While his peers are drinking and dancing their cares away, Keilan Littleton is in the middle of trying to start a movement.
Still in his twenties – a time when most young men are into nightlife – Littleton is working hard to create a social scene that is conducive to walking in faith.
“A lot of people go out to secular events to gain freedom and leave their troubles behind,” Littleton said. “But I would tell them, ‘Ain’t no high like the most high.’”
Tomorrow night (Friday, May 23), he is working as a part of Visionary Entertainment to present the first installment of a spiritual music summer concert series. The inaugural show will feature national gospel music recording artists Lisa McClendon and JR along with Meaghan Williams. McClendon is a Stellar and Dove award nominee who just released her fourth album entitled REALITY, and St. Louis native JR is one of Cross Movement Records’ rising stars.
“It’s going to be a really great show with some good music,” Littleton said.
“All of them are really talented musicians.”
With talent like McClendon, JR and Williams and the artists that will be included in the shows for the summer, Littleton is confident the series will be a success.
However, his work to give young Christians an alternative to the worldly club scene has been somewhat of an uphill battle.
“I have several friends who promote secular and mainstream events who go to church,” Littleton said. “I asked them why they didn’t come out to our events, and they said that they wanted to keep their religious life separate.”
A couple of years ago, Littleton was a part of Fellowship Friday. The last Friday of every month at different venues, the “tear the club up” music was substituted with uptempo contemporary spiritual tunes and the events were alcohol-free.
The formula perfectly catered to many young people of the church who complain there is no place for them to hang out without being subjected to the temptations that are presented – even advertised – on the regular club circuit. Month after month, crowds failed to take advantage of what they said they wanted and needed. The series was cancelled because of poor attendance.
“People hear faith-based social events and they think it’s corny,” Littleton said. “And we don’t have sex, and we don’t have alcohol.”
But Littleton and Visionary are moving ahead and pressing forward – despite popular misconceptions about faith-based social events and activities.
“At the end of the day, it’s ministry,” Littleton said. “Jesus didn’t get the results he wanted at first.”
“Our goal is to make it cool to be a Christian – to be creative in promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Visionary Entertainment will present Lisa McClendon, featuring JR and Meaghan Williams, at 8 p.m. Friday, May 23 at the Missouri History Museum (Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park). Call (314) 667-9409. Advanced tickets are on sale via Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com.