Tammeus, for example, recently announced that a new version of St. Paul might change the world. (When did we miss the Bible rewrite, we wondered?) Reconsidering Paul, apparently, is supposed to bring together faiths -- Jews and Christians might even realize they're just part of the same big church, Tammeus suggested.
Yeah, that's gonna happen.
In the Strip's experience, Bill and Vern are way off. Religious people actually hate each other's guts. Too many of them figure they have all the mysteries of the universe solved, and anyone who disagrees is going straight to hell. In the meantime, they figure that salvation is a matter of attracting as many tithe-making suckers into their big tent before the end times.
But when you've been telling essentially the same tale for a couple of millennia -- hey, our dude rose from the dead; believe in him and you'll live forever! -- you gotta get creative to bring in the new, uh, meat. And this rib-eye finds it endlessly entertaining watching Christians, in particular, try to dream up new pitches for their old, old story.
One of the most intriguing has been a series of ads on local alternative radio that hype hip-hop nights at one of the area's megachurches -- Lenexa Christian Center -- making them sound more like cool nightlife happenings than typical church membership come-ons.
This curious cutlet decided to find out what all the fuss was about.
Lenexa Christian Center's youth programs -- called "The Link" for young adults and "One Eighty" for teens, are both run by Jon Purkey, son of the megachurch's lead pastors, Mike and Mary Purkey.
Naturally, the hip, young pastor has a Web site. There's a photo of him in casual attire, and in an accompanying audio clip, he describes his bona fides for the skateboarding set: He enjoys reading Tolkien, loved the movie Biker Boyz, digs riding his motorcycle and four-wheeling in his Honda EX, has a passion for "hardcore" music and can't get enough Japanese food. Check out how real Jon is: "I really don't need anybody around to have a good time. As long as I have a DVD player and some movies and my dog, I'm usually pretty content."
Word.
Jon's obviously a sensitive guy, the natural choice for leading young people to the right path. We couldn't wait to see him in action.
Lenexa Christian Center's youth chapel looks like a spaceship, with a black, round top coming to a point, ready to lift off into salvation. Inside, we were directed into a classroom, where about forty folks in their early twenties were being entertained by a Christian rock band, its lyrics projected on a large screen.
He touched me, he touched me, and something happened ...
For a moment, the Strip wondered if this was a subtle slam on the Catholic priest scandal, and we were ready to give the band points for creativity. But then it turned out to be a song about how big God is -- he's really, really large, apparently -- and after a while, the repetition of the same three chords bouncing off the concrete walls started to make this tenderloin queasy.
Before the event's main attraction hit the stage, a call for cash went out, and a metal bucket was passed around the room. But Pastor Jon himself proved to be pretty generous, raffling off two $50 bills and several gift certificates to local shops. Hey, we started to think, maybe this guy's all right after all.
Then came the sermon.
After some mild media bashing and a few jingoistic war references, Purkey cut to the chase -- all those other religions are bogus, apparently, and there's only one way to heaven.
"Some people pray to Mohammed," he said, and yodeled "Allah" a dozen times in a bewildering imitation of what Purkey must imagine a typical Muslim sounds like, waving his arms over his head.
"Mohammed was nothing but a gigolo who slept with a bunch of women," he said, and his audience giggled. "People get down on a mat three times a day, thinking they're going to float away like a genie or something," he continued, apparently referring to the Islamic tradition of praying five times a day on a mat while facing in the direction of the holy city of Mecca. "And the women are dumber than the men! These people are stooped," he said, and this meat patty had to be sure it understood what the intolerant little rector had said. "They're not just stooped -- they're stupid!"
After watching Purkey for a while, we realized that he's an equal-opportunity sadist. During another service, he called a member of the congregation a "faggot," and he abused others for being fat.
We couldn't wait to learn the secret of his charm. On another visit, Purkey told the Strip that he makes no apologies for his characterizations of Muslims and doesn't fear reprisals. "And nothing is going to change the way I preach," he added.
In fact, Purkey says his goal is to build the world's biggest youth ministry.
Praise Jesus.
