Country Artist Pushes Back Against ‘Lukewarm’ Label: ‘I Have a Heart for Jesus’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Country artist Jelly Roll knows God has a plan for him, despite his shortcomings, and teaming up with worship artist Brandon Lake reflects his “heart for Jesus.”
“This is so hard to talk about because I’ve been called a lukewarm, a fence rider,” the singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, told Lake in an Instagram video. “I’ve been called a cussing Christian. You know, I’ve had all these people…and I know that God’s got a lot more to do with me, I know that. I know I got a long way to go.”
Despite still having a “long way to go,” DeFord’s wants to share his testimony with others.
“I know that my heart was only to share the faith that changed my life,” he said. “I might wear it a little different than other people. I might say things that other Christians don’t think are right to say. But ultimately, I have a heart for God, and I have a heart for Jesus.”
DeFord acknowledged Lake’s unique role in the Christian music space and thanked him for choosing to collaborate with on a new version of Lake’s song “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
“You are thinking so dangerously outside of the box,” DeFord told Lake. “But even with me, dude, you could have called anybody else in this town and something a little less controversial. Thank you for picking me, brother.”
People in the comment section supported DeFord and thanked him for his vulnerability. “Dudes like him are some of the realest Christians out there. People, don’t condemn, God looks at the heart,” one user said. Another person added, “Jelly, there are a lot of Christians today who would have picked apart King David in all his sin, too. God’s not done with you yet🙌”
Lake and DeFord’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” dropped on Feb. 7.
“I wanted to give my fans a taste of something special while on the road,” Lake said of the song, per CCM Magazine. “This song is about the battles we face, the grit throughout the fight for faith and the praise that comes after. I hope it resonates deeply with everyone.”
READ MORE: UNLIKELY COLLAB RESULTS IN POWERFUL VERSION OF THIS WORSHIP HIT
For DeFord, who battle drug and alcohol addiction and spent time in prison before coming to faith, the song is personal.
“The first time I heard ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah,’ I haven’t had a record touch me like that in so long,” he said. “It’s been years since I worshiped the way that I worshiped to that song. Because I carry my faith with me, but I’m also struggling, and very honest and open about that.”
READ MORE: WHY JELLY ROLL SEEKS FORGIVENESS FOR PAST MISTAKES
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