Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down-to-earth conversations about ministry and the life of the church, straight from a Baltimore stoop.

In this episode, Joel Kurz sits down with Duce (William "Duce" Branch), founding member of the legendary Christian hip-hop group Cross Movement, to trace the remarkable story of how God used hip-hop to shape one of the most influential gospel ministries of the last three decades.

Duce shares his testimony of growing up under the faithful evangelistic ministry of his father, wrestling with the pull of hip-hop culture, running from home, and eventually being drawn back to Christ through the gospel. Along the way, he reflects on the rise of hip-hop in New York City, the influence of Black evangelical leaders, and how God used Bible college to deepen his theological convictions and prepare him for ministry.

Together, Joel and Duce explore the origins of Cross Movement—not simply as a rap group, but as an evangelistic ministry committed to proclaiming the gospel with theological depth. They discuss the unique challenges of engaging culture without compromising biblical truth, the tension between artistry and ministry, and why distinctly Christian hip-hop became a bridge between generations, introducing countless young people to sound doctrine and the beauty of the gospel.

Whether you grew up listening to Cross Movement or are simply interested in the intersection of theology, culture, and urban ministry, this conversation offers an encouraging look at God's providence in raising up faithful gospel witnesses in unexpected places.

Joel Kurz is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and Director of ONE HOPE.

William "Duce" Branch is a founding member of Cross Movement, a Bible teacher, speaker, and one of the pioneers of distinctly Christian hip-hop.

🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives

❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate

CROSS Movement and Christian Hip Hop with William Duce Branch

ONE HOPE

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down-to-earth conversations about ministry and the life of the church, straight from a Baltimore stoop.

In this episode, Joel, Akin, and Stephanie sit on the stoop of the ONE HOPE Mission House in Baltimore, Maryland to talk about the importance of doctrine in the life of the church—especially in the inner city. In communities often shaped by a lack of theological training and constant exposure to shallow or false teaching, doctrine is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

Why does doctrine matter for everyday believers? How does sound doctrine shape the health, worship, and mission of the church? And how do pastors and congregations alike receive, guard, and pass on good doctrine?

Together, they discuss the real challenges facing this community, the danger of drifting from biblical truth, and the urgent call to combat false doctrine with the life-giving doctrine of Scripture. This conversation makes the case that doctrine is not cold or abstract—it is deeply pastoral, profoundly practical, and essential for faithfulness and endurance.

Joel Kurz is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and Director of ONE HOPE.

Akin Omisanmi serves as Pastor at Southwest Baptist Church, a ONE HOPE church.

Stephanie serves alongside ONE HOPE, laboring for healthy churches and rooted discipleship in the city.

📍 Learn more about The Garden Church: thegardenbaltimore.com

📍 Learn more about Southwest Baptist Church: swbcbaltimore.com

🌱 Learn more about ONE HOPE: onehope.gives

❤️ Support the show: onehope.gives/donate

Ecclesiology in the Inner City: Doctrine

ONE HOPE

The love of money is not just a problem of the rich, it can also grip the poor and working class. Many who grew up with little desire much. And we get it. Poverty hurts. It’s not what we want for our kids. But how should we think of having and pursuing wealth?.

The stoop crew first defines wealth. On one hand, wealth is defined as having more than you need. In this sense, most every American is “wealthy” in comparison to other cultures. But a more popular definition is to have enough money so that “I don’t have to think about money.” People don’t like budgets because they don’t like restraints. The desire for wealth is to pursue enough in order to spend without constraint.

Can Christians have this kind of wealth? We usual, Joel, Stephane, and Eric take it to the Word. What does the Bible teach on having money? Listen as they read plenty of Scripture and discuss God’s view of wealth and the Christian.

This episode is part one of three as The Stoop Sessions considers the topic of wealth.

Support the show at www.onehope.gives/donate

Can Christians Have Wealth?

ONE HOPE

Brian and Dawn Sessions were both raised in Baltimore and in the church, but seeing the beauty of reconciliation through the gospel did not come immediately. God used their love of the arts to help them find their identity in Christ, and now they use the arts as an avenue through which they can share that same hope with youth in Baltimore. Their lives are not separate from their ministry, but shared through it, and their success is not an end-marker, but daily fulfilling the mission of sharing the gospel. Listen to the end to hear a preview of Brian's new song and check out our website for links to Brian and Dawn's ministries.

More Info on Brian and Dawn’s Work:

R.O.C. Enrichment: www.rocenrichmentprogram.com

Brian’s music: “Jesus Loves Me” By Brian Sessions on all digital streaming services

Grace Abounds Dance/Mentoring: graceaboundsmentoring.org

The Arts and Jesus: The Story of Brian and Dawn Sessions

ONE HOPE