religion Archives - Rolling Out

During a time when the entire internet projects “stuffy news correspondent” vibes, it is refreshing to find a voice that does not take itself too seriously. A staff writer for Elle’s humor column, “Eric Reads the News,” R. Eric Thomas uses amusing comedy to color commentate his new memoir, Here For It: Or How to…

Pastor John Gray met the wrath of Black Twitter after revealing he cheated on his wife again. The famed South Carolina pastor of the Relentless Church took to Instagram on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, with a post honoring his wife, Aventer Gray. With her photo, John Gray included a lengthy caption as he revealed he…

The religious community is mourning the passing of Bishop Barbara Lewis King, founder of Hillside International Truth Center Inc. in Atlanta, who died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, according to a statement released by her estate. She was 90. Born in Houston, Texas, King earned a master’s degree in social work from Atlanta University. Before delving…

Kanye West is catching backlash for what he did during his Sunday Sevice series. On Sept. 6, West held a Sunday Service at Jackson Lake in Jackson, Georgia. In a video posted on Instagram by West’s wife Kim Kardashian, West and his choir gave the illusion of walking on water during the service at Jackson…

Orlando Magic forward, Jonathan Isaac became the first player to stand for the national anthem, as the rest of his teammates, coaches, referees and opposing players kneeled in unison on July 31, 2020. Isaac answered questions after the contest, clad with a royal blue face mask, providing enigmatic, religious-based reasoning as to why he did…

Nick Cannon recently made a donation to the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Cannon visited the Los Angeles-area museum to gain more insight on the history of the Jewish religion, according to a press release at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “Cannon learned about the work of the Center and Museum…

The Rev. Christoppher Stackhouse Sr. has always had a calling to serve a higher power while giving guidance to his community. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., he earned a master of divinity from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a doctorate…

Activist Shaun King recently faced backlash for challenging the European version of Jesus Christ. As individuals and groups across the nation call for the destruction of Confederate statues, King called for the Caucasian depictions of Jesus Christ to be dismantled. “If your religion requires Jesus to be a blonde haired blue eyed Jesus, then your…

Pastor Mike McClure Jr. is a gospel artist and the senior pastor of Rock City Church. The Birmingham, Alabama, native recently released his hit single “BIG,” which spent 10 weeks as the No. 1 song on gospel radio. Pastor Mike, as he is known, is also actively involved in his community, advocating for civil rights…

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Lecrae recently caught backlash after he appeared in a taped conversation with Chic-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy and Atlanta megachurch pastor Louie Giglio. During the discussion, Giglio claimed that slavery was a blessing. “We understand the curse that was slavery, white people do, and we say ‘that was bad,’ but we miss the blessing of slavery that…

COVID-19 has forced religious communities to adjust when it comes to gathering in person for services. Reginald W. Sharpe Jr., senior pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, recently went viral after giving a sermon that included a clear message about worship and safety. “We’re not coming back to church until the Lord —…

Respected community leader and activist Al Sharpton recently called for a closure of Black churches during this global health crisis. Rolling out publisher Munson Steed spoke with Sharpton on our Power and Company segment about the important message that he wants to spread to our community as we approach Easter Sunday. Why was it important…

A pastor in Chicago peddled religion for a payday. Rev. Clarence Smith, Jr. allegedly used his storefront church, New Life Impact Church in the Lawndale neighborhood, as a way to make himself wealthy, according to New York Post. Rev. Smith, 45, allegedly defrauded the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program that is administered by…

Kim Kardashian West wants to “honor” the “life change” her husband Kanye West is going through. The 42-year-old rapper has embraced religion in recent years, which has sparked a lifestyle change for his family — including children North, 6, Saint, 3, Chicago, 21 months, and Psalm, 5 months — and although his wife Kim doesn’t always agree…

Kanye West believes he is “unquestionably, undoubtedly, the greatest human artist of all time.” The 42-year-old rapper has said it is “just fact” that he is “the greatest artist in human existence”, and poked fun at those who were offended when he donned the infamous red “Make America Great Again” cap last year, to demonstrate his…

Ciara has taken on a new role, and some fans have a lot to say about her decision. On Monday, June 17, 2019, the “Level Up” singer was given the opportunity to officiate a wedding of two gay men, actors Justine Mikita and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. In the video, you can see an elated Ciara…

Charles Jenkins is a pastor and an award-winning songwriter and producer. The Chicago native was previously the senior pastor of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. Jenkins discusses faith and fatherhood with rolling out. What legacy are you leaving for your children and the children of your community? The opening phrase of Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good…

The Rev. Westley West, a native of Baltimore, was called to the ministry at the age of 12. Today, West is the founding pastor of Faith Empowered Ministries, leading the congregants in faithful living, commitment and community service. He understands that interaction is the baseline for meeting the needs of the people. How important is…

Gucci is back at it again, insulting people of color’s cultures with their designs and calling it “fashion.” This time, the luxury Italian fashion house is getting roasted for its “Indy Full Turban” which is a Dastaar, a religiously significant Sikh headdress. The turban first sparked outrage in February 2018 after it was seen being…

Dr. Ron Bell is currently the lead pastor of Camphor Memorial UMC, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is married to Dr. Eboni M. Bell and they have two sons: Ronald Bell III and David G. Bell. Bell has had many leadership roles, including founding The Arise Church, a new church in Wilmington, Delaware. Today, Bell…