Rapper ‘The Game’ talks being Baptized by Bishop Noel Jones & Personal Views on Christianity
Monday, September 24, 2012 at 11:42AM 
Article by Priscilla Tate/EEW Magazine News
Last week, EEW Magazine reported that controversial rapper DMX is an ordained Deacon preparing to preach his first sermon soon. But he isn’t the only famous Hip Hop star to come out about his faith. Jayceon "The Game" Taylor, a hardcore California rapper is opening up about his baptism and how he loves God, but still holds on to his “swag.”
The Christian Post recently reported that the 32-year-old chatted with Connecticut radio personality Jenny Boom Boom about his Christian faith inspiring him to create a new album titled "Jesus Piece."
Game said he was baptized last year at Bishop Noel Jones' City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California and admits that it is hard to let go of his old lifestyle he led before committing to living for Christ.
"I'm calling it 'Jesus Piece' 'cause last year in August I got baptized and so I've been going to church, but I still been kinda doing me out here," he said on air. "I still love the strip club and I still smoke and drink. I'm faithful to my family, so I wanted to make an album where you could love God and be of God, but still get it poppin' in your life."
Last month, the Game told Vibe Magazine “I’m a Christian but I’m not ‘holier than thou. Jesus Piece gives me an opportunity to speak about situations that people like me who love God but are still street and still wanna remain themselves without going the Pastor Mase route.”
Rapper Mase, real name Mason Durell Betha, was signed to Sean "Diddy" Combs' hip hop label “Bad Boy Records” in the 90s.He was wildly successful.
But on April 20, 1999, during an interview with Funkmaster Flex on New York radio station Hot 97, Mase announced his retirement from music to pursue "a calling from God."
Today, Betha continues to and serve in ministry with his wife, Twyla, though he has dibbled and dabbled in mainstream Hip Hop over the yeaers. Most recently, in September 2012, Mase appeared on Kanye West's “Cruel Summer” album, on the track "Higher" with The-Dream, Pusha T, and Cocaine 80s.
The Game is clear that he is not interested in becoming a pastor. In fact, he has a bit more liberal view of what it means to be a Christian.
“You can still have swag and be a Christian, you ain’t gotta wear a suit to church, you ain’t gotta take a bath in Holy water,” he told Vibe. “You can still have your Ciroc in the club, it’s just a faith thing and making sure you try to do right. I’m still a father, I still smoke, I still rep Compton. I still might shoot dice or have a fight if I have to defend myself.”
The Game did not indicate whether he is actively attending worship services or receiving guidance and counsel from a Christian leader to help him grow in his faith.
Reader Comments (16)
SWAG????? Dear Lord please remove the veil from his eyes and give him the power to live a Godly life,i rebuke the enemy of deception that leads him and many others to believe that salvation is just a "faith thing" and you can leave anyhow and still be of the world and profess the faith,furthermore i bind and rebuke every strong hold and demonic activity that has bound his mind and soul in JESUS NAME i pray,Amen!!!
LORD HELP US!
When I was reading this my heart felt sad. I really believe there are a lot of people that truly believe they are living according to God's plan. They just don't understand the truth. They need to know the TRUTH of the gospel not just go through formalities.
Have mercy God
Blinks then *blank stare*
SWAG????? Dear Lord please remove the veil from his eyes and give him the power to live a Godly life,i rebuke the enemy of deception that leads him and many others to believe that salvation is just a "faith thing" and you can leave anyhow and still be of the world and profess the faith,furthermore i bind and rebuke every strong hold and demonic activity that has bound his mind and soul in JESUS NAME i pray,Amen!!!
LORD HELP US!
all i could do was just shake my head, sounds like he is clearly mistaken, i wonder where is he getting this from, most people learn by examples from others, so, im wondering who is teaching him
All I can do is smh!!! **No Comment**
*blink *blink
well at least he'S honest ppl live like this in church now they just wont say it. All i can say is God bless him but what bible is he reading?
He gonna b mad if somebody told if He get saved he gonna get a new car..these pastors nowadays. I shole wish theyd tell the truth
I pray that these "high profile spiritual leaders" are really guiding these famous hip hop artists, rappers, etc. and not just accepting their hefty tithes and offerings!
@TS, LOL!! I thought the exact same thing. It's about money for Bishop Jones. A real shepherd would provide and inspire discipline. He would tell the Game to quit the strip club (lust), drinking and smoking (systematically breaking his God-given body down, addiction, self hate?), REALLY repent or else find another church! It might sound harsh but the Bible does say LET ALL who name the name of the LORD depart from iniquity. But it's not gonna be easy for the Game to do this for 2 reasons. #1 He LOVES his sin... #2 He has created a FALSE GOD (conformed to man's image) in his mind, that will ALLOW him to live however he wants as long as he "keeps the faith". Another sad fact is the exampleship he's sorrounded with. How is he supposed to understand repentance and consecration if Pastor MA$E keeps hooking up with them to shoot vile videos every once in a while??! I love Christian Hip Hop, but I'll pass on The Game's "Jesus piece".
@WOW and Evelyn: LOL...BLINK BLINK *blank stare*.... Is there any need to comment on this foolishness? REALLY SIR! REALLY!
Did Bishop Jones counsel this young man at all?? Are preachers also serving guys like this communion and letting them bring damnation on their souls?? This is serious! He is very misguided!!!
This is the reason we have to teach the word and show that we must have a standard for holiness. This will unfortunately be the mind set of millions of others as the years progressed.
I'm proud of you Troop,as a Gospel Rap Artist its good to see Him give God glory, I support it %100!!! RiktorchyA- Google me
Everyone go to www.thywordistruth.com thats where the truth is, please tell
The Game if anybody know him
Change comes from the inside. Bishop Jones is the most liberal honest and open minded teacher in this industry.He understands whats really going on in the world and meets God's people wherever they are. Religious nonsense and judgements dont lead people to God it pushes them away!!! Im so grateful for our church and the games beautiful family for praying for him and bringing him this far!!!! Also the man behind the games true story represents compton and the Black man in Americas struggle for survival!!!! Nyc stop and frisk program stopped and frisked 3 times the population of African Americans living in the city!!!! The City of Refuge is a place where everyone is welcome no matter what!!! " How you suppose to get right outside of the get right place?" We may not condone everything he does but we will endure it with him and stand with him no matter what!!!! Im a middle aged white woman from Laguna Beach. I didnt even know who he was when i met him and he was a perfectly respectful gentleman with a family. His story is incredible im glad hes here to tell it rap about it in a language his people understand and respond to. Keep it real and im buying that cd!!!!!