07/16/2026
Country star John Rich of Big and Rich posted something on July 4th that stopped a lot of people in their tracks.
"On my tour bus, I just held hands and prayed with Gene Simmons that Jesus would make himself known to him in such a way that he couldn't deny him. Pray that Gene gives his life to Christ. God's will be done."
Gene Simmons is the co-founder and bassist of KISS, one of the most iconic rock bands in history. His stage persona "The Demon" spits fake blood, breathes fire, and wears a bat-like costume. He was born in Israel and raised in a practicing Jewish home. He has never been known for openness to Christianity.
And yet he sat on a tour bus on Independence Day and held hands with a country music star who prayed over him in the name of Jesus.
John Rich added that a Simmons conversion would be the perfect example of a Saul-to-Paul, Damascus road moment. "It CAN happen," he said.
He is right. It can. Paul was killing Christians. Zacchaeus was stealing from his own people. Matthew was a tax collector. The women at the well had five husbands. God has a long history of reaching the people nobody expected Him to reach.
Simmons has actually shown some respect for Christians in the past, publicly defending Tim Tebow twice when the football player was mocked for his faith. That is not nothing.
Pray for Gene Simmons. Pray that Jesus makes himself known to him in a way he cannot deny. God's will be done.
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Will you pray for Gene Simmons today?
