Who's who of conservative celebrities gathered in November in Asheville, N.C., to honor and praise Billy Graham, the famed Christian evangelist, on the occasion of his 95th birthday. Inside the hotel ballroom, Donald Trump and Sarah Palin rubbed elbows with Rupert Murdoch, Glenn Beck, Greta van Susteren and Rick Warren.
"Billy Graham, we need you around another 95 years," Palin said. "We need Billy Graham's message to be heard, I think, today more than ever."
At one of the head tables, right next to Kathie Lee Gifford, sat a 34-year-old rapper who looked out of place among the mostly older, white VIPs. Lecrae Moore had not been raised a Christian, and had not grown up listening to Graham preach. His childhood role models had been rappers like Tupac, and he had spent his teenage years running the streets.
But Lecrae -- who was featured in Graham’s recent “final sermon” video -- has also become an ambassador for Christendom. His delivery is just a bit different.
Over the last several years, Lecrae has become a successful rap artist with a rare message that is explicitly Christian. His 2008 album "Rebel" became the first rap album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel chart, and his 2012 record "Gravity" won a Grammy for best Gospel album. He has also become a staple of the Christian music festival circuit, headlining concerts in front of thousands of fans.
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