Pasture to pastor
story by Katie Roberts
There’s "A Little Bit of Heaven" north of Frankfort at a 100-acre riding stable that houses 85 horses, 12 cats, one dog and James and Teresa Bondurant.
James also is a pastor at a Old Cedar Baptist Church. His religious energy comes from his horses, he says. His wife faces shoulder surgery, so a church friend is stepping in to keep the 100-year-old family farm running smoothly.
When James’ father died in 1993, the farm went to James and his wife.
"There's not anything we are unique at . . . It's the love we have for these creatures that God has given us responsibility for," Teresa says. “We just wanted to get married, have kids and stay on the farm. And that’s what we did.”
James gathers inspiration while working at the farm for the sermons he delivers on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. He’s pastored for 25 years.
“There’s something about a horse that gives me peace and energy that helps me be a better minister,” James says.
Teresa’s surgery could change the farm dynamic. Joe Wilkerson, a two-year member of the church, will fill in for Teresa in the meantime.
“When I grew up, if friends needed help everybody helped each other,” Joe says. “I volunteered to do it for free, but he insists on paying me.”
As the sun begins to set on a day at the farm, James sits on top of his faded red tractor after moving hay into the barn. He spent $10,000 on hay this month and needs to keep it dry.
“I don’t work for the church, and I don’t work for me," he says. "I work for God. Whether it’s here on the farm or my work in ministry.”
Zeus grazes in the pasture at the Bondurant farm. "It’s a family farm, it’s not fancy," Teresa says. "You don’t have to be fancy to love something to take care of it."
James feeds his horses fresh hay in the morning. "Farmers are ferociously independent," he says. "We are pretty much the only stable in town and I’m not aware of stables that do what we do on the scale that we do. But as far as making a living and doing it, it’s a full-time business."
James has kept many of his deceased horses' skulls, and knows each of them by heart. Two of his horses' skulls, Cherokee and Boots, are kept in his storage room.
James, Teresa and Joe Wilkerson, joke around while installing a post for an extension to the barn. "When it comes to moving posts, James is like a woman trying to move furniture," Teresa says.
James takes a break to rest and play with his dog Juno. "She’s my company," he says. "Normally I’m by myself."
For James, being out in nature is more than just caring for horses. "This is my place of rest and recharge," he says. "When I’m walking the fields, I talk to God out loud and God whispers in my heart."
James preaches Wednesday night at Old Cedar Baptist Church in Owenton. "Sometimes, I have two sermons prepared: what I want to speak and what God wants me to speak," he says. "I will wrestle with God all the way to church. God always wins. I have to let God win. If I don’t, then I’m the biggest hypocrite."
During Old Cedar Baptist Church’s Wednesday night service, James sings hymns along with the congregation.
Working on the farm is James' dream job. "I’m living my dream," he says. "All I want to do is take care of horses."