Korn's ex-guitarist Brian Welch

Cross · 11-09-2007, 06:33 PM

Some of you probably know his story...but it's worth repeating here.

Quote:

ISRAEL - The lead guitarist for the heavy metal group Korn recently shocked the music world when he announced that he was leaving the band.
Brian Welch had become a born-again Christian. He followed his announcement with a trip to Israel, where he was baptized in the Jordan River.
Welch came to the banks of the Jordan River to be baptized along with members of the Valley Bible Fellowship churches. It marked the end of one life and the beginning of another.
Pastor Ron Vietti said, "We're telling everybody that we've chosen to die with Christ. What we're doing is we're burying you. And you're dead. When you come up, [you will be] a new person like Jesus was a new person, when He was resurrected from the dead."
Welch's announcement that he became a follower of Jesus Christ rocked the heavy metal music world. Korn is one of the most popular heavy metal groups in music today. It has earned multiple platinum albums and has loyal fans around the world. But Welch says his journey from a rock star lifestyle to his new life is incomparable.
Welch said, "I've done hard drugs, I've done soft drugs. I've seen everything. I've done what teenagers dream about, especially guys. I've seen all that, and no drug or nothing compares with walking with the Lord."
Welch's visit attracted attention from press around the world, and a curious question from CNN about baptism.
CNN asked Welch, "Do you really think your whole being is going to be changed in just in a few minutes?"
Welch replied, "Yep. It's going to be changed. It's going to be changed." Watch. Interview me afterwards. You'll see. You'll see peace. I believe that."
After Welch was baptized, he told CNN, "I told you right before. Remember? I told you I was angry. I'm not angry anymore. I just want to serve God, and do what He wants me to do, and that's to teach people that this is real. I just want to see kids, whatever, come to the Lord."
Welch says God delivered him from both an addiction to methamphetamine and an empty lifestyle, a story that reminds some of the time Jesus said, he who is forgiven much, loves much.
Welch commented, "I came to Him and I sought Him with everything I had. Everything I had. Because nothing else worked in the world. No money. I have all kinds of money, and nothing worked. And that's why this is so important to me, because He came through 100 percent."
Pastor Vietti has been a pastor for 30 years, and says Welch's faith is genuine. He remarked, "This kid's the real deal. I think if I've ever seen one, he's the real deal. He's got such childlike faith."
Vietti says Welch's testimony has already had an impact. Vietti interviewed Welch recently at Valley Bible Fellowship in Bakersfield, California. The interview, which can be seen on the church's Web site, reached a lot of people with the Gospel.
Vietti said, "We interviewed him during the service. The word got out. MTV was at church. I love it when MTV comes to church. MTV and CNN. We've been contacted, and we had about 250 people saved last Sunday. And a lot of them had Korn shirts on. Some of them drove 33 hours from Indiana. Some came from Florida. Between a half a million and a million hits on our Internet in two to three days. So it's had a bigger impact that I thought it would have."
Vietti knows the pitfalls for celebrities accepting Jesus Christ, but he hopes Christians around the world will pray for Welch. He also believes godly discipleship will be vital.
"I think it's my duty to latch onto Brian and stay close to him, and it isn't hard to do because he wants to stay close to me, and he calls me several times a day. So, I think discipleship is going to be key."
Welch has already begun writing music about his new found relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pastor Vietti believes Welch has a great potential to reach millions of young people with the Gospel.

Brian Welch's own site
http://www.headtochrist.com/index02.html

Banarenth · 11-09-2007, 07:16 PM

I've heard this mentioned before. It made me wonder about something.

When the Christian Band "Flyleaf" began touring, they were on tour with KoRn. I really thought that was odd and a bit inappropriate for a confessed Christian band to tour with a band like KoRn.

Now, I don't know if Flyleaf had anything whatsoever to do with this, however, it does bring a very different light on what Christian musicians are in the world to do.

MediaProphet · 11-17-2007, 04:20 PM

i was excited when this happened. Head was always my favorite member of Korn, but I stopped listening to them awhile back. I have been disappointed in the fact that he hasn't put out his album yet. oh well.

Boanerges · 11-17-2007, 05:26 PM

Cool!

John S. · 11-24-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banarenth

I've heard this mentioned before. It made me wonder about something.

When the Christian Band "Flyleaf" began touring, they were on tour with KoRn. I really thought that was odd and a bit inappropriate for a confessed Christian band to tour with a band like KoRn.

Now, I don't know if Flyleaf had anything whatsoever to do with this, however, it does bring a very different light on what Christian musicians are in the world to do.

This is something I've taken issue with the Mrs. about. I enjoy a great deal of P.O.D.'s music, but don't care for the fact that they have in the past toured with secular bands. Her point is they are reaching people who otherwise wouldn't hear a Godly message.

Back to the OP, it'll be interesting to see if he picks up music again. I've never heard any KoRn, but would be interested in hearing him focused on glorifying God with his music. I'm thrilled to see him turning to Christ.

david161099 · 11-24-2007, 12:08 PM

I found this interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5H2IDo0fIA

Wow, I didn't know this.

I used to be into that kind of music and I like Korn's stuff, but I left that music behind a lot time ago.

I totally understand the emptiness he felt. That's what I went through in the last year. All the money in the world feels like ash. In my case it was a promotion and getting a pay rise.

God Bless

avlight · 11-24-2007, 04:00 PM

I'm happy for the guy. However, I am concerned for him because in another interview I read, he has gotten associated with some of the people who are heavily affiliated with The Elijah List most of their theological beliefs really disturb me.

Penny · 11-24-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John S.

This is something I've taken issue with the Mrs. about. I enjoy a great deal of P.O.D.'s music, but don't care for the fact that they have in the past toured with secular bands. Her point is they are reaching people who otherwise wouldn't hear a Godly message.

Back to the OP, it'll be interesting to see if he picks up music again. I've never heard any KoRn, but would be interested in hearing him focused on glorifying God with his music. I'm thrilled to see him turning to Christ.

I agree with that. People that love rock music might get into Christian music (because they are opening acts) and lead to greater things such as salvation.

Didn't Jesus say that the best place for Him to be amongst were those that were not saved???

gratefulgrace · 11-24-2007, 08:25 PM

I have one son who was really interested in their music as a teen. I hated it full of angst and bitterness and a very harsh metal sound. To my ears anyway. I used to pray a lot about the influences music was having on him. Anyway he is not walking solidly with the Lord although he has never cursed God if you know what I mean. He was very thrilled for Brian Welch and told me all about it and stuff. Then about a month ago he says "Well I kept waiting around for someone to by me Brians book but since no one did I bought it myself" This is Brians testimony of his conversion etc. I haven't read it myself but I though that is good God is using a former negative influence in my sons life to influence him now for Christ.

I am not sure about the touring Christian bands influence on Korn I do know though that one other member also has come to the Lord since Brian. It was this members dad who was a believer and used to Bible thump (their term) the band often. When Brian got saved he spent a lot of time with the dad in fellowship. The dad was old and ill and they prayed that his son would get saved before he died. The dad died and unknown to Brian the son had actually made a decision also to serve The Lord too. So it is two down not sure how many more to go.

gratefulgrace · 11-24-2007, 08:29 PM

I think POD have served the Lord to the best of their ability and have always had the philosophy to share the gospel with their touring partners as the Lord leads them. They were bigger initially than Lincoln Park and gave them lots of opportunity to tour with them. They seem like a very suportive bunch of guys I think. They are not perfect and I don't like all their stuff but I do respect them. This is another band that has influenced my son for good. gg

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