JOE MELENDREZ ‘CHOSEN’ TO GLORIFY GOD THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF RAP WO R D S Matthew Lau
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
C
hants of “Come Holy Spirit” echoed throughout the ACYF19 plenary exhibition as dynamic rap artist Joe
Melendrez led some 5500 festivalgoers to experience God in music.
The American speaker and rapper was a special guest performer at the fourth biennial Australian Catholic Youth Festival, held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) from 8 to 10 December 2019. Using rap music as a vehicle to evangelise, Melendrez’s main goal at the festival was to “act a vessel to be used by God at the best level I can”. “I want to pour out to these kids and I want to be available to how God wants to speak through me … I came to share the Good News of Jesus Christ,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Record. “ACYF has been fantastic, I didn’t know what to expect with the faith climate being different than America; so I was just coming to be authentically faithfilled as I normally am, hoping that it would be received well and I think it has. “God is universal: no matter who you are, He’s going to connect with you.” The highlight of the first day, he felt, was the outdoor concert held at PCEC’s Summer Garden. “It started with 20 to 30 people sitting on beanbags, and then they all gathered – it was like a living room show. I love that connection and the Spirit moves so intimately in those environments,” Melendrez recalled.
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