I have never been what one might call a conventional born-again Christian.  I enjoy a good vampire story, I love hard rock music (I’m not just talking about the Christian variety), and I don’t have a problem going to a club to hear a good band play.  Heck, in my younger days, I was one of the Wednesday night cameramen at my church in Jamaica, Queens, NY, and right after service, I was on the subway to Greenwich Village where I was the frontman for a popular hard rock band with a dedicated following.  You see, we were the Wednesday night house band for the world-renowned Scrap Bar.

So no, I could not be lumped in a box with most of my more conventional brethren, no more than Bikers for Christ, but I still love my more traditional counterparts with all my heart.  You see, we share a passion that surpasses tradition.  We share a love for the risen Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of the Everlasting God.  This alone makes all the difference.

When I was in the clubs, I wasn’t carousing and lushing it up.  Most times, you would find me in a corner reading the Bible, or praying, or talking to someone.  I was often asked if my faith was something put on as an act or the real thing.  You see, I performed in a choir robe and was dubbed The Reverend.  Most times, people saw the answer for themselves and I was able to share my passion with them, something most other Christians could not do.

This was my mission field, and I had the blessing of my pastor at the time, who recognized that we need to go out to all the world, if the love of Christ truly lives in us.  Does this mean that every believer should begin going to bars to witness?  Absolutely not.  That’s a special call, much like going to witness to the indigenous tribes of the Amazon.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t fall a few times while doing this, but God restored me, making me an even stronger Christian today.

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 – New Living Translation