Tyrese Gibson His Faith, His Music…and More!
July 10, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Entertainment, Music
One-on-One with Tyrese Gibson
His Faith, His Music…and “What He’s Looking for in the Ultimate Lady!â€
In a recent phone interview with GT Publisher, Teresa Hairston, Tyrese had this to say:
tyrese gibson
“Who are you to throw stones at others? When you choose to get closer to God and get rid of things that aren’t considered “good†you still can’t judge other people.
GT: What’s your relationship with your pastor, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer (Faithful Central, Los Angeles, CA)
Tyrese: I don’t go to church just to go. My pastor (Bishop Ulmer) has impacted my life in a very powerful way; I actually feel closer to God through him. He’s such a sincere, transparent, loyal man of God! I know that you’re not supposed to depend on man, and just depend on Jesus, but I’d like to believe that the way he’s representing God has drawn people closer to God. It’s because of Bishop Ulmer that I have come to the conclusion that I may on that podium! I’m very inspired by his conviction.
GT: How do you live your faith in the mainstream music and movie industry?
Tyrese: I can’t be great or be considered great without my source. As an R&B artist, and as an actor who loves God as much as I do, you set yourself up to be judged and ridiculed—because Christians can be very judgmental. It’s important that my walk with God matches my talk.
GT: Tell me about your Christian “backgroundâ€
Tyrese: I grew up in the church. My momma used to take me to church all the time and I sang in the choir. I didn’t know I had a gift for singing whatsoever, because I wasn’t a lead singer, I was just one of many. But back then, it wasn’t fun to go to church, it was more of a responsibility. Like ‘Ah Mom, we gotta go to church?’
I was the hyper kid. I had attention deficit issues and sitting at church just made me sleepy. It wasn’t a good experience as a kid.
One Sunday, my mother said ‘Go up there and get saved.’ She told me to do it, and I did it just because she told me to. But when I [really] got saved, about 15 years ago, I just got to a point that even though my career was flowing, I just was feeling weak in a lot of different areas, and even back then, my prayers were, ‘God, bless me to see the invisible. Give me clarity and cover me. Order my footsteps in the direction you want me to walk in.’
GT: You’ve had an amazing career! How have you managed to hold it all together?
Tyrese: It’s really only by God’s favor on my life that I’ve been able to extend a 30-second Coca-Cola commercial into over 15 years of some form of show business that keeps me relevant and moving forward. I can’t even understand it; I can’t put words to it. I mean, I’m working my butt off—nobody’s given me nothing! But it’s really amazing!
GT: Have you changed/adjusted your “mainstream†music choices because of your faith?
Tyrese: Right now, I’m doing another album and I have a song that’s dedicated to my faith, but it’s an R&B album—I’m just being myself.
GT: What qualities would be found in the “ultimate†woman for you?
Tyrese: I love class. I’d love an educated, forward thinking woman who is in tune with her femininity. I want a woman with tact as well as integrity. she’d have to be confident, but able to see beyond materialistic things and money. Why do most women associate a man being a good man because of what he’s driving? I want a woman to see me and see the value in me and who I am as a man. My car doesn’t make me great. A nice suit doesn’t mean I’m a good man.
I was talking to a blind man, and I asked him, ‘if you could have your eyesight, would you want it?’ and he said, ‘No.’ I asked him ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘because most people with eyesight still can’t see.’ That helped me. Now, I listen to people. I pay attention to their inner-man, to their spirits and their vibes.
GT: What do you want your legacy to be?
I want people to be able to say that my value as a man of God was not associated with my bank account or the things that I possessed. I purposely decided to wake up everyday to be the best version of me that I can be. I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my faith in God, my sexuality, my manhood or my integrity to get to the next level in my career. if God isn’t in it, it wont last.
I believe that before I was born God created a blueprint for my life.
You have to wake up every single day with your mind set and a mission in place to get to where you’re going. God ultimately orders your footsteps, but when I’m gone I want to be able to say that while I was here, I took advantage of every possible, potential concept, idea, vision and dream that God sent my way; or did I allow my environment or my family or my friends to talk me out of my vision.
