Pastor Tim Miller, also known as gospel recording artist Da Minista, will be featured at Holy Temple Missionary Baptist Church in West Jackson Thursday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) at 10 p.m.
Miller, hereafter referred to as Da Minista, is founder and pastor of Candlelight Ministries in McComb, Miss., where he has served for 15 years. “Da Minista uses a unique way (some call it hip hop, but he prefers ‘poetic preaching’) of winning and retaining souls for Christ, especially young people,” said Rev. Audrey L. Hall, pastor of Holy Temple. “The message that Jesus is the only way to salvation will always be the same, but sometimes the method has to change to get the message across to people, and that is just what God has blessed Da Minista to do.”
Pastor Hall said it was nothing but the favor of God that Da Minista was able to fit her request to come to Holy Temple into his busy schedule. The Pike County native is “dedicated to empowering people by the expression of biblical principles through dynamic preaching and teaching.”
As a gospel recording artist, he was the first gospel hip-hop artist signed to Malaco Records, a traditional gospel and blues label. He performs under his own label now – FTAJ Entertainment, LLC, an acronym for his family: (wife) Felicia and (children): Timmie, Jr., Amari and Jessica.
His hit single, “Go Back,” off his latest CD, “J Star,” which is set for national release Jan. 30, 2010, is being played in markets throughout the country.
“The Lord gave me the phrase, ‘Poetic Preaching’, because I’m not just a preacher that raps or a rapper that preaches. God has authentically blessed me to do both,” Da Minista told The Mississippi Link. He said his ministry recognizes that “we have a hip hop generation, and we have to reach them where they are to be effective.” Da Minista’s preaching and music ministry not only draws souls who are teens to Christ, but also young adults and adults.
He said one of the most humbling compliments he has received is for people from the streets to tell him they finally feel welcome to come into the church – “that they feel they have a place in Christianity.” “Those type of experiences humble me,” he said.
He said his music crosses generational barriers. He cites a little seven-year-old begging his grandmother to buy his CD, and an 80-year-old woman requesting his single, “Church Mess” as examples.
Da Minista has appeared on TV One, WGN, TBN and other regional stations across the country. In 2005, he received the first ever Urban Network’s “Gospel Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” award. He also received the Jackson MS Music Award for “Songwriter of the Year” for his hit single, “Don’t You Wanna Be Saved?”
In July of 2006, he was invited by Bishop T.D. Jakes to perform at MegaFest in Atlanta. On July 13, 2008, Da Minista received another Jackson MS Music Award “Album of the Year for an Upcoming Artist” for his sophomore album “Keep It Holy.”
Da Minista is also scheduled to be on The Gospel Cafe’ with Othor Cain, Sunday, Dec. 20 on 97.7 FM at 9 a.m. He is expected to talk about his “unique” ministry and his upcoming visit to Jackson. In the Jackson area, his music can be found at Bama Record Shop in Jackson and Milestone Christian Bookstore in Pearl, Miss.
“My youth and some of the adults are excited by the connection our church has made with Da Minista,” said Pastor Hall. Holy Temple Missionary Baptist Church is located at 5077 Cabaniss Circle, Jackson.
For more information, contact Pastor Hall at (601) 918-0308 or PR Director Cathy Ducksworth at (601) 278-9275.
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