No twerking. No drinking. No smoking. But plenty of room for Jesus at this Christian nightclub
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The youthful crowd at a Nashville nightclub was eager to dance beneath the strobe lights to a pulsating mix of hip-hop, rap, and Latin beats. But before they hit the dance floor, they gathered for prayer and worship.
The regulations were laid out on the dance floor by a microphone-toting emcee to over 200 clubbers enveloped in thick smoke machine fog: "Rule No. 1: No twerking. Second rule: No drinking. And a third rule: No smoking." By then, the unspoken rule was clear: No secular tunes — the playlist would be exclusively Christian.
Welcome to The Cove. This pop-up, 18-and-up Christian nightclub was initiated last year by seven Black Christian men in their 20s — including an Ivy League-educated financial analyst, musicians, and social media experts — who aimed to foster a vibrant community and a welcoming environment for young Christians beyond the confines of traditional places of worship. The launch comes at a time post-pandemic when church attendance is dwindling, especially among Black Protestants, a trend unmatched by any other major religious group.
"We ourselves experienced a pain point of not being able to find community outside of our church, not knowing how to have fun without feeling conflicted about our values," said Eric Diggs, The Cove's 24-year-old CEO.
"There wasn't a space to cultivate that. So, we created it ourselves out of that pain point — the loneliness, anxiety, depression, COVID, and the long quarantine." Before their inaugural monthly party in November, they set an ambitious goal: to gain 1,000 followers on social media. "We ended up surpassing 10,000 followers before our first event, which was incredible," said Eric's brother, Jordan Diggs, 22, who oversees the club's social media presence.
"Christians often get labeled as uncool. We want to demonstrate that Christians can be relatable, can be cool. And they can have fun."
A second equally popular event was timed to welcome the New Year. A third took place in February. For weeks leading up to it, on their Instagram account — under hashtags like #jesuschrist #nightclubs — club organizers encouraged people to come prepared to dance the night away in worship attire: "When you arrive, we expect to see you in your Holiest Drip."
At the mid-February event, many in the racially and ethnically diverse crowd sported a rainbow of vibrant colors — fluorescent turquoise, electric orange, neon pink — on their Nike, Adidas, and New Balance sneakers, or donned hoodies featuring images of Jesus and varsity jackets emblazoned with Scripture from the Bible.
"What surprised me the most is the diversity, honestly," said Aaron Dews, one of the club's founders. "As seven Black guys, seeing the expansion of the types of people we can bring in, and the unity around one idea has been incredibly uplifting." Food trucks in the parking lot awaited hungry revelers. Inside, Benji Shuler peddled vintage clothing with religious motifs hanging from racks. A white T-shirt with the iconic Pepsi logo read: "Jesus: The Choice of a New Generation," echoing the soda company's slogan from decades ago.
In place of alcohol, vendors offered sports drinks, bottled water, and soda. Organizers set up with enthusiasm, adorning the venue with Christmas-style lights, singing a cappella, and practicing their choreographed routines. Before showcasing his dance moves, Garrett Bland, 20, listened to "Deliver Me" by gospel singer Donald Lawrence on his phone. "It's about inviting the Lord into your life," he explained, sporting a gold medallion inscribed with the Lord's Prayer around his neck and a beige hoodie reading: "God first."
He admired what The Cove's founders were attempting, saying, "they aim to create a space for believers who want to embrace the faith and have fun."
Clad in a blue hoodie embroidered with "young sons of God," Eric Diggs rallied organizers and volunteers to join him in prayer. "Dear God, thank you for this night," he said. "Amen!" the group echoed in unison before huddling together like a basketball team before a game — and chanting: "The Cove!"
Eighteen-year-old Nia Gant attended the club for the first time. Having moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan, four months ago, she had been praying to find like-minded friends. "I believe joy and religion can coexist," said Gant, sporting nose piercings, Air Jordans, and ripped jeans. "God," she affirmed, "embodies joy."
Shortly after, a line of people who had purchased tickets in advance formed outside the nightclub. At the entrance, security personnel in bulletproof vests screened clubbers. Inside, attendees mingled, laughed, and greeted each other with high fives.
Word swiftly spread that a couple had journeyed over 9,000 miles from their home in Brisbane, Australia, to the Christian club in Music City, Tennessee. It was true: Haynza Posala, 23, and his wife, Kim Posala, 24, had heard about The Cove through a faith-and-culture podcast co-hosted by Darin Starks, one of the club's founders. "We thought, this is cool — it's about glorifying God," Haynza Posala remarked.
"It's surreal," added Kim Posala, observing as individuals in trucker hats, berets, and baseball caps poured into the club, each receiving bracelets of various colors. "It's community, and that's what church is about."
With a microphone in hand, Carlton Batts Jr., a musician and one of the founders who served as the designated DJ and emcee, engaged people on the dance floor, dividing them into groups: "If you prefer music, come over here," he indicated, pointing to one side. "If you prefer podcasts, over here."
"In traditional church settings, people can be exclusive," Batts explained. "So here, we give them prompts to help them feel comfortable dancing when the DJ set begins."
The crowd erupted when the DJ played "Alacazam" by rapper Caleb Gordon, known for his faith-inspired tracks, particularly Christian hip-hop. They gasped and cheered as 21-year-old Dillan Runions, a former competitive dancer, executed a backflip on the dance floor. Eventually, it evolved into something akin to a revival: Some shed tears or knelt with closed eyes in prayer. In hushed tones, a member of a small group implored God "to dispel negative, suicidal thoughts."
Many sang along to a gospel anthem that seemed to resonate with everyone: "A God Like You" by choir director, rapper, and songwriter Kirk Franklin.
The feedback has been predominantly positive. Club founders have also encountered criticism on TikTok from some who argue that dancing and worship are incompatible — or even view it as sinful. Jordan Diggs welcomes the attention, whether positive or negative — "just the combination of the words Christian and nightclub is bound to spark conversation."
Older generations are taking notice. At one point, Shem Rivera, 26, a worship leader and founder, approached 18-year-old Noah Moon on the dance floor, inquiring how he had heard about The Cove. "My mom told me about it — she sent me a video on Instagram," replied Moon, who had relocated from Kansas to Nashville
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