A group of metal-loving Christians want people to embrace God in the most unlikely of places.

Tap n Tin in Chatham is due to hold a party like no other when it plays host to the launch of Medway's first Metal Church.

The idea came about after a group of friends wanted to combine their love of Christ with their passion of heavy metal.

One of those behind Fire and Blood, Rob Byrne, said: "The concept of a heavy metal-themed church isn't our original idea; it came from when George Papachristodoulou, a Salvation Army leader in Gillingham, researched a church plant in Chesterfield called The Order of the Black Sheep, which uses heavy metal to reach out to social groups and subcultures who can feel alienated by the traditional Church of England.

"However, Fire & Blood is the first attempt to replicate the idea in Medway.

Rob, who works at St Mark's in Gillingham, joined with George and Church Army evangelists Mike Dare and Stephen Ramshaw to launch the project.

They were also supported by Roger Kilralfy who is a member of St John's on Tap, a regular service which takes place at the club on a Sunday afternoon while their church – St John the Divine, which is next door to the Railway Street nightclub – undergoes construction work.

Ministry intern Rob continued: "We really want to challenge the stuffy stereotypes that exist about Christians.

"So many people, whether they're religious or not, seem to be so surprised when I mention I'm a metalhead as well as a committed Christian.

"We're not puritanical killjoys, there isn't a Bible verse out there that forbids us from enjoying great music.

"If you study the Gospels and observe who Jesus spent the majority of his time with, it was with folks the religious establishment of that era often looked down upon.

"Christ's ministry was completely subversive and radical. In a similar spirit, we want to reach out to those who feel alienated by mainstream Christianity and introduce more of our fellow metalheads, goths and punks to the utterly awesome reality of Jesus Christ.

"Why heavy metal? Many of the themes which you encounter within heavy metal music include lament, regret, pain, suffering, rejection, alienation and the songs are a powerful form of catharsis.

"But as much as we love metal on its own, we believe that opening your life up to Jesus Christ provides the ultimate source of joy in life.

"As Jesus is quoted in Matthew 11:28 - 'come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.'

"Who says you can't encounter him in a mosh pit or while rocking out at Tap?"

"We hope that our launch party will attract as much interest as possible and we can start regular meetings on the back of it."

Fire & Blood will take place on Sunday, February 2, from 5pm to 9pm. It will begin with a meet and greet and prayers followed by music.

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