Byron Stinson Brings Red Heifers to Israel
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The Red Heifer Journey: A Calling Fulfilled
In a quiet Texan drawl, Byron Stinson recounts an extraordinary journey, one that began not on sprawling cattle ranches, but in the pages of Scripture. As a 13-year-old boy, Byron stumbled upon Romans 9, where the Apostle Paul expressed his love and anguish for the Jewish people, even declaring he’d give up his own salvation for their redemption. This resonated deeply with young Byron, igniting a lifelong passion for Israel. It was then, sitting on his bed, that Byron heard two distinct voices. One assured him that God would use him to bless the Jewish people; the other dismissed him as unworthy. For 30 years, Byron held onto this moment in silence, unsure of its significance.
Romans 9 (ESV) - God's Sovereign Choice
9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,[a] my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Fast forward decades, and Byron, a Texan businessman, found himself tasked with what seemed impossible: locating perfect, unblemished red heifers and transporting them to Israel—a mission intricately tied to Biblical prophecy.
The Search for the Red Heifer
Numbers 19 describes the red heifer as essential for the purification rituals in the Temple. The criteria are stringent—unblemished, never yoked, and entirely red. For nearly two millennia, such a heifer had not been found. But a series of unlikely connections and divine nudges led Byron to undertake this sacred task.
In June 2021, Byron received a call from Rabbi Yisrael Ariel of the Temple Institute in Israel, where scholars and rabbis were reigniting efforts to prepare for the reinstatement of Temple worship. Their pressing need? Red heifers. Byron immediately reached out to rancher friends across Texas, consulting breeders of red Angus and Santa Gertrudis cattle—two breeds with the potential for perfect heifers. Together with his son, Byron employed advanced technology to identify ranches across the U.S. and began a grassroots effort involving flyers, emails, and phone calls.
Divine Appointments on Texan Soil
At one point, Byron connected with Ty Davenport, a Texan rancher who had been unknowingly raising red Angus cattle in alignment with Numbers 19 for decades. Ty had started his herd out of a love for Scripture but had no idea his cattle might play a prophetic role. When Byron and his team visited Ty’s ranch in the fall of 2021, they prayed under a tree, asking for divine guidance. Moments later, they spotted a newborn heifer—unblemished, untouched, and meeting every requirement laid out in the Bible. This heifer, born in a spot previously used by a fasting evangelist, seemed like a divine confirmation.
By the end of their search, the team identified 21 potential candidates, a number Byron calls “a divine bonus.” Of these, five were selected for transport to Israel.
From Texas to the Holy Land
The logistics of transporting livestock internationally were anything but straightforward. Strict aviation laws required the cattle to rest mid-journey, ruling out a direct flight to Israel. After months of bureaucratic hurdles, insurance approvals, and weather delays, Byron’s team finally secured a direct route. In September 2022, the five red heifers landed in Tel Aviv to a jubilant celebration. Dockworkers, rabbis, and bystanders joined in a spontaneous dance, recognizing the profound historical and spiritual significance of their arrival.
Sacred Destinations
Once in Israel, the heifers were quarantined and later transported to locations rich in Biblical history, including Shiloh and Gilgal, sites associated with the Tabernacle and ancient red heifer ceremonies. Today, they remain under careful observation, awaiting their role in what many believe could herald the fulfillment of end-time prophecies.
A Testament of Faith
Reflecting on this journey, Byron insists his role wasn’t to control the outcome but to obey and trust.
“My job was to hunt for them, work to get them there, and now my job is the same as your job,” he says, pausing for emphasis. “We have one job: to love our fathers of faith.”
In Byron’s story, we see the convergence of faith, history, and prophecy. It’s a tale of how one man’s obedience—guided by a childhood calling—can contribute to a story as old as time itself.
Byron's journey stands as a modern testimony of how ancient Biblical truths continue to inspire, connect, and shape the present, pointing us ever closer to the divine promises of the future.
