Tag: CWF

Update from CWF

Just got an e-mail from Philip “The Bishop” Barron about the CWF trip in Nigeria:

Not much time but all is going well. Mike has become ill with dehydration but we have seen over 300 people get saved. We still have another week!! All the children at TH were asking for you. Many people on the team have been asking about you as well. Will love to show you pics and go over my journal with you when I get back. Hows marriage treating you? HOLLA HOLLA!!! I miss you and will see you soon. We get back on friday oct 19 around 1:30pm. Talk to you soon.

CWF in Nigeria

Just found a news story out of Abuja, Nigeria about my bros in the CWF touring Nigeria over the next week or so.
Remember them in your prayers…

A team of ten American wrestlers, led by Coach Rob Vaughn, will begin a twelve day tour of Jos, Plateau state in a bid to attract youths to the sport as an alternative to other form of violence.
Coordinator for the program, Kyle Abts of the Light House Sports Outreach based in Jos says of the program:
“These are wrestlers trying to reach out to young ones with a message and that message is that wrestling can be practiced as a clean sport.
“What they are trying to introduce is the opposite of what we know today as the WWE in America. While that has a lot of evil and negative side to it and is all about money, this brand is trying to provide youths with alternatives that will not only make them more economically empowered but also more constructive to the society,” he said.
The team goes by the name of Christian Wrestling Federation.
A total of six centres will be used during the event. Today, they will be at the Azi Nyako youth centre in Dadin Kowa. Other venues are Bukuru Mini-stadium, Jos Township stadium, University of Jjos Permanent site, St. Louis College and Dogon Dutse.
The national coordinator of LSRO, Geoffrey Bottson disclosed that the wrestlers will be wrestling themselves and putting up demonstrations for the youths. Youths who are interested will also be taught this new ‘safe’ style of wrestling.

Here’s just one of the places they’re scheduled to wrestle in:

The Jos Township stadium
Wish I could be there with them but looks like God had other plans in mind.

Friends of God

We watched Alexandria Pelosi’s documentary, “Friends of God” Thursday night on HBO. The Christian Wrestling Federation was featured for a full 1 min and 50 seconds. I thought it was a very fair portrayal.

Sure I’ve read a number of comments online with people laughing at the idea. But they’ve been doing that for the last seven years.

I believe our spot on the 56 minute documentary was the only one with an actual Gospel presentation. Pelosi said in an interview with the San Fransisco Chronicle that as a “lapsed Catholic” a number of evangelicals tried to convert her to Christianity off camera. I’m sure that was frustrating to her.

What would you have done in her shoes or if she was doing a story on you?

I also thought it was interesting that she said no one really made the connection about her and her mother (Nancy Pelosi) but once Jerry Falwell did he kicked her off his bus. Gotta enjoy that Christ-like love.

More coverage:
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
ABC News

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

CWF on HBO


Didn’t realize this till reading a recent review, but we met Nancy Pelosi’s daughter a few months back (Pelosi is the recently elected Speaker of the House).
Pelosi came and shot footage of the CWF for her documentary Friends of God, which airs on HBO Thursday night.
It will be interesting to see what the documentary says about us.
Review from TV Squad
HBO’s synopsis
Kansas City Star report
Look for the documentary to begin airing Thursday night 8 CST on HBO. Check your listings for more information.

CWF on HBO

We filmed footage for this sometime back in 2006 and HBO will be airing a special Thurs. Jan. 25 featuring the CWF. From the description there’s not telling what they’ll say or show.

FRIENDS OF GOD
Journalist and filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi takes viewers on a road trip to chronicle the leaders and followers who comprise the booming evangelical Christian movement. Travelling through the red state heartland of the U.S. that helped elect and re-elect George Bush, Pelosi meets with an array of outspoken evangelicals, from television celebrities like Joel Osteen, Jerry Falwell and Ted Haggard to leaders of groups like the Christian Wrestling Federation and the car club, as well as regular folks committed to carrying out the Creationist messages.

Tune in at 8 p.m. CST on Jan. 25, 2006 to see Friends of God.

First night in Iowa

We’re in Iowa tonight hanging out at the Liquid Lounge in downtown Ottumwa. We just finished our show for the youth hangout at a neighboring church.

I think 70-80 people showed up and we had seven or eight decisions tonight.

The show was amazing and after they figured out what was going on, the audience stayed hot most of the night.

Phil’s on injured reserve with a doctor’s note after last night’s injury. Chris said Phil’s a big pansie but he’s still got a beauty of a shiner and the doctor taped up his eye instead of stiches.

I’ll try and get a photo posted by Monday, if not before.

We have another show planned here tomorrow night and then we’ll be heading back to Dallas before Rob and I fly to Nigeria on Tuesday.

And the band just started rocking out here. Missed the name, but the owners said they’re a local act.

Prayer requests:
Continued safety for the wrestlers and all involved in our shows. Continued fast healing for Phil. Quick healing of bumps and bruises and just general soreness that comes from wrestling and long rides in a van. Safety in travel from Iowa to Texas on Saturday night and Sunday.

God bless – He makes all things beautiful in His time.