Youth Trail Ride Celebrates Legacy of Beloved Mentor Through Church Unity
Faithful to the Finish: How Churches United to Honor Tommy Wix’s Legacy
In the quiet town of Madisonville, Kentucky, the dream of one man sparked a movement that would echo far beyond his years. Tommy Wix had long envisioned an outdoor adventure for the youth of Abundant Grace Fellowship—a simple horseback trail ride, just 45 minutes away, that could become a sacred memory for teens growing in faith and community. But before he could see that dream fulfilled, Tommy succumbed to COVID-19 on January 22, leaving behind a grieving wife, church, and youth group.
What followed, however, was not simply mourning. It was mobilization.
Pastors and churches of the Kentucky Ministry Network rallied in love and unity, transforming Tommy’s vision into a tribute more meaningful than anyone imagined. Through the leadership of Karen Wix—Tommy’s wife and pastor of Abundant Grace—and youth pastor Angie Bruce, the community found strength in togetherness. Michele Nally, a fellow minister and longtime friend, took charge after sharing her heart with district superintendent Joseph S. Girdler at the funeral. “We need to do this in honor of Tommy,” she told him—and so the Tommy Wix Memorial Ride was born.
💒 Love in Motion
Many of the teens Tommy hoped to reach didn’t have the means to join an excursion like this. So Nally donated her funeral officiating honorarium and enlisted church friends to cover costs. Volunteers who usually serve at AG’s summer camps provided meals, while others stuffed “swag bags” with Bibles and devotionals. A local limousine company even donated a stretch limo to make the 30-mile ride unforgettable.
For teens used to modest outings, arriving at Circle T Ranch in such style was surreal. Most had never ridden a horse. But on that ride, surrounded by the beauty of Kentucky’s landscape and the loving presence of mentors, they encountered more than adventure—they discovered legacy.
🎙️ A Message that Echoed
As the trail ride commenced, Tommy’s nephew, Danny Wix, shared a message from James chapter 3—on taming the tongue. He used the horse’s bit as illustration, unknowingly echoing the exact lesson Tommy had prepared to teach before he passed. It was a moment of divine alignment, one that Bruce says still resonates deeply.
Tommy’s gentle spirit—captured in images like him praying over teens at the midweek “Treasured Possessions” gathering—left an indelible mark. Even when a youth ministry volunteer fell ill, Tommy stepped in to teach. “He asked if the kids wanted to accept Christ,” Bruce recalled. “Six got saved.”
🌱 Legacy in the Saddle
Karen Wix made a conscious choice at her husband’s funeral: not to live in grief, but to celebrate the impact of his life. “He always said the most important thing we can do for the kids is feed them and love them and get a little bit of Jesus into them,” she said.
The Tommy Wix Memorial Ride became more than a tribute—it became a living picture of the Body of Christ in action. Churches weren’t divided by town lines or denomination. They united under love.
As Bruce put it: “Jesus said they’d know us by our love. It just really felt like a bunch of people loving us that day.”
