclaiming the gospel to your fellow cowboys and cowgirls and that they have someone like you that cares about their souls for eternity and and is willing to stand up and and proclaim that to them. So I I'm man, it's hard to believe that you only have one semester left of of rodeo at the college level. Troupe Coors: It is. Yeah, I was telling Emma, I just want to step on the gas this last year, not just with rodeo, but mostly with ministry. it's our it sometimes feels like I've just kind of gone through the motions the past couple of years or or taken for granted how great of a season of life this is. And now I realize this is it. And I'm just trying to live up every moment, not only just by having fun, but by making the most of of every opportunity to to share and be faithful in this season of life that God has me in for this next semester. Devin Davis: Yeah, that's awesome. And you know, in in talking about that, so at the end of this fall season, where are you at standing wise? Now going back to rodeo a little bit, where are you at standing wise with with the team roping? Troupe Coors: So this fall actually did not go that well standing wise. So we're going to have to have a great spring to make the CNFR is what it's going to come down to. Yeah. that's part of why I'm here is to win and didn't do a lot of that this fall. So that's a bummer. But again, it's always a good test for me of what I'm putting my worth and my value in and my identity in. Yeah, the Lord has given me joy and sustained me and Emma's been a encouragement to me and just realizing that there is more to life than just rodeo and results. But I do plan to swing hard this spring Devin Davis: Yeah. Troupe Coors: and give it all I got. Devin Davis: That's right. Right. That yeah, there is more to it, but man, might as well give it all you've got and and finish your career well for sure. So you didn't mention who is your partner? Troupe Coors: My partner this year, his name is Tegan Bentley and he's from Casper and goes to Casper College. Devin Davis: All right, awesome. So well g man, that's it. I'll be excited to keep track of of all the standings going forward. So I always like to end just by praying with my guests. So I'm gonna take my hat off here, my headset, and we'll pray for you, True. Troupe Coors: That's great. Thank you. Devin Davis: Father God, we are just it's been such an awesome conversation and just to learn about Troop, about the sport of rodeo, Father, how you've used him, that you've blessed him as a cowboy, but also his opportunity to to teach and and preach and tell others about the gospel and his willingness to do that, even though he may not feel like he's completely qualified. God, you've been faithful to use that. And I just pray as will head into his final semester of college rodeo that you would bless him both ways. Bless him as as a competitor, Father, to just finish his career well, but also bless him with the opportunities that he'll have to tell others about Jesus Christ and and about what it truly means to be saved, Father, that that is completely, fully, totally by faith alone in Christ alone. Father, we're grateful for what Jesus has done for us because we know that we haven't done anything that deserves anything, any standing before you, God. He was perfect and and we are clothed in his righteousness once we trust in him. So I just pray that you will bless his marriage with Emma and what is before them going ahead, Father, just just knit them together, Father, to make their marriage as as as strong as possible, completely rooted in their faith in you, Father. Thank you so much for just the time that we've had. I just pray that there are people that are listening, that are maybe on the fence and something that we've said will draw them close to you and that they will make that commitment to follow you wholeheartedly, Father. thank you so much. We love you. We thank you for your son, Jesus, in your name. Amen. Troupe Coors: I'm out. Devin Davis: So troop man, that was so good and this will be available in a in a few weeks here and we hope people will tune in and listen. So I I think that's it. I sure have enjoyed time. Are you it probably I don't know, are you gonna come back to sports camp for a fourth time this this summer? Troupe Coors: I guess I don't know, but I wouldn't Devin Davis: Ha ha. Troupe Coors: be surprised. I wouldn't be surprised if I do. Yes, sir. Devin Davis: So maybe we can officially it's funny 'cause I've done three sports camps as well and so I've helped with wrestling and and so we we probably don't mix much with the soccer players. Troupe Coors: Not a lot. Yeah, that'd be a bad deal for us. Devin Davis: But yeah, thanks for all of your commitment to FCA, how you serve at at the University of Wyoming at sports camp and in in rodeo. So thanks, troop. We sure appreciate it. Have a have a great day. Troupe Coors: Yep, thank you. We'll talk to you later, Davis. All Devin Davis: Y okay. See ya troop. Troupe Coors: right. Yep, bye. Devin Davis: All right. that was a that was a great interview. and and I feel like it was really Christ honoring and just great discussion. Got me pumped up, got troop pumped up, and it was just a lot of fun just discussing the gospel and and being saved and following Jesus, having a transformed heart, going all in, right? It's it's it's not about religion. I just hate that word. It's about a relationship and the way God changes our hearts. So if you're if you're struggling and not really knowing, like do you know, what should I do? you know, setting on the fence. it's a simple prayer. Just ask God into your heart. If you're struggling and you have any doubts, ask God to help you with that. I mean, he shows up faithfully every single time. So, he's listening to your prayers. He loves it when you talk to him. So bring that to him and I I think he's gonna make that path very clear to you and just help you as you make that commitment and follow him. So I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for tuning in. you can find us on YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcast. it's incredible the number of people who stream our our episodes, who who follow us on YouTube. I'd really encourage you to go do that. And you know we're always looking for people to to interview. This was a great one with Troop. If you have any suggestions, you're always welcome to to message us and hopefully we can connect with whoever you you've recommended. So thank you so much for joining us today. Have a blessed day. This is Devin Davis with the three seven Faithful Podcast. Talk to you later. Bye.