This week my friends, I found myself drivin' sideways, and right-turned onto a small dirt road on the outskirts of town in the farmlands south of Detroit. Here was a little church with a big heart. Pastor Jack and his motorcyclist Warrior Ministries flock was holding service. It was a warm Friday night, but once I went inside, it was a whole lot warmer than outside. When you got that much love in one room, the warmth just pours forth. And, I suppose thats a pretty good way to describe it. Pastor and his wife are friends of Laura and I, and last week they came to show support and pay respects to my Father-in-law Bill who passed away on us (please see last weeks "Drivin Sideways"). My visit was long overdue, as I had tried to make attempts to get there before, but was always stalled out for some reason or other. I promised I wouldnt miss this week's Friday night service. I'm glad I went. Some 13 or so years back, Pastor had wrecked his motorcycle as I understand it, and had been a typical biker with all the stuff that goes with it, good and bad. I suspect it was more bad than good for him.
Long story short was he was nearly killed in an accident, found the Lord (or the Lord found him, whichever you prefer), but the point is, they found each other, and thats all that really matters. Jack, also a fair guitarist and songwriter, began a ministry with members of the CMA, the Christian Motorcycle Association and came to call it Warrior Ministries, with a battle-cry of "Jesus Rocks!" Pastor's flock was and is small, but big on faith. He had spent almost 12 years preaching from his garage out in the farthest reaches of farmland. And now, his faith and works had paid off by gaining a real church building he could use for his ministry. I guess it's true all good things come to those who wait. I'll admit I used to kid my wife about going out in the boonies to meet with the "Children of the Corn" like in that horror movie of the same name. Now, don't send me nasty mail, I was always just kidding with her. You know? Preachin' out of a garage...down a lonley stretch of road with some guy ministering the "WORD". You have to admit, it's the garage preaching that throws things. But, its also what makes his Warrior Ministries and Jesus Rocks! work so well. Even if it was Jehovah or Krishna or Mohammed Rocks! It would have been ok. It's like life. We all have a dream. We all should be warriors, and fight for the human spirit.
Having advanced from a garage to a real brick and motar church building, was a blessing from God for him and his congregation. And a sign too. I guess when you work hard and believe in something, and spent like 12 YEARS working towards it, it has to eventually pay off, like it has for Pastor Jack. But, he still has a long way to go in the modern world of churches and 'big-business'. Video cassettes of sermons, and DVD's of services, just like on the big evangelist television shows, would have to be sold to get the word out. Sell a bunch, get more money for the church. He had been dabbling with a few devoted followers in recording his services and putting them onto CD's and then DVD'. Most, if not all of them truth be known, were pretty poor quality. They just needed someone who knew a little about recording music and audio, and filming some sermons and live music. Uh-oh. Can't you feel what's coming next? Enter "Hurricane" Duane. Somehow, I think my wife had this planned all along.
She knew that I'll always help anyone any-way I can. So, she began to video tape each service and bring them home to edit. Hey, it was ok. She was learning, and with my Television and recording filming background, she probably knew I'd give her hand when she brought them home. (Actually, more than that sometimes....but she had a plan!). So, of course the audio was raw and fuzzy, and the video generally not much better, but it was a start. I began to critique and analize the tapes. And I definitely had a few ideas, but I'd have to go there and check out the facilities and see what she was up against in trying to get Pastor Jack and his message out to the people. Are you seeing now where this is heading?! I even had a few ideas how to get him onto some of the larger Religious stations and on cable. The only unknown was raising the funds for airtime. But, hey! What's a few dollars when you got God on your side? The previous week Pastor and more than a few leather clad people from his CMA/WARRIOR MINISTRIES showed up at the wake, and I thank them for coming and vow to attend the next opportune time I can get away.
