Rapper Ja Rule described his recent conversion to Christianity in a radio interview last week, revealing how he embraced the faith after serving two years in prison for illegal gun possession and tax evasion — and admitting that he's still figuring out how his newfound beliefs will impact his entertainment career.
Ja Rule, born Jeffrey Atkins, told Power 105's "The Breakfast Club," a New York City-based morning show, that he reconnected with God after he was offered a role in the faith-based film "I'm in Love With a Church Girl."
[sharequote align="center"]"I got saved at that church, me and my wife."[/sharequote]
"So I was going out to different churches, like a church tour. … I kind of reconnected with God in a different way, because I was going to these churches," he said of the movie experience. "They were great churches, but I didn't feel like they were talking to me."
This Aug. 12, 2013 photo shows rapper Ja Rule during an interview in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
But when Ja Rule, 38, visited Hillsong Church New York City, a house of worship run by Pastor Carl Lentz, he said that something seemed different, according to the Christian Post.
"You walk into the church and it's dark in there, the disco ball is still in there and you see the lights and you're like, 'This is different,'" the rapper explained. "And you get in there and start to look at everybody around you, and they look just like you."
Ja Rule said that Lentz, a pastor whose uncommon image and approach have sparked national intrigue, resonated with him.
"I got saved at that church, me and my wife," he said. "We went up on stage, we got saved and it just gave me a good feeling."
[sharequote align="center"]"We went up on stage, we got saved and it just gave me a good feeling."[/sharequote]
Lentz has helped the rapper on his spiritual journey, telling him to take baby steps in his newfound faith. Though Ja Rule grew up a Jehovah's Witness, he said that his childhood faith doesn't have an impact on him as an adult and that it initially left him disenchanted with religion.
Despite recently becoming a Christian, Ja Rule said that he's still on a journey and that he's not quite sure what is and isn't acceptable to do in his careers. His rap music has been known to include sexual themes and explicit language.
Watch the interview below (caution: strong language):
While he's not planning to start making gospel records, it's clear the rapper is considering how his faith will inform his music.
"I just want to make sure I do the right thing. I don't want people on my Twitter being like, 'Man, I thought you were a holy roller,'" he said. "I don't want people to misconstrue what I'm doing here. I'm taking baby steps and I want to get closer to God. I feel it's something that you should do in life."
Ja Rule was promoting his new book "Unruly: The Highs and Lows of Becoming a Man." Read more about the interview here.
(H/T: Christian Post)
Blaze editor Billy Hallowell and guest commentator Susie Meister discussed this story on our live BlazeCast with Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker (@bakerlink):
