By Peter Biggs

IT ALL began just three years ago. 'Guitar Church' started with a congregation in Red Deer, Alberta, as a guitar club for teens.

Founder Tom Cameron told CC.com he was surprised when more than 100 signed up for the first session. They came from within a radius of 100 kilometres of Red Deer, and represented all ages and all guitar styles -- from country to hard rock.

"It quickly grew to 130, and so I chose a time the church building would be free -- Saturdays from 10 to noon."

Students pay $150 for 10 weeks of lessons. Each week, the first hour features a 'guest clinician.' These clinicians "are always Christian, and are professional guitarists," said Cameron. All weave their story of faith into the workshop.

Clinicians have included Rick Derringer, writer of 'Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo'; Glenn Kaiser of GKB Band and REZ; Paul Colman of the Newsboys; and Doug Doppler, who laid down many of the tracks used in the popular game Guitar Hero.

During the second hour of each week, students are broken into four groups -- beginner, intermediate, advanced and bass. With upwards of 50 students in each one, the groups have instructors as well as 'coaches' who help individuals.

"Some in the advanced group have forfeited their sessions to stay and help beginners," said Cameron.

The success of Guitar Church and the enthusiasm of participants across such a wide range of ages and cultures is unparalleled.

Economically, it works -- with fees helping to bring in gifted clinicians. Local music stores, impressed with the numbers and success, are happy to donate door prizes and loan equipment.

"I've franchised it, and it's now being run in six churches throughout Alberta," Cameron said.

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While the majority of participants have some kind of Christian connection, around 15 percent come from a non-church background.

Doug Doppler is one of North America's most gifted session guitarists, and enjoys his experience as a clinician at Guitar Church. One of the many things he has done is found in the popular video console game Guitar Hero. He said the game has greatly benefited him.

"I was fortunate enough to have played as a session player on two Guitar Hero games, which was tremendously exciting. The track 'Grind,' off my Favored Nations CD on Steve Vai's label, is about to appear as downloadable content on Rock Band . . . In getting my life right with God, he's opened door after door for his glory, not mine."

Doppler added: "One of the best things about Guitar Church is that it gets people into a church who would normally never go. It's overtly Christian, but never uncomfortable.

"I love it when we as Christians can reach out into the world, and people see that we love many of the same things they love -- but we're living a purpose-driven life. It's a great opportunity to minister by example. How cool is that?"

November 19/2009