Brian Welch baptized
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:28 am
KIBBUTZ KINNERET, Israel (March 6) - Ex-metal guitarist Brian "Head" Welch was baptized Saturday in the Jordan river, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock-and-roll lifestyle for religion.
Welch, a founding member of the multi-platinum metal band Korn, joined some 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a Bakersfield, California, church who were immersed by their pastor, Ron Vietti, in the cool, gray waters near the shore.
Despite saying he was there to be "dunked in the water," Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. "You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people," he said.
Wearing a silver cross necklace and earring, Welch, with "Matthew 11:28," tattooed prominently across his neck in reference to a Bible verse stood out from his fellow pilgrims.
Pastor Vietti said Welch, who also has "Jesus" tattooed across his knuckles, is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.
"Because music is such a big thing in the world, Brian has natural avenue for sending a message. In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they're so inspired by his story... They think there's fire in him," Vietti said.
Welch is one of thousands of pilgrims baptized annually in the revered river. According to Biblical tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Baptism is a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water to admit and purify a new or rededicated Christian
After 13 years with the band - and the rock-and-roll lifestyle - Welch said he has become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years. The band announced his resignation Feb. 22.
"Everything that people think a rock band sees and goes through, multiply that by 10," Welch said. "The drugs and everything you can imagine, I've got to get rid of it, man. It wasn't me."
Welch said he has finally ended a dependency on methamphetamines and other drugs. He said he had been ready to give up on life after several addiction treatment programs did not help him, until turning his life to God allowed him to quit.
Welch said he has been angry for more than two years and that it has negatively affected everyone close to him. "My managers at Korn, I've been tormenting them for the last couple of months," he explained. "They thought I was mad at them but I'm not. It's something inside me spiritually that needs to be fixed."
Welch said he plans to release music and help kids. "My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He's going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be."
Korn's self-titled 1994 debut was heralded for its haunting, edgy songs. Music critics and fans attributed much of Korn's unique sound to Welch and fellow guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer. During the 1990's, the group climbed to the top ten of almost every alternative/rock station in the U.S. and Europe.
Their sixth and final album with Welch, "Take a Look in the Mirror," was released in 2003.
-- Associated Press writer Kristen Stevens in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Welch, a founding member of the multi-platinum metal band Korn, joined some 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a Bakersfield, California, church who were immersed by their pastor, Ron Vietti, in the cool, gray waters near the shore.
Despite saying he was there to be "dunked in the water," Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. "You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people," he said.
Wearing a silver cross necklace and earring, Welch, with "Matthew 11:28," tattooed prominently across his neck in reference to a Bible verse stood out from his fellow pilgrims.
Pastor Vietti said Welch, who also has "Jesus" tattooed across his knuckles, is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.
"Because music is such a big thing in the world, Brian has natural avenue for sending a message. In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they're so inspired by his story... They think there's fire in him," Vietti said.
Welch is one of thousands of pilgrims baptized annually in the revered river. According to Biblical tradition, John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. Baptism is a Christian sacrament marked by ritual use of water to admit and purify a new or rededicated Christian
After 13 years with the band - and the rock-and-roll lifestyle - Welch said he has become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years. The band announced his resignation Feb. 22.
"Everything that people think a rock band sees and goes through, multiply that by 10," Welch said. "The drugs and everything you can imagine, I've got to get rid of it, man. It wasn't me."
Welch said he has finally ended a dependency on methamphetamines and other drugs. He said he had been ready to give up on life after several addiction treatment programs did not help him, until turning his life to God allowed him to quit.
Welch said he has been angry for more than two years and that it has negatively affected everyone close to him. "My managers at Korn, I've been tormenting them for the last couple of months," he explained. "They thought I was mad at them but I'm not. It's something inside me spiritually that needs to be fixed."
Welch said he plans to release music and help kids. "My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He's going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be."
Korn's self-titled 1994 debut was heralded for its haunting, edgy songs. Music critics and fans attributed much of Korn's unique sound to Welch and fellow guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer. During the 1990's, the group climbed to the top ten of almost every alternative/rock station in the U.S. and Europe.
Their sixth and final album with Welch, "Take a Look in the Mirror," was released in 2003.
-- Associated Press writer Kristen Stevens in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
