LJ-Purpose doesn’t follow tradition

"Serving God was the last thing on my list," said gospel minister and recording artiste LJ-Purpose, who admits he wanted to work "like the average man, party, smoke, drink and have girlfriends".

"Looking back at the idea I had for my life, I can laugh and also cry, knowing it wasn't going anywhere. God turned my life around," he told Gospel Spotlight.

Now a proclaimed man of God, Linton Samuels Jr (his given name) sees gospel ministry as part of his purpose, but he "breaks the traditional rules of worship".

He said, "Tradition has taught us to go to church on Saturday or Sunday to worship God. In a way, it keeps you in a box and sometimes, after those two days, we go back home and we're back at square one. We cannot stay within the boundaries of church singing and clapping. When we assemble before God, it should be a case that we go to experience him, not because we are instructed to."

The Calvary Gospel Assembly Church of God member hails from the sometimes volatile Pell River in Hanover. He shared that 2011 was the turning point.

"Nine years ago, I walked in fear on the way home one night and had a near-death experience. Now, I am living and walking on the path doing something bigger than me ... I feel freer," he said. For this reason, he has gone beyond that 'safe place' to minister to the youth who are where he once was.

"I will go into the streets and minister to the youths. We have the responsibility to go to them. We believe they should come to the Church, but that's a terrible misconception," he said. "People in Church already know God. What about those who don't know him? I find that not knowing yourself can push you in the wrong company, and all some youths want is a prod in the right direction. I want people, not just Christians, to gravitate towards God. The secular must know who He is, and the only way we can do this is to create something that is neutral to everyone."

Many of LJ-Purpose's songs deliberately bridge the secular and Christian communities, taking after gospel artistes like Papa San, Ryan Mark and DJ Nicholas, who he said made an impression on him with the way their music and lyrics were constructed.

His previous releases Heavenly Gift, Nazareth and Kingdom Citizen could fall inconspicuously into a party playlist, and the latest single, Zealous, has a similar flow, comparable to a dance tune.

"From the feedback and comments I received, my music has always produced that 'King David' effect, dancing as a show of praise to God," LJ-Purpose said.

The stigma attached to reggae and dancehall as rebellious, boisterous and sometimes vulgar genres does not discourage him.

"It doesn't shift my focus and I understand that not everyone will embrace it; after all, not everyone accepted what Christ had to offer. I am thankful to my wife Devona Samuels, my church brothers and sisters, and everyone else who has embraced my music and support my commitment to the kingdom of God through music," he said.