"You could have been anywhere tonight. You chose to be here. We appreciate that."

Those are the first words that escape Richard Mittwede's lips before every concert at The Underground, a rock concert hall in the basement of Christ Lutheran Church, 122 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing.

Richard Mittwede, the youth pastor greeting the crowd, means what he says - he appreciates how everyone comes out to the venue, building it up to what it has become today.

The Underground, a basement with cinderblock walls and a little wooden stage, offers rock 'n' rollers a place to enjoy good music without the smoky bar scene that reigns at most other Lansing rock scenes.

"Part of the mission of The Underground is to promote the message of Jesus Christ," Mittwede said. "Although it is sponsored by and held in a church, The Underground does not force this on anyone."

Mittwede and members of his youth group had been attending other Christian shows around Michigan and wanted to bring a similar concept to Lansing, he said.

With the congregation's approval, the smoke-and-alcohol-free concert hall was founded in 1996.

Mittwede said the venue has a purpose beyond entertainment.

"It is a great witness to bands and fans for a church to care enough to allow them to perform and enjoy this music there on a consistent basis," he said. "We seek to build relationships with bands and fans that lead into dialogue of faith issues."

Kerry Cripe, a singer for Lansing metal band Summer Dying, said he fell in love with The Underground after seeing his friend's band, Crock Pot Oatmeal, six years ago.

Cripe has played countless shows throughout the past few years at The Underground and said it is one of the best places in the area to play.

"They give secular bands a chance, and they even let me do the metal booking now," he said.

Cripe said although he doesn't attend church, he believes in God and has met most of his friends through the venue, he said.

"Everyone at The Underground treats me great regardless of my beliefs," he said.