Don’t get me wrong, Tyrese is an incredibly gifted individual but why in the world do people think God ‘blesses’ them to peform secular, explicit music and act in explicit films? And we also have to toss out the ‘don’t judge’ card. That’s a cop out, and is played out. The phrase ‘judge not’ implies falsely accusing or otherwise condemning people when you’ve not reconciled to God yourself. Judging with a pure intent to help someone is God’s way. You can’t be a real witness if you’re not telling people what the Word says. Gifts are given without repentance…so essentially secular artists are thanking God believing He’s perpetually blessing their careers when really they were born with the gift and He’s giving them free will to operate in it. Again, I have nothing against Tyrese or any other artist but people of God need to be bold enough, keep it real, and let them know…God is not in ‘Signs of Love Making’. #JustSayin
This is so refreshing! Hallelujah! I am sooooo proud of Tyrese. He’s dared to take a stand for Jesus though it’s easier for him to be consumed by the environment that’s often coupled with his career. All too often we see people who are afraid/reluctant to walk in their purpose, not to mention, take time out to get closer to God to find out their purpose. Kudos, Tyrese and praise God for sharing with us another vessel of honor. I’m excited about seeing “the great and mighty things” (Jeremiah 33:3) God has in store for you.
Great Article. Pray his Values & Morals never change. A hurting World needs a True Witness even in our secret lives of all that profess to be a Christian.
It is good to know that a man the age of Tyrese is as grounded and focused as he is. The article was very enlightening and promising and I am sure that he will find his Proverbs 18:22 woman!!
When I heard Tyrese was going to be on TBN I didn’t watch it. I saw his interview on the Wendy Williams Show and she shut him down because of the comments he made regarding cheating men. I agree with the other writer who said many people use the don’t judge card as a cop out. I think especially in the black community we need better role models. I point my son not to the many men who have cheated or have ex-wives or different mother’s of their children. I point to men like Bishop Bronner of Word of Faith Church who gives his testimony of being with one woman his entire life his wife. That’s who I want my son to read about someone who has been successful in all areas of their life.
They asked him about a the ‘ultimate’ woman for him and he didn’t mention anything about Proverbs 31. The church is in a devastating position right now. People always talking about don’t judge me. Well, if we didn’t judge anybody, we would be hanging around rapist talking about, ‘I know he a rapist, but i can’t judge him. So I’m going to let him baby sit my 8 year old daughter’. Well, we know this dude isn’t living a righteous lifestyle (according to the bible) so why is he ‘preaching’ on tbn?
I think it’s a good thing that Tyrese acknowledge God as being the head of his life. He stated some important factors about being in this world and not being apart of this world. We as “Christians” struggle everyday to remain in the will of God. Even though some celebrities give thanks to God for their accomplishments, mature Christians clearly understand that a person is recognized by their fruit. I’m not speaking with any hidden agenda’s, I’m just saying that we all can stand some growth in our lives.
Will the “real” saints please stand up? Unfortunely, this is nothing more than a form of Godliness. Yes he may “I love the Lord”, but his walk (life) doesn’t match his talk. My heart aches for the Body of Christ. As the old Winnans song says, “Bring back the days of yea and ney”.
I applaud Tyrese’s efforts to continue to grow in his faith. I do not believe the using the statement “don’t judge me” is a cop out. Because all christians are not in the exact same place as others christians does not mean that they love the Lord any less. You have new christians that are still learning & growing. Still being convicted and learning to let go of things of the world that has held them back from getting closer to God. While he may be still singing secular music, he may begin to change his music and eventually sing gospel only! The fact that he can stand boldly and say that he is a christian at his age while most of his peers in the entertainment industry are waaaaaayyyyy to the left of him is a true testatment! I pray that he continues to grow and is able to become a true role model for young men in the world. Let’s not get it twisted, we ALL will fall short and nothing but the grace of God will allow us to oneday see God.
I totally agree with cry in the wilderness and watch and pray. Reason: tyrese is a amazing singer. But if you are going to rude for christ then ride for christ if you are going to do your own thing then do it. But you CANT do both y well because my bible says so Matthew 6:24 “no one can serve two masters either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other you CANNOT serve both God and money. Im not judgeing tyrese on his behavior , but i am on his fruit. See fruit can come out Good or Rottend depeding on how you harvest it. The same way if we are christains, if we dont feed ourselfs in the holy way then we will rot. See we all have light in us when we give ourselfs to God but it is when we stop giveing ourselfs to God, us when he takes our light away. It is funny when being asked have you changed your mainstream,/adju sted your music beacause of your faith he made one song about his faithh and the rest is r&b like he said he is just being hinself. No theres the problem right there. We are called to be a certain postion but never to be youself. Why because god has to change us to bring us closer to him which proves you cant stay in the same place in the process. Droping a r&b album is cool but if you are in for god then you need to drop gospel album and tell people how God changed you in it. And how amazing he is. But tyrese when you really series about my God ill be there for you homie. Less sexual songs and more of God songs.
