From OBMDI Entertainment, We present to you DJ Chuurch: Bringing Hip-Hop back to the Church
DJ Chuurch identifies himself as a symbol of hip-hop music that eagerly wants to please God. He desires that all will come to personally know Jesus Christ whom DJ Chuurch has made Lord of his life. DJ Chuurch, or just Chuurch to his friends, brings together mainstream hip-hop with a Christian message. With the help of his sidekick MC Vessel, they bring forth the Word of God to hip-hip all over the world.
For podcast listeners, DJ Chuurch is the voice coming through their computers monthly at Godsfreshmedia.com. His passion for Christian hip-hop music is especially evident when he lights up the airwaves with his high energy and enthusiasm. “It’s more than just a job,” says DJ Chuurch. “It’s part of my purpose.”
DJ Chuurch grew up enjoying music in Los Angeles, California. He listened to the radio station 1580am KDAY and wanted to break-dance all day long. His cousin, MC Vessel from Mt. Vernon, New York, introduced him to hip-hop music and culture. “Artists such as Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, and Whodini, were some of my favorites.” Chuurch says.
In the early ‘80’s and ‘90’s, when hip-hop was at its most controversial, Chuurch would listen to (unbeknownst to his mother) West Coast artists such as NWA, Easy-E, and DJ Quick. He even listened to the unstoppable 2 Live Crew. Chuurch admits, “I was wildin’ out with them.”
Chuurch explains, “I have always had a love for music, but it was when I saw the movie Brown Sugar in 2002 that I began asking myself the question posed in the movie ;When did I fall in love with hip-hop? That same night God revealed to me in a dream the direction He wanted me to go.”
Chuurch continues, “He showed me that today’s secular music is in a state of emergency. We hear lyrics where women are being called out of their names, men are being taught that “thug” living is required to be a man, and songs with themes of drugs and sexually explicit lyrics are the norm. This is considered all okay.”
DJ Chuurch’s divine assignment was not fulfilled overnight. It took years of unwavering faith, determination and persistence. DJ Chuurch says he knows what he is doing is for a higher purpose. “I didn’t understand it at first, but God always explains it in His time.” says Chuurch.
Finally, in 2005, using the art form of the mixtape as his tool, DJ Chuurch began giving youth and their parents an alternative outlet to glorifying God together, and parents would not have to worry about the lyrics their children were listening to.
Three years and three mixtapes later, some friends of DJ Chuurch offered him a DJ position on a website called Godsfreshmedia.com. “At first I was nervous and anxious at the same time,” says Chuurch “but God has been directing my path since the beginning, and He shall continue until the end.” Now DJ Chuurch’s ‘Hip-Hop Soapbox’ is the number one podcast on the website, and his mixtapes can be heard throughout the west coast, east coast, and internationally.
Chuurch says, “There are many artists that represent Jesus Christ all over the world and I want to continue by leading people to Christ and magnifying the Lord.” He continues, “Even if you don’t like the messenger, at least get the message that Jesus is Lord, and He loves you.”
The vision of DJ Chuurch has grown bigger than he could ever ask, as his persona is now being discussed as a possible animated television show. “The Word of God says that the prayers of the righteous availeth much,” says Chuurch. “When you stand strong in the Lord and hold your position, you can watch Him make your path straight.”
