Shifted by the Spirit

What happens when a holy call disrupts the career of a thriving hip-hop producer? In A Sacred Storm, Christopher Michael Jones, a.k.a. Chris Large, producer on Shaq's "You Can't Stop the Reign" featuring Notorious B.I.G., rereleased just this summer—shares the story of radically changing his life's course after a divine encounter.

"There will come a time in our lives when all that we know to be true about our paths ... will be shifted by the Spirit." —Darnell L. Moore, No Ashes in the Fire

"[A Sacred Storm] will leave you wanting to find your footing and voice in the winds of change." —Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Methodist Theological School in Ohio

At the Intersection of Hip Hop and the Church

A Sacred Storm considers how hip hop was a church-like experience for Black youth and young adults in the '90s: "The MC was the preacher," writes Jones. "The DJ was the worship host. The B-Boys, break-dancers, and pop-lockers were the liturgical dancers."

Jones shares the parallel wisdom he learned through the worlds of hip hop and church: the good news of “can’t stop, won’t stop” preached by hip hop in socioeconomic turbulence, and the good news of God’s unstoppable compassion in the wake of life's disruptions.

"An extensive work that plumbs the depths of both the Christian experience and the hip-hop culture." —Rev. Dr. David Latimore, Princeton Theological Seminary

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Michael Jones is an educator, practical theologian, grassroots organizer, community advocate, and formerly a multi-platinum record producer known as Chris Large. A native of Queens, NY, Dr. Jones currently serves as Faculty Mentor of the inaugural “Building and Bridging: Transformational Approaches to Pastoral Leadership, Prophetic Preaching, and Spiritual Formation” Doctor of Ministry Degree Program at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.

Dr. Jones has also served as the Visiting Professor of Preaching and Worship at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. While serving at NBTS, Dr. Jones served as an Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Administration and Co-Mentor to the Doctor of Ministry Degree Program in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Dr. Jones also served as an Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Leadership at Pillar College.

Dr. Jones has served as Guest Lecturer at Long Island University-Brooklyn focusing on Faith and Public Policy. Firmly rooted in his commitment to the work of the church, empowering the local community, and teaching in the academy, Dr. Jones maintains a strong commitment to retooling and encouraging pastors, seminarians, organizational leaders and volunteers in parish ministry as well as the public marketplace.

A graduate of Forest Hills High School, Dr. Jones graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University earned his Master of Divinity Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and also earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Memphis Theological Seminary with a concentration in Preaching as Pastoral Care in the African American tradition. Dr. Jones has studied at many other institutions of higher learning including the University of Oxford as a Graduate Fellow of Theology.

Most recently, Dr. Jones was appointed Chaplain of the Hillside Police and Fire Department in Hillside, NJ. He is the first African American to be appointed to serve as Chaplain to both departments in Hillside’s 104-year history.

He serves as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Hillside (NJ).