The Devil is a Gentleman

A book comes out tomorrow that is supposed to have a chapter dedicated to the CWF. The author followed the guys around about three years ago for his book. I’m interested to see what he says.

A hundred years ago, the writer and philosopher William James wrote The Varieties of Religious Experience, a seminal work that has inspired generations of scholars and eccentrics alike. James’s book argues that the religious spirit in man is best understood through the study of its most extreme forms. Varieties was a watershed effort: a bestselling portrait of history’s pluralism and a defense of the spiritual quest, in all its guises, against the era’s increasingly secular sentiments.
Today, with all the old tensions between skeptics and believers still in place, J. C. Hallman pays homage to James’s exploration of offbeat religious movements. But where James relied on the testimony and biographies of prophets and mystics, Hallman travels directly to some of America’s newest and most unusual religions, trekking from Druid circles in the mossy hills of northern California to the gleaming mother church of Scientology, from lurid satanic cellars in undisclosed locations to a professional-wrestling ministry in the fundamentalist heart of Texas. Along the way, he participates in a variety of rites and reports on a broad spectrum of beliefs. Eventually Hallman adopts James as his patron saint, spiritual adviser, and intellectual companion on the journey that will culminate in the creation of this book, a compelling combination of adventure and biography, spotted with hair-raising predicaments and rife with poignant portraits of unforgettable characters, including William James himself.
The Devil Is a Gentleman maps the spiritual contours of modern American pluralism and examines the life and legacy of one of its most profound architects.
About the Author
J. C. Hallman, a graduate of the Iowa and Johns Hopkins writing programs, has published fiction and nonfiction in GQ and other national magazines. His first book, The Chess Artist, was published to wide acclaim. Hallman is currently a writer in residence at Sweet Briar College.

CWF trip to Nigeria

I know many of you have not received this letter in the mail yet. Maybe its because I haven’t gotten to your part of my list yet, or maybe I don’t have your address, but I wanted to post this and share it with everyone interested in helping the CWF go to Nigeria. We’re looking for financial and prayer sponsors. If you’d like to make a donation to our trip, you can do so on this page. Just click on the Paypal (“Make a donation”) button on the right hand side. Also any and all money raised from advertising on the same site goes directly to the Nigeria fund.

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February 7, 2006

Dear Friends and Family,

As I start to type this letter, I look over a letter my sister Kara wrote exactly one year ago today, preparing to go to China. To think about the changes in her, myself and our family over the last year is overwhelming. I never would have imagined the struggles our family went through in 2005 and the joys and peace that we found in knowing God and knowing He remains sovereign and in control of our lives.
It was also roughly this time last year that I began working with the Christian Wrestling Federation.
As a ring announcer and “Commissioner” for the CWF over the last year, I’ve had the privilege to be part of a ministry that is starting its sixth year of ministry this year and has witnessed over 5,000 people come to know Christ. 2005 proved to be a year of renewal for the ministry as we began to feel God working and possibly leading us to full-time ministry in 2007. The CWF hopes to bring the lost to hear the same Gospel message that’s been repeated for 2000 years, in a very unlikely setting – a wrestling ring.
It’s a message of love for all mankind and a message that we as Christians have been asked to share to our Jerusalem, our Judea and the rest of the world.
I’m excited to say that this year the CWF has been invited to take that message outside of our comfort zone and into to Jos, Nigeria. We are planning to spend the first two weeks of October in the most populous country in Africa and one of the poorest countries in the world.
We are excited to spend time ministering to the predominantly Muslim population with our CWF shows across Nigeria, as well as working with a team from Lake Point Church in Rockwall, who will lead our visits to orphanages where we will help with sports camps and medical missions.
I ask that you will join us in urgent prayer this year as we prepare for our journey. Pray that logistically things will be taken care of. I can’t begin to imagine the work that will go into securing soccer stadiums and arrangements to bring a wrestling show to Nigeria. Please pray that the people of Nigeria will see that we are just ordinary men, but that we’ve been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Pray that they will see the difference in our lives, which only Christ can bring about. Pray that God will begin to work now in the lives of those we will meet as well as our own individual lives. Pray that each of us will be prepared to share the hope we have whenever we are called upon.
I would also ask that you pray about giving financially to our trip. You can contribute directly to my account, or make a donation to the entire group.
If you feel led to support us financially, you may give a one-time gift or make monthly payments between now and October. A small thank you reminder and a self-addressed stamped envelope will be sent monthly, if you so choose.
Thank you for your time and may God continue to shine His face upon you.
In Christ,
Jonathan Blundell

