ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 29, 2009  

Lutheran Rapper Spins Music into Money for ELCA World Hunger
09-170-CD

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Traveling the world put the issue of hunger on
the map for Dave Scherer.
     The Lutheran rapper went to Bosnia in 2007 and El Salvador soon
after, and realized that he wanted to help equip young people to be
advocates for social justice.
     "Seeing hunger firsthand makes you want to see how to impact it," he
said.
     Scherer teamed up with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) World Hunger program and will stage a series of concerts across
the country to benefit the cause.  The "Jesus Justice Jazz" tour makes 12
stops, starting at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, Sept. 12, and ending
at Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., Feb. 14, 2010.  Wartburg and
Augustana are two of 28 ELCA colleges and universities.
     Many organizations have approached Scherer about partnerships, but
he's excited to work with ELCA World Hunger because of the "holistic"
approach they take.  "(ELCA) World Hunger attacks it from so many
different angles," he said.
     The rapper and company hope to raise $50,000.  The performers are
challenging each concertgoer to raise $20.  Prizes will be given to
groups and individuals who raise the most money and each person who
donates $20 will get a digital download card.
     The tour is serving two purposes for Scherer -- battling world
hunger and helping youth build on what they learn at this summer's 2009
ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Held every three years, the event
brings together thousands of high-schoolers from across the country to
worship and serve.  More than 37,000 Lutherans attended this year,
including Scherer, who performed and attended events.
     Scherer compared the gathering to scaling a mountain.  "It would be
cool to keep that momentum going," he said.
     Three artists performing at the gathering will join Scherer on the
Jesus Justice Jazz tour -- Lost and Found (Michael Bridges and George
Baum) and Rachel Kurtz.
     He hopes that those who attend the Jesus Justice Jazz tour will be
inspired to "identify one thing that they are passionate about, one way
that they could live out their baptismal call."
     Scherer started rapping as a kid in Minneapolis and brought his
skills out for the first time while working at a Bible camp.  "The kids
were like, 'man, these stories are lame.' And I was like, 'All right,
well, let's create music,'" he said.
     Scherer became a full-time artist 10 years ago and still lives in
Minneapolis.  He goes by the name Agape on stage, which comes from the
Greek word meaning "unconditional love of God," he said.   In 2001 he
founded JUMP Ministries (Joint Urban Ministries in Praise) to help inner-
city youth develop leadership skills through hip hop and the arts.  His
fourth full-length CD, "Paradoxology," debuts July 22.  "It's about
praising God in the midst of the paradox of life," he said.
     Paradoxes are a big part of Scherer's rapping, "When I see a 90-year-
old Scandinavian lady throwing her hands in the air right next to an
eight-year-old Puerto Rican kid, that is beautiful for me; that is what I
am on this earth to do," he said.
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     More information on the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering is available at
http://www.ELCA.org/youthgathering on the Web.  Dave Scherer is at
http://www.hiphopoutreach.com on the Web.  Information on the Jesus
Justice Jazz tour can be found at http://tinyurl.com/loljot on the Web.

     * Carrie L. Draeger is a senior communication major with a
concentration in journalism at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash.
This summer she is an intern with the ELCA News Service.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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