KINGSVILLE, Texas  The Rev. Bob Gomez took an unorthodox approach when he started a new church, but one he said Jesus would approve of.
According to a report by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Gomez, who ministers at The Father's House in Corpus Christi, conducted his first service Sept. 7 at a local bar. He told the newspaper churches should be in the business of building up people, not buildings.
"People used to ask Jesus why he dealt with the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the lowlifes of society," Gomez said. "And he used to tell them that he was going where the people were hurting and needed help. I think if Jesus were alive today, he would open a church in a bar."
Owners of Christopher's Bar and Grill said the church was a godsend.
Patty Burton said her mother had been praying she and her husband, Harlis, would go back to church. Both agreed having church in their bar seemed like the natural thing to do  the church needed a place to meet and they needed a church.
"Some people might think it's strange, sure," Harlis Burton said. "They should come out and see for themselves."
