Jesus and beer: Religious groups combine faith, cold brews

In this Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 photo, Angela Caddell smiles during a "Jesus & Beer" event at a Waukesha, Wis., pub, organized by CollectiveMKE church, which doesn't have a traditional building. The group holds these discussions once a month at Milwaukee and Waukesha bars. It's part of an effort by religious groups nationwide looking for ways to recruit new parishioners, connect with people struggling with their faith or give a different, relaxed outlet to talk religion. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger) (The Associated Press)

In this Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 photo, people gather and talk during a "Jesus & Beer" event at a Waukesha, Wis., pub organized by CollectiveMKE church, which doesn't have a traditional building. The group holds these discussions once a month at Milwaukee and Waukesha bars. It's part of an effort by religious groups nationwide looking for ways to recruit new parishioners, connect with people struggling with their faith or give a different, relaxed outlet to talk religion. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger) (The Associated Press)

In this Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016 photo, people talk at a Waukesha, Wis. pub during a "Jesus & Beer" event put on by CollectiveMKE church, which doesn't have a traditional building. The group holds these discussions once a month at Milwaukee and Waukesha bars. It's part of an effort by religious groups nationwide looking for ways to recruit new parishioners, connect with people struggling with their faith or give a different, relaxed outlet to talk religion. (AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger) (The Associated Press)

Some religious groups are meeting in bars as a way to recruit new members, reach out to people struggling with their faith and provide a different outlet to talk about God.

Brandon Brown is a pastor at CollectiveMKE, which started organizing gatherings once a month at Wisconsin bars last year. He says the new environment along with the beer relaxes people and they talk more freely.

A monthly bar event organized by the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee is targeted toward millennials.

Emily Burds, the Catholic church's Director of Evangelization, says about 60 to 70 people come each month to the "Brewing the Faith" gatherings. She says they want to help people find a relationship with God but also connect people to a parish community.