Head to Christ
The Associated Press reports that Brian “Head” Welch, former Korn guitarist and founding member of the multi-platinum band, was baptised on March 5 in the Jordan River, near the Kibbutz Kinneret in northern Israel, just weeks after quitting his band, drug habits and rock and roll lifestyle for religion.
Welch and about 20 other white-robed Christian pilgrims from a church in Bakersfield, California, were immersed by their pastor Ron Vietti in the Jordan River where, according to Biblical history, Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.
Welch said the ritual baptism had washed away his anger. “You know when you get angry and it builds up? I felt like hurting someone before, now I feel like hugging people,” he said.
Vietti said Welch, who has “Jesus” tattooed across his knuckles and “Matthew 11:28,” tattooed prominently across his neck, is already attracting a new group of young people to the message of Christianity.
“In recent weeks people have committed their lives to God because they’re so inspired by his story. ” Vietti said.
Korn announced Welch’s resignation in February 2005 after 13 years with the band. Welch said he had become increasingly depressed and drug-addicted in recent years, but that religion helped him quit. He also said he plans to release more music without the band.
“My songs are God saying things to me, him talking to people. He’s going to use me to heal people and people are going to be drawn to it, just watch, they will be,” he said.
A statement published on the offical site reads:
“Korn respects Brian’s wishes and hope he finds the happiness he is searching for. Jonathan, Fieldy, James and David are personally closer than ever, and are currently in the studio working on their 8th record.”
However a news article posted March 5 on Blabbermouth.net claims Korn frontman Jonathon Davis allegedly posted the following contrary message on his site:
“Well, the writing [for the new album] is almost done.
“I have been having fun watching my ex-guitar player [Brian ‘Head’ Welch] bash us. What can I say but good luck, bro. I’m done with your false crusade. KORN will keep ‘polluting’ the world as long as we have fans.”
That particular post was nowhere to be found when I went to BSC on March 7 to validate the claim, but a recent post by Davis stated the band have been busy working on the new album, with 13 songs already at demo stage and Dallas Austin selected as producer.
The new record is due to be released this September.
Incidentally, two Bakersfield radio DJs were were given their final checks after they used this (rather amusing) catch phrase on air: “Korn Gave Head to God”. The phrase began appearing online following announcements of Welch’s departure from the band, and you could even get the T-shirt, albeit briefly.
Comment on "Head to Christ"
User Comments:
Shannon on May 21, 2009
Sad. I just read that book last night, was looking for the site, have some things I need to "Cry" about. I know you know, Brian. I'm hoping you see this. I finished your book last noght. The last 30 pages were difficult for me, needless to say...it took me two months to get through those last 30 pages, and then it dawned on me......I felt like the Devil was in me, a little. I couldn't read it, lost my interest very quickly. Finally, Last night I dicovered that I should have read that long ago. You see, I lost mt son, kale, at the age of 9. He was one of 4 studsents that were killed on a bus that carried.....only 4 children. The bus driver survives, but with impairments. Please look for him. His name is Kale Elijah Alexander Seabolt....please. He is a legend. My beloved son. I think that today was kind of like the first day of the rest of my life. I know that you can only control your own attitudes and actions,. and unfortuntely, not those of others. I really need to practice spiritual principles. I need to better dicipline myself. My name is Shannon, and I am also an addict. I have been clean off of Methamphetamine since January 16th of 2006. I wish we could speak. I want to pour mt guts out to you, because you have been through a personal hell of your own. I'm going to look up the scriptures, as written in your book, and I am looking forward to it. You have reached at least one person . . . and that's me. Thanks for helping me purse the words, saying that prayer....tears welled up in my eyes and I silently found sleep admist the chaos inside my head. I want to keep going. I want to tell you how different my day was, not feeling so mundane. I'm on one of thise perks. I think I'll be white knuckling it for awhile, butI can find strength. Thanks again.
