Pentecostal Preacher Talks About Drugs, Rock ‘N’ Roll
Looking at Rick Mayo today, one wouldn’t know that the clean-cut Valley preacher had spent eight years as a rock guitarist in a heavy metal band.
But, that’s exactly what Mayo was doing during the late 1970s and early ‘80s. He’ll share his story next week at a special series of services at his church, Cornerstone Pentecostal at 14214 E. Sprague. The church is located in Regency Square near Sta-Fit Racquet and Athletic Club.
Mayo played in a San Francisco-based band called Road Runner. He came home one night - a night like many before it - after partying with cocaine and alcohol. This time was different, though. Mayo had enough of that life.
“I came into my apartment and I was just sick,” he said. “A lot of people doing drugs and alcohol aren’t doing it because they like the sensation. They’re doing it because it’s the only thing they know. I didn’t have the inner strength to get the hook out of me.”
Not knowing a different way of living led him to think the only way to escape his life was to end it.
“I just couldn’t take it anymore. I started turning over furniture, I went on a rampage. I had a lot anger and hatred toward myself and everybody else. I grabbed a jump rope and decided to hang myself.”
He went in his bathroom and locked the door. Instead of using the rope to end it all, he collapsed on the floor in sobs.
“I got down on the Linoleum and started weeping and crying out for God,” he said.
Five months later, his brother invited him to attend a local church. At first, Mayo didn’t know if he fit in. He didn’t just live the life of a clubcircuit rock guitarist - he looked it. With bleached-white hair flowing halfway down his back, he stood out.
“It was like David Lee Roth showing up on the set of ‘Little House on the Prairie,”’ he said.
To his surprise, the people accepted him. On his third visit, he decided to become a Christian himself. After that day, he traded in his six-string for a Bible.
“There was a complete change,” he said. “I saw (my lifestyle) for what it was. It was shallow … and hedonistic.”
Five years later, he became an evangelist. After traveling the country telling his story, he settled here. He started Cornerstone 10 months ago.
“(Starting over) was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said.
He will preach at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, at 6:30 p.m. next Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. next Sunday.
Recording artists The Terry Willbanks Singers will also perform next Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, call 891-5635.
Theologian at Christ Lutheran
Dr. Jerry Schmalenberger, the president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, speaks today at Christ Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway.
Schmalenberger’s message will be “Renewal in the Lutheran Church.” His message is part of the Spring Assembly of the Spokane Valley Cluster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The conference last from 8:30 a.m. until noon.
Schmalenberger is the author of “Plain Thoughts on Parish Ministry.” A new book, “Invitation to Discipleship,” is scheduled for release next month.
The conference will also feature workshops sponsored by the Promise Keepers mens group, Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran Social Services, Camp Lutherhaven and Social Ministry Concerns.
For more information, call 928-7733.