Great insight all. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. For clarity, make no mistake: The judgment God and Apostle Paul spoke against was the judging of those that were generally perceived as being ‘lost’ and outside of the fellowship. I Cor 5:9-11. Also we’re not to judge based on circumstance, gender, creed, ethnicity, etc: John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” We must understand when we profess Christ, we become His earthly representatives. If you worked for Burger King, your manager would probably have a major issue with you rockin’ McDonald’s gear on the job. The point is – Tyrese and those alike need guidance and truth. Yes, he’s a good orator and can give compelling arguments but he defeats the purpose if the COMPLETE lifestlye doesn’t synchronize. ["Not everybody's walk is going to be consistent with their talk of God...but as long as you're talking about Him" - Tyrese] Saints, we need to pray these folks in and not just pat them on the back for a few deep words. If he can’t walk what he talks…the words have no real power…just emotional circus candy. And people just eat it up. As a musician I grieve for these extremely talented artists. The saints are so busy buying CD’s, movie tickets, and going to concerts…they don’t have time to consider praying these people out of deception and double lives.
Be Blessed Family-
The Word says “Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord”. So it is good to hear Tyresse do that. But it seems, sadly, like that is where it ends. If you get a small glimpse of Tyresse’s music, as a christian, that might be all you could stomach, as a full look might take you somewhere you might soon regret. He says he’s dedicated one, one, song on his CD to the Lord. I pray that one day he’ll mature and give the Lord his all (including every song on his CD) and then his music won’t be limited to certian stores, and we as christians will also be able to enjoy his gift that was given from God above.
I agree ‘Watch & Pray’. Everyone can praise. Matter of fact, everyone MUST praise. The kicker is, everyone CAN’T worship and that’s what God ultimately desires [John 4:24]. Praise is simply acknowledging. Worship is KNOWING.
Has anyone seen his latest video? When are we going to stop being a do as I say, not as I do people? We’ve got to come up as a people. We are starting to become of no effect.
BOTTOM LINE: You shall have NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME (period)
We are given choices everyday in our lives. God does provide us with free will, which is why He will JUDGE us based on our decisions. If you LOVE GOD, you will HATE Satan and ALL that “represents” him. Unfortunately, Tyrese is making choices that demonstrate “allegiance” with Satan (ie. all the unclean films and lustful songs) God said, “The prince of this world (Satan) comes and have NOTHING in me and I, NOTHING in him”. In other words, God and Satan cannot dwell in the same house; one cannot SERVE two masters. Furthermore, God said, “If you LOVE ME, than you will FOLLOW my COMMANDMENTS”…
Tyrese needs to sing this song…”ALL TO JESUS, I SURRENDER ALL…ALL TO HIM, I FREELY GIVE”…
Peace & Grace♥
I feel like Tyrese is definitely a christian. If he is doing anything wrong in his walk with the Lord, trust me our Father will change all of that. I don’t, and I won’t judge Tyrese. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Tyrese, keep doing what you are doing brother. Maybe God is using you in the movie industry, and in the music industry to bring people to Him. All I can say is “May those without sin,cast the first stone”, and before you worry about what’s in your brother’s eye, feel around for what is in yours. I am proud of Tyrese for standing up and representing our Daddy!!!
We must be careful when we use ‘proverbial counterpoint’ Scriptures to validate a view. It’s important to know how judging was used in light of the context. I don’t feel like anyone here is trying to condemn Tyrese, but turning blind eyes and deaf ears to the obvious is a much GREATER harm. Believe it or not, everyone within this form isn’t “judging” hypocritically and really want to see those who are lost reconciled back to Christ. To say God is using Tyrese to bring people to Him via provocative movies and songs is…well, I don’t even know how to classify that remark but please know that God is a HOLY GOD! To say He’d use lasciviousness to draw people is like saying Child Protective Services can use a pedophile as a representative. God does not need a gimick, especially not a sexual one, to draw people to Him. God Bless~
okay have read all the words in the comments everyone has made a valid point with scripture to back it up good stuff but what i haven’t seen is someone submit a prayer for the brother to truly find Christ and to be found by Christ.
Father God in the name of Jesus I ask that you will allow the words of the Lord to truly find him. God as you have him in this season of his life I ask that you keep him covered in the blood of Jesus. God i ask that you keep him strengthened where he is week and in his clarity give him the free will to truly choose to represent your name in a way that will bring you glory. God go into the secret places the hidden arenas that will keep him bound to the mindset that tells him he can do himself and God at the same time. God i ask for a divine interruption of his carnal living and your perfect and precious spirit. God touch him where no man can touch and do what he in his on ability can’t do. As long as your will permits it. In Jesus holy name Amen