By Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

A group of young acts perform at Summer Cool Out, held at Gospel Place, Barron's Plaza, Eastwood Park Road on Saturday, September 16. - Winston Sill

Going to a nightclub these days is not limited to Asylum or The Quad. Instead, some Christians have found a way to spice up their weekends on the social scene.

And it's not at secular clubs. Instead, they meet and greet in a Christian setting. According to Marshall Redwood, one of the persons behind the idea of a nightclub which plays exclusively gospel music, Christians have a place to meet and greet others with similar beliefs and mindset. So, on a Friday night between 7:00 p.m. and midnight, at the New Kingston Shopping Centre, it's a show of the latest dance moves to the rhythm of some of the main gospel hits.

Church, then what?

"We find that young Christians didn't have anywhere to go on Fridays. They would go to work and then go back home then go church on Sunday. That is not a balanced life," said Marshall Redwood, owner of Praise House in New Kingston.

Young Christians are now some of the best dancers of the 'Willie Bounce'. "We don't do the one that show their women places. It is not about the flesh but about glorifying God," Redwood said.

But another former club owner, Jermaine Edwards, does not think that the secular moves should be done in the gospel night-clubs. "Why would we need to follow the world?" he asked. "We don't need to sing on secular rhythm, we are more creative than that."

Edwards was once the owner of Club Christendom that, according to him, tried to find the balance with more worship, discussion on sexuality and masturbation. This created an environment in which Christ could be presented in the most relaxed form. "My father is a bishop. I cannot send a bad image out there. Me and the other club owners are friends and I am not trying to disrespect, but that's just me," Edwards said.

But Redwood said a few of the dance moves began in the church but were not given names. "We do it for the enjoyment of it, not because the world is doing it. It is providing an alternative. We don't have to encounter with the fighting and the bad words," Redwood said. "We have to facilitate the people. Everybody needs the Word."

And in addition to other recognisable dances, Praise House has created its own dance which the guests perform each week. A typical night at the club opens and ends with prayer. Other activities include a greet-and-meet session, live performances and sound system music.

The next main event on the gospel calendar will be the bi-monthly Jesus Party scheduled for Friday at the Scotia Link in Liguanea. Promoter Danny Brownie is confident that this will send a strong and positive message to young Christians. "The fact is, young Christians are going to Passa Passa and Weddy Weddy. This is giving them something to do," Brownie said.

Jesus Party is dominated by recorded music from a huge sound system with occasional live performances. Brownie is not bothered by the criticism he gets from sceptics as he said he is doing "the Lord's work."