A nightclub isnB次元官网网址檛 where one would normally go to try to find Jesus, but for those attending UpperLvl Worship at NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 LevelTwo Nightclub, thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly whatB次元官网网址檚 happening.
The open Nanaimo faith group meets at the nightclub every two weeks to dance and talk about Jesus.
B次元官网网址淚t is shaped by the nightclub experience. We gather around 6 oB次元官网网址檆lock on alternate Sunday nights,B次元官网网址� said Rev. Jeremy Bellsmith with St. AndrewB次元官网网址檚 Presbyterian Church. B次元官网网址淲e gather for pizza and drinks, the bar is open, people are catching up with each other. ItB次元官网网址檚 noisy, itB次元官网网址檚 lovely, there are good tunes being played.B次元官网网址�
First launched in September 2022, Bellsmith said he was approached by Austin Penner, a DJ at LevelTwo who was reconciling his job at a nightclub with his newfound relationship with God and the church.
B次元官网网址淗e was just coming to faith B次元官网网址� He and I had been meeting regularly, he was growing and putting down his roots to Christ and His teachings and the time came for Austin to come back to work, and he was wondering if itB次元官网网址檚 something he should be doing,B次元官网网址� Bellsmith said. B次元官网网址淲hen we prayed about it and talked about it, long story short, we [made] a plan: letB次元官网网址檚 go and see if we can take the best of the nightclub and bring the church experience.B次元官网网址�
Bellsmith said the idea was rooted in the similarity of the two spaces. What people enjoy at a nightclub is community, a sense of transcendence that churches have nurtured for the past 2,000 years.
There was just one problem B次元官网网址� the reverend had never been to a nightclub.
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Knowing he would have to be aware of what he was in for, Bellsmith, filled with anxiety and excitement, headed to the club.
B次元官网网址淚 showed up at 9 or 9:30, the place is almost empty. Austin, who is DJing that night didnB次元官网网址檛 get there until 10, which is his usual start. I ended up excusing myself at 10:30-10:45 just at the front end of when things start to pick up,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his was well out of my comfort zone, but we believed it needed to happen B次元官网网址� I really started to rely on Austin, he knows it well, this was his world.B次元官网网址�
At first there were just 10 attendees, sometimes fewer. Now, they have about 25 people attending. The increased interest hasnB次元官网网址檛 been the only change in the two years.
At the beginning, Bellsmith gave a traditional church sermon, but through feedback he learned that just didnB次元官网网址檛 work.
B次元官网网址淲e use a lot of questions and answers and breaking into small groups so we can chat with each other. Some of the feedback we had gotten early on is they enjoyed each otherB次元官网网址檚 company and so letB次元官网网址檚 give them opportunity to hang out and have different conversations.B次元官网网址�
The night starts at 6 p.m. with socializing and drinks. At 6:30 p.m, the more formal part begins with a group sit-down conversation, when Bellsmith or a visiting pastor will take a story from the Bible and talk for 10-15 minutes with some back-and-forth discussion. Then the group can break into smaller bunches and discuss amongst each other for another 10-15 minutes.
Those who feel comfortable praying pray together, before returning to the dance floor.
B次元官网网址淚n the mainline church we have established ways of reaching young people,B次元官网网址� Bellsmith said. B次元官网网址淭his was an acknowledgement those ways may not be as effective to reach those folks who may not know Jesus but would benefit from knowing him. So it was to build a bridge with them in a non-traditional way.B次元官网网址�
Community members can find more information at http://
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