Even though the genre is considered by many to be the voice of youth, the over-saturation of sexually charged and morally obscene messages found in hip-hop has become a cliché.
But in the fight to win young people for Christ, Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church (where Rev. Michael Jones serves as senior pastor) is attempting to fill the faith void that occurs among many generation next members by meeting them on their own turf and channeling the Word through their official language.
“Music is very important in the lives of young people,” said James Bratcher Jr. “If we give them something that is positive, I believe that they will embrace that message.”
Next Friday (June 27) Friendly Temple will present the Life on Life Conference and CD Release concert featuring J’Son, Flame, Thi’sl, Future, Dawndia, Titus and Mike Real.
What began as a search by Christian Hip-Hop artist J’Son for a venue to present his latest CD Life on Life, evolved into an opportunity for the artists to offer a full spectrum of ministry on teaching how to live a life for God and how to disciple other people. The event is a stark contrast to the negative sights and sounds that are bombarded upon children, teens and young adults as they turn on the television, radio and computer.
“For far too long the church has criticized everything that young people do,” said Minister Robert Loyd, youth director for Friendly Temple. “People are wrong to tell them to give up all these things without providing anything else. It’s also about giving alternatives – not just rules.”
Rather than just singing – or in this case rapping – about walking in faith, Loyd and conference organizers Bratcher and Dwayne Thompson decided to add education to the musical offering by having the performers lead an afternoon of workshops and dialogue about living holy.
The workshops fall directly in line with the subject matter of the hip-hop album, whose title refers to the notion of sharing experiences and life lessons so that the unenlightened person can grow spiritually.
“What we want most from this [conference] is for them to grab a hold to the understating that ‘I don’t have to go out in the streets,’” Bratcher said. “We hope young people will realize that they are the church of today – not the church of tomorrow – and can obey and do the work that was commanded upon them.”
In what could be best described as spiritual target marketing, organizers are confident that the event will be effective in promoting the gospel to young people because the people sharing the word will be someone they can identify with – who looks, talks and dresses like them.
“Ministering to people where they are is how you stay relevant,” Loyd said. “We as elders have taken the position of being the ones to nurture and reach down to the youth – but there’s no middle person.”
The intention of the conference/concert is to work towards providing the missing link between generations so youth will be encouraged to display their salvation and let it shine like the bling on the rap music videos.
“Hopefully they will grow bold enough in their faith to say ‘hey come hang out at the church with me – let’s dare to be different,”’ Loyd said. “And make it cool like wearing a fitted cap to say ‘I serve the Lord.’”
Friendly Temple MB Church Life on Life Conference and CD Release Party will be taking place on June 27th at Friendly Temple MB Church Family Life and Worship Center, 5544 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Sessions begin at 12 noon and concert starts at 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors). Fore more information and a full listing of conference times and topics, visit www.lifeonlife2008.com.