New England Revival Coffeehouse
Christian-inspired entertainment has a home in Manchester
By Holly Bedard
Editor

The Team Ministries cast steps out for a bow: Mike Neeland, John Bonnett, Nancy Hume, Amanda Bedore, Erica Blattenberger and Jeff Imbody. Not shown is their director, Vin Rideout.
(Karen Braynard)

Every first and third Friday of the month, the sanctuary of the Calvary Fellowship Church in Manchester gets transformed. The pulpit is moved aside, a stage is put in and a concert-esque atmosphere emerges to fill the rows of pews before it.

What follows is a night of family- and wallet-friendly entertainment at the New England Revival Coffeehouse, which hosts Christian-inspired music from a variety of artists.

Musicians Jim and Dave West got the coffeehouse started, and now more than five years later, the events are still going strong. Newcomer Doug MacCormack, who works to promote these events, said it’s important to keep programs like this going.

“There’s so much stuff on TV, in the theaters, that is unholy, unclean, profane. We’re bombarded with it every day. We become numb to it,” he said. “There are virtually no places other than our own churches that people can go to get away from the world.”

The coffeehouse usually consists of folk-type music. MacCormack said sometimes they host just a person and an acoustic guitar; other times it is an entire band. Either way, he aims to keep the performances light and religious, while still drawing in the general public.

“There’s a gray area with how the public perceives Christian music. We’re hoping to change that,” he said. “We want to narrow that line, yet still remain true to our principles.”

All bands are Christians. That’s a prerequisite, MacCormack said.

“We view them as ministers, ministering to us,” he said. “It’s important that they have a godly intent and knowledge of The Bible, and that the music and message hold up to the scrutiny of biblical principles.”

And since the artists are viewed as ministers, there is never a charge for admission. The show, coffee and refreshments are always free.

The musicians must be religious, but that doesn’t mean the audience has to be. MacCormack said the atmosphere is friendly, not pushy.

“If you come, we’re not going to beat you over the head with a Bible,” he said. “We love to have people come and accept the Lord, but we leave it to the Holy Spirit for them to be moved by the spirit. They’re either ready for it or not.”

MacCormack said the people who come to the shows are very enthusiastic. A crowd of 50 to 60 would be a good one, but it’s not always an issue of how many people are there.

“If they are there, they were led there and they are supposed to be there,” he said. “That’s what the Lord wants.”

While many people come to enjoy the music, MacCormack said NERCH is starting to branch out into other genres. Last Friday, the coffeehouse presented Team Ministries, a Massachusetts-based touring Christian drama ministry. MacCormack said the group had gotten in touch with him, and he decided to give it a shot.

MacCormack said he would also like to reserve a few shows specifically for Manchester-area church ministries to provide another avenue for their youth plays, music ministries and other presentations. This could give a wider audience than what would otherwise be limited to their own parish.

What MacCormack really wants to see is more local acts. He encourages Manchester artists, youth ministries and anyone who feels they may have something to present to approach him about coming to perform at the coffeehouse.

“I would like to create a sense that NERCH is a resource that is part of their community,” MacCormack said. “With so much bombardment from morally questionable entertainment resources in the world, NERCH is a family-safe, wholesome alternative to ‘worldly media’ and a cheap night out.”