FROM GANGSTA RAPPER TO GOSPEL PREACHER From gang leader and gangsta rapper, DANIEL DOUGLAS celebrates his new calling - sharing the Gospel with those on the margins
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t’s 10am one grey morning, and Daniel Douglas, a missionary with London City Mission (LCM), is pouring morning teas and coffees outside their Webber Street Day Centre in Waterloo, London. An excited guest shows off pictures of his new flat on his phone: “I was sleeping in a tunnel,” he says. “And now this!” “That’s beautiful, bro!” bursts Daniel. “I’m so happy for you! Bless you!” Hands pointing upwards, he adds: “And you know what? We give thanks to Jesus!” It’s a life-changing turnaround for the guest, and an insight into Daniel’s own life transformation. “You know, the Lord is just incredible,” he says later. “A lot of the guys who come to us have substance abuse problems – crack and heroin. These are guys I used to sell drugs to – now I’m here serving them teas and coffees.’” Daniel, whose parents arrived from Jamaica after the Windrush era, grew up in a Christian home in Brixton. He’d always believed in God, but never really connected with the Gospel. By the age of 14, he’d first stopped attending church and then stopped attending school. Instead, he joined a gang and focused on his musical talent, taking on the name Cerose and recording a 12” vinyl at the age of 16 - the same age he first got arrested. Daniel’s successes in rap weren’t enough for him, and he started getting involved in gangs, selling crack and heroin to fund his lifestyle. By 2014, he was on the cusp of wider success and recognition. However, a turn of
events - fuelled by his criminal convictions - found him back in rural Jamaica with his parents, where he reconnected with his father, whom he had neglected in pursuit of fame. Every conversation would come back to a biblical theme, drawing on his father’s lifetime in Christian ministry. Daniel was unconvinced, but intrigued. He returned to London with a new desire to find out who God is. For six months, he threw himself into reading the Bible, researching other religions, devouring all the information he could get his hands on. His mind was blown reading the Bible. One day in June 2015, he was reading through Matthew’s gospel when it hit him that Jesus really died and rose again. “I started bawling like a baby. It came with a mix of emotions I can’t describe – mourning, liberation, rejoicing – all sorts of emotions, and that feeling lasted for three days. “Jesus, I love Him. He’s all that matters. Before, I used to care about money and success, but not so much now. I just want to be living for Jesus.” Daniel met Christian rap artists, and they encouraged him to apply to LCM’s Pioneer Programme, designed to train and support people from diverse backgrounds into urban gospel ministry. And so, with no school qualifications, a long criminal record and being a new-born Christian, he was accepted onto the course. Afterwards he started working at Webber Street - LCM’s day centre for people who are homeless. “Everything I do now is about Jesus,” he says. “Our calling is to preach the Gospel
(* https://www.bigissue.com/latest/social-activism/how-many-people-are-homeless-in-the-uk-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/)
- wherever you are and with whatever ability God has given you. “The path I’ve chosen isn’t easy; it’s very hard - especially when I see old friends celebrated in the newspapers, knowing that I’ve passed up the opportunities of that lifestyle. It still stings a bit, you know. And then I think, why would I go back to that? Jesus is real and He’s saved me.” Daniel had his father to tell him about Jesus. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people in London are unlikely to hear the good news of Jesus in their lifetime. This includes people who are homeless. Homelessness in London has doubled over the past decade*, and is expected to rise - a result of the furlough ending. But you can do something about it.
JOIN DANIEL, FOR THE GOSPEL, IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG On 20th November, will you sleep out to bring hope to people who are homeless? Take part in our Big Winter Sleepout, and raise vital funds to give hope to people living on the streets of London. Your support will enable Daniel and the team at Webber Street to continue to provide food and practical care, and to give those who are homeless in London an opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus. Join us on the night at Webber Street, or get together with your youth group, school, church, friends or family for your own Sleepout! It will be a night to remember! Find out more and register at lcm.org.uk/sleepout www.keepthefaith.co.uk
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