Since I was going to be a preacher, I needed to practice. Only being about eight or nine years old, who was going to listen to me? Not to worry.

In the pasture near the barn was an empty hay rack. Perfect! With Bible in hand, I climbed up on the rack. Cows were moving around the barnyard. It was near milking time. The crowds were filling the auditorium. With much shoving and mooing, they prepared to hear the gospel.

As I started to preach, everyone in the congregation looked on with fascination. Big, brown eyes stared in amazement. I shouted my text, telling the cows to repent or perish. After a few minutes of loud and lively preaching, I watched several of them slowly walk away. Not one convert!

The passionate pursuit had begun.