(NewsNation) — A nightclub in Nashville, Tennesee, is aiming to change the way young people worship by creating an alternative to traditional nightlife, one that centers on preaching Christian gospel.
The Cove is an 18-plus pop-up club with three rules: No drinking, no smoking and no twerking. The club also features all Christian music.
Jonathan Diggs, a co-founder of The Cove, joined “NewsNation Now” to share the vision behind the Christian nightclub. He said it is about creating a community for like-minded people.
“A lot of churches don’t necessarily have programs implemented for our audience. It’s typically a young adults ministry, such as high school or college, and then from there, once you’ve graduated, it’s jumping into the marriage ministry or the single’s ministry, which can propel you into the marriage ministry,” Diggs told NewsNation.
“So for us, it’s all about finding a place of community and belonging for those that are looking to just enjoy being around other like-minded individuals that love to serve God,” he added.
Diggs is one of seven young Black men who founded the club. The group leveraged the power of social media to grow its community and promote the nightclub’s events.
“It’s not just coming to a place where you’re getting fed, from an amusement standpoint, but we also get fed from a spiritual standpoint. So it’s all about letting people know that you’re not alone. And that this is what life can look like as a believer, it doesn’t have to look like being afraid of going out to have fun. It doesn’t have to be boring,” Diggs said.
Diggs says they have received pushback from both believers and nonbelievers, but the group remains committed to its vision.