So Wednesday afternoon my friend, Derek Bruner from Cross Point, called me with the weirdest pastoral request I’ve ever gotten. He asked me if I would be willing to come down and go backstage at the Poison concert to meet with C.C. DeVille (their lead guitarist). Apparently C.C. has just become a Christian and was wondering if I would be willing to bring him some messages he could listen to on the road, as well as just encourage him, and answer a few questions.
I figured it wouldn’t be a good idea to be hanging out backstage at a Poison concert without taking one of our elders, Brian Alexander. We had an awesome night. While I’m certainly going to keep the bulk of our conversations private, there were a few things I feel comfortable sharing.
This guy has an amazing heart. We spent some time with him pre-concert and before he went to get ready to go on stage he said, “Pete would you watch the show tonight and tell me if you see me do anything that would not be honoring to God.” Are you kidding me????
After the concert we had a creative team meeting with him where we suggested a few different ways he could interweave the story of what God is doing in his life through his music. The entire experience was surreal, to say the least.
You can watch the video below to hear C.C. discuss such topics as cussing, elder meetings, accountability and guitar hero. It’s almost six minutes long, but you won’t be disappointed.
the unofficial pastor to poison,
Pete
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/1313066]
Also part of Creative Chaos
Well said CoolBlueGlow. I couldn’t help but notice the star-struckness in the comments. I don’t think that’s God’s heart. You put things in perspective.
re: Starstruck
Yeah, well… Hope I didn’t sound all self-righteous. I’m sure not casting stones at anyone. Like Sarah Groves says (speaking about Eve) “If it’d been me, I’d have had juice from that forbidden fruit all over my face and hands” Me too – Done that fame thing – it sucks you in.
Hey, HUGE blessing to me to see C.C. walking in faith. It bothers me to see some of the religious spirit rearing it’s ugly head here, condemning C.C. right out of the gate. Let GOD work it out, GOD doesn’t need our help but C.C. could use our prayers of encouragement. GOD bless you C.C. Love ya!
Pete, I don’t know you but well, I grew up with the guys from Poison (no really.. Mechanicsburg PA with Rikki). My aunt dated Rikki and I worked with his dad selling merch at swap meets.. until they broke big… and CC has always been someone on my heart. I’m sitting here in tears because that is how our Jesus works! Just look at his countenance. That is not the CC I met. I’m grateful your in His life and I’m holding him and Rikki up in prayer. I don’t care what anyone else on here thinks, I’m just grateful that he is my brother now. THANK YOU GOD!
@CoolBlueGlow Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment bro. I really appreciate it. I think you have some great words of caution.
The Bible encourages us not to “lay hands on someone to quickly”. I’ve seen what happens when we put “new beleivers” into positions that they aren’t ready for.
I hope you don’t think that is what this post was about. Simply put, I met a cool guy, he says he’s trying to follow Jesus, and I thought we should encourage him and pray for him
In Luke 15 when the prodigal son came home the father called for the fattened cow immediately. He said “my son is home”. He didn’t say let’ wait and see if he serious about coming home. He didn’t say let’s give it some time. He didn’t say let’s wait and see if he really stays at home. He just said what was lost is now found and we’re going to celebrate.
I’m just celebrating that one of God’s children (could care less if they’re famous or not) has come home. He has a long road ahead of him. There is a long process before him. But he’s home. And today we will celebrate.
WOW, what a slew of diverse comments on this subject. Giving Praises is always a good thing. WHO REALL CARES if he still plays ‘Talk Dirty to Me’??? Why would you judge the guy for that. It’s hard to believe (maybe it isn’t) that there are so many closed minded fundamentalists who cannot see the greater good in the ALL. God is ONE. ONE does not equal two. ONE is ONE. What, would you rather CC quit POISON and start playing just Christian music? Or is it a positive thing that he’s still out in front of the masses radiating Christ’s LOVE from his HEART??? Yes, if it ends up happening as mentioned in the video, that he plays a slice of ‘Amazing Grace’ during his guitar solo; THAT could make more of a statement of TRUTH that him quitting the band and playing LAME Christian rock. (an oxymoron in my opinion).
Jesus Christ was about LOVE and FORGIVENESS and COMPASSION and KINDNESS;
not judgement and conformity.
RIGHT ON AMEN ALLAHUAKBAR HALLELUJAH and every other EXCLAMATION of the GLORY of the I AM Presence of the ONE GOD!!!!!!
This goes out to Pete and to CC and those spreading the Message of Truth in a real non-judgemental loving all encompassing way honoring everything beautiful that God/Allah/TheONE does and is.
Thanks for posting this Pete.
Praise God that someone answered the call. Pastor Pete, I thank you for listening to God. I had dreams about C.C. last year and several of us at our church started praying for him, along with other Rock Stars. We invited C.C. to come out to our Outreach for a guest appearance and we were trying to cordinate a date that he wasn’t on tour. All the praise and honor and glory to God!
wow.. just… wow..
i heard a snippet about this tonight on WayFM, and I guess you’re going to be on there tomorrow. That’s just way cool… I hope I remember to listen so I can hear all about it.. SO AWESOME!!
Awesome!
Maybe C.C. and Brian “Head” Welch (from Korn) can work together to make a new Christian band that reaches out to people who are hopelessly treading water in this ocean we call life looking for something that they can identify with and show them the hope and mercy Jesus has to offer.
I’m a cop, love metal music, and have three kids. I have watched the reality shows with C. C., and all I can say is that God is Awesome. Please pass on to him that there is yet another brother praying for him to stay strong. Just remember that we are all works in progress.
I’m a cop, love metal music, and have three kids. I have watched the reality shows with C. C., and all I can say is that God is Awesome. Please pass on to him that there is yet another brother praying for him to stay strong. Just remember that we are all works in progress.
How awesome!! When I was in 7th Grade (1987), CC was THE reason I got my first guitar. It just goes to show that God DOES NOT care about your past AT ALL!! Just looking at the pics of him, he looks like a totally different person now….you can just see the GENUINE joy in him. Way to go CC!!!
thats great, I hope the best for him, I really hope that believing in god will help him….I have tried that route and maybe it was the church or maybe it was just the guy preaching or it could be I am just still angry at god but I just felt bored the last time I went to church but like I said…I wish him the best
whats going to happen to “I hate every bone in your body but mine?”
That is such an amazing testimony and uplifting! I am so so proud of C.C. he won’t reget his decision it’s one of the best life changing for the better experience he’ll never regret..whatever the Lord starts he will complete, as long as you are still talking, studying the Word, and applying it to your life..Wow!
No offense, but had he converted earlier in his life, you wouldn’t be talking to him now. Poison wouldn’t have been the same, and they wouldn’t have echoed with so many youths…
<arl