On the eve of Mayor Goodman's State of the City address, a group of residents came together to pray for Las Vegas. The gathering (held the first Monday of each month) was a part of Ben-Hair Productions' Las Vegas Day of Prayer, Praise and Patriotism, which aims to bring the presence of Christ back into the marketplace.
"God's been good to provide the Fiesta Henderson casino for us this month," said Ben Litvinoff, a stylishly coifed, bronzed and preened man in a black jacket, black turtleneck and black pants. He was addressing a crowd of about 30, some wearing T-shirts that said "truelove," carrying Bibles (called "The Message") and talking about church ("Are you going to be at church on Sunday?" one woman asked another. "Unless I'm dead.") The reliable casino perfume of cigarettes, cleaning fluid and fresh flowers, mixed with the sweetness of prime rib, wafted through the meeting room, and women with restless children left during the service, only to return with a slice of pizza to quiet their offspring. (Maybe more churches should consider renting out casinos.)
The program was a veritable Jesus variety show—salvation for the ADD—with prayers, songs and acts limited to five to 10 minutes, and Litvinoff, who refers to himself as the God Squad, doesn't take any funny business. "I learned a long time ago ministers can be long-winded. The Lord has given you this amount of time, and I'm here to enforce it!" And enforce it he did, as the evening zoomed along for more than two hours.
First came the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Then there was a rendition of "Amazing Grace," coupled with a harmonica-playing Marine. Pastor Cathy Martin was up next, referring to us as "the watchmen on the wall and gatekeepers of the city." She tells us that we need to help each other if we ever hope to take this city for Jesus.
"We as gatekeepers and watchmen of our city need an open heaven, right? Do we need an open heaven? (Amen). I'll tell you why we do. Because our population is about 1.6 million in this city now, and the statistic I heard last is that 5,000 people move here a month. Is that right? Does that sound right? So let me ask you a question. Do you think that there's 600,000 believers in this city? Can't hear ya! Do you think there's 600,000 believers in this city? OK. Well that means that a million people in this city are either unchurched or wrongly churched. And that is just not acceptable to God." It's our duty to change that, and according to the Bible, about four of us can save 1 million.
Then came songs about Satan fleeing in the name of Jesus, and prayers for the drug dealers and alcoholics. "Satan, we cast you out of this place tonight!" said Pastor Steve Fabretti, likely coinciding with the bells of a jackpot ringing downstairs. A woman stood up and performed a song in sign language, and Denise Gee, director of Family Services for the Salvation Army, said a prayer for the homeless. ("Thank thee, lord, that you see the precious fruit in the city of Las Vegas, Father God, that you see the homeless in the streets of our city and, Father God, it ought not be so. We just ask that you thrust laborers forth into the city, Father God. Laborers that will hear your voice, that will hear your command, that will be sent in your spirit.") Winona Judd Impersonator Tina Peoples belted out a few tunes, following with a positive message: "If you're at the end of your rope, just tie a knot in it and hang on. He won't be late."
Many participants explained that 2004 is the year for more. By the way they said it, and the way it was received, it sounds like we're in for something good. As the evening ticks on, after more songs and prayers, after a skit about a gal who tries to get Jesus on the phone but quickly realizes that it's not easy, and that she must find him within, along came Ray, the belle of the ball. He looked like a heavy metal star, with permed blond hair, a shiny black shirt and black pants. He told the crowd they needed to get Direct TV, because there are three 24-hour Christian channels, and they've helped him through trying times. He also told us about his limo company, and how earlier in the day Councilman Lawrence Weekly called him to reserve a car and the two prayed together for about 20 minutes. Weekly wanted to make it out to the service but couldn't, Ray explains.
Then Ray picked up his saxophone and started rocking. He writhed, bending at the waist, bending at the knees, bending at the neck, moving like a heavy-metal star, up and down, back and forth, and the crowd seemed really into it. But not as into it as what was next. Ray's going to play "My Heart Will Go On."
"I really think the person who wrote it is anointed," he said. Then he busted out a different brass instrument and morphed into an instrumental Celine. He swayed like a serpent, smooth, fluid, and it was hard not to picture Kate, Leo and that boat. The song flowed from his instrument, and the crowd was charmed. They smiled, raising their hands, tearing up. When the song ended, there were more leaking eyes than dry.
Right on cue, at 8:40, came the closing prayers, reminding us that we're on alert today, and that a lot is going on in our city, but God's blessed that everyone came out. "I'd just ask you to pray for our location next month," Ben requests.
For more information see www.benhairproductions.org.