You can check out this whole convo on @impaulsiveshow w/ @loganpaul @heybigmike in my bio.. really appreciated the honesty, vulnerability and questions a lot of people won’t ask! Conversations are the conduit to clarity.. racism, “celebrity” church, weird religions, we talk about a lot on this!! Hope it’s a blessing… #occupyallstreets
Hope for humanity alert! This footage encouraged me when I saw it. This woman lost her hijab mid play, and her opponents stopped playing and surrounded her along w/ her teammates until she could put it back on. Just another reminder that it is always ok to be kind. Some of these women probably didn’t personally share the same reverence for that hijab yet that didn’t matter. Compassion tends to have that impact on all us… #hoperemains #occupyallstreets
Today, marks 65 years since the murder of EMMIT TILL. He was a 14 year old boy who was kidnapped, beaten, mutilated and murdered by two white men. He was falsely accused of “whistling” at a white woman. The two men charged with his murder were acquitted by a jury who deliberated less than an hour. Before her death, the woman who accused him admitted she lied and recanted her story. Some believe Emmits murder was the true catalyst for the civil rights movement in america. To understand where our country currently is, we have to understand where it’s BEEN. Today in washington, thousands have gathered to march, to protest, to demand racial justice and police reform. For as much progress our country has made, the current pain and desperation and exasperation of so many citizens should motivate us all keep pushing. My prayer is that we can trade “progress” for radical upheaval and meaningful, supernatural, permanent CHANGE. If I was not a follower of Jesus, I would be doubtful and discouraged. But because I am? I remain passionately hopeful.. #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmatter #BLACKLIVESMATTER
Today, marks 65 years since the murder of EMMIT TILL. He was a 14 year old boy who was kidnapped, beaten, mutilated and murdered by two white men. He was falsely accused of “whistling” at a white woman. The two men charged with his murder were acquitted by a jury who deliberated less than an hour. Before her death, the woman who accused him admitted she lied and recanted her story. Some believe Emmits murder was the true catalyst for the civil rights movement in america. To understand where our country currently is, we have to understand where it’s BEEN. Today in washington, thousands have gathered to march, to protest, to demand racial justice and police reform. For as much progress our country has made, the current pain and desperation and exasperation of so many citizens should motivate us all keep pushing. My prayer is that we can trade “progress” for radical upheaval and meaningful, supernatural, permanent CHANGE. If I was not a follower of Jesus, I would be doubtful and discouraged. But because I am? I remain passionately hopeful.. #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmatter #blacklivesmatter #BLACKLIVESMATTER
We tested out one of our new @hillsongnyc “house party” ideas and it went well!! More importantly, this should be what our reaction is to the Romans 8:28 reminder… “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we can control what we are believing for and what we are saying while we walk through it. “I’m getting better” isn’t empty motivational self talk, it’s a truthful confession if you believe God never stops workin on us! #occupyallstreets #missedyouIGFAM
DAD!! @slentz Happy Father’s Day! Your the greatest man I’ve ever known and I have so much to be accountable for because God allowed me to be your son. Everything I do well, or try to do well, I got from you. Especially how to love people where they are, rather than waiting to love them until they become who they can be or even who we want them to be. When this photo was taken, I felt so far from Jesus. I was running the opposite way, making bad decisions. But that smile you had there is the exact same smile you give me today. You have loved me in every season of this life unconditionally and I just can’t imagine this life without you. I love you, I honor you, and still at 41 I’m trying to be like you. Thank you for showing me the way, every day. #MYDAD #thegreatestofalltime
FAITHFUL FRIEND FRIDAY.. Its easy to take great things in this life, for granted. Especially in relationships, we tend to give attention and time to what is a problem and don’t adequately thank or acknowledge people in our lives that ARE ACTUALLY HELPFUL AND CONSISTENT! Birthdays and holidays cant be the only time we let ppl know they are loved. I think #faithfulfriendfriday should be a thing. So today, I want @anthonypjdavis to know how much I love him! The first 3 people I met when we landed in Brooklyn over 10 years ago were @deeveekashi @djclue (who I thought was R&B legend Ginuwine, initially) and @anthonypjdavis in that order. Thankfully all 3 are still family to me and PJ is one of the most loyal, low maintenance, creative, deeply compassionate people I have ever known. He is “true New York” born and raised in QUEENS and has taught me, “true VIRGINIA” so much about this city and the people in it over the years. He also saved my life one night at a