DOWNLOAD Music: Samson Solomon – SALAMA
A track off the forthcoming SALAMA album, ''SALAMA'' by Samson Solomon
another expression of God's peace from Samson
himself.
another expression of God's peace from Samson
himself.
This is a shocker. He nailed this one,
taking it Global with inch perfect delivery.
taking it Global with inch perfect delivery.
5 Reason Church Leaders Should Pay Attention To Christian Hip-Hop – “Aaron Earls”
Imagine trying to be a missionary in another
country without even attempting to learn the
language. Any explanations of the gospel
would be useless. Your listeners would have
no idea what you are saying.
country without even attempting to learn the
language. Any explanations of the gospel
would be useless. Your listeners would have
no idea what you are saying.
In some ways, many American churches are in
the same situation with their surrounding
neighborhoods. The church is using one
language to speak and sing about Jesus, while
the culture either doesn’t understand or
ignores it completely.
the same situation with their surrounding
neighborhoods. The church is using one
language to speak and sing about Jesus, while
the culture either doesn’t understand or
ignores it completely.
Christians can bemoan those changes and wish
culture still talked like us, or we can do
something about it. Right now, one of the most
dominant cultural influences on young adults
and teenagers is hip-hop music.
culture still talked like us, or we can do
something about it. Right now, one of the most
dominant cultural influences on young adults
and teenagers is hip-hop music.
So how are church leaders supposed to
properly understand a cultural language that
has historically not often communicated a
biblical worldview? The same way you learn
any language, listen to those who speak it.
Thankfully for pastors and church leaders, there are several Christian artists who are
seeking to live as missionaries in the hip-hop
culture, while creating art that challenges
listeners and glorifies Christ.
properly understand a cultural language that
has historically not often communicated a
biblical worldview? The same way you learn
any language, listen to those who speak it.
Thankfully for pastors and church leaders, there are several Christian artists who are
seeking to live as missionaries in the hip-hop
culture, while creating art that challenges
listeners and glorifies Christ.
They are rapping on The Tonight Show about
biblical solutions to real world problems. They
are appearing on MTV to communicate a
different, gospel-centered way to live. Millions
of people are listening, but are church leaders?
biblical solutions to real world problems. They
are appearing on MTV to communicate a
different, gospel-centered way to live. Millions
of people are listening, but are church leaders?
Using the early church as an example of
ministering cross culturally, here are five
reasons church leaders should be paying
attention to Christian hip-hop even if you never
buy a song.
ministering cross culturally, here are five
reasons church leaders should be paying
attention to Christian hip-hop even if you never
buy a song.
1. Cultural Understanding
Walking around Athens, Paul’s spirit was
troubled by the idols dominating the city’s
landscape. Yet, instead of shrinking back, he
went into the Areopagus, used the idol to the
“unknown god” as a starting off point, and
preached the gospel. For many Christians, the rap world may be as foreign as the streets of
Athens. But more people listen to hip-hop on
Spotify, a popular music streaming service, than
any other genre.
troubled by the idols dominating the city’s
landscape. Yet, instead of shrinking back, he
went into the Areopagus, used the idol to the
“unknown god” as a starting off point, and
preached the gospel. For many Christians, the rap world may be as foreign as the streets of
Athens. But more people listen to hip-hop on
Spotify, a popular music streaming service, than
any other genre.
Christian rap artists can help pastors and
leaders see this “unknown god” as an avenue
for communication. This will not be an
automatic gateway to reaching millennials,
many of whom are hip-hop fans, but it is a way
to better understand them.
leaders see this “unknown god” as an avenue
for communication. This will not be an
automatic gateway to reaching millennials,
many of whom are hip-hop fans, but it is a way
to better understand them.
2. Effective Communication
When the Holy Spirit filled the disciples on
Pentecost, they began to speak in different
languages. Because of this, people from
numerous areas were able to hear and
understand the message. This opened the door
for Peter to proclaim Christ. Speaking someone’s language grants us gospel
opportunities.
Pentecost, they began to speak in different
languages. Because of this, people from
numerous areas were able to hear and
understand the message. This opened the door
for Peter to proclaim Christ. Speaking someone’s language grants us gospel
opportunities.
When it comes to hip-hop, simply
understanding the concerns that are present in
that community can open the door. It’s not
about using the right slang words or sounding
cool. It’s listening to people, getting to know
them, and sharing Jesus as the answer to their problems, as well as your own.
understanding the concerns that are present in
that community can open the door. It’s not
about using the right slang words or sounding
cool. It’s listening to people, getting to know
them, and sharing Jesus as the answer to their problems, as well as your own.
