First Baptist's Houston Project utilizes Christian rappers for city-wide ministry

Some of this year's Houston Project Christian rap ministers
From left to right: 1-God, Tony Whoa, Brinson, Excelsius, Educator, Mahogany Jones

Yesterday, I blogged about a Christian rap concert by solo artist Lecrae in Kemah, Texas that reportedly drew 10,000 people.

While that’s cool and I’m very happy for both him and Reach Records - I’m equally, if not more impressed, with a guy like Educator, a rapper you probably don’t know, who was also serving my city through hip hop ministry on the same night as Crayola as part of First Baptist Church’s Houston Project.

Through that initiative, over 1,400 volunteers are challenged to share the love of Christ in 13 different locations via vacation bible schools, youth events, adult ministry, food distribution, sports ministry, evangelism, and prayer. Aside from the next-door neighbor focus, many will also find uniqueness in the large role that Christian hip hop is playing in this movement.

Coordinated by Malcolm “Excelsius” Marshall, guys like Educator, 1-God, IBC, Tony Whoa, Brinson and Mahogany Jones have hit the streets four days and nights this week to share the gospel.

They face the challenge of small crowds who don’t know them or their music or even care about their message. And yet, they’re still out loving on Houstonians and telling them about the inconceivable grace of Jesus the Christ.

H-town is blessed to have hip hop ministers of the gospel, with platforms of all sizes, serving us this way. Salute!

Thursday, July 14 marks the final day of the Houston Project. Learn more about it at houstonsfirst.org/houstonproject

Here's Excelsius telling me more about the event from last year.

Houston Project Uses Hip Hop To Love Neighbors

When most people think about church missions they envision short term trips to Mexico or Africa. For the members of First Baptist Church it means, for this week at least, directing their attention to residents of their own city.

Known as The Houston Project, over 1,400 volunteers are challenged to share the love of Christ in 13 different locations via vacation bible schools, youth events, adult ministry, food distribution, sports ministry, evangelism, and prayer. Aside from the next-door neighbor focus, many will also find uniqueness in the large role that Christian hip hop is playing in this movement.

Malcolm “Excelsius” Marshall was tasked with coordinating those efforts and pulled from his vast network of personal relationships within the Christian rap community to incorporate urban music ministers from H-town and beyond.

This year’s roster includes:

• Knine (Florence, South Carolina)
• Mahogany Jones (Detroit, Michigan)
• Lavoisier (New York, New York)
• Lil Raskull (Houston, TX)
• Gifted da Flamethrowa (Houston, TX)
• Educator (Houston, TX)
• DJ 1 God (Houston, TX)
• IBC (Houston, TX)
• Lita Rodi (Houston, TX)

While some might assume this approach is radical for a theologically conservative congregation like First Baptist, Marshall said it wasn’t really that hard to get his team on board with the idea of using hip hop as a predominate ministry method for The Houston Project.

“I think it’s been cool to see them embrace something that maybe is a little bit uncomfortable at first,” Marshall said. “But once they see God is in it they really can’t deny it.”

Some of The Houston Project's rap staff. From left to right: Mahogany Jones, the author, Excelsius, Lavoisier, Knine, DJ 1 God, and Lita Rodi.

Lee Epston volunteered his time at the Farrington Mission site on Monday night and got to witness Lavoisier’s music ministry first hand.

Lavoisier ministers at the Farrington Mission location for The Houston Project.

“He was great,” Epston said. “I think our pastor hit the nail on the head when he said that while the vehicle to share the gospel may change, the message itself doesn’t.

“These kids may not relate to country or old school 80’s music like I used to listen to. But if you can get somebody up here who is a good rapper that can speak the truth and share Christ with them, then if one kid’s life is changed then it was worth the whole week.”

The 2010 Houston Project’s events started on Sunday, July 11 and run until Thursday, July 14. For site locations and information, visit houstonsfirst.org/houstonproject.

Leak video: Redd Lettaz remixing Mahogany Jones' "Morphed" album

I love it when I see Christians embracing the innovative aspects of hip hop and our modern "remix" culture.

Check out some samples of Redd Lettaz' remixes of jawns off of M-Jones' "Morphed" album.