Christian wrestling organization offers ‘new beginnings’

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This article was published 14/09/2020 (2086 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man is bringing renewed meaning to the phrase “wrestling with God.”

Louis Hendrickson, a pastor with Hendrickson Traveling Ministries, is behind the Christian National Wrestling Exhibition Alliance, an organization that aims to meld sport and faith by holding a church service before each wrestling show.

“We always have a church service before the show, because we want people to know that’s our main goal — that people get to know their faith, and if they don’t know the Lord, they can come to that church service and maybe if they want they can have an opportunity to get to know the Lord is,” Hendrickson said.

CNWEA hosted its first event at the end of August at the Sudanese Community Centre on Dagmar Street.

Similar to organizations like World Wrestling Entertainment, CNWEA shows follow a script and wrestlers adopt alter egos. For Hendrickson, who plays the “bad guy manager” and goes by the alias Lou E. Dangerously, it’s an opportunity to make a difference.

“I’m a born-again believer, Christian believer in Christ. And I know that it’s a different way to entertain people, the folks, and it’s also a way to attract some youth and adults who might want to change their life,” said Hendrickson, who has more than 15 years of experience in wrestling promotion.

“It doesn’t matter if you have an addiction, whatever you’re dealing with in life, we’re here to try to help you completely change your life 100 per cent and get you to get to know the Lord.”

Hendrickson said he himself previously struggled with addiction and homelessness, before his friend, who was a pastor at Calvary Temple Church, encouraged him to change his life. It was adopting the Christian faith that led him to become 23 years sober today, he said.

“So I got down on my knees and I stopped fighting with God. I said enough’s enough. And I said, I gotta be serious and love the Lord.”

Hendrickson explained the CNWEA is in the process of joining the Christian Wrestling Federation, a Texas-based outreach ministry.

The Christian National Wrestling Exhibition Alliance will host its next show Fri., Oct. 30 at 129 Dagmar St.

“It’s called New Beginnings. It’s going to be a new beginning for some people.”