Moments after tumbling off of the top turnbuckle and landing bare-feet-first onto the asphalt outside of City Reach Church in New Kensington, Robert Colossus sat in the corner of the wrestling ring and asked for a microphone.
“God has been good in my life,” said Bobby Shupek, who portrays the gravely-voiced, larger-than-life Robert Colossus inside the squared circle. The Mohawk-wearing Shupek would go on to say that he’s had obstacles in his life and voids that have only been fulfilled by allowing the word of Jesus in his life. His calling was so strong that he recently enrolled at the Bible Life Institute.
Prior to that, Colossus’ manager, “The Pennsylvania Sensation” Greg Cherry took off a bandana and sunglasses to share his testimony with about 100 people who turned out for “Dude Day,” at the church on Edgewood Avenue. Cherry said he and his wife both lost their jobs around the same time and suddenly found themselves without a reliable source of income. Instead of being negative, the couple went to church together “and both dedicated our lives to Jesus the same day.”
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Dude Day was the brain child of former professional wrestler-turned Pastor Anthony Celendar. The day, which featured a fun-filled wrestling card, featured free hamburgers, hot dogs, a concert by Christian hip hop artist J.R. Miah and a visit from former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Steve Avery.
The action was presented by 5-Star Wrestling, which Celendar helped found in 2010 before retiring from the ring. Current owner Joe Rogers, who admittedly suffers from physical disabilities and a speech impediment, gave an impassioned testimony about how “God is real,” and how he wouldn’t have had the ability to have three daughters—one he just recently got reacquainted with—if it weren’t for his faith in the Lord. Rogers, who admits to have robbed, stole and did other “bad things” in his past, encouraged fans to stay true to their families.
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Celendar graduated from Northeast Ministry School and became a licensed pastor in 2013. He has been working to plant the church in New Kensington ever since. Before the Dad Day festivities, City Network hosted a preview service at the church.
Celendar used to wrestle as “Tony Hanson” before hanging up his boots. Interestingly, Celendar is not the only former professional wrestler in the area planting churches. Jeff Miller, who wrestled locally as the villain “Trevor Lowe,” has been the Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, Pittsburgh North in Wexford, since 2011.
The day also featured testimony from former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Steve Avery, who proudly shared his 1995 AFC Championship ring with everyone in attendance. Avery, who was born in Wisconsin, has continued to live and work in the Pittsburgh area since his final season, also in 1995. He continues to spread his Christian message throughout the area.
City Reach Church is described as a “casual, contemporary, family-oriented Christian church” continues to launch different locations throughout greater Pittsburgh and Ohio.
