He Is Like Us: A Black Church Perspective.

He Is Like Us: A Black Church Perspective. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas

On Super Bowl Sunday, Dr. Mark Cunningham preached a powerful message entitled, “God is About to Pop Out,” drawing from the story of Moses and his Ethiopian wife, Zipporah, in Numbers 12. He reminded us that sometimes, we too have to pop out, just as God did when He defended Moses against Miriam and Aaron’s criticism for marrying a Black woman.

Dr. Cunningham connected this message so beautifully to Kendrick Lamar’s new song, They Not Like Us,” reminding us that we must sometimes emerge boldly, unapologetically, and in divine authority. And on that same day, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl 59 halftime performance wasn’t just entertainment, it was a message in ministry.

We saw more than a show. We saw a sermon, a testimony, and a prophetic declaration wrapped in rhythm and movement.

The Black Church and the Power of Storytelling

In the Black church, we know the power of storytelling. Our history has been passed down through song, scripture, and spoken word, from the spirituals of our enslaved ancestors to the fiery sermons that fueled the Civil Rights Movement. Kendrick stands in this tradition. He doesn’t just perform; he prophesies. He doesn’t just entertain; he educates, convicts, and inspires.

Like the prophets of old, Kendrick speaks truth to power, unfiltered, uncompromised, and unapologetic. His artistry forces us to confront our reality while holding onto hope for something greater.

A Reflection of Our Struggle and Strength

His dancers, dressed in red, white, and blue, moved with precision, reminding us of the complex relationship Black people have with America. This country has demanded our labor, our talent, and our culture while too often denying our dignity. And yet, like Kendrick, we stand, create, and thrive.

That resilience is biblical. It is the story of Joseph in the pit, Moses in Pharaoh’s house, and Daniel in the lion’s den. We are a people who refuse to be erased.

Navigating Spaces Not Meant for Us

His performance spoke to the weight of being Black in spaces never meant for us. Whether in the pulpit, boardroom, classroom, or entertainment industry, we are expected to perform, to prove our worth, and to fit into a mold.

But Kendrick, like the Black church, refuses to assimilate. Instead, he transforms the space, not seeking approval, but walking in his calling.

At New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, we see young people wrestling with identity and purpose. The world tells them they must shrink themselves to succeed. But Kendrick’s performance was a lesson:

We do not have to conform to be excellent.

We do not have to entertain to be accepted.

Our presence is enough, our voices are powerful, and our truth is sacred.

The Strategy of Black Excellence

His decision to keep his performance intentional and controlled is a lesson in wisdom. The Bible tells us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves,” (Matthew 10:16).

Black excellence requires strategy. We navigate systems not built for us, ensuring our impact remains strong without being consumed. The same is true in ministry. As pastors, we must push for justice, equity, and truth, while making sure our message remains clear and uncompromised.

A Sermon in Song

Watching Kendrick, we saw more than an artist, we saw a reflection of the Black church’s journey. We have always been a people who turn struggle into song, pain into purpose, and history into hope. That is the essence of the gospel. That is the essence of our fight for justice.

His performance wasn’t just entertainment. It was a reminder of who we are and whose we are. It was a declaration that Black artistry, Black identity, and Black truth are not just to be consumed, but to be understood, honored, and valued.

He is like us. And we are like him, called to stand, to speak, and to shift the world with the gifts God has given us.

Thank you, Dr. Mark Cunningham, for the wonderful message.

We are like Kendrick Lamar. And sometimes, we have to pop out for the Lord!