Imagine going to church ... in a bar.

It may look like your typical bar with loud music and drinks, but this isn't your typical party.

It is a church service where you can ride a mechanical bull and sing along to country music while you worship.

The Country Rock Church drew about 100 people to Sunday night's meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, 35 miles north of Dayton. The First United Methodist Church of Sidney, Ohio, came up with the idea.

The head pastor says he's been looking for creative ways to reach people in unconventional places.

"The idea here is to it's an outreach program to get to people who don't feel comfortable maybe coming to church, and who otherwise wouldn't go, and now probably will. And here's something, and hopefully it will be meaningful to them," said Clay Balyeat from the Country Rock Church.

The church's Web site for its new branch advertises "Top regional bands, pizza, wings, rowdy fun & a short message."

The Rev. Chris Heckaman says people really seemed to enjoy themselves so he expects the Country Rock Church will meet weekly.

Church leaders say the first service was a success.

Source: The Associated Press