Hip-Hop Video From Church Causes Media Phenomenon

Posted Thursday, December 21, 2006

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A slapstick hip-hop video made by Canton Ridge Stone Church has become a major media phenomenon.

The two-minute, 46-second clip of costumed staff members rapping and dancing badly was shown in church to remind members about Christmas Eve services.

Then a member posted it on the popular Web site YouTube last week. More than 20,000 people have watched the clip.

It has been featured in local media, talked up on Christian radio stations and shown on Fox News' "Hannity and Colmes."

"We've spent thousands of dollars marketing our church since starting two years ago," said Pastor Gary Lamb of Ridge Stone Church. "It's funny how something that cost you $50 gets the biggest pump."

Not all the publicity has been positive. Some people have criticized the video as being out of line with Christian values because of the rump shaking and imitation of rap culture.

"If they got offended by a bunch of white rednecks shaking their butts, well then, OK," Lamb said.

He and his staff take the criticism in stride, saying they didn't make it for traditional church members.

The church meets in Canton's Riverstone Cinemas theater and tries to attract people who may be more familiar with pop culture than church doctrine.

Lamb and his staff at the nondenominational, nontraditional church thought up and filmed the video in a couple of hours, scrounging props and outfits from closets and retail party stores.

The Video- www.youtube.com

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