HIP HOP CHURCHES - Connecting With Culture
Houston, Texas
From Minneapolis to Durham, to Chicago, to Harlem, and now in Houston God has been raising up church planting leaders to start churches that connect with the ever growing hip hop culture in America (and around the world!) Even the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia has begun to experiment with hip hop masses! Houston leaders Shawn Scoggins and Terrance Levi believe that God has called them to reach out into this urban culture in their city as well.
Shawn and Terrance are launching "Street Life" churches using rap music, comedy, dramatic films about real street life, and a hard hitting gospel message to reach a streetwise urban generation. They also seek to build honest relationships through small groups where non-Christians can talk frankly to mature Christians about issues that matter to them. Shawn points out that many urban children start picking up "gangsta" slang and attitudes as early as kindergarten. Shawn envisions high school youth in hip hop churches mentoring middle school students, who in turn influence younger children.
Terrance brings unique gifting in media and entertainment to this church planting team in Houston. Having come to Christ nearly 10 years ago from a hard street life himself, Terrance has a vision to create redemptive entertainment that can connect with the hip hop culture. He has already collaborated with Rob Phat in producing the motion picture Pain.
We are so honored at NCI to be able to support church planters like Shawn and Terrance through training, assessment, and coaching. We believe that God has a unique vision for every new church, and the church planter must discern what that vision is. We then teach "Principles of Design" in our training so that planters can create unique churches to reach the diverse and unique cultures of our cities! We are so blessed to be able to partner not only with men like Shawn and Terrance, but also denominational leaders such as Rickie Bradshaw of the Union Baptist Association in Houston. Together we attempt to reach out in culturally appropriate ways to bring the gospel to people everywhere who do not know Christ.
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