Where: LIving Word Lutheran Church, 901 Ely Blvd. S., Petaluma, CA
When: Friday, March 23, 2012
Time: 6pm – Potluck, 7pm – Concert
Press Release
Chris Driesbach is homeless and couldn’t be happier. Five years ago, he paid off his debts, sold his belongings and got in his car to travel the country.
Driesbach is a Christian musician, originally from New Orleans. When Hurricane Katrina hit the city, however, the condo he was living in as well as the church he was a member of, were flooded and nearly destroyed. What followed is a wonderful story of rebuilding and rebirth as his church body rallied to restore the church buildings and many members’ homes. To Driesbach, that was reason enough to drop everything and hit the road to share his music and his message of thanks.
“It’s been a dream of mine to do this,” he said. “I’m very grateful to live this way.” Chris has performed over 900 concerts in WELS and ELS Lutheran churches in 34 states since then and recorded 5 CDs of original Christian music including songs for children and a collection of favorite hymns
Driesbach will be performing Friday, March 23rd in Petaluma at Living Word Lutheran Church , 901 Ely Blvd S, bringing “a little bit of inspiration, a little bit of joy,” according to Pastor Jeff Smith. Admission to the 7pm concert is free. There will be a potluck dinner at 6 pm in the church and all are welcome.
The road that led Driesbach to becoming a Christian is anything but average. He grew up in a dysfunctional household, he said, and turned to alcohol at 14 to cope. Before long, the coping mechanism became a long lasting addiction. All the while, Driesbach was a proud atheist, renouncing the idea of a God and willing to debate that fact with anyone who disagreed.
That all changed one morning, however, when Driesbach woke up with the shakes – a slang term for withdrawal.
“It really scared me because I realized I was dying of alcoholism,” he said. “I was desperate and I was dying.”
Driesbach joined a 12 Step Program for alcoholics and has been sober for 24 years. 9 years later he met a Lutheran pastor who invited him to a Bible Information Class. “That absolutely changed my life,” he said, “but I don’t take credit for that.”
Musically, Driesbach’s songs are varied: country, reggae, folk and some rock and roll. The lyrics, however, are much more important, he said. Each song is about his Christian life path, the inspiration he takes from it and the hope he holds for the future.
“I’m having the time of my life,” said Driesbach. “I thank God every day for it.”