WOKING, SURREY:

The Rev Hatfield busy spreading the word photo taken by Richard Thomas

Reading the nation's paper headlines, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the nation considers Clubbing as a hedonistic and immoral lifestyle option. But in a small corner of Surrey, the Rave Generation has been receiving support from a surprising quarter - a Christian Youth Center, the Woking division of "The House of God".

House of God Chaplain Rev Simon Hatfield explains: "We want to reach out to young people today and show them Gods love for them. As clubbing's popularity grows, we intend to use dance as a vehicle to allow Jesus into people's hearts."

The House of God, a Christian Youth Force movement formed through a local Bible workshop early last year, aims to promote Christianity throughout clubs and raves countrywide. "The friendliness, energy, and loved-up nature of raves has been a perfect atmosphere to spread the word of Jesus our Lord," said Hatfield. "House and Trance Music is a gift from God. By listening to house music, we feel you can be in Gods house, hence we formed the House of God."

"After all, the Bible itself says we should dance to House music," said Hatfield. "Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing."

Rev Hatfield with a newly converted clubber photo taken by Richard Thomas

House of God team leader Luke Wilson, 18, explains his role "I grew up feeling a spiritual vacuum in my heart. Then I discovered clubbing, and it was on a night out, right under the lasers during the breakdown to "For an Angel" that I saw my first vision. It was God. At that moment I knew it was my duty to spread the love of Jesus. I'm a raver for good…I'm Raving for Jesus."

"Ravers for Jesus", the front arm of Rev Hatfield's movement, aim to make their presence felt throughout high-profile rave festivals and dance events nationwide. By taking part, dancing, and flyering their bible study workshops, they hope to encourage more young people to join their ranks and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

"We've been all across the country, to some right banging nights," said Wilson. "And we find the love of Jesus spreading wherever we go. And a rave is the perfect place for people to open their hearts and let the truth in. Even down to simple acts like sharing your water bottle with a stranger." According to Wilson, this is exactly the sort of generosity that Jesus himself would exhibit were he at a rave. "Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink."

One of Hatfield’s team in action

Ravers for Jesus consider themselves multi-denominational in a musical sense, attending drum and bass, trance, funky house, speed garage, jungle, and techno nights. But it's the hard house clubs that draw most of their attention. "We know that Jesus would be into the hard dance stuff," claims Wilson. "Ezekiel 3:5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of a hard language but to the house of Israel."

Mainstream Christian leaders have been quick to condemn Ravers for Jesus, claiming the drug use prevalent in raves was incompatible with God's message, a claim that was angrily denied by Hatfield "Job 21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance" he said. "I think the message is pretty clear. I mean 'little ones'? That is an obvious reference in itself. They take their little ones, and then they dance. Think about it."