The very next week, I find myself spraying gravel in all directions as I hit the brakes and wail on down this dirt road to our friends in the countryside and that little church. Well now, they welcome me with open arms, and I jump onto the P.A. sustem in the back of the church looking for plugs and adapters so I can help them plan out how the best way to video, record and otherwise document Pastor's weekly messages. I find the plugs, study the sound board, and otherwise listen and watch intently from the back trying to figure the best way to catch the dynamics of the service, which I had to admit were pretty impressive for a biker Pastor with a small flock of kids, older folks, and some biker friends..oh..and my darling wife. Blowing Ram's-horn call to prayer, kids barefoot, Leather-vested hard core bikers, and a few older folks with tamborines and multi-colored streamers, it looked kind of like a festival. In many ways, I suppose it was for them. Getting 'the word' out was like a festival. Joyous, celebratory, and family affair with little restrictions and a whole lotta love. Maybe this is what Led Zepplin was singin' about?!
Afterwords, I spoke with Pastor and his wife and a few followers about how I thought we could do his CD's and DVD"s like a rock concert: smoke and mirrors. Hey! Big Church requires big business. But, once I mentioned some things for the Internet and podcasting, they all looked at me as though I was from another world. At least, not from their's. My wife tugged at my sleeve and reminded me that none of them, except maybe one, even HAD a computer! Uh-oh. I could feel their thoughts just blowin' in on the breeze from the green fields outside the church where the rabbits were standing on their hind legs during the service listening. Now they were all looking at me like they never heard of, or had seen a computer. As I glanced around the room at their smiling faces, they were all looking at me like I had the answer to their prayers for getting the Pastor's message out to the cyber-world at large. Uh-oh, again. Pastor had the 2nd biggest grin in the whole room..the other belonged to Laura. I told you she had something up her sleeve!
So, there I was, and here I am. While Pastor Jack smiled and shook my hand, he smiled widely. Somehow, I think he had prayed for this to happen. I find myself committed to Friday night services for as long as it takes to get a decent format for recording and duplicating his services so he would have a quality product to both sell and air and give away. It's ok, I really don't mind helping a former biker, singer songwriter truned preacher in getting the WORD out. It's just like filming and recording a band, and he does perform up on the altar sometimes too, so? Why not? Uh-oh...I think he had moved God to move my wife to move me, and now I was...moved, only to find myself stuck to the floor with only one way out. I'm gonna get Pastor's message out there the best way I can get it looking and sounding, and do everything I can to get him some airtime.I do find myself laughing at how I got here, or I should say, how Laura got me here. I'm not sure even she realizes how it happened. All I know is now Im developing and producing some videos and taped sermons. And, all kidding aside, it really ought to be fun. If I can help him in anyway achieve his goals, fine. It's a pure reason and he has a pure message, so it's all good.
Leaving the church down that dirt road that night, I realized something in that parking lot. The only two cars left in that dirt lot were Pastor Jacks and mine. Ironic, I thought. His flock had gone, and just our 2 vehicles were left. I think theres a message about life, and music, Rock and Roll and God and answers to prayers in your and my lives in that. We are never alone really. Theres always one other car left in our lot with us to share the burden of our lives. We should always share our knowledge and talents with others. If we do, it will come back to us 10-fold. We shouldn't do it for that reason alone, but it's nice to know. I've helped many entertainers with their recordings and television performances and videos since 1975, and feel better knowing that even if they didnt make it, I helped them, even just a little, to try and realize their dreams. So, for the next few Friday nights, down a long dark dirt road in the country, I'm gonna try and help someone...help others. Whether its bands and their music, or preachers and their sermons. It all the same when you try and help somebody, right?. Isn't that my friends, what life's all about?
Till next time friends...Always keep your hands on the wheel, and your foot to the floor when you're..."Drivin' Sideways!"
Take care all, and God Bless. Peace 'n Light always!
Special Thanks: Pastor Jack Yaeger and His Jesus Rocks Warrior Ministires, La Grizzy, Sonja Paris, Team Detroit, the Hurricane Shelter, Ralph Teranna and Soulful Detroit, Larry Patterson and Treasure Island Gold, and "Lucky" the Wonder Dog!
