So you’re born on the south side of a major, urban metropolis… a place known for its’ poverty and crime infestation. Yes, there’s some good but many argue that the bad far outweighs it. So what are you going to do? Will you step it up or get swallowed by the chaotic culture of your habitation? Will you find and latch onto the successful components of your community or choose failure and navigate your way to the streets of gangs and death? Will you attempt to climb the great wall of education or join hands with sixty-percent of black males who give up annually? Will you drown yourself in a sea of self-pity or will you swim your way onto the shores of your passion and purpose.

These were the central questions facing one, Kel Mitchell. Thankfully, Kel had the right influences in his life. Men like his grandfather had a major impact on him. He was able to see the gifts residing within him. Not only did his grandfather provide a Christian example and role model for Kel but his parents also knew the importance of keeping him involved in something positive. Because, as he says, “I was hardheaded growing up so I won’t say that I always followed all of their directions but I definitely had people to put me on the right track”. His parents decided to introduce Kel to Community Theater… and don’t parents always know best! Kel fell in love with all that theater brought into his life. From the art of acting to the entire history of it all, it became his passion for living. He decided to learn the value of struggle and the sacrifices that opened the gateway of opportunity and afforded him the chance to stand on those stages. He constantly studied his scripts, learned the comedic timing and any other thing necessary to prepare for his roles. This also included sitting down with the writers and directors to perfect his character. He kept all of these things with him as he matriculated up the Hollywood ladder along with adding that final missing piece… giving all praises to God for every success and failure because it’s God who deserves all the glory.

But within every great man, there is an enriching and revealing back stage story. The beautiful thing about this brother is that he shares it without shame or regret. When we asked him why his biggest passion now is his walk with Christ, he began to tell this story.

“I’ve been suicidal, divorced and stressed out. I had to forgive a lot of folk, change my lifestyle, forgive myself and be willing & obedient to Christ. When you give God the glory, you can have a wonderful relationship. Love God first and you can have a wonderful career. Things will start connecting for you in your life. Anytime you run into me, you will definitely hear about Christ. If I was living the way I’m living now for Christ, I wouldn’t have ever married the woman I married,” he continues. A lot of people are looking for a relationship where they feel love. But you have to realize that God’s first and then he will bless you with the woman for you. I was living in the sin of my youth at the time… clubbing, drinking, etc. So I ended up getting her pregnant and then decided to get married even though we weren’t equally yoked.”

“After divorce I was trying to find myself. I didn’t want a divorce. I wanted to give up on life. I became suicidal, jumped into other relationships which weren’t smart either. My career wasn’t going right anymore. I started to lose everything. It was just God, a small apartment and me.”

But that ended up being the place he needed to be and the best time of his life. “I gave it to Christ,” Kel says. “An evangelist prayed with me everyday. I got things pulled off of me. I repeatedly prayed, gave all to God and rebuked things off me. I tell others, you may have made a mistake but never give up. You can always come back to Christ. Know that God will always love you. I am a testament to all of this”. Currently, Kel is living a very enriching life under the leadership of his current mentor and Pastor, Gary Ziegler at Spirit food Christian Center. The central theme in his development under Pastor Ziegler is being willing & obedient to Christ, praising Him and thanking Him for everything he does. His walk is one that exemplifies living everyday by the Bible and not just on Sunday. Kel shared a lot with us on various topics. On the importance of men praising and worshipping God, he says…

“Praise God to the highest of your ability. If it’s through praise then do so. As brothers we deal with so much stress and the devil is always trying to take us down. So if it’s winning through praise, then get your praise on. If you scream to the top of your lungs at sporting events and concerts, then you can definitely do it in church. Lift your hands. It’s all good”.

What about worship? “Most importantly, worship Him in truth,” says Kel. “No lies or guilt should be involved in that. Be real. You can know God but you have to have a relationship. Be truthful about it. Just like a relationship with your spouse, if you’re not telling the truth it will fall apart. It can’t be built on lies. So you have to be the same way with Christ.”

With such an enlightening story for a young brotha, we asked him to say something to others who are fighting the temptations and pressures that he has overcome… “If you have given yourself to Christ, never go back to what you’ve been redeemed of. You can’t go back to certain clubs, music or women that got you in trouble. You’ve got to switch it up. Know the promise that you made to Christ. Take your Bible everywhere you go. I have a small bible with Psalm & Proverbs that I carry with me. For me, if I have to make an appearance somewhere where I know that temptation is there, I carry it. You have to have that word on you because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. If you listened to certain hip-hop that’s filled with lust and getting you hyped, you may think it’s not affecting you because you’ve given your life to Christ. But it definitely goes into your subconscious. It’s like that song you dislike but keep hearing on the radio and you find yourself singing it days later. That happens because it has found a place inside of you. If you’re a single guy, don’t go to the strip club or watch certain movies that show nudity and cause the lust and flesh to rise up in you. Be quick to repent and stay focused. Always remember the turmoil that was caused by committing sin the last time and then remember your promise to Christ that you’re never turning back. Keep it the right way and stay with it.”

But Kel Mitchell is not just a brotha full of words. About two years ago, he started the Back House Party at the Dream Center in Compton, CA. One aspect of it is a dance competition. He saw kids dancing on YouTube and in the streets so he created a place that’s positive and provides a spot for kids to exercise their gifts and learn about theater. They get to show off their dance skills, party with positive music and see how a TV show is ran. He continues to work with kids at his church and speaks at various high schools. He is also the host for step shows and a spokesperson for Black College Expo. There he is trying to turn around the dismal dropout rate by letting kids know it’s cool to be smart. They give away scholarships to encourage them that you can be educated and have swag. You can be young, fly and saved.

So what do we expect to see from Mr. Mitchell in the future? There is much more, including film, cartoon and animation stories, music scores and a Christian hip hop CD. The rich drama of those community theaters, the Godly example of his Grandfather, the keen insight of his parents and the discipline and humility of his heart are still working together for the good of a man who loves God with all his soul. Visit him at kelmitchell.net or maybe even bring him to your school, church or organization to speak to the youth. One by one, he’s helping change a generation.