Update on last night

Sorry I haven’t had a chance to post this earlier, I’ve been in court all morning (I’ve always wanted to say that – as long as I wasn’t the defendant). I was covering a number of cases for the paper.
Anyways – the rundown of the matches is very irrelevant this morning. We had over 1250 kids last night at Sachse Assemblies of God and there were 169 decision cards filled out and 105 agreed to a discipleship program the church offers.
WOW. It was an amazing night. It almost felt like a ECW show (not that I’ve ever been to one), without the blood and guts ;-).
There were kids everywhere, including the balcony and crowding around the ring on the floor. I had to almost push my way from the ring and back to the sound booth between matches.
Anways, it was exciting. Thanks for all who prayed. Don’t forget we have another show Saturday in the Balch Springs area – come and support us if you can.

And now for the rundown of the matches:
Chris Idol v Apoc – no contest due to interferance
Tim Storm def. The Bishop
CWF Champion “Jesus Freak” Rob Vaughn def. Son of Thunder in title match
Apoc & The Bishop def. Chris Idol and Tim Storm in a tag match

See that wasn’t near as exciting as the first few paragraphs.

What a show…

Albert the Ref

Well the 2005 CWF Year has come to a close. We wrapped up our year with a great show in Rockwall, Texas Saturday night.

I would say it may have been one of the funnest shows of the year. No one expected the outcome in the final match.

I believe we had two decisions Saturday night, which is always a blessing and the reason we do what we do.

So for those who missed it, here’s a recap of the show (if you were there, feel free to leave your comments below):

Jesus Freak Rob Vaughn def Apocolypse for the CWF Heavyweight Title
Son of Thunder def Michael Malick
Phillip “The Bishop” Barron gave his testimony
Yours truly interviewed CWF Lightweight Champion Seven
Shiloh def. Chris Idol
Rob Vaughn called for a Battle Royal – Order of elemination: Michael Malick, Son of Thunder, Shiloh, Jesus Freak and then….
Seven came out as a late entrant. He dumped both Apoc and Chris Idol over the ropes….
Then he revealed his secret identity – Albert the Ref!

Oh man – what a finish! No one expected that! I don’t even think Apoc and Chris Idol did. I know I didn’t. Amazing.

And thanks to the guys in the back on the rib with my entrance music. Somehow I ended coming out to Michael Jackson – what’s up wit dat?

So that’s it. Our last show for the year is done and we’re making plans for next year. So be sure to keep us in your prayers. Thanks!

Monday Night

It’s 1:19 a.m. CST Tuesday Sept. 27.

My friends B and Sarah were expecting their baby Sydney to be born today, but the doctors said “It wasn’t time.”

I believe they’re planning to go back on Wednesday and they may induce labor, but I’m not sure on all that.

I just returned from Waco with my boys. We had floor tickets to the WWE Raw taping. Not a bad way to watch wrestling at all. It was amusing because three of the men who wrestled tonight have wrestled my friend, Tim Storm, at some point in their career. One of them Russel Simpson, A.K.A. Psycho Simpson, wrestled four of the guys in our group. Not bad.

At dinner aftewards Rob mentioned that he’s been seriously considering going full-time with the CWF. I think it’s a dream everyone’s had since the ministry began in 2000, but everyone’s always hoped that someone with loads of money would come along and drop a load of cash in our hands to let us do it.

We half-joked about the idea this weekend, while in North Carolina, and I thought I was the only one thinking it could be a possibility, but apparently God was laying the idea on Rob’s heart as well.

We discussed the idea somewhat and everyone was in agreement that it is what we want to do, but now it comes down to if its in agreement with what God wants us to do.

So please pray for us as we seek God’s will at this crossroads in our lives and ministry.

We plan to pray about the idea and then schedule a brainstorming meeting sometime in the near future. So again, please support us in prayer and ask God for guidance.

Well, I have a weird headache, that is likly just from the loud music and pyros at the show tonight. I also have three loads of clothes laying on my bed, so rather than just pushing them off onto the floor, I think I’ll just crash right here on my couch.

Take care — and may the peace of God be with you all.