3. Different Perspectives
As the gospel spread and the church grew,
conflict and issues arose within the early
church. The Greek-speaking widows were
being overlooked in the food distribution. The
apostles heard the complaints and addressed
the issue by appointing deacons to meet the needs of those who had been unintentionally
ignored. Artists like Lecrae can become to
church leaders like those Greek widows were
to the apostles. They can help us expose
cultural blindspots and uncover opportunities
for change.
conflict and issues arose within the early
church. The Greek-speaking widows were
being overlooked in the food distribution. The
apostles heard the complaints and addressed
the issue by appointing deacons to meet the needs of those who had been unintentionally
ignored. Artists like Lecrae can become to
church leaders like those Greek widows were
to the apostles. They can help us expose
cultural blindspots and uncover opportunities
for change.
Lecrae’s autobiography Unashamed shares the
tragic story of his childhood and the
redemption Jesus brought to his life. Those of
us who come from a completely different
background can listen to Lecrae’s perspective
and learn how Christ can bring change in situations different than our own.
tragic story of his childhood and the
redemption Jesus brought to his life. Those of
us who come from a completely different
background can listen to Lecrae’s perspective
and learn how Christ can bring change in situations different than our own.
4. Theological Conversations
During his missionary journeys, Paul often
went to the Jewish synagogue in each city. Acts
17:2 says that was his habit. He went to the
synagogue where people would already be
talking about spiritual matters and then he
pointed them to Christ. There in Thessalonica, he won both Jewish and Greek converts.
went to the Jewish synagogue in each city. Acts
17:2 says that was his habit. He went to the
synagogue where people would already be
talking about spiritual matters and then he
pointed them to Christ. There in Thessalonica, he won both Jewish and Greek converts.
In our culture today, hip-hop music is often the
most theological genre, even if it can be
misguided. Kayne West, one of the top rap
artists today, says his latest record is a “gospel
album.” It may not give a biblical gospel. But
he, along with virtually every other rapper, is talking about theological issues. Christian hip-
hop artists are bringing gospel truth to these
conversations. They allow church leaders an
entry point to a spiritual dialogue happening in
our culture we often miss or ignore.
most theological genre, even if it can be
misguided. Kayne West, one of the top rap
artists today, says his latest record is a “gospel
album.” It may not give a biblical gospel. But
he, along with virtually every other rapper, is talking about theological issues. Christian hip-
hop artists are bringing gospel truth to these
conversations. They allow church leaders an
entry point to a spiritual dialogue happening in
our culture we often miss or ignore.
5. Ministry Reminders
Paul not only gave theological instruction to
churches in his letters, he gave ministry
updates. Churches would be told the spread of
the gospel, the state of Paul’s work, and
specific prayer requests for people and his
ministry. Believers were able to see that the church was much larger than their local
gathering. In a hostile culture, it reminded them
of their ultimate victory in Christ.
churches in his letters, he gave ministry
updates. Churches would be told the spread of
the gospel, the state of Paul’s work, and
specific prayer requests for people and his
ministry. Believers were able to see that the church was much larger than their local
gathering. In a hostile culture, it reminded them
of their ultimate victory in Christ.
We need those same reminders today as we
face an increasingly antagonistic culture. It can
be encouraging to hear how God is at work far
beyond our circle of influence. Artists like
Lecrae, Trip Lee, Propaganda, and others offer
pastors and church leaders that opportunity along with the privilege of joining in the work
through prayer. Find out how God is at work
and pray that He continues to use these artists
to reach those far from Christ with the life-
changing message of Jesus.
face an increasingly antagonistic culture. It can
be encouraging to hear how God is at work far
beyond our circle of influence. Artists like
Lecrae, Trip Lee, Propaganda, and others offer
pastors and church leaders that opportunity along with the privilege of joining in the work
through prayer. Find out how God is at work
and pray that He continues to use these artists
to reach those far from Christ with the life-
changing message of Jesus.
You may never own a rap album, but you need
to pay attention to Christian hip-hop. You need
to hear how God has redeemed these
individuals and is working in and through
them to create quality art that unashamedly
preaches Christ crucified in a language that may be foreign to you.
to pay attention to Christian hip-hop. You need
to hear how God has redeemed these
individuals and is working in and through
them to create quality art that unashamedly
preaches Christ crucified in a language that may be foreign to you.
News: Lecrae Teams With ESPN Music To Make NBA Finals Playlist
ESPN Music, which has over 50,000
followers on Spotify, posted a new playlist
on Friday made by Lecrae for the 2016 NBA
Finals, which started this week.
followers on Spotify, posted a new playlist
on Friday made by Lecrae for the 2016 NBA
Finals, which started this week.
