Left to Right: Maranatha Concerts Live album, Keith Green, Greg Laurie, Sweet Comfort
My Real Memoir
Mark Twain didn’t say, “The two most important days of your life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why.” But someone did, and it was true for me. I can’t pinpoint the day it happened, but I can pinpoint the day I admitted it.
My atheist girlfriend Dinah and I had just finished watching the conclusion to the landmark miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. Two months had passed since I told her about my desire to follow Jesus. She’d graciously forgiven that indiscretion. But then I’d gone and secretly attended an Easter morning church service. And now I dropped an even bigger bomb: “Di, I think I’m gonna have to go public.” What? Why?
Because two days hence, I’d be holding auditions for Godspell, the musical theatre production I finally felt prepared to direct. I was passionate about telling the story that had come to mean more to me than any other. There was simply no way I’d be able to hide that passion from my actors. And so…
Following the final audition, I told my remarkably talented cast how I felt. They exploded into applause. And when I said, “Let’s burn a hole our audience’s hearts!” they pumped their fists. Still, my confession wasn’t all that public.
Yet.
I’d watched my generation’s youth revival from the sidelines. I’d seen the “God Squad” hand out Four Spiritual Laws tracts at love-ins, identifying the missing heart of the flower child movement. And I’d watched the ones who responded turn into joyful “Jesus Freaks.”
And now those shaggy, idealistic neophytes, not conventional churchgoers, were the ones I identified with. Like me, they’d discovered a smiling, openhearted Jesus who could care less whether they cut their hair or dressed “appropriately.”
There was at least one place where I knew we were welcome. Where bare feet were allowed even though they stained the carpet. Where laughing and singing with wild abandon was actually encouraged. It was the epicenter of the “Jesus Revolution.”
And so, on Saturday, April 16, 1977, I walked into Calvary Chapel’s Saturday Night Maranatha Concert. It wasn’t the first time I’d been there, but it was the first time I’d gone in. I didn’t expect to know anyone. Yet almost immediately, I spotted Paul, a tall, mellifluous-voiced Englishman and fellow actor from my university. We grinned guiltily, pointed at one another, and said, “You too?” Like me, Paul had decided it was time to come out of hiding.
I expected the music to be earnestly amateurish like the little sanctified hippie band I’d been tricked into seeing at a homemade revival years earlier. Instead, there were two world-class musical acts. The jazz-rock band Sweet Comfort had just released their groundbreaking first album. And icon-in-the-making Keith Green’s first album would be released the following month. Each had left burgeoning secular careers to make “Jesus Music.” I had no idea that, in the coming years, I’d become friends with all of them.
In response to youth preacher Greg Laurie’s brief but bracing message, Paul and I went forward and made a public profession of our newborn faith. Little did we know that the following week at our university some exquisite poop…
Would hit the fan.
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
Ah…Keith Green. One of my first live concerts.
How cool, Kelley. Keith was phenomenal in concert.
Yes, he was. I still listen to him every now and then.
We saw Keith at what turned out to be close to the end at Creation in 80 or 81. We always loved his ministry, and thought he would be around for our whole lives. But God’s plans were so painfully different and yet we know they are always for the best. Thanks for bringing back precious memories.
81 is when colby’s clubhouse & nannybird premiered
My privilege, Pete.
Btw, did you happen to see Isaac Air Freight at Creation ’80? I was with them at that time.
I’ve been playing guitar in our church praise band for almost a year now. I am the oldest old fart on stage by decades, but the young musicians accept me for my knowledge and my rock n’ roll resume. I must say, it is praise music, but darn, it rocks out at times, and I find myself once again young, and back on stage in the 60s, but this time with Jesus leading my fingers and my heart.
Rock on for the Rock, Phil❣
Mitch, maybe it’s my age, (76), but I’ve found a revived joy in playing my guitars again, something I lost during my rock n rolling days. Of course, I’ve always enjoyed country chicken picken and incorporate that into my praise music.
Being a “Piano Banger” (church lady’s least favorite teen) I remember the fallout when I played “You Put This Love In My Heart” for offertory. I cried when Keith died.
Me too, Gary. And I think “You Put This Love in My Heart” would make a great offertory song!
True…it’s timeless
I heard Pastor Greg Laurie speak a promise keepers event years ago, I still remember the message, nice post
Thanks, L.G. Yep, Greg’s still out there leading the charge.
Oh Mitch…I’m so hooked on this, dear friend. When I was awake last night, I watched Alisa Childer’s video tribute to her Dad, Chuck Gerard. I’ve been following her for quite some time. I’m a huge fan of Keith Green, too. When I saw the movie, Jesus Revolution, I pictured myself there knowing good and well I would’ve been that hippie bare-foot girl that came “out”. It doesn’t surprise me you’re friends with all of them. I wish I had the time to soak in every link here, dear friend. You’re such an inspiration to me and so many others!
And now,…we await the flying poop. But thank goodness for your public confession of your baby faith. That’s where we all start and what a time to be a baby Christian!!
I don’t doubt for a second you’d have been right there in the front row, Bible in hand, rockin’ for Jesus along with Keith, Chuck Girard and Love Song, and all the others, dear Karla❣
colby’s clubhouse, nannybird, psalty, charlie cherub, etc are from maranatha
What an exciting read; your life script has been a wonderful mix. Go you!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you’re posting these memoir pieces. These are great stories that need to be told. Thanks for sharing your faith journey. Blessing.
My privilege, Chris. And thank you for the words of encouragement.
I can’t wait for the next chapter and see how you navigate life after the public declaration.
Great story and testimony well presented, Mitch! About that same time (April 1977), I saw Keith Green at a coffeehouse in Fresno; and Karen Lafferty was at the college I attended sometime that Spring, too. But… we had already seen her a few years earlier in Albuquerque with a group called Blessed Hope. My heart and soul resonate with your story, Brother.
Aw, bless you, my brother. I met Keith that same month, but didn’t get to know him until a few years later. Likewise Karen. Two great servants.
What makes this segment of your memoir so captivating is the weeks upon weeks of build up as your story unfolded. And, I thought, just when is this man going to accept and proclaim Jesus as his Lord and Savior?! 🙂
It was a long convoluted journey to be sure, Nancy. 🧡
Fascinating how our journeys go–it’s quite an adventure, living with JESUS!! Blessings to you, abundant ones!
🧡
I can relate.
Bring it!
Pingback: On Being Awake in the Dark - Mitch Teemley
Pingback: When the Spell Suddenly Breaks - Mitch Teemley
Pingback: Two Spirits Sharing a Human Experience - Mitch Teemley