Christian Community Church Rocks Out

When was the last time Stevie Ray Vaughn music played from the stage of a church?  Or the last time a pastor pulled his scarf from around his neck and danced with a beautiful blonde woman?

As far as Pastor Ralph Acerno goes, he hopes at least once a month. By the way, the woman he danced with happened to be his wife Terri, with whom he has three child. 

On Saturday, the Christian Community Church of River Edge, on Bogert Road, welcomed the Breakin’ the Bondage Blues Band to the church. Opening for them was Joey Brennan and Restore.

Tommy Ski, vocalist for Joey Brennan and Restore, quoted Eric Clapton and promised “after midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang out.” Pastor Acerno said this is what church is about.

“This is the second one we have done and we are growing,” he said.

Pastor Acerno said the goal of the Fireside was to reach out to the community and show a different side of Christianity.

“This is an outreach to let people see that godly people can have fun without spending a lot of money, he said. Tickets for the event were $5.

The room was decorated with tables, chairs and only lit with candles and the fireplace in the back. Pasta and bread, and cookies, cakes and coffee were served.

“We do this because we want people to know they are welcome here [at the Christian Community Church] and we are open to all people,” Pastor Acerno said. “There are many lonely and hurting people and they need love. We want to be there.”

The pastor acknowledged Brennan, who helped arrange the musicians.

“He has been able to get us some amazing performers,” said Acerno.

Brennan said most of what he tries to do is seek out people who suffer from addictions to offer them hope with his ministry C.A.R.E. which stands for Christian Addiction Recovery and Education. Brennan said he understands the struggles with addiction. As a member of the rock group Vanilla Fudge, he opened for musicians like Ted Nugent, Aretha Franklin and Billy Joel.

Brennan said C.A.R.E. is “a source of hope. Keeping the hard work of recovery in mind CARE also provides a venue for fun and inspiration.”

“Our church has been here for 20 years and now God is really doing some amazing things,” said Acerno.

Members of the Bondage Breaking Blues Band discussed how they had “Been there, done that!” with issues like drugs, homelessness, jail, divorce, family unrest, addictions, racism and peer rejection.

But, they added, they are a testament that “God changes people for the good.”

Acerno said it is his prayer that events like this will be a tool that God uses to help change people for the people.

“We get criticized for this sort of thing, but our attitude is that this is what the Lord did when he was on earth,” said Acerno. “When Jesus was here, he went to the prostitutes and the tax collectors and told them they were loved.” 

The next Fireside café event is scheduled for April 16 at 7:30 p.m. with Rhett Tyler performing.