Holy Hip Hop Makes A Presence At GMWA.

A special Holy Hip Hop presentation was made before over 400 gospel radio announcers at the Gospel Music Workshop of America's annual conference in August 2003.

Holy Hip Hop Makes A Presence At GMWA

XROSS (Pronounced Cross), Chapter Representative for the Minnesota chapter of UGA, ministered during the GMWA (Gospel Music Workshop of America) in Tampa, Florida and was a guest panelist during one of the GAG (Gospel Announcers Guild) daily meetings. His opportunity came as a welcome surprise and honor as Bishop Sam Williams (Vice Chairman of GAG) invited XROSS to use his debut Project The God as a template to illustrate where urban gospel music (ie Holy Hip Hop) is headed.
Continuing the theme and primary focus of June's Bridging the Gap Conference in Oakland, California, (see footnote) Bishop Sam Williams opened the panel to discussion of how The traditional" church and supporters of gospel music can bridge the gap b/t the newly developing holy hip hop culture.

XROSS began the panel discussion amidst the 300+ audience of Americas leading gospel radio announcers about the influence and current direction of gospel rap. Backing up this type of rap ministry with biblical scripture, he noted that the ministry of urban gospel (rap") at large was an aggressive, trailblazing genre of music; also that the service of this ministry is ordained by GOD.

XROSS expressed plainly that this type of alternatively viewed ministry is what he has been called and chosen to do. Not only to function as a servant, but to lead the move of such a dynamic move. XROSS noted during the discussion that some of todays typical gospel and traditional churches unintentionally leave out the masses of those who are lost and havent known the church. Further more, he identified and talked about those who dont even have a desire/direction to seek Christ. Yet thru Holy Hip Hop, a medium and forum has been developed in which to reach people from the inner city to the sub-urban neighborhoods.

Gospel Rap is peculiar, unique, and currently is breaking thru molds of being the untrodded path as ministry that reaches out to those that leaders in the traditional church are challenged to connect with. Unfortunately, a separation in values, discriminates against an entire culture of people who can be/are hungry for righteousness and can understand and openly accept the idea of holiness thru hip-hop music.

XROSS opening remarks were expanded on further by Much Luv Records' Mark J of Atlanta and Pastor/Artist Urban D of Tampa's Crossover Community Church. Credit and acknowledgment was given to Idol Kings, Jah Word, and others for pioneering this move.
XROSS spoke on the needs for the immediacy of the support of the announcers to air Holy Hip-Hop on their stations. Thru his personal experience - which has been developed this year in more than 45 showcases in the twin cities area, and nationally, XROSS and the other 3 panelists shared a common goal in each of their ministries...that Holy Hip-Hop has one aim, to call souls to Christ. The key element to effectively reaching the people/a culture is by ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ in language (hip-hop) that has undoubtedly saturated a generation. Leading as many that will come, into the house of God The Church", in which under the covenant of the pastors, church leaders and the holy spirit, the lost become found, as they are being made into disciples of Christ, saved by grace.

The panel discussion was ended by Mark J and XROSS ministering a selection each. XROSS ministered his debut album title The God" ....the multitude of the announcers heads were bopping to the beat, while the rest worked it out thru a traditional" two - step. Warm regards go out to Bishop Sam Williams for his stedfast support.

Footnote
The Bridging The Gap- Gospel Hip Hop Conference was held June 12-14, 2003 in Oakland Ca. Sponsored by the The Gospel Zone, (www.thegospelzone.com) and its affiliates, the conference was the birthing ground for the Urban Gospel Alliance, (www.UrbanGospelAlliance.com) and the Official Holy Hip Hop Statement and ministorial Call To Action currently posted at http://www.thegospelzone.com/hhhStatement.html.
Bridging The Gap's followup conference, UGA 04 is scheduled for July 14-17 in Oakland Ca.

Visit www.UrbanGospelAlliance.com, email crj_lawn@msn.com or call 510-472-0177 for details.