Reviewed by Steve Hayes

"Time for us to be strong, to take a stand. ." declares 20 year-old Ohio-based Street Pastor as he leads us through an album chronicling his life, his heart and Christ. In "The Journey" we hear of his hip-hop life, his choice to follow Christ, his testimony and how God released his ministry to help people come out of the dark. Instead Street Pastor rips, "Christ talk. .right walk. .Holy culture" ("Martyr Music"). The project sees Street Pastor talk candidly about his life, faith and even some of his struggles - to hear from God through fear of what it may mean, as in "I Really Don't Know", "The Wilderness" (the times when God has us walking in the wilderness) and the smooth and moving "Forgiveness", talking about absent and delinquent fathers. Some minimalist beats and creative flows step up the quality of this album, as in "Ain't Playin Wit Em" and the industrial sounding "Ok Ok Ok". There's some gospel soul in "Not Ashamed" while a defiant challenge is thrown out to the music industry in "Put It Up" . "The Prodigal Son" sees the Bible story re-told, telling us how God the Father is calling us home, no matter who we are. The album ends as it starts, dedicated to Christ in "Be A Fence".

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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