Worship Versus Worldly Concerts

Elizabeth: At first, I found myself wondering, “Are people really here to worship God?” But then I remembered even if some were not, God was still at work. The testimonies shared by the artists on stage reminded us that we all come from different places, yet God uses each of us as vessels to reach others.

When one of the rappers performed a song titled “Hollywood,” it struck me deeply. I recalled the times I sought fame and validation from the world wanting to be seen, admired, and celebrated. But now, I realized I was falling into a similar trap, seeking validation in the kingdom of God. The enemy was trying to use my desire to “be seen” for doing God’s work as a distraction.

God revealed this struggle to me, reminding me that everything we do is for His glory alone, not ours. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In this moment, I knew I needed to put on the armor of God and fight these lies.

Ashley: Yes, a Divine orchestration, alright. There is no denying the presence of God in the room. My friends and I, dedicated servants of Jesus Christ, begin the event with a small prayer amongst ourselves. Through this heart posture, we were suddenly joined by another woman of God and this immediately sparked a new relationship, exchanging phone numbers, church information and personal stories. By the grace of God, the encounters did not stop there — through our newfound relationship, we were introduced to a producer from TCO-COM Media, the production company that facilitated the entire concert, who offered us to join the Meet + Greet event with all the artists. It’s an understatement of how mind blown we were. Once we got to chat with the artists, their humility and servant-hearted natures were evident. They all shared separately, their testimonies and faith journeys, reinforcing that they are not just performers but fellow servants of God, walking the same path as we were. Their authenticity was palpable, a testament to the transformative power of Christ in their lives. Yet, it’s one thing to have faith but another to have works, and it was obvious that these artists have put in lots of work and wholeheartedly walked into the identity that God has called them into.

A Divine Prayer and Connection

Elizabeth: Before the concert began, I felt led to pray with my friends. We gathered in a circle, and as we prayed, a woman approached and asked to join us. At first, I was surprised, We welcomed her into the prayer. Little did we know, this woman knew the team that organized the concert. After praying, she introduced us to the Director of Production who graciously invited us to a meet-and-greet with the artists. What seemed like a small act of prayer turned into a Divine connection, reminding us that God works through every moment to bring His people together.

Ashley:  The night opened with a dynamic performance by MrBigFaith. His set served as an honest kindle, igniting the spiritual tone for the rest of the evening with his contemporary hip-hop, trap sound. His performance was a reminder that faith can be bold, real, and powerful. Ty Brasel followed with a performance that felt like a masterful blend of storytelling and music. His vulnerability and soulful melodic rap infused with trap beats connected deeply, a great crossover appeal for the secular listening audience. He shared both his struggles and triumphs through faith. Then came Anike, formerly known as Wande, the small five foot height woman came in trailblazing as a lion representing how a woman in her craft can set the stage. With raw authenticity and powerful stage presence, she brought a celebratory energy, fusing melodic rap with Afrobeat rhythms. Her performance felt like a victory march, celebrating faith, freedom, and identity in Christ.

Watching all of them was a spiritual inspiration for me personally. For some context, my own journey as a disciple of Christ began earlier this year. Before I started pursuing a real relationship with God, I primarily listened to secular music, though I grew up hearing gospel music and work actively in the Film and Television industry. Like many, I once believed the stigma behind Christian music and faith to be outdated, unrelatable, and irrelevant to circumstances in my own personal life. I had a lot to say: I dismissed it as an older generation tradition, slightly rigged, cultish, conservative, close minded, and merely a choice preference.

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. My encounter with Jesus came at a very pivotal time in my life, one of my lowest, an existential crisis, if you will. It was there that I misunderstood, Jesus is very much real. He’s not a poster child that we credit only to our great fortunes and passively wait for him to come from heaven. He orchestrates every detail of our lives, regardless of if you know Him or not. He loves us. He has shaped my understanding of the world, and my identity in such a brand new way and I am very optimistic that He is doing the same with many people around me and in the greater Los Angeles area. Which came to my great surprise when MrBigFaith led a call-and-response chant declaring, “Something is happening in the West!” This statement deeply resonated with me. It echoed what God has been speaking into my own heart: that Los Angeles, a city often seen as a stronghold of darkness, is being transformed into a beacon of His light. To hear that very same message proclaimed by others was a powerful confirmation of God’s movement. He is working in this city, turning what was once dark into something that radiates His peace.

The Meet and Greet: From Insecurity to Revelation

Elizabeth: Meeting the artists was another opportunity for God to work in my heart. I often feel a need to “prove” that I’m a true follower of Christ or that I’m important, and I sometimes compare myself to others who are being used powerfully by God. But as we spoke with the artists, I was reminded of this truth: God uses each of us in His own way and time. We talked about how they are vessels for God, sharing their testimonies and glorifying Him through their gifts. I shared with one artist how their music inspired me, and we hugged in a moment of genuine connection. I realized then that it’s not about who is seen or used more—it’s about being faithful with what God has given us and pointing everything back to Him.