Last Monday, we published the first part of my conversation with hip-hop artist Lecrae. Today we wrap up our talk by discussing his role in the movie Believe Me (coming out tomorrow), fatherhood and why he’s looking forward to the Dove Awards.
Bob Waliszewski: You have a role as Dr. Malmquist in the film Believe Me. Tell me about that and tell me about this film in general.
Lecrae: The film is an independent film. It’s a satire [that] allows us as believers to look at ourselves in light of how the world outside of the Christian faith looks at us and ask ourselves some hard questions about our approach to people, and our role as image bearers and missionaries [in] society. I think if we are able laugh at ourselves a little bit and we’re able to acknowledge that we may have some blind spots, I think it helps us to be more effective witnesses in this world.
Dr. Malmquist is a character in a film within a film. There is actually another film going on in this movie that has a very significant role, and my character gives it a profound life-changing scene for a gentleman, but it’s kind done in a silly way. But it also brings out a very serious issue in one of the leading character’s lives. So I have a small role, but it played a big role in the grand scheme of things.
Waliszewski: you spoke to students at Liberty University recently, and you talked about breaking the divide between the sacred and the secular. You used Daniel as an example. How does that apply to the common, everyday Joe out there who’s going to work at the post office or the grocery store?
Lecrae: Ministry means service. …whatever job we have it’s a service to people. And we have to think through how can we redeem our jobs and look at our jobs as ways to demonstrate that His kingdom come, His will be done. I think that just being consistent, being on time, being pleasant, and working unto God’s glory and knowing that God is your ultimate boss. … I think that demonstrates what the kingdom looks like and it shows people that we operate kind of under a different code and we’re doing to the glory of God.
Waliszewski: You’ve been part of President Obama’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative. What have been the results of being part of that?
Lecrae: I think I’ve seen a trend of dads having a confidence and an encouragement in being involved [with their children]. It’s a little bit of peer pressure to hear about some of the [great] things that dads are doing, but it’s good accountability. If you’re consistently hearing about dads involved in their children’s lives, you start thinking about your own life and your involvement and it kind of challenges you. Outside of just challenging them, we’ve also given them resources and tools.
Waliszewski: Lecrae, your dad wasn’t there for you, but in light of Obama’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative and the fact of being a dad yourself to three children, how do you approach fatherhood?
Lecrae: There are always two ways of looking at this situation [growing up fatherless]. There is looking at it and saying, “Well, this is all I’ve ever known so it’s all I can do.” And there’s looking at it and saying, “This is all I’ve ever known so it’s all I’ll never do.” There are some things I didn’t see and I don’t want to repeat those things. There some things I did see that I don’t want to repeat either. I’ve had to educate myself in some ways and learn a lot of things on my own. But, you know, God has left me no shortage of examples outside of my home and left me no shortage of examples in books.
Waliszewski: You’re co-hosting the Dove Awards with Bart Millard of MercyMe on Oct. 7. What are your thoughts going into this event?
Lecrae: I’m, I’m extremely excited about this opportunity. I have a unique opportunity to be a paradigm shifter and an alternative perspective in Christian culture. And yet [I’m] still learning so much at the same time. Just being able to be there and be another voice and a representative of how diverse we can be and of how unified we can be at the same time is a great opportunity. I’m gonna have some fun!
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