Chris Slager – “Big C” Interview

Step out. Be bold. Have faith. Believe. Don't doubt. Don't fear. Keep it moving. Don’t be afraid. Share the Gospel. What a privilege to be a soldier in the army of God! By Captain Pamela Maynor
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PM: What does “Big C” stand for?

BC: “Big C” stands for “Big Christ.” It’s a reminder that Jesus Christ is bigger, stronger, and greater than any circumstance, trial or tribulation that may come against us. Jesus Christ is a rock; a solid foundation. Those that build their lives on Him shall not be defeated no matter the size of the storm. 

Also, I am 6’ 4”. I played middle school, high school, and college basketball. “Big C” was my nickname, so I decided to stick with it over the years.

PM: How did you first meet Jesus?

BC: My testimony is very similar to the Prodigal Son. I am extremely grateful for God’s everlasting love. I was born in Massachusetts and raised in the New York/New Jersey area. My parents were officers in The Salvation Army, and I am thankful for my upbringing. I remember first receiving Jesus as Lord of my life when I was 9-years-old and became a Junior Soldier at the Queens Temple Corps in Queens, New York. From the ages of 12 to 18 years old I turned my back on Jesus. I was influenced by culture, negative music, peer pressure, etc. I was in and out of different high schools due to my behavior and bad decisions. I got into a negative lifestyle of partying, drinking, and doing drugs that I’m not proud of. My life was headed down the wrong direction. My parents didn’t know what to do with me, other than to pray for me. 

After graduating high school I decided to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma and pursue playing college basketball at Oral Roberts University. Around that time there was a shooting at a nightclub where I was supposed to be. Somebody my age got shot in the leg. The bullet hit an artery, and he bled to death. A dream God gave me of heaven, combined with a couple other life and death experiences brought me to a place where I realized the time had come to commit my heart to Jesus. In 2007 I officially committed my whole heart to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every year I have grown more in love with Jesus and have grown more passionate about His loving Gospel. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes (Romans 1:16). 

The Bible says, “ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV). I am still amazed eight years later how God used this dream to wake me up to the truth of the loving Gospel of Jesus Christ. The life, death, bloodshed, and resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for the human race. 

PM: When did you start writing music? What influenced your writing?

BC: I first started writing music when I was 11-years old. East coast culture and secular rappers/artists influenced me through middle school/high school. The kind of music I wrote changed completely after I committed my heart fully to Jesus Christ at the age of 18-years old. God, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit became my influence. The Bible is my foundation and out of my personal relationship with Him is where the songs are birthed. He has entrusted me with five life changing albums available on iTunes. Also one 16 song Mix tape available for free download at www.BigCMusic.TV. His supernatural love for me continually inspires and influences me. 

PM: What is God calling you to do now?

BC: God is calling me to continue to reach this generation with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the gifts He has given me. I do this by hosting evangelistic concerts, speaking at churches, youth conferences, and teaming up with different ministries for His glory. Also by going into prisons and taking Jesus everywhere I go. By running my public school assembly program entitled “Raising Champions”. He has called me to work on different music projects, albums and music videos. I will also be releasing my first book in the next couple months entitled “Heaven Opened My Eyes.”

PM: Why do you believe evangelism is so important?

BC: God desires no one to die and go to hell for eternity. Evangelism is important because without it the Kingdom of God cannot grow and the population of Heaven cannot increase. The last thing Jesus Christ said before He ascended into the sky was, “Preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15). He could have said so many other things before He ascended, but He chose to remind His disciples to “Preach the Gospel”. That right there clearly unveils the importance of sharing the great news of the Gospel. A couple verses later it says that His disciples went and preached everywhere. God desires everybody in His Army to share the great new of Jesus. No matter who you are, what your age is, where you’re from, your back round, or what your job title is. He desires a personal relationship with you and desires that out of your personal relationship, you share Him with the world. 

PM: What do you think the most powerful way to reach our generation for Jesus is?

BC: Being real and authentic. Choosing to be who God created you to be, accepting His call on your life, and using the gifts He has given you for His Glory. Also by sharing your personal testimony with people, sharing how Jesus changed your life, and how Jesus can change theirs. By taking Jesus everywhere you go, whether it be a gas station, mall, or the school you go to. By using technology/social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat, YouTube, you name it!) to share the Gospel, testimonies, encouragements, and Scriptures. 

Christian Concerts, Christian movies, inviting people to Church, and Bible studies are great tools to reach this generation. Many are looking for love in all the wrong places. The only love that can fulfill the void in every human’s heart is God’s love, demonstrated to us through His Son, Jesus (Romans 5:8). 1 John 4:19 (NIV) says, “We love because He first loved us.” Catching a revelation of God’s love for you will revolutionize your life.  The life, death, blood shed, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ all demonstrates His love for the human race. I believe a revelation of God’s Agape love is vital to every generation, including mine. God’s love is empowering, energizing, fulfilling, motivating, and inspiring. A revelation of His love will put you in a place where you realize it’s a pleasure, privilege, and joy to be in the army of God. A personal relationship with Him is such an amazing gift!

PM: What encouragement would you give to young people to “step out” and share the good news of Jesus?

BC: God is for you, not against you. There’s nothing more exciting than to allow the Creator (God) of the Universe to use your life to make an eternal difference in this world. You have been called for such a time as this to be a light in the middle of darkness. When fear tries to overcome you, renew your mind with the truth that you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you. 

When you choose to share the message of the Gospel with lost souls, God is glorified, praised, and pleased. I encourage you to allow His supernatural love for you, proven at the cross, to fuel your life. I encourage you to be bold, step out, and share the eternal loving, forgiving, saving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. God desires that we store our treasure up in Heaven, and one way we are able to do that is by sharing the Gospel and praying with people to receive Jesus as Lord of their life. 

There are specific people who God has divinely orchestrated for you to reach for Him in your lifetime. When you step out and share the Gospel, the population of Heaven grows and the population of people going to hell decreases. How awesome is that? Your life is valuable to God. He is madly in love with you, and you are His masterpiece, created in His image. God cherishes you, He believes in you, God is cheering you on, and demonstrated how much He cares for you at the cross. What if the person who shared the message of the Gospel with you didn’t step out? Where would you be?  

Remember the message of the Gospel is great news, not bad news. It’s great news that by repenting of sins, believing with your Heart, and confessing Jesus as Lord of your life you can be forgiven. Great news that you can receive everlasting life and be saved from an eternal fire. Great news that you can have a new beginning, and great news that you can be reconciled with God. Great news that you can be restored back to right standing with Him. Great news that you can have a personal relationship with Him, and become His Child. Great news that your can receive His grace and His Spirit into your life. 

Step out. Be bold. Have faith. Believe. Don’t doubt. Don’t fear. Keep it moving. Don’t be afraid. Share the Gospel. What a privilege to be a soldier in the army of God! 

This article was originally published in the March 2016 issue of YS.

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