club, but that story is for another day! Thank you PJ, for being a faithful friend. I love and appreciate you and this family is better because of you.. If you have a faithful friend, tag them on this, call them, thank them for being just that. Life is way to short, to withhold thanks and appreciation from anybody.. #occupyallstreets #faithfulfriendfriday OH ALSO!!! Thanks to @michellespalafox the legend for capturing these photos from a special day where we marched for Peace and said things like “BLACK LIVES MATTER”. You know, the sentence that means “BLACK LIVES MATTER” and is not owned by any particular group or organization, perfectly reasonable and logical to say, no matter how many people try to convince you that somehow saying this sentence makes you a marxist endorsing, anti police, left leaning liberal loving, demonically powered and politically motivated activist pseudo warrior. It does not. Those people have always been wrong, and saying “BLACK LIVES MATTER” will always matter. #blacklivesmatter
Much respect to these police officers and every day citizens working together to avoid something terrible. To see a policemen genuinely asking for help and men giving exactly that, is a picture of hope for me. God bless these men, including the man in handcuffs. Relentless hope remains in the USA.. #georgefloyd #breonnataylor #freddiegray #philandocastile #occupyallstreets #blacklivesmatter
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!! this video made me smile and represents why I will always have hope for the USA.. there is more that connects us than disconnects us. There are more kind people than mean people. And there are more people that will join in on a Bon Jovi anthem than you think! Praying for peace in this country and that justice for ALL will come quickly.. I’m grateful for the legacy of brave women and men who paid such a high price for our freedom. The best days of our country are ahead us! #occupyallstreets #breonnataylor #philandocastile #ericgarner #mikebrown #tamirrice #sandrabland #freddiegray #atatianajefferson #anthonyashford #bettiejones #janetwilson #tanishaanderson
HAPPY FATHERS DAY to ALL MY FELLOW DADS! What an honor it is to be a dad.. and trying to teach your kids things YOU are still trying to learn! We did this with all our kids.. “get a grip, rule your spirit”.. works for us adults as well!! #occupyallstreets
More context for why JUNETEENTH matters so much.. thank you @bishopjakes for sharing your heart w/ so many! #occupyallstreets
Been offline for a bit recharging w/ MY FAM and it’s been awesome..west coast sunsets, dirt bikes, quiet times, planning and good convos.. speaking of which, enjoyed talking w/ @loganpaul @heybigmike on their podcast @impaulsiveshow it’s up now so you can check it out! We talk Jesus, racism, religion and LIFE.. @chasehero appreciate you my friend! Keep on changing the game…#occupyallstreets
Juneteenth: BLACK INDEPENDENCE DAY. ..this day needs to hold as much significance for all Americans as it does black Americans. Before this year, Ive heard from many people that had no idea this day even existed or mattered at all. That sheds light on our selective American history and where our culture places honor. On sunday @hillsongnyc we will take a moment to talk about this day and that is a good thing. The problem is that its the first time we have ever done that. Which makes what we say, that black lives matter, inconsistent with what we do or in this case have done. And when you find hypocrisy, intended or not, in your church or your government or your life you only have two options: own it and change it, or ignore it and explain it away. I know what I’m choosing! What a painful yet amazing time for all us, to change for the better. BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY. #occupyallstreets
I appreciate @emmanuelacho for many reasons, including his boldness to keep pushing conversations that we need to have in the middle when so many want them on the side.. you can check out the latest “uncomfortable conversations with a black man” tomm.. #occupyallstreets #hoperemains
HAPPY FRIDAY! Took a few days off the grid with my family and its been lovely and peaceful! That is not the case however, for Breonna Taylor’s family. Its been more than 100 days since this EMT worker, a servant of the community, was killed in her own house. None of the 3 men who killed her have been arrested. As we all can agree that this is an egregious, sad and unjust situation we can still work towards justice even though the headlines are slowly shifting again to other news. If you have 5 min today, you can call 502-735-1784 to peacefully demand justice for this woman and her family. This actually WORKS, for those skeptical. So lets do all we can do and make this awareness and action the new “normal.” #hoperemains #occupyallstreets
CHURCH TOMORROW!! If you need some GOOD NEWS, join us cause I’m preaching about it! #occupyallstreets
HILLSONG EAST COAST YOUTUBE! I love Sunday’s, I love @hillsongnyc and I hope you can join us tomorrow!! If you need to be encouraged, it’s for you.. 10am and available all day on demand after that..excited to be preaching, hopeful about the future and I might even end this Instagram hiatus! Although getting off social media is a beautiful thing, I miss the IG FAM! see you tomorrow at church! #occupyallstreets
