Looks like Satan lost another one...

[kewlpack]

One of the guitarists in the secular metal band Korn has decided to follow Jesus!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=795&e=3&u=/eo/20050223/en_music_eo/15984

I really get a kick out of reports like this because when I was studying to become a Christian myself, one of the people studying with me said to others, "I think Alex is too far gone. He'll never become a Christian."

Boy am I glad he was wrong! From heavy metal lead singer/drunk/druggie/punk to a Jesus lovin' preacher and servant - and nowdays a musician again. :angel Never underestimate the call of Christ!

This guy from Korn could have a major impact on his worldly fans. Stay tuned!

[Pearly Gator]

Brian 'Head' Welch Leaves Korn, Citing Moral Objections To Band's Music
02.22.2005 1:10 PM EST

Guitarist plans to further explain his decision to a church congregation in Bakersfield, California, on Sunday.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497313/2...?headlines=true (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497313/20050222/korn.jhtml?headlines=true)


Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, a founding member of Korn, has left the band and has rededicated his life to Christianity, according to the group's management.

"Korn has parted ways with guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch, who has chosen Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end," a statement from the band reads. "Korn respects Brian's wishes, and hopes he finds the happiness he's searching for."

The announcement puts to rest weeks of rumors that Welch was unhappy with Korn's direction. On February 8, he had apparently written a "letter of resignation" to the band's management. In the note, Welch detailed a long list of reasons for leaving the band, including increased moral objections to Korn's music and videos. In particular, he was upset by how he was portrayed in the clip for their cover of Cameo's "Word Up," off their recently released Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 album. In the video, Welch's face was superimposed on a dog patrolling a strip club.

"I can go up there and play those songs and those solos but ... I distanced myself from Korn for probably a year and a half, two years. I just wanted to fade away, it was crazy. I was so gone," Welch told Bakersfield, California, radio station KRAB on Sunday. "But I found my way out and I want to help anyone that wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I had to go through the lows to appreciate the highs and it's not perfect but it's d**n near."

Welch plans on further explaining his decision to leave Korn this coming Sunday, when he'll address the congregation at the Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, California. And on February 28 he plans to leave for Israel.

Korn formed in 1992 as the Bakersfield metal act LAPD, which featured Welch and guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer, bassist Reggie "Fieldy" Arvizu and drummer David Silveria. In 1993, vocalist Jonathan Davis joined the group, and they rechristened themselves Korn. Their self-titled 1994 debut went double platinum and was hailed as a landmark album in the burgeoning nü-metal scene. The group released six studio albums with Welch, sales of which have topped the 11-million mark in the U.S. alone. Their final album with Welch, Take a Look in the Mirror, was released in 2003.

According to Korn's management, the band is currently in the studio working on a new record, which is due in stores in September.

— James Montgomery

It takes a big man to make that decision, in the face of what he's dealing with now. God bless him. Hallelujah!!

[reverbbb]

Hey!

Does anyone know his email? We could invite him over here!!!!

[stephen]

YES! Another one for the Kingdom! Yeah I wonder if we could get him on here and help strengthen him through fellowship!

Man, from Doc Scott goin home to be with Jesus, to Jesus snatchin one from the enemy! What a rollercoaster ride for me this week!

All Praise to You Jesus! All the Praise!

[stephen]

Hey!

Does anyone know his email? We could invite him over here!!!!

Would be nice, especially to help give him some fellowship!

You and I think along the same lines Roger: I was thinkin as I was reading it, "Boy, it would be nice to get him on here (gpawf!!), and fellowship with him to help build him up, to face the onslaught!

Gee, I wonder if what happened to Dimebag Darrell Abbott had anything to do with it?

[Pearly Gator]

Well, being the member closest to Bakersfield, it would be a local call from here. Okay, just gimme his # and I'll invite him. :angel

PG

[Crunchyriff]

I grew up in Bakersfield- I lived there from 1965 to 1978...

[MrMike]

I was also struck by the band's response; no derogatory statements, but acknowledging that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Interesting. These guys are hugely influential. Almost all of the down tuned, 7-string stuff we've heard over the last 8 or 9 years can be traced to their influence. Let's pray that Brian's conversion will have a ripple effect.

[Teleguy]

Very cool.

I never knew their music, but when I was teaching all the kids wanted to learn stuff like Korn.
Let's hope they keep following him (Welch).

[reverbbb]

I don't know Korn's stuff either. But from what my nephew was telling me, them and NIN (Nine Inch Nails) were extremely bad for the Christian spirit within the listeners. Apparently, they enjoyed making a mockery of religion and Christianity. I don't know, that was just my impression.

Gee, I wonder if what happened to Dimebag Darrell Abbott had anything to do with it?

Man, that would be a scary thought - a message from Dimebag: "It is hotter than Hell in here". I don't mean to be presumptuous or judgemental, but I don't see much evidence that Darrell was living his life by the scripture. Only God knows for sure.

[Crunchyriff]

Almost all of the down tuned, 7-string stuff we've heard over the last 8 or 9 years can be traced to their influence. Let's pray that Brian's conversion will have a ripple effect.