Shannon Marie Whitmore
smemrich@yahoo.com
Kevin on June 04, 2009
I saw your "I am second" piece and was floored. I grew up in a pentecostal family but fell into the trap of drugs at about 26. I started use meth at about 32. It nearly took everything from me. My soul was crying to be restored but "I had it under control". God delivered my from my addiction 6/6/06 and like you am blessed to be clean. My wife has struggled until recently but has now realized all things covered by the blood have no power over us. I found some of your music and really appreciate the sound and good solid lyrics. I'm troubled by your "Flush" video and some of the content. The two girls in the video seem to follow in a more secular themed style of dress and action. I'm not suggesting they wear ankle dresses but some people will see the video and believe that behavior is something you approve of. John 17:15-19 is a prayer Jesus made for his disciples asking for us to be protected from the "evil one" and that "we are not of this world". Romans 12:1-2 states "to offer our bodies as living sacrifices" and to not be conformed but transformed". As you profess your faith some people will first look to you then to Christ. You have an awesome responsibilty be careful with it. Listen carefully to the Holy Spirit for discernment in every think that now has your handprint on it. Remember, if you only occasionaly take a step out of God's will that one step may be all someone sees. God bless you. Always move forward in Christ he already has our ending written.
Kevin-follow up to 6/4/09 on June 05, 2009
Didn't want anyone to thing I was close minded. Here's my e-mail if anyone wants to talk about my comment. posted 6/5/09
kevinacre@hotmail.com
joe on June 08, 2009
everybody has a right to beleive in what they will and nobody can judge you about it. and for those of you that think you can are retarded and selfish. I hope everybody does well for themselves and maybe "head" will join back in the band and everybody can get along
Shari on June 18, 2009
Brian I just finished reading your book. Thank you for writing it, I was blessed, encouraged, and reminded of how God changed my life too. Its funny, I read in there that your spiritual birthday was Jan 2005. Funny because God was doing a lot of similar stuff in my life at about that time; I'd consider my spiritual birthday Dec 2004. I remember driving in my car some months after that and hearing on the radio that you had left korn and started following Jesus, and I was so happy and filled with joy for you at that time, because as a teenager I used to listen to a lot of Korn; it was so cool to see what God can and does do.
Your struggles and the things you learned from God really encouraged me, I was able to identify. Thank you for reminding me how amazing God is.
Ronald Ferrolino on July 25, 2009
Head, thank you so much for revealing your soul to the rest of the world. Yeah, you're right, being a christian is not the mountain top of our journey, actually it's the beginning of a new life. there will be bumps for sure. but having Jesus in our lives would push us to dust off our knees and walk on the path He has commanded us to go.I still have my struggles as of late, I still have some relapses of ungodly thoughts and deeds but I push myself to respond to the challenge and to declare a war against the enemy.I wish I could talk to you Head. More power.
Your no. 1 in the Philippines, Ronald Ferrolino
r_ferrolino@yahoo.com
La Quita on July 28, 2009
"Save me from myself" is a Must read for anyone who has been living in hell and is looking for the exit door.I loved his honesty. Thank you Brian for sharing this awe inspiring miracle. May God continue to bless you and Jennea and hold you both in the palm of his hand.
Darnell Fayard Sheffield on July 30, 2009
Brian, I followed Korn's music career somewhat loosly. For quite a few years I worked with "big rock stars" quite a bit. I worked at our coast coliseum.So I had this mentality of they were all alike. And when I heard about you getting saved, I brushed it of as another rocker getting "jailhouse" religion. I came across your book by what I thought was accident. Took it home and let it sit. My mom and sister read it and were encouraging me to read it. It sat on my bedside table until one night during a depression mode, I picked it up, feeling drawn to it. I grew up in an Assembly of God church where I have been continuously let down. I just finished your book with tears of joy and a light heart it has inspired and touched me to deal with my own demonsn which include all of yours minus the meth. I prayed the pray, and intend to get back in the saddle. I'm an author and have decided to change my writing up a bit. Your I love the way you kept the book REAL! I was expecting an over edited dialogue with no heart. Boy did you prove me wrong.I praise God for using you as a vessel to inspire myself to get back on track for my four sons and my husband. And thank you for allowing God to work through you in your writing and your book. Absolutly Amazing! Thamk you and Bless you and Jennea! Darnell Fayard Sheffield. imasouthernbell@gmail.com
June Marie on August 04, 2009
Brian: Thanks for sharing your story. It is inspiring to all not just former addicts. I have been on a journey of getting to know God and all that HE means for about a year and 1/2 I truly relate to a lot of what you wrote. I hope you continue to reach out to people and inspire people towards a better life.
Jack on August 06, 2009
Brian, I just found out today that you had accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior. I was a pretty big Korn fan during college, so I know the lyrical background you come from.