“After taking over the First Take desk, hip-
hop artist Lecrae has teamed up with ESPN
Music to show you his NBA Finals turn up,”
the playlist says. “Who will reign supreme…
LeBron or Curry?”
hop artist Lecrae has teamed up with ESPN
Music to show you his NBA Finals turn up,”
the playlist says. “Who will reign supreme…
LeBron or Curry?”
Lecrae’s NBA Finals Playlist:
1. Lecrae – I’m Turnt
2. Andy Mineo – You Can’t Stop Me
3. KB – I Believe (feat. Mattie of For Today)
4. Trip Lee – Insomniac (feat. Andy Mineo)
5. Lecrae – Sidelines
6. Lecrae – Nuthin
7. Lecrae – Can’t Do You (feat. E-40)
8. Lecrae – I Know
9. Tedashii – Be Me
10. Swoope – Same Team (feat. Dre Murray,
Yaves, Tedashii, JGivens & John Givez
Yaves, Tedashii, JGivens & John Givez
11. KB – Sideways (feat. Lecrae)
12. Derek Minor – Who You Know
13. KB – 100
Franklin Graham: President Obama Is Advancing The Sin Of Homosexuality
Franklin Graham issued a stern rebuke of
President Obama over the weekend, and called
upon Christians to defy his “radical progressive
agenda.”
If you thought the culture wars were over and
Christianity lost, the Rev. Franklin Graham would
like you to think again.
Friday, as much of the country reeled from
President Obama’s order that all public schools
must allow transgendered people to use
opposite-sex bathrooms, the president of
Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association expressed his personal outrage. Taking to Facebook, he issued the
following rebuke:
“Who does President Barack Obama think he is?
The sultan of Washington? Does he think he can
just make a ‘decree’ and we will bow down and
simply obey?
“The decree he released today says that all
schools across the country have to allow
students to choose the restrooms and locker
rooms according to ‘their internal sense of
gender.’ If schools don’t comply, he threatens
loss of funding and lawsuits from the federal government.
“What about the privacy and protection of all the
other students? Isn’t this discrimination against
all of them? This opens up bathrooms to sexual
predators and perverts. A decree does not carry
the force of law—that’s the job of Congress.
“The president obviously must have no fear of
God, who made us and created us male and
female. I hope that school districts across this
nation will defy President Obama and his
administration’s radical progressive agenda to
promote and advance the sin of homosexuality and the LGBT agenda.”
While that was all he had to say specifically about
the issue, a couple of comments he made over
the weekend certainly added to the message.
Sunday, he asked his social media followers,
“What would you to take a bullet for?”
“What are the principles and beliefs that you
would not compromise under any
circumstances? Even if it meant putting your life
on the line?” he asked. “King Nebuchadnezzar
who reigned over Babylon issued a decree that
everyone worship the golden image he had made. Three men who knew the one true and
living God, refused to worship the king’s idol—
their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego.
“The king told them, ‘But if you do not worship,
you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a
burning fiery furnace.’ Here is their bold reply:
“‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to
answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from
the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us
from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be
known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which
you have set up’ (Dan. 3:16-18).
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm
in obedience and faithfulness. They stood up for
God’s truth. They stood up for their faith, and
they didn’t waiver, even when it meant putting
their very lives at risk. I want to call on every
Christian and every pastor to stand firm like these patriarchs of old and not bow to the
secular, increasingly godless culture in which we
live—even when (not if) we’re criticized,
mocked, and labeled intolerant.
“The God of the Old Testament that delivered
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from their
fiery execution is the same God today—and He is
still more than able to save. Will you stand
against ungodliness? What are you willing to take a bullet for?”
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Bet Awards Nominate Lecrae For Best Gospel/Inspirational Artist Of 2016
For
the second straight year, the BET
Awards nominated Lecrae for Best Gospel
Artist, which has rebranded as the Dr.
Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational
Award.
Lecrae’s
performance on his surprise
January mixtape, Church Clothes 3, likely earned him the honor.
“[Lecrae]
gives us our messages in an
extremely relatable way,” the 2016 BET Awards said.
In
2015, Lecrae became the first rapper to win Best Gospel Artist at the BET
Awards.
Kanye West was nominated for Best Gospel
Artist in 2005 but lost to Donnie McClurkin.
For
Lecrae to win his second BET Award, he
must receive the nod over Anthony Brown
& Group Therapy, Erica Campbell, Kirk
Franklin, Tamela Mann and Tasha Cobbs.
“These
nominees represent depth and
diversity in achievement over the past year
and we look forward to recognizing them
next month,” BET’s President of
Programming Stephen Hill said.
The
2016 BET Awards will air live at 8 p.m.
ET on Sunday, June 26.
The New Christian/Gospel Hit "Desperate"
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