I recently had the honor of being invited to be the guest speaker at NCS Winston-Salem. Our brudders down South seem gentile, but don't be fooled.
I had been looking forward to experiencing a gathering of what has become the "poster child" chapter for "faithful presence". The brudders of NCS Winston-Salem have been engaging their community for some time--coming together to support each other's passions much like the Clapham Circle supported Wilberforce. The energy was rising rapidly as 175 men filled "the Lodge" for their weekly Friday meeting (they also have a Tuesday evening meeting for men in transition). After a few little fried chicken sandwiches (yes, this was a breakfast meeting), I was feeling more relaxed for my talk.
That was when a very large man (Kalim) with a shaved head walked to the microphone carrying a shotgun. Visions of Confederate revenge began running through my head, and I began wondering whether my "last meal" was really going to be those Chick-Fil-A mini chicken sandwiches (I had always imagined a big juicy steak with fries and an iceberg wedge smothered in blue cheese dressing). Would they really go this far--after all, I was a Yankee, but it's not like I went to Duke.
Thankfully, it was a special presentation by the brudders to Jay Helvey--something about wishing they had the gun when some double-Duke graduate spoke. If you don't believe me, check out the pictures, and if you are in Winston-Salem on a Friday morning, be sure to check out the Lodge (and try to talk like a native).