I was raised in a Christian home, although my parents divorced when I was 6. I even accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 12, but was raised in a (what I like to call) performance based houshold. The only thing I was ever good at was football. When I played it was the only time I felt approval from my dad and family. Any other time it just seemed like I could never get it right. When I went into college I went wild smoking weed, drinking, and fell away from God big time (which is when I started listening and following Korn). I had a lot of anger and I think the heavier music allowed me to get some of that out. After college I started the path back to a relationship with Christ. I remember at that point that I decided I couldn't listen to Korn anymore because of what the lyrics glamourized. I was bummed though because I thought you guys were such incredibly talents musicians and I loved the sound. Funny things is I can remember saying to myself, "man, if only these guys would come to know Jesus, and then they could use their talents for Him. That would be awesome!". In recent years God has really opened my eyes to what this life is all about. Although I was raised in the Church, I hadn't really gotten it. God opened up my eyes that this life is about Him. That we were created by Him and for Him. However, this last year Jesus was really dealing with my heart. I had read the bible all the way through and was feeling pretty confident about my walk and who I was as a Christian. But what God has shown me is that it's about love!! Loving Him, and loving the people He has created. But about six months ago I feel back into smoking again. It completly distracted me from my relationship with Christ and I found myself not spending anytime with Him or for Him. Then I started to realize that something was wrong. I couldn't understand why I kept stumbling. I had prayed for deliverance, but I kept stumbling. It wasn't until 4 days ago that I finally got what God had been trying to tell me. I realized that I hadn't fully accepted Christ's love for me. I wasn't allowing myself to fully believe that He could love a person like me. Someone who has done a lot of bad things. Someone who was raised in the Church, someone who knows the truth but would still stumble and leave God behind. Even the bible says that it will be worse for those who know the truth and don't do it than those who don't know the truth at all. For my whole life I had been programmed that I HAD to live for Jesus, that I HAD to live a certain way, that I HAD to follow how the bible said we should live. I was living a Christian life (or trying to) because I thought I HAD TO. But what Jesus showed me is that I don't have to, if I love Him, I should want to. I should follow Him because I love Him. He also showed me that there is a difference between loving people and loving people sincerely. And I haven't been loving people sincerely. Today I sat and watched your I Am Second video and....WOW, i mean WOW. God used you bro to remind me and teach me how much He loves me, and that we are here to love Him and to love & serve the people He has created. I watched as you talked about the prayer you spoke saying, "take these drugs from me God, I don't want them." I've also said that prayer, but it wasn't until today, watching you talk about what Christ has done for you, that I got it. WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY PRECIOUS TO HIM. He does deserve our love and devotion. You've really encouraged me to live for Him, and not because I've got to or because some preacher told me I've got to, but because I LOVE Him and I want to. I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW POWERFUL YOUR WITNESS IS!!! God is going to use you to do some awesome things, heck He already is! Keep moving forward with the Lord my friend. It's going to be super cool rockin out with you in eternity! I hope to me you before this life is over though! I can't stress enough what a tremendous blessing you have been to me today and I know God used you today to change me forever!
One more thing, I just want to encourage you to go to Jesus before doing anything. i.e. life decisions, writing songs, making videos, etc. And be ready for war because the enemy won't let you go easily! he'll use whoever and whatever he can to try and pull you back. I love ya, God bless you and your family! I'm looking forward to picking up your new music!
cody shannon on August 20, 2009
hey i've been struggling for the past year and half with and addiction to pornography and have been set free from it this week. i've been a "christian" all my life but this summer was a deffinate eye opener for me. when i saw your face on an "i am second" bilboard i knew i had to check it out so i watched your video and couldn't stop. i showed everybody i emailed a link to it to my youth pastor and the next night he used it in his sermon. and i would love to talk to you about what God has done in my life. if you're on facebook i'll try and find you or you can email me but i would love to share my testimony with you. thank you for writing you're book you're a great inspiration. God bless.
juiceboxhero11@yahoo.com
jean-pierre on September 15, 2009
Brian,
I recently heard that you wantend to re- join Korn, but apparently Korn refused to get you back in, for now. Brother,be careful with the decisions you want to make.I don't wanna impose my advice to you, but only remember your past...you know, our Lord is the best in giving advices. You should listen to Him. The Bible says : don't count on your own wisdom, but on the Lord's wisdom.
Bless you.