Looking back over the past few years, all of this can seem like deja vu.. but there is a difference and I’ll tell you why: We preached this in 2017. At the time, another black man was killed on the streets, protesters were out in force, people were demanding change, Charlottesville Virginia had just been turned upside down, white supremacists were coddled and tearing down statues was controversial. All of it, prime time news. And then? It wasnt. Just like that. The difference I see right now is that those that were silent then, dead silent, are speaking up now. People who would let another narrative overtake the urgent narrative, now see the crippling affects of decades of that happening and are refusing to allow that again. That’s why I will remain hopeful. We have to continue to call it like we see it, especially in the church. Regardless of the “cost”. I said in this sermon “I want to DO what I say.” I’m not there yet. Fail DAILY in the battle against hypocrisy. But I will never stop fighting it..And Gods grace is available for anybody who is willing to change.. #occupyallstreets
I believe tomorrow at HILLSONG EAST COAST YOUTUBE, is going to be really special and important. I believe our role as Christians is to always pursue clarity, rather than let distance create distortion which always leads to disconnection. For some, racism and the view and voice of those hurting is distant. For others, how policemen feel, people on the other side of this issue, is distant. So the divide grows…I had the honor of talking w: my friend LIEUTENANT @e.raymond_. A 12 year veteran with the NYPD, Brooklyn raised and Brooklyn proud! He is special and his life speaks for itself. We talk about the current climate, racism, “defunding the police” but more than all that, we get to change our proximity to a person that walks a road many of us will never know or fully understand. I pray you can join us, I know it will be helpful for so many. Until then.. #occupyallstreets
In polarizing political times like these, hearing different perspectives is so important it cannot be overstated. Often we look for information to SUPPORT our views and thats fine. I also believe wisdom leads us to information that can also speak TO our view and make us think, even if its uncomfortable. People ask me about Candice Owens, a rising star on the political landscape, often. I wont get in to why I believe so many white people in particular point to her when stating their views, we can talk about that another time. But I will say a phrase that is very helpful. “Black people are not a monolithic people.” This video has Candice Owens, and @oldchapcharity who is equally as “well spoken” (a term often given to Candice, which I find interesting. She absolutely is, but when was the last time you heard that constantly said as a description or lead in for another political personality? #selah ) albeit with a smaller platform. And that matters too. Hope this helps bring perspective tonight! #occupyallstreets
Thank you @dhariusdaniels for blessing our church today. This cultural moment of so many eyes being fixed on race and the rifts it’s created in our country, has opened up so many people to look beyond to the answer to it all. Jesus is the hope of this world. And that’s why tonight, I believe we will continue to see supernatural change in this world.. #occupyallstreets
George Floyd was killed in under 9 minutes. @tylerperry shares painful yet beautiful perspective in that same exact time frame. So much can happen in 9 minutes..I remain hopeful today that what we are seeing across our world, an awakening of awareness and compassion and for many, lament… will continue to bring permanent change. If you get a moment today, listen to this as a human being. Not as a political party, not with ears looking for something to “support or oppose.” @tylerperry I love and appreciate you sir. You are often a shining star in times of dark skies and I’m grateful for you. #occupyallstreets #georgefloyd #blacklivesmatter
To everybody out there defying odds, shattering stereotypes, rejecting conformity for the sake of revolutionary , being brave at the expense of being safe..keep going! Jesus cut that path so anybody willing could hop on it…they might not have expected you. They might not have seen you coming. But that makes the journey there that much better..#occupyallstreets @blackviolin thanks for sharing your gift and hard work with the world! God bless y’all!
Its been a very different, very HOT august for all of us! And throughout all of this summer and pandemic in general, our @hillsongnyc family has GROWN, stayed focused and taken ground..I love this church community so much! If you haven’t yet, subscribe to HILLSONG EAST COAST on YouTube, we got room for you! We took this entire month to hear from some very special voices. A A HUGE THANK YOU to @dhariusdaniels @robertmadu @earlmcclellan for investing into this soil. And to close it out, tommorrow we have @sarahjakesroberts preaching. She has such a powerful gift to communicate and I hope you can join us to hear her tommorrow.. its worth your time on this Labor Day weekend! #occupyallstreets HILLSONG EAST COAST YOUTUBE #churchinthewildSTILL
