The Easter message at an Arnold church will remind you of a sporting event. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus by touting him as the ultimate fighter. It's the brainchild of pastor Thomas Skiles of spirit of St. Louis Church
" In the mixed martial arts arena there's an expression, and the expression is don't tap out and he didn't tap out "
You won't see fighters in an octagon, but perseverance becomes the message this Easter Sunday according to pastor Skiles.
" He took every blow and He wound up becoming victorious."
Pastor Skiles and his wife Darla are always looking for ways to make the religious experience relevant. Mrs. Skiles says the connection is clear.
"Christ did endure a beating. And when you watch that and you see those men, ..go at it, it gives you a picture of what Christ might have gone through. "
Her husband says the message must be relevant.
"We want a relevant message to teach to people. And we want to be able to take this ancient gospel and make it relevant to someone today. "
The growing popularity of ultimate fighting offers the perfect way to bring the uncommitted into the fold according to pastor skiles.
"The men just aren't engaged, young men aren't engaged in faith, on becoming better people on the inside. It was the plan of the father for him to follow the process all the way through so that we could have life more abundantly. There's a hope in this message."
The congregation of 200 meets at Simpson Elementary school in Arnold. Easter services are scheduled for 10 and 11:30 in Arnold, MO.
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" In the mixed martial arts arena there's an expression, and the expression is don't tap out and he didn't tap out "
You won't see fighters in an octagon, but perseverance becomes the message this Easter Sunday according to pastor Skiles.
" He took every blow and He wound up becoming victorious."
Pastor Skiles and his wife Darla are always looking for ways to make the religious experience relevant. Mrs. Skiles says the connection is clear.
"Christ did endure a beating. And when you watch that and you see those men, ..go at it, it gives you a picture of what Christ might have gone through. "
Her husband says the message must be relevant.
"We want a relevant message to teach to people. And we want to be able to take this ancient gospel and make it relevant to someone today. "
The growing popularity of ultimate fighting offers the perfect way to bring the uncommitted into the fold according to pastor skiles.
"The men just aren't engaged, young men aren't engaged in faith, on becoming better people on the inside. It was the plan of the father for him to follow the process all the way through so that we could have life more abundantly. There's a hope in this message."
The congregation of 200 meets at Simpson Elementary school in Arnold. Easter services are scheduled for 10 and 11:30 in Arnold, MO.
View Larger Map
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