The Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church turned Drake's "Hotline Bling" perfect for church. For the past few weeks, videos of the church's Sunday services, showing the choir members put a gospel spin to Drake as well as Future's catchy songs, went viral.
Few could say Drake's and Future's songs, the lyrics of which touched base on bitterness and even drugs, can ever be made for the church. Drake's "Hotline Bling" for one, has the rapper singing about an ex-girlfriend and certainly no one would ever peg the song as one made for worship. But the Destiny Metropolitan Church certainly saw a potential.
Instead of the traditional choir performances, the Church transformed "Hotline Bling" and "Big Rings," among others into gospel anthems, which caught the attention of many in Facebook. Speaking with Complex, Will Gravely, pastor of the church, claimed this church did not suddenly start singing popular music just recently. Instead, the church had been doing it for at least ten years now. Gravely shared that their services even included musical inspirations from Beyoncé and Rihanna.
The pastor said the church thought it is a good idea to bring people closer to God. "The purpose of the local church is to bring people who are far from God closer to him. At that point we became what's known as "Seeker Sensitive," and we use Sunday, especially because we're in the Bible Belt, to offer an invitation to people who feel far from God or who don't really do church. We make the environment welcoming," he said.
Asked if the church's strategy worked in bringing people, previously uninterested, closer to God, the pastor is optimistic. He added that the church can reach people around the world, citing Hong Kong and Russia among others. The pastor told Complex that the church is keen to do everything to connect people to Jesus.
Gospel remixes using Future and Drake's music does not necessarily mean everyone at the Church like the artists' songs. He shared that some do while others do not, but that is not the main point. They just focus on what is important and who they are trying to reach. Drake's "Hotline Bling" was chosen particularly because it was getting a lot of buzz lately, with many doing their own covers and crafting memes of Drake dancing. To use the song is timely and would certainly help the church get "message of Jesus to people," he added.
Watch Destiny's "Hotline Bling" remix below:
