October Update

Dear Friends,

Hip-hop has taken center stage in American culture, or so it seems. The biggest stars are visible just about everywhere: film, t.v. commercials, fashion, and, of course, on stage. In the secular world the lifestyle they promote is centered around criminal activity, fancy cars, and wearing lots of bling. Their influence is far-reaching and obviously apparent in urban centers, such as here in North St. Louis. There is a four-year-old boy on my block who imitates the moves and sound of his favorite rapper as he recites lyrics about gang-banging and promiscuous activity. Just four years old and he seems to know those lyrics better than the ABC’s.

But a new sound is emerging in the realm of hip-hop, and it has been created by Christians who have decided not to ignore the hip-hop culture but use it to draw many to Christ. Their songs are filled with scriptural references, theological doctrine, and many admonitions to live for Christ: “Sin is the problem confess to the Lord/We must die to the flesh to resurrect with the Lord/I know/its hard to reject the things of this earth/ don't cling to those things be redeemed to the King” (Sin Problem, by J-Son).

Since moving here, I have been privileged to get to know a group of men and women who are serious about walking with the Lord and sharing Him with others through creating Christian hip-hop records. They are effective witnesses in this city because they use the common culture of the hip-hop generation as their tool for speaking Truth into the lives of believers and non-believers, alike. Recently many of them performed at a concert held in the parking lot of an inner-city church not far from World Impact. The lot was full. The music could be heard from blocks away. People of all ages were dancing to the beats bumpin’ loud from several speakers. And when the pastor closed the evening out he said he had never heard so much of the Gospel shared in the music at any other concert he had attended.

My new friends and I share the same passion: to see this city reclaimed for Christ as individuals are transformed by His power. Several of them volunteer with us regularly to evangelize in this neighborhood. Recently one guy was able to share with the dealer on our block because he put the Gospel into terms this young man would understand. Will you pray with me for the continued intersection of our ministries and the way God will use all of us to affect change here in St. Louis?

For His Glory,

Beth