Pastor keeps promise, changes hairstyle

ST. LOUIS -- When it came to the Rev. Ron Shrum's hair, there was no need to go tell it on the mountain. Folks on the mountain may well have been able to see the clergyman's new "do" just fine. During services at Bayless Baptist Church on Sunday, Shrum sported hair that was spiked, and dyed red and blue. To Shrum, 65, it was a small price to pay for keeping his word to the church's youngsters, making good on a promise to relinquish control of his fading locks if more than 400 people attended Sunday school a week earlier. All told, 409 turned out. The color was only temporary, able to be quickly washed out.

"It gives me hope for when I'm older," said Nathan Beck, whose own red streaks have faded to a bright orange. "Because when I'm 70, I can still have cool hair."