Yeah, then they can stop that horrid 7-string crap and play better sounding guitars...

"and I say to myself...what a wonderful world.." :mrgreen:

[stephen]

Gee, I wonder if what happened to Dimebag Darrell Abbott had anything to do with it?

Man, that would be a scary thought - a message from Dimebag: "It is hotter than Hell in here". I don't mean to be presumptuous or judgemental, but I don't see much evidence that Darrell was living his life by the scripture. Only God knows for sure.

Nah, I didnt mean that Darrells life was exemplary for Jesus, I just meant that maybe hearing about him being killed on stage, and it made him reflect, and realize he had to get his life right with Jesus.

[kewlpack]

Good point S-Man.

[reverbbb]

Gee, I wonder if what happened to Dimebag Darrell Abbott had anything to do with it?

Man, that would be a scary thought - a message from Dimebag: "It is hotter than Hell in here". I don't mean to be presumptuous or judgemental, but I don't see much evidence that Darrell was living his life by the scripture. Only God knows for sure.

Nah, I didnt mean that Darrells life was exemplary for Jesus, I just meant that maybe hearing about him being killed on stage, and it made him reflect, and realize he had to get his life right with Jesus.

OK. I see that you had a point - that life style might get you into trouble and Brian took notice. I had no point other than just making a funny whimsical gesture. Carry on :dunno .

[stephen]

OK. I see that you had a point - that life style might get you into trouble and Brian took notice. I had no point other than just making a funny whimsical gesture. Carry on :dunno .

What, I gotta carry stuff now? :yikes Where's my roadies!?! :ROFL

[seagullplayer]

This is really big news to some kids right now. There where teens in our Youth Group talking about it last night. These guys just don't understand the influance they have, both for bad and good...

I agree, it is great that the press release didn't "bad mouth" him for his move.
Perhaps he has the respect of his fellow band members?

[Old Believer]

This could be a great thing. I hope it is real. I think we should all be praying for Brian. This is going to be a rough transtition for him.

[MrMike]

Absolutely. Here's a new Christian in the spotlight. The pressure has to be pretty intense. He's speaking at a church on Sunday. We need to be praying for him. The enemy will see this as an act of treason and war. He isn't going to go quietly.

[Crunchyriff]

I hope it is real.

Yeah, in stark contrast to Britney's recent revelation....

[stephen]

I hope it is real.

Yeah, in stark contrast to Britney's recent revelation....

I guess I aint to in touch? what revelation (dare I ask?), has Brittany uncorked

[Crunchyriff]

Just before the 2004 elections, Britney had made a statement saying she was a Christian. Of course, the media gave that a one-day blurb, and that was the end of it.

[Old Believer]

Just before the 2004 elections, Britney had made a statement saying she was a Christian. Of course, the media gave that a one-day blurb, and that was the end of it.

I'm not sure Britney knows what planet she lives on. I hope that Brian Welch's confession of faith is real. It sounds like it is real from the press I've read. It does take a leap of faith to quit a band that is making boat loads of money, and is very popular.

It's not like MC Hammer, who came to the Lord after he went bankrupt.

[Crunchyriff]

I'm not sure Britney knows what planet she lives on.

Or which galaxy...



It's not like MC Hammer, who came to the Lord after he went bankrupt.

well now, it all takes SOMETHING, or better yet, the Holy Spirit uses SOMETHING in each of our lives as a cataylist.

Who am I to judge? If MC Hammer is bearing good fruit, I'd say the proof is in da puddin'. :-p

[Old Believer]

I listened to the mp3s of Brian Welch's testimony last night. From what I heard, it sounds like he really means it. Let's keep praying for him.

check out http://www.headtochrist.com

[stephen]

hear that ! Thanks OB!

[Pearly Gator]

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireSt...Story?id=554676 (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=554676)

KIBBUTZ KINNERET, Israel Mar 5, 2005 — Former Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch was baptized Saturday in the Jordan River, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock-and-roll lifestyle for religion.

Welch, a founding member of the multi-platinum band, and about 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a Bakersfield, Calif., church were immersed by their pastor, Ron Vietti.

Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. "You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people," he said.

Vietti said Welch who has "Jesus" tattooed across his knuckles and "Matthew 11:28," tattooed prominently across his neck is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.

"In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they're so inspired by his story," Vietti said.

Korn announced Welch's resignation last month after 13 years with the band. Welch said he had become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years, but that religion helped him quit.

He said he plans to release more music without the band.

"My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He's going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be," he said.

Thousands of pilgrims are baptized annually in the Jordan River where, according to Biblical tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

In Christ

PG

[SAguitar]

Man, I love Good News! I was delivered out of the drugged, underground rock world myself, but it wasn't the giant stage stuff. Just small-town bar bands 'n stuff. May God bless his testimony, and bless his efforts for the Kingdom. :cool:

[MrMike]

On the VH1 site, they said that when he gave his testimony in church, over 200 responded to receive Christ, including some members of the media there to cover the event.

[Crunchyriff]

Now THAT's a testimony, MrMike!