Summary

Tonight we take you to a church where the members literally put their life on the line in the name of God. Some call it crazy, some call it TRUE faith. The church is in Kingston, Georgia, about an hours drive south of Chattanooga in Bartow county. Now judge for yourself as these Christians "take up serpents."A small church sits quietly in the countryside. But the Church of Lord Jesus Christ is unlike most... nats of snake soundpeople here worship with snakes!RUNS=:03apxThey dance, sing, and rub the DEADLY serpents on their face knowing if bitten just once ... they could die! 5:52 Carl Porter/Pastor ((''YOU JUST GO PLUM OUT OF IT, LIKE YOU ON ANOTHER DIMENSION.'')) RUNS=:05 Delphia Neitzel/Snake Handler ((''THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE COMPLETELY CONTROLLING MY BODY!'')) RUNS=:05It's a service they say truly tests the worshippers faith.So, why do they do it.... why risk their lives? 4:22 Karen Drew/Reporting ((''THE REASON IS SIMPLE... THE BIBLE. THE SNAKE HANDLERS SAY TO BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN YOU NEED TO FOLLOW EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THE BIBLE, ESPECIALLY MARK 16 VERSE 18.'')) RUNS=:11APX The scripture reads... they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them. 16:58 Luther Chastain/Snake Handler ((''IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN IT YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE BIBLE. ITS IN THE BIBLE PICK UP THE SERPENT.'')) RUNS=:07((''THANK GOD FOR EVER MORE!'')) RUNS=:02 or whatever you want roger!!!Carl Porter is the church's pastor. This retired truck driver has been worshipping with these deadly rattlers for more than twenty years. He says he can't remember how many times he's been bit. His finger is permanently disfigured from a recent attack. 5:08 Carl Porter/Pastor ((''Karen: WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE WHEN IT BITES? CARL: IT HURTS. IT HURTS BAD! Karen: ANY REGRETS WHEN YOU GET BITTEN? CARL: YES, YOU WISH YOU HADN'T DONE IT.'')) RUNS=:11So far one person in the congregation has DIED from a snake bite, but that doesn't stop these handlers. 12:07J.C. Keller/Snake Handler ((''THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAN GET ON YOU WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE A SHIELD COMES ON YOU AND IF SOMEBODY FIRED YOU WITH A GUN IT DON'T FEEL LIKE IT COULD GO THROUGH YOU.'')) RUNS=:08Worshippers believe IF a snake bites you it's because the Lord thought it was the WRONG time to handle the serpent or you're simply paying for your sins. Junior McCormick has been bit ten times. 20:09 Junior McCormick/Snake Handler ((''THAT DON'T HURT, ITS THE POISON THAT'S RUNNING UP AND DOWN YOUR BLOOD VEINS.'')) RUNS=:06Speaking of poison, on this home video you can see the man on the left drinking the snakes venom from a jar.23:52 tape 2 Dumer McElroy/Drinks Snake's Venom ((''JUST LIKE TAKING A DRINK OF COLD WATER, IT DIDN'T HARM ME. I DIDN'T FEEL NOTHING.'')) RUNS=:06But worshipers say they do feel the spirit. RUNS=:02While some speak in tongues, some cry (53:52 tape 3), while others shake at God's presence.There isn't a lot of preaching in the service, mostly handling the snakes, laying of hands, dancing..... (1:06:04 tape 4) and in some cases running!RUNS=:01Worshippers say EVERYONE is welcome. (50:25 tape 3) And everyone includes children! While the children don't actually handle the serpents, some like this four year old imitate in the back of the church with RUBBER snakes. 26:33 Gayle Miller/Brings 4 Year Old To Church ((''Karen: YOU'RE BRINGING A CHILD INTO THIS ENVIRONMENT, DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOOD FOR HIM? Gayle: I KNOW THIS IS GOOD FOR HIM THE BIBLE SAYS BRING THAT CHILD UP IN THE WAY IT SHOULD GO... THIS IS THE WAY.'')) RUNS=:09The way to worship, the way to live, and for these believers, the way to go to heaven.))