Prior to being known as Rev. Run, Joseph Simmons was famous for being one of the founding members of hip hop group Run-D.M.C.  Gradually, however, he was able to divert his attention to something that has always been a part of his life: Faith.

Simmons, who is now the star of MTV's Run's House, received his ministry license through his church, Zoe Ministries, in New York.

“I got my collar through going to church and being in church and doing what I was supposed to do. But at the end of the day, I wasn't supposed to open a church. That just wasn't my calling,” he explained.

“I looked at my strengths.  This is what I see and what I know [music and show business].  This is the way God wants me to minister, not standing in a pulpit with a Bible, but affecting people in a different way.  Being a fisher of men in a different way.  My church ended up being the MTV pulpit on Wednesday nights,” he added.

Run's House, for those who are not familiar, is a reality series that chronicles the lives of Rev. Run and his family.  The program premiered in 2005 and is currently airing its fifth season on MTV.

“I am not pushing principles down your throat but more telling you that as you look at my life you should become inspired by it,” Rev. Run said of what happens on his show.  “I believe that the family that plays together stays together.”

Meanwhile, the Run's House star reveals that having a successful family takes a lot of effort and hard work, just like in any other business.

“[Many ambitious people put tremendous energy into becoming successful] but they don't put that same energy into their family.  I tell that to…people I know.  You are extremely ambitious. If you would put that energy into your family, you would knock it out…This is just in me, God gave me the ministry of family ministry.  I am a guy that loves his family,” he said.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Access Atlanta
(Image courtesy of MTV)