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Education

DMin, Hip-Hop Preaching, ��ݮӰ�� Theological Seminary
MDiv, Christian Community Development, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
BA, Biblical Studies, Milligan University

Profile

Terence Z. Gadsden has lived in the Midwest for the past two decades, serving as a student pastor, hospital chaplain, educator, coach, mentor, and DJ. Before joining ��ݮӰ�� in 2016, Gadsden served on the pastoral staff at Lawndale Christian Community Church on Chicago’s West Side for 12 years. During his time there, he helped mobilize and disciple many student leaders to deepen their faith in Christ.

Gadsden was first introduced to the Christian faith while growing up at St. Paul Baptist Church in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. However, it was later through Christian hip-hop that he found Jesus. As a hip-hop artist and pastor, he has witnessed how both worlds can inspire ministry and spiritual growth. Gadsden, whose hip-hop DJ handle is DJ Rock On, realized that “God wasn’t just in the Sunday morning church worship service, but that He was also permeating through life and in all cultures, including hip-hop culture.”

In addition to his extensive experience working with students, Gadsden is an ordained and licensed minister. His doctoral thesis, “Hip-Hop Preaching: Preaching Using the Culture of Hip-Hop to Inspire College Students to Develop Their Christian Faith,” connects Jesus’ own storytelling work to the Kingdom potential of hip-hop storytelling. He and his wife, Angela Sangha-Gadsden, have been married for 20 years, and they have two daughters, Zion and Shanthi.

Professional Organizations & Associations

Christian Community Development Association