Steamboat Pilot & Today

Some people might say the best rock concert in town can be found in an old church barn, tucked away in the Steamboat Springs countryside.

When entering the Euzoa Bible Church on a Saturday night, visitors might not realize they're in a house of God, unless they spot a rough wooden cross stowed to the side of the church.

Instead, churchgoers are greeted with a "stage," lit haphazardly by candles and subtle overhead lighting.

No "Amazing Grace" or "Ave Maria" coming from this church choir. The music ranges from folk rock to pop to jazzy blues.

The lead singer, with her blond ponytail and lithe figure, has the voice and looks to rival a Dixie Chick or Britney Spears.

The bass player, with his long hair and cowboy hat, looks like he should be strumming his guitar at a bar in Amarillo. But as you listen closer, the lyrics speak of God, faith and love and not about finding your man at a honky tonk.

The congregation is on its feet clapping and raising their hands in the air as they sway to the beat. Even on this Spring Break weekend, the church had more than 100 people rockin' in the aisles.

It's what church leaders were looking for when they started the "contemporary" service two years ago with a "crowd" of 60 people.

"We were trying to focus on those people who were dissatisfied with traditional church," said church elder Chris McCombs.

So they looked to modern alternative music as a starting point.

"We believed in using modern methods to get across and communicate timeless truths of the Bible," McCombs said.

Having grown from 60 people to more than 200 people most weeks, the Saturday "rock n' roll service" seems to be working.

"I just think it's an awesome atmosphere," said an excited 17 year old Noelle Jordan, who came to Euzoa because her former church didn't have a youth group.

"It's grown so much, it's amazing to see how God works."

Jordan and her teenage friends nabbed the first few rows of chairs before the music started.

"There are usually three rows of kids and it gets bigger every week," said 17 year old Megan Rogers.

"It's fun to go to church, so much energy here and it's intense."

So intense that young Miss Rogers insisted she didn't want to go on Spring Break vacation because she "didn't want to miss the service."

And it's not just the young folks filling up seats. Dave and Barb Bradt, 61 and 56 years respectively, first came because their grown daughter was active with Euzoa's youth group.

But the Saturday night service became it's own draw.

"I really like Saturday night, it's uplifting," Mrs. Bradt said.

"I love the music, it's a fantastic band."

After four songs, Youth Pastor Chris Spradlin had what he wanted: an uplifted, attentive crowd.

The band may be a lure, but Spradlin is hoping it's God's word that reels in the "fish."

Spradlin bounded up the stage in his baggy blue jeans and casual short sleeve shirt to preach from the bible.

Following the popular band might normally be difficult, but Spradlin handled it with ease.

Of course, it's not difficult to win a crowd right away when you bring up Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy at the first part of your sermon.

The famous muppet couple was part of a video montage that flashed across a big video screen at the front of the church to a song about friends.

Audience members laughed at famous friend couples like Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner; or Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny and even Batman and Robin.

Video, skits and dramatic readings are just some of the "modern methods" Euzoa has incorporated into it's Saturday night service.

"Sometimes we have dance," Spradlin said.

"We're really tapping all of the arts. People like to worship God in their own creative ways."

On this night, Spradlin continued the video theme of friendship and relationships, reading passages from the bible about Jesus' favored apostles who were there during his most difficult times.

Euzoa's leaders make much of the fact that they let church members know that everyone is equal at their church.

"We like every element of our service to be real and authentic," Spradlin said in his noticeable Texas twang.

"They don't have to walk into church with a mask on and think they have their life together. We all know we have challenges and problem in our lives."

And true to his word, Spradlin preached emotionally of a recent confrontation with his own father about the older man's abusive nature. He broke down twice as he told the story, staying with the sermon's theme of "relationships" and how God encourages people to "go deep" in important relationships.

"I pushed the limits and it was the most rewarding thing," he told the congregation.

Pushing the limits is what the Euzoa Bible Church is all about, and it looks like it's paying off.