Showing 1-15 of 15
There is something strange about this church. Everything that looks good is not as it appears. I actually was vibing with this church. Sure I have heard negative gossips about this congregation but I always felt it was the devil speaking in tongues to me. I actually allowed my children and a few of their friends to attend this almighty "oneeighty program". Hahaha.. I have learned this church not to practice what they preach. The last oneeighty meeting I allowed my child to attend, I asked what did she learn....she says...PRAY TO GOD WHEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE...I said Really????. Come on little Purkey...you can do better than that. Is this all you can come up with once the offering is collected. What I have learned about this ORGANIZATION is...unless you have money to give for offering or tithes, this may not be the church for you. Of course they must fininsh their payment on the Family Life Center, so not only do they brainwash you, I mean drain...oh well it is all the same about giving regularly even if you only have a loaf of bread and bologna at home, you must always give your burnt offerings to the church to be blessed and if you don't well the business office will make sure the church will have nothing more to say to you. DON'T BELIEVE ME...go to some of the YOUTH and ADULT Services yourself...PURE HYPOCRITES. The Bible speaks of the church being judged first when he returns. Did Little Pastor Purkey preach this to today's youth...while he is filling up is Ambercombie pockets full of all that mean green he and Big Pastor Purkey collects from the poor and wealthy!!!! No wonder this church was rumored as not being friendly as one thought. No wonder another Pastor left the church with many flocks to follow. Now I shall fly away as far as I can get from this mixed conscrewed organziation. Just another rip off if you ask me.........
There is something strange about this church. Everything that looks good is not as it appears. I actually was vibing with this church. Sure I have heard negative gossips about this congregation but I always felt it was the devil speaking in tongues to me. I actually allowed my children and a few of their friends to attend this almighty "oneeighty program". Hahaha.. I have learned this church not to practice what they preach. The last oneeighty meeting I allowed my child to attend, I asked what did she learn....she says...PRAY TO GOD WHEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE...I said Really????. Come on little Purkey...you can do better than that. Is this all you can come up with once the offering is collected. What I have learned about this ORGANIZATION is...unless you have money to give for offering or tithes, this may not be the church for you. Of course they must fininsh their payment on the Family Life Center, so not only do they brainwash you, I mean drain...oh well it is all the same about giving regularly even if you only have a loaf of bread and bologna at home, you must always give your burnt offerings to the church to be blessed and if you don't well the business office will make sure the church will have nothing more to say to you. DON'T BELIEVE ME...go to some of the YOUTH and ADULT Services yourself...PURE HYPOCRITES. The Bible speaks of the church being judged first when he returns. Did Little Pastor Purkey preach this to today's youth...while he is filling up is Ambercombie pockets full of all that mean green he and Big Pastor Purkey collects from the poor and wealthy!!!! No wonder this church was rumored as not being friendly as one thought. No wonder another Pastor left the church with many flocks to follow. Now I shall fly away as far as I can get from this mixed conscrewed organziation. Just another rip off if you ask me.........
ignorance is bliss and you have to be ignorant to one believe the words of a clearly bias writer who twists the words of a good man I have been to his services and I know that I would not be were I am today if it weren�t for him and people like him telling it how at is raw and uncut and for someone to say that his teachings give "us Christians" a bad name needs to read up on how us Christians believe if the bible says that Jesus is the only way to get into heaven (and it does John 14.6) then he is right to say that Muslims are fools for praying to any other man. America is never happy when the youth is out steeling your car and breaking into your home then you want to complain that nothing is being done now you want to knock a man the man for doing more then his part in raising the youth of tomorrow. What are you doing to contribute, nothing but slandering the name of a good man. Two he has the right to say the truth in anyway he wants to as long as it�s the truth, and unlike most of the people illegitimately prejudging him I happen to know for a fact that he speaks the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts and if you�re too sensitive to what he has to say the listen to someone else say it as long as it the truth. And last not everyone is going to except the word of god no matter who its from, And that cux for them, hell is too hot and eternity is too long. I prey that the Lord gives you a ear to hear and a heart to receive the word and eternal salvation, because with people like Pastor John around there is no way you can say �God I didn�t know�.
ignorance is bliss and you have to be ignorant to one believe the words of a clearly bias writer who twists the words of a good man I have been to his services and I know that I would not be were I am today if it weren’t for him and people like him telling it how at is raw and uncut and for someone to say that his teachings give "us Christians" a bad name needs to read up on how us Christians believe if the bible says that Jesus is the only way to get into heaven (and it does John 14.6) then he is right to say that Muslims are fools for praying to any other man. America is never happy when the youth is out steeling your car and breaking into your home then you want to complain that nothing is being done now you want to knock a man the man for doing more then his part in raising the youth of tomorrow. What are you doing to contribute, nothing but slandering the name of a good man. Two he has the right to say the truth in anyway he wants to as long as it’s the truth, and unlike most of the people illegitimately prejudging him I happen to know for a fact that he speaks the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts and if you’re too sensitive to what he has to say the listen to someone else say it as long as it the truth. And last not everyone is going to except the word of god no matter who its from, And that cux for them, hell is too hot and eternity is too long. I prey that the Lord gives you a ear to hear and a heart to receive the word and eternal salvation, because with people like Pastor John around there is no way you can say “God I didn’t know”.
