They shall take up serpents
-
Jason Stone holds a timber rattlesnake during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church in Squire, West Virginia. The church is one of the few of the Signs denomination, in which worshippers speak in tongues, drink poison, test themselves with fire, and handle serpents as a testimony of their faith. The Pentecostal Signs denomination is still found in the the Appalachian Mountains and other parts of the southeastern United States as they continue this century-old tradition, taking their scriptural mandate from the Bible's Gospel of Mark 16: 17-18.
-
Randy Brandon raises his hands as he prays during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Jason Stone holds a timber rattlesnake during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church
-
Vicie Haywood, mother of pastor Chris Wolford, cries during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Robin Brandon holds fire to her neck as she spins during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Pastor Chris Wolford (C) sings as he holds a tiber rattlesnake during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
A worshipper plays the guitar as a timber rattlesnake rests on his lap during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Robin Brandon drinks strychnine during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Pastor Chris Wolford checks on a timber rattlesnake before a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church
-
The House of the Lord Jesus church, a Pentecostal serpent handlers church, is seen in the distance in Squire.
-
Pastor Chris Wolford (L), and Randy Brandon (R) smile as pastor David Culberston holds a tiber rattlesnake during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Pastor Chris Wolford steps on a timber rattlesnake during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.
-
Pastor Chris Wolford holds a timber rattlesnake during a Pentecostal serpent handlers service at the House of the Lord Jesus church.