By Jeremy Myers Filed Under Church Planting Written on December 5, 2007

Church Planting with Will Smith

I’ll admit it….

When I was in Jr. High, I listened to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. My friend and I listened to all of his tapes (CDs were just coming out).

His rap was just what Junior High white boys in Montana liked: It was smooth, funny, and just a teeny bit rebellious.

I remember that some of the more serious, hard-core rappers gave The Fresh Prince a hard time for his music. “It’s not rap,” they criticized, “unless it’s got edge and reveals some anger. It’s not rap unless there is some profanity.”

The Fresh Prince took it all in stride, and just kept selling tapes. Then he got a TV Show and a few movie roles. Now, 20 years later, he can look at all those who criticized him and, with country-western singer Toby Keith, say “How Do You Like Me Now?”

The Fresh Prince, now known as Will Smith, is one of the most sought-after actors in the movie industry, not only in Hollywood, but in the entire world. TIME Magazine recently did a brief article on him and how he got where he is.

As I read it, I was amazed at what church planters (and all pastors and leaders) can learn from Will Smith. I’ll share these things tomorrow.

Check out these related posts on Scripture, Theology, and Church:

What is the Church Building?

Plant a Church for $150

Church Planting with Will Smith - Part 3

Church Planting with Will Smith - Part 2

Exposed!

Want to read more about Bible and Theology? Try one of these:

http://free-grace.blogspot.com Antonio da Rosa

I think he was just writing lyrics that his mom could approve of…
http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

LOL. You may be right….he had to pass everything by his mom.
mike Nuzzo

Will Smith cheats on his wife and is not really religious. They have an open marriage so that’s not really bein’ married or christian. He does not sell well with rap fans and is a true tom. He is a phony and is not a rapper. he is only a black token, if he is black, hard to tell. Problem get jiggy with me .
Mike Nuzzo syracuse ny

mikenuzzo@yahoo.com
http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Mike,

I’m not sure what your point is. I never said Smith is a Christian or religious. I don’t really care who likes his rap. Your comment about him being a black token sounds a little racist.

The point is that Smith has made some smart moves in life, all following a plan. If we are going to get anywhere in life, even as a Christian, we need a plan for how to get where God wants us to go.
Julie Duerler

When Barbara Walters asked Will Smith if he is a good person he said, “I try. I try very hard.”
Will Smith is a person who happens to need the grace of God, as we all do.
I pray for him daily.