I am a Christain. I have to agree that if what you report about Mr. Purky is true, that he is off base. His way of preaching is wrong and he has no business leading youth. However, he is correct that the only way to heaven is through the God of the Bible--the God of Adam, Noah, and Moses. Salvation through Christ Jesus alone is the only way to God. Without it, humanity is doomed. If you don't believe me, then read the Bible (the best selling book ever written) and disprove it for yourself. You will not be able to disprove it. May the love of Christ soften your hearts.
I am a Christain. I have to agree that if what you report about Mr. Purky is true, that he is off base. His way of preaching is wrong and he has no business leading youth. However, he is correct that the only way to heaven is through the God of the Bible--the God of Adam, Noah, and Moses. Salvation through Christ Jesus alone is the only way to God. Without it, humanity is doomed. If you don't believe me, then read the Bible (the best selling book ever written) and disprove it for yourself. You will not be able to disprove it. May the love of Christ soften your hearts.
dude I love Jon Purkey, he is a man of God. He just speaks the Truth of Jesus Christ. You guys should come out to Lenexa Christian center yourselves and see how great it is before you believe what the pitch magazine says.
dude I love Jon Purkey, he is a man of God. He just speaks the Truth of Jesus Christ. You guys should come out to Lenexa Christian center yourselves and see how great it is before you believe what the pitch magazine says.
Quote"wow lenexa christian church is one of the best churches ever so you all can jus shut yo haten asses up coze yall jus jelouse....you dont need ta disrespect us like dat...if you christains u aint sapossed ta judge....n that sounds unholy to me....so yall jus a bunch of hippicrits urselves......LENEXA CHRISTIAN CENTER IS TOO HYPHY N IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT....."Quote
Wow, apparently this person first of all doesn't know a lick of english and obviously misrepresents his people in a huge way, first of all, saying "ou all can jus shut yo haten asses" and "IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT" are so far from Christian like it's not funny, it's obvious this person is being persuaded by this pastor in his unholy ways, stop with the Ebonics YO, go take some courses in proper grammar and before you even think about defending a man who misrepresents Christianity, you might want to get a little more educated in the ways of Christianity.
This is absolutely intolerable to say the least, I'm a Christian myself and he's making a bad name for other Chrisitians by those comments, and to make matters worse he's making the comments to youth of our city, the most vunerable when it comes to teachings of Christ, this man should not be aloud to continue at this Church.
Quote"wow lenexa christian church is one of the best churches ever so you all can jus shut yo haten asses up coze yall jus jelouse....you dont need ta disrespect us like dat...if you christains u aint sapossed ta judge....n that sounds unholy to me....so yall jus a bunch of hippicrits urselves......LENEXA CHRISTIAN CENTER IS TOO HYPHY N IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT....."Quote Wow, apparently this person first of all doesn't know a lick of english and obviously misrepresents his people in a huge way, first of all, saying "ou all can jus shut yo haten asses" and "IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT" are so far from Christian like it's not funny, it's obvious this person is being persuaded by this pastor in his unholy ways, stop with the Ebonics YO, go take some courses in proper grammar and before you even think about defending a man who misrepresents Christianity, you might want to get a little more educated in the ways of Christianity.
This is absolutely intolerable to say the least, I'm a Christian myself and he's making a bad name for other Chrisitians by those comments, and to make matters worse he's making the comments to youth of our city, the most vunerable when it comes to teachings of Christ, this man should not be aloud to continue at this Church.
wow lenexa christian church is one of the best churches ever so you all can jus shut yo haten asses up coze yall jus jelouse....you dont need ta disrespect us like dat...if you christains u aint sapossed ta judge....n that sounds unholy to me....so yall jus a bunch of hippicrits urselves......LENEXA CHRISTIAN CENTER IS TOO HYPHY N IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT.....
wow lenexa christian church is one of the best churches ever so you all can jus shut yo haten asses up coze yall jus jelouse....you dont need ta disrespect us like dat...if you christains u aint sapossed ta judge....n that sounds unholy to me....so yall jus a bunch of hippicrits urselves......LENEXA CHRISTIAN CENTER IS TOO HYPHY N IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT.....
wow lenexa christian church is one of the best churches ever so you all can jus shut yo haten asses up coze yall jus jelouse....you dont need ta disrespect us like dat...if you christains u aint sapossed ta judge....n that sounds unholy to me....so yall jus a bunch of hippicrits urselves......LENEXA CHRISTIAN CENTER IS TOO HYPHY N IF YOU DONT LIKE LERN TO DEAP THROAT IT.....
like
dislike
