Jesus took centre stage at Australia’s biggest RnB party on 18 November as former music superstar turned pastor, Montell Jordan, took time during his performance to deliver a simple message of faith to a crowd of 20,000.
The Hit Network’s sold out event, RnB Fridays Live, kicked off its national tour at Sydney’s Qudos Banks Arena and featured ten of the biggest names in RnB who have collectively sold more than 84 million records.
Though artists such as Nelly, TLC, Mya and 112 brought the crowd to their feet as they performed some of their famous hits, it was Montell Jordan who stood out as he spoke personally about his faith.
“I’ve left my church in Atlanta to be here with you tonight”, Montell Jordan said as he addressed those in the crowd, many of whom – statistics suggest – may have never been regularly attendees at a church.
“And I’ve got one message for y’all … God wants you to know that he misses you.”
Jordan’s message received resounding applause from the crowd who took to social media to share their feelings about the night.
“Thanks to @montelljordan this @rnbfridayslive gig gave me SO MUCH MORE than a good night out with good music! #DEEP #realtalk THANK YOU!!!”, said a fan on Twitter after the event.
Jordan continued being an example to those present stating that he couldn’t sing one of his past Hits as he “now goes to Church”, alluding to its un-Christian content.
He even made his intention of using the tour to share his faith known on Facebook posting, “Spent last night with 20,000 screaming Australians! Many didn’t know I am a pastor. So glad to share my journey to #becomingUnfamous down under.”
Montell Jordan is best known for his 1995 single This Is How We Do It and was was the primary male solo artist on Def Jam’s Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003.
After experiencing the kind of lifestyle one has in the music industry, coupled with other factors, Jordan drew closer to his faith and ultimately ended his music career in 2010.
He is now a lead worship minister of Victory World Church, a multi-cultural, non-denominational Christian megachurch, in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
– Mathew De Sousa