It is interesting how movements begin. I love looking back and seeing how history unfolds. Opportunities arise for people to step up and call their generation to see things differently, to believe accurately and live passionately. Some movements are short-lived while others have a lasting impact. You have micro-movements of subcultures—smaller cultures within the greater culture. You also see macro movements that can change nations or potentially the world. They are led by imperfect people who oftentimes did not necessarily desire to start a movement. God, in His sovereign plan, weaves people into His story to play roles that bring about His purposes. They are bit players in a bigger drama.
I have been thinking about a specific group of guys for a long time. I have watched their lives and considered the impact they are having. I have wondered how far reaching their scope potentially could be and marveled at how God has orchestrated their lives for such a time as this. I have often thought about how powerful the gospel is to transform and redeem as I have considered their ways. In short, this group has been an encouragement to me in a way that has caught me off guard. This group consists of four front-line artists who simply don’t want to waste their lives: Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee and Sho Baraka.
They are Christian rappers who formed ReachRecords and 116 Clique with a passion to reach this generation with the gospel. It’s not gimmickry. It’s not ego. It’s not hype. They are cultural missionaries who use the medium of rap to share the message of Christ. It’s not unlike a medical missionary using the medium of surgery to win the opportunity to share the message of Christ. They are preachers without a pulpit, teachers without a podium. They are slowly infiltrating the hip-hop culture with turntables and microphones, seizing the opportunity to share the gospel by utilizing their gift as a platform.
I found their calling significant for several reasons. First, they are unashamedly preaching the gospel of Christ. Their music is Christocentric and culturally decipherable. Every song and every lyric points to the Savior in some form or fashion. Every event is a crusade. Every medium is an opportunity to preach.
Second, rap and hip-hop is far reaching in scope. Rap music appeals to the inner-city teenager as much as it does to the upper-middle class yuppie. This style of music draws from a diverse group of people. It is hard to profile; therefore, their reach is wide.
Third, they are African-American role models. The fatherless epidemic has plagued the inner-city and contributes to many of the cycles that continue to bind this segment of society. Here is a group of men being faithful husbands and faithful fathers. Here is a group upholding the worth of marriage and esteeming the role of a father. Here is a group deflecting fame and fortune to show that Christ is better. As they live faithful lives, a generation is watching.
Fourth, they are doctrinally solid. On the whole, the African-American church has been strong in faith but weak in doctrine. These men espouse the need for both. They are not watering down lyrics to make them palatable; instead, their lyrics are rich with sound doctrine that teaches the deep truths of God’s worth. They are Christ-centered, not man-centered. They call a generation to forsake worldly pleasures and seek prosperity in Christ alone.
Fifth and finally, their calling reminds me that mine is no different. We certainly have different mediums and spheres of influence, but I am called to unashamedly preach the gospel of Christ. God has placed me in an arena of influence in which I am to be faithful. I am a role model to the next generation. Even if I impact no one else, I will impact my family. I want my wife to marvel at the love of God because of how I love her. I want my children to see a marriage saturated with grace, godliness and goodness. I want to pass on to my little ones the beautiful reality of the Savior and watch them, by God’s grace, pass it along to their own. I want to see chains broken and new branches of a family tree begin. I desire to see our little home play its part well in the drama of God’s unfolding, redemptive story. I want to teach them the rich and deep truths of Scripture. I want our home to be free in the Lord and bound in His love. Regardless of musical taste, we have a lot more in common through Christ. It is stronger than beats or rhythms. It’s a family called the Church and each member is faithfully playing their part.
I hope this is much bigger than a movement. I hope it’s a revolution, a gospel-centered revolution. Rap it. Preach it. Live it. Don’t waste your life.
jp
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Obviously there are other people contributing to this work and influencing the movement. You should also check out:
• Dhati Lewis; twitter.com/dhati and Blueprint Church in Atlanta.
• Eric Mason; twitter.com/Emase73> and Epiphany Fellowship in Philly.
• Adam Thomason; twitter.com/redrev and The Red Revolution in Dallas.
What I like about this is that they bring the clear message of the Gospel in new ways that reach people where they live. We partnered at EvanTell with reach Life to produce a CD that featured the Gospel message with Lecrae, Trip Lee and Sho Baraka featured on it called before You Die.
Good to see recognition of new and innovative ways of reaching people where they live but in ways that are faithful to the clear message of Jesus.
Keep up the good work walking with the Lord.
I work at a ministry that loves to see both the clear presentation of the Gospel and new ways of sharing it with others, reaching them where they live, work and worship.
Several years ago we partnered on a CD that featured Lecrae, TripLee and Sho Baraka called before You Die that laid out the Gospel message in a clear fashion utilizing the talents of these dedicated artists.
