On New Year's Day, two of my children, Duvaughn and Dana-Marie, and I were at the Youth for Christ-sponsored Genesis. Genesis provides wholesome Christian entertainment ministry.

At the concert, Kasim Grant, who uses the stage name 'Moses', delivered an awesome performance. I was so touched by the ministry that I told my children that I was going to write an article entitled 'Moses delivered at Genesis'.

Unfortunately, by Tuesday, January 27, he was dead. He delivered his last major performance at Genesis. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear and the initial reports do not 'add up'. Nevertheless, whatever really happened just before his death does not mean we cannot learn from the life of gospel deejay Moses.

God as love

Moses said at Genesis that he was away from the gospel music stage for a while because he wanted to study the Bible to show himself approved. He wanted to have biblical depth when he ministers through music.

And his renditions that night displayed knowledge of the word of God. He sang about one God, one faith, reminiscent of the passage in the book of Ephesians. He also sang about God as love. Moses' songs always seemed to have depth.

I remember a church leader in England asking me to encourage a certain gospel artiste to attend church. I tried to fulfil that mandate. Apparently, some gospel artistes attend church only when they are performing and perhaps some are not grounded in the Bible.

Some gospel artistes enter the church when they are going to perform and then leave the worship service after their performance. Thankfully, Moses recognised the importance of studying the Scriptures and attending church.

Stage presence

Another commendable feature of Moses on stage that night was that he was not into self-promotion. In fact, he praised fellow gospel artistes such as Papa San, Prodigal and DJ Nicholas. He was magnanimous.

He also exhibited stage presence. He was well-dressed in a white uniform and had the 'rod of correction' in his hand.

Moses had a powerful testimony of how he turned away from the life of the gun. He always said that the Christian life was not easy. He knew that one is declared righteous by God but living the righteous life is a life-long difficult process. Moses has ministered at Boulevard Baptist Church's evangelistic outdoor meetings. He was an effective evangelist. He was a humble servant of God.

There are some persons who are condemning Moses before the police investigations are completed. But even if the worse innuendoes prove to be true, it does not mean he was not a Christian.

Christians are not perfect persons. Christians are engaged in a daily struggle of taking up the cross of Christ. Today, we can be strong in the Lord and tomorrow we engage in sinful practices. In addition, if the last thing a Christian does before he or she dies was sinful, it does not mean the person has gone to hell.

Discredit deejays

There seems to be a move to discredit gospel deejays because of the untimely demise of Moses and the alleged circumstances surrounding his death. In addition, another high profile gospel deejay, Prodigal, is involved in a public and messy divorce.

However, it is not only gospel deejays who have been involved in divorce from their 'life partners'. Pastors and other gospel artistes have engaged in divorce. Neither is it the first time a high profile Christian has been accused of serious wrongdoing. In the Bible, David committed adultery and murder.

Many of the heroes of the faith had shortcomings, however, they have left for us a heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives. We ought to focus on that rich legacy of our heroes and all those who've delivered, like 'Moses' and have gone before us; and ourselves, being faithful, will inspire those who come after us.

Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the church in nation building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com]