On Sunday, May 15, 2011, Reverend Joseph Simmons gave testimony on his career, his life, and the many places God has taken him in it. Better known as Run from Run DMC, but now known as “Rev Run”, he spoke at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. Though I don’t regularly attend services at this “megachurch”, I knew I wanted to take this opportunity to hear the hip-hop icon and reality TV star tell us his story. I felt like I was attending a concert at an arena as I waited in bumper to bumper traffic for 25 minutes to get into the packed house. The huge church was so full, overflow crowds had to catch the service in a big white tent outside where they were televising the service going on inside.
Rev Run walked onstage with a big smile so genuine, that it could not possibly be counterfeit. He referred to Central Christian Church as, "Church on swag,” (Surely referring to the size of the church, the congregation, its unique atmosphere and the enthusiasm he felt coming from the crowd.) as he looked around and said he’s, “…never seen nothin’ like this”. He told us his story leading up to his current role as an official servant of God, beginning with telling the Run DMC story, and informing us about other early and influential hip-hop artists that have been in his life for decades. He told of their beginnings in early 1980’s Hollis, Queens, New York. Rev Run reflected on memories of many huge names in the history of hip-hop, like his own older brother and Def Jam Records co-founder, Russell Simmons, respected producer Rick Rubin, “The Breaks” artist Kurtis Blow, and of course how Run had come to be called the “Son of Kurtis Blow”. All of these memories took place in the dynamic world of early 80’s hip-hop and rap that their crew was so influential in forming, with hits such as “It’s Like That”. He kept the crowd attentive, smiling, and laughing as we listened on about the work they had done with Aerosmith, by lead of producer, Rick Rubin, resulting in their biggest hit “Walk This Way”, which undoubtedly is one of the biggest songs of the 80’s.
The Rev stated that in 1991, he felt a calling; a yearning. He reached a point where he bought a Bible, and asked himself, “How do I be down with God?”. He accepted God as his savior and embraced the faith. He began by attending church regularly and then becoming active in the church by being an usher and a deacon. He spoke of his mentors, such as Bishop Joseph. Now, he is “Rev Run”, and has never been happier. He spoke of the reality TV show that put him in the spotlight as a man of faith on the biggest secular/pop-culture channel of all, MTV. Though many people from different ends of the spectrum believed that a show like “Run’s House” featuring a reverend with his wife and children, should not be on MTV for many reasons, the show was a success and Rev Run felt like he’d heeded the Lord’s will in taking it on. He stated (of bringing such an unlikely, wholesome show to an often risqué and worldly channel such as MTV), “Jesus hung with the wine-o’s and tax collectors…”, and supported his view that MTV was, in fact, the perfect place for it. He also gave his testimony on listening to God’s call and not denying, in every aspect of life. “When you adopt, it will change your life,” Rev said as he spoke emotionally on the adoption of his youngest daughter.
In closing, the talented Run of Run-DMC, the “Son of Kurtis Blow”, and now “Rev Run” left us by saying a heartfelt, soulful reminder that he lives by, “Even your shadow will leave you in the dark, but Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Can I get an “Amen”?!
~Meow~
Pennies
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