“Christians will tell you that in life you struggle with things, you struggle with your faith. And when you’re faced with a really difficult trial, how do you see God and how do you keep the faith? (…) I really think that wrestling gives us the opportunity to tell these stories,” explains the 37-year-old father to the British daily.
The reverend loves “the show”
Since the first performance three years ago at Fountains Church, Bradford, the association has come a long way. She organized around ten fights and accompanied more than 30 people in their baptism ceremonies. Not all churches are receptive to the idea of hosting such events, but some are ready to rely on wrestling to attract a new audience, at a time when Anglican places of worship have lost 20% of their attendance. since 2020.
When the idea was presented to her, the Reverend Natasha Thomas, who officiates at St Peter’s Church, was immediately very enthusiastic. “Above all, we want to demonstrate that the church is a place of life,” she explained, specifying that she wanted to retain people who, without that, would not have come. The nun even got caught up in the game. “I love the staging” and that “good triumphs over evil,” she declared after attending the last performances.
Not all of Kingdom Wrestling’s athletes are religious, even if they all play the game. A professional wrestler named Kiara, for example, says the program helped her reconnect with her Catholic faith. “We all pray in the locker room before the fight and if you’re not a Christian you don’t have to pray, but it’s really comforting and inspiring,” she concludes.
**With the inherent theatricality and physicality of professional wrestling, how does Kingdom Wrestling address concerns about potentially glorifying violence or promoting harmful stereotypes?**
## Wrestling with Faith: An Interview about Kingdom Wrestling
**Introduction:**
Welcome to “World Today News,” where we delve into the intersection of faith and culture. Today, we’re exploring a unique phenomenon: Kingdom Wrestling, a ministry that uses professional wrestling to engage people with the church. We’re joined by two guests, Reverend Natasha Thomas, who spearheaded the initiative at her church, and Kiara, a professional wrestler who participates in Kingdom Wrestling events.
**Section 1: The Genesis of Kingdom Wrestling:**
**Host:** Reverend Thomas, what inspired the creation of Kingdom Wrestling? How did you envision this unconventional method of outreach reaching people?
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Host:** What were some of the initial reactions and challenges you faced when presenting this idea to your congregation and other churches?
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Section 2: Wrestling as Metaphor:**
**Host:** Kiara, what drew you to participate in Kingdom Wrestling?
**Kiara:**
**Host:** This form of entertainment often involves narratives of good versus evil. How does that theme resonate with the Christian message, and do you see it as an effective way to illustrate those concepts?
**Kiara:**
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Section 3: Impact and Reactions:**
**Host:** Reverend Thomas, you mentioned hoping to attract a new audience to the church. Have you observed a tangible impact since introducing Kingdom Wrestling?
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Host:**
Kiara, how has your involvement with Kingdom Wrestling influenced your own faith journey?
**Kiara:**
**Section 4: Faith, Inclusivity, and Boundaries:**
**Host:** Kingdom Wrestling appears to welcome participants from various backgrounds, including those who aren’t Christian. How do you balance inclusivity with the underlying religious message?
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Kiara:**
**Host:** Where do you draw the line? Is there a concern about potentially misrepresenting or diluting the Christian message through the medium of professional wrestling?
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Section 5: Looking Ahead:**
**Host:** What are your hopes and aspirations for the future of Kingdom Wrestling?
**Reverend Thomas:**
**Kiara:**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, Reverend Thomas and Kiara, for sharing your insights on this fascinating initiative. Kingdom Wrestling certainly presents a thought-provoking approach to engaging with faith in a contemporary context. We wish you both continued success in your endeavors.
