Killing may be his business, but Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson is venturing into the world of saving, as he is studying to become a Lutheran pastor. The veteran rocker has been taking a two-year program at the Concordia Seminary in Clayton, Mo., to achieve his goal of spreading God’s word.
Ellefson recently spoke with St. Louis Today about how religion has always been a central point throughout his life. “I came from a good family, not a broken home,” stated Ellefson. “That became a model for me, and I saw church at center of it.”

The Megadeth co-founder credits religion as one of the catalysts that allowed him to give up alcohol after successfully completing a 12-step program.

Ellefson even began his own MEGA Life Ministries congregation in the fall of 2007. The Scottsdale, Ariz., worship service was named after both Megadeth and a bible verse from the Gospel of John: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

As Megadeth are set to rock arenas on the 2012 Gigantour, Ellefson will be taking theological classes online. “It makes higher education possible for me,” said Ellefson. “As a guy my age, to be involved in any kind of higher learning is a great thing. And so far, it’s worked.”

The bassist finished the St. Louis Today interview with final words of insight into his being. “Some people want to morph things together into one, but I have a hand in both worlds,” he said. “I love praise and worship music, and I love heavy metal.”

-loudwire.com