Let us never turn away from opportunities to reach the lost just because they communicate and share in ways which we are not initially comfortable nor fluent in. We need to focus on the message and adjust the method as necessary to be impactful.
Keep up the good work walking in the Lord!
Josh, I am just curious, but where did you get the conclusion that the African American church has been weak doctrinally? This is not a loaded or argumentative question. I am just curious how you came to that conclusions.
Thanks,
Matt
Sir I appreciate the sentiments. However there are some Christian stereotypes about African-Americans that are being perpetuated by your article. If you could give me your email address I would love to elaborate. Thanks.These guys are doing a great job.
i concur brother!
I suggest looking into the work of Shai Linne and Darrell L. Bell, Jr. (AKA “Stephen the Levite”) also, who are doing very good work with these ministries and others, including Mark Dever’s 9Marks.
This talk by Shai Linne on “Using Hip-Hop to Teach Doctrine” at Westminster Seminary is very good and draws out some very key truths about keeping God and His truth in our minds constantly, and how hip-hop/rap in particular are an ideal medium for expressing Biblical truth:
http://www.box.net/shared/51f70dhcot
cRaig
I wholeheartedly agree. They have brought Christian rap (and I would argue rap at large) to a whole new level. Being a long time hip-hop fan, it is so nice to have these guys to listen to. They teach me truths about God in their lyrics and set a wonderful example with their lives. Some other favorites who I might add to this list: J’son, Thi’sl, Stephen the Levite, Da T.R.U.T.H., and Flame.
I was fired up to see your blog on these guys. I have been listening to Lecrae for years and just started listening to Trip Lee a couple of months ago. These guys bring it…it’s like they are preaching/teaching through their songs and they are right on…and they sound great too. I know Lecrae brings a lot of apologetics and deep theology in his lyrics and even inserts some audio from Driscoll sermons into his songs. Every time I listen to their lyrics, I always feel challenged in my walk and faith and I am a typical 37 year old white guy married and a father of 2 in NW Arkansas! I’ll check out Tedashii and Sho Baraka. I am glad you are throwing some attention their way.
“Fifth and finally, their calling reminds me that mine is no different.”
I agree. For me, this has been their greatest impact on my life… stirring me to remember that God has a plan for each generation and each man that has surrendered himself to the glory of Christ.
David and Joseph of the Old Testamanet can’t fulfil the purpose that God has for this generation. We are the ones people are watching – to witness a life lived worthy of the Gospel to which we are calling them… we are the generation for such a time as this.
Give us grace Abba.
These guys are doing a great job! Thanks for shedding light on it. There are some issues in the article that I would like to discuss with you to clear up some misconceptions. My email address is miglay527@gmail.com Thanks.
I think Tedashii’s “Make War” might be the most perfect workout song I have ever heard.
“As you begin to copy the carbon copies of Christ
and conform to his written image you should be shining a light.”
Theology in rap!
Nice post JP, keep it coming brotha.
I truly believe in this movement. I think it is so awesome how God pulled such a group of men with different backgrounds to preach the Gospel of Christ. In an effort to forward this movement of Christlike living (which is a lifestyle) my husband and I have a family and want nothing more than for them to know our precious and Holy Savior and to know how magnificent He is. Music is central to this movement because our ears are the tunnel to our soul (trash in trash out, love in love out). Our people have nothing to do with color, race,ethnic background, etc. We have a common victor which is Christ Jesus. I have been persecuted so much. But what makes me special? Christ was treated worse. So with that knowledge I press forward praying that the spirit God gave me impresses upon one person, then the next person, and the next person; hoping counter production is mocked and pushed out of the way. Keep pressing on gentlemen. You have an intercessor in your circle. Praise Him! Praise Him!
My favorite Christian hip-hop artists are Christicentric.
How can you lose with lyrics like,
Resurrection, what’s the real stake in this claim/
If Christ be not raised, our faith is in vain/
The whole church’s time’s a waste and a shame/
If He be not risen, our sins still remains
But I’ll check out the ones you linked to! (like I need a bigger iTunes bill)
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY POWERFUL!!!! I started rappin before I came to da Lord several years ago; once saved, I put the pen and paper down. From a few months after conversion to over the next few years, I found myself driftin back to rappin, and it was after I heard 116 I knew it could be used by God in ministry. I’ve recently been workin on doin more with this tool, and my zeal for it continues to increase as I listen to the ones mentioned above (check out Trip Lee new album ”Between Two Worlds” its SICK!!). Love you guys at Reach and ya’ll continue to do the work.
-Cornell (‘Minista’) Rogers
I appreciate that you mentioned these guys. I have had more times of worship listening to their lyrics, than I have had with any other genre of music. I do not attend The Village, but I am grateful for all who teach there. God Bless.