Rise up, rapper Trip Lee challenges students

Christian rap artist Trip Lee will perform a concert for students attending the North Texas regional Youth Evangelism Conference in Burleson, June 17-18.

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BURLESON—Christian rap artist Trip Lee realizes the importance of reaching teenagers for Christ because of the transformation that took place in his life during his teen years.

“I remember being unsure of what being a Christian was about, because everyone I knew said they were a Christian,” Lee said. “I knew people who loved Jesus and said they were Christians, and I knew people who really didn’t care about Jesus and said they were Christians.

“It was confusing for me. So, I assumed that I was a Christian from a young age, because I repeated a prayer that I recited from a children’s pastor. But in reality, I might as well have been reciting a newspaper. They were empty words to me, because I didn’t understanding the meaning behind them.

“But when I had the gospel explained to me as a teenager and I understood the implications on my life, I had an incredible desire to know God and point other people to his word.”

‘Rap about stuff that matters’

By that time, Lee had started rapping. After he committed his life to Christ, he wanted to use that talent to “communicate truth and point people to Jesus,” he said.

“I started to rap about stuff that matters,” he said. “I signed my record deal when I was a senior in high school, and my first record came out right after I graduated.”

Despite battling chronic fatigue syndrome, Lee—named by Christianity Today as “one of 33 millennials shaping evangelicalism”—keeps a busy touring schedule and also serves as a teaching pastor at Cornerstone Church in Atlanta.

Open about brokenness


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By sharing his personal struggles with audiences, Lee wants to offer hope and encouragement while leading others to Christ.

“My songs come from all different places,” Lee said. “Life experiences inspire these songs—the ups and downs of life, along with the hope that I have in Jesus in the midst of circumstances and challenges.

“Battling chronic fatigue syndrome has really made life difficult the past few years. I try to be open about the brokenness and difficulties, but I also share about being really hopeful because of the sweet victory I have in Jesus and knowing that this isn’t how it will always be. I want to use my experiences to encourage others.”

Encourage and uplift

To encourage others and share his story, Lee has written two books, The Good Life and Rise: Get Up and Live in God’s Great Story.

“I think that music is such a gift from God,” Lee said. “I want to combine these songs with a message that challenges people and makes them think about their life and relationship with Christ. God made us and put us in the big story that he is telling. During concerts, I hope to encourage people of all ages to rise up and live out their story for God.

“Years ago, I met a guy at a concert who had been an atheist and was angry at God. He heard the song ‘Looking for Love,’ which is about true love being found in God, and he said the song changed his life because he realized that God is love. After that, he looked at the Scripture reference that went along with the song, which is 1 Corinthians 13, and accepted Christ.

“When I met him, he had a folded up piece of paper in his wallet with the song lyrics that he kept as a reminder of God’s great love. I love when I have the opportunity to reconnect with people and see how the Lord is working in their life and the next chapter of their story.”

Concert at YEC in Burleson

Lee will perform a concert for students at the North Texas regional Youth Evangelism Conference in Burleson, June 17-18.

“The only thing that satisfies is a relationship with Jesus, and that’s such an important lesson to learn early in life,” Lee said. “Our culture tells us young people have plenty of time to live. So, a lot of teenagers think they will just wait until they are older to do something great for him. The truth is that God has called young people to rise up and take action. No matter what age they are, they can do great things for him.”


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