Growing up in both Indianapolis and Kentucky, the only style of music I wanted to listen to as a child was rap & hip hop. While preaching a revival in Kentucky six years ago, I sat down in my hotel room and wrote my first Christian rap lyrics. I was shocked out how differently teens would respond to music. Im still not sure if it was the music itself that captured their attention, or the fact that it was a preacher rapping. Either way, they were listening more intently than before. As I continued writing lyrics based upon scripture, personal testimony, sermons I had preached, or the stories of others, I soon learned that teens were memorizing the lyrics. It was as if they had never heard the words, unaware that I had preached the same text the night before. It was then that I learned my music had impacted them in ways that my sermons had not. Since then I have gotten mixed opinions on Christian rap music. Some say it is a witness, some say it is a gift or calling. I have been told it is nothing more than preaching with music, others have said it is the Devils music because it is of the rap genre. I can accept all those responses except the latter. I refuse to give it to Satan, because Satan did not give it to me. Jesus gave me the scriptures, Jesus brought me out of darkness, Jesus gave me my testimony, Jesus gave me the ability to put it in rhyme and rhythm, and it was Jesus that called me into the ministry. There is no credit for Satan in the finished work of salvation, and I refuse to give him credit for the ability to share it with others! The scripture teaches in 1 Peter 4:11b If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. I enjoy traveling and preaching full-time, and I am blessed to be doing it more now than I have in my previous fifteen years of ministry. Now that I am completing my first ep project, my intention isnt to stop preaching, but that God will use my music to reach someone that may have never entered a church building. My desire is to minister according to every ability that God has so graciously given, and as long as the potential to reach a hurting heart remains, Ill be willing to preach with a pulpit or a rap beat!
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:39:15 +0000
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