Shot Glass Church Begins Church In Heavy Metal Bar

In a project guaranteed to spark controversy and pique interest, Flipside Christian Church of Madera Ranchos, California is inviting people to church who might not otherwise feel invited and in a location most would question as "appropriate" — in a heavy metal bar. This Sunday, September 14 they will begin church services at the Lucky 13 bar in Fresno, on the corner of Ashlan and Hwy 99. The church is again giving away shot glasses in area bars as invitations to church.

Karl Roth, pastor for Flipside, says, "The best way to share our message with people who don't go to church is to meet them where they live, work, and socialize. We believe it is our mission in the world to start a church wherever people are that don't have one. For generations the church has been guilty of implying that people must first get 'cleaned up' and then come where the church is rather than beginning with where people are. Our goal is to take the message of Jesus everywhere people need to hear it — even in a bar."

Flipside Church has an ambitious goal to begin a church campus in every location someone wants a relevant church. According to Flipside Church Lead Pastor Roth, "We will do everything within our power to insure that no one who wants to go to church and hear about Jesus will be left out. We will bring the message and the church to them. They will have a place that is committed to meeting their spiritual needs and letting them know how much God loves them and wants them to experience a great life. This Sunday, September 14th Flipside Church is launching 3 venues, in addition to the 2 already going on at Liberty High School, as we transform the spiritual landscape of theSan Joaquin Valley. One will meet in the Lucky 13 bar, one will meet on Ave 12 in Madera Ranchos, and one will be a sports cafe for families involved in traveling youth sports teams."

Every Flipside campus will feature full service ministry and will offer Flipside Church's trademark style, which Roth describes as a "rock concert party at church where people can experience scandalous grace."

Just three years old, the non-denominational Flipside Church has grown to 500 attenders and is launching five services, in four locations, in two cities, while remaining one church.

Flipside Liberty meets at 9:30 and 11:00am at Liberty High School in Madera Ranchos; Flipside Maywood meets at 10:00am at theMaywood center on Ave.12 in Madera Ranchos; Flipside 13 meets at the Lucky 13 bar inFresno on Ashlan and Hwy 99; and Flipside Sports Cafe meets at the Activity Center on Ave. 12 in Madera Ranchos. Flipside Church has many activities for adults such as the Flipside Gun Club and Motorcycle Club, ministries for kids birth through high school, and many small groups.