Maverick City’s Dante Bowe Encourages People To Not ‘Idolize’ Famous Christians: ‘It’s Only God Who Can Heal, Save, Restore’
By Movieguide® Staff
Grammy Award-winning artist Dante Bowe of Maverick City Music recently opened up about people’s misconceptions about famous Christian artists.
Aside from his work with MCM, Bowe also recently released his second solo album, which received five nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Bowe is not only on the main stage of Christian music but also in fashion. Tommy Hilfiger selected Bowe to walk the runway at this year’s New York Fashion Week charity show.
Despite his success and fame, the 29-year-old explained that his motivation comes from a longtime faith in God.
“I had an encounter at 16 years old, in my room, where I was listening to worship and I fell on my face, cried and got filled with the Holy Spirit,” Bowe recalled. “I consider that to be my moment. I always believed, but that was my first emotional experience of God. That’s what caused me to do more primarily Christian music. Before, I was more into R&B, but that day is when I started doing more Christian music – not because I wanted to be more Christian, but because that was what my life became.”
Though his parents were drug dealers, Bowe’s newfound faith changed the entire family.
“I didn’t find out until I was 16 that my parents were drug dealers,” he explained. “I knew because my parents decided to stop when I got saved. My mum sold everything we’d bought with drug money. That’s when my TV was taken to the pawn shop and we moved back to our old neighborhood with my grandparents.
“I went to church every Sunday,” he continued. “I had everything I wanted. People have places that they come from and they make decisions because they come from those places. More people should talk about it in the Church, to let other kids know that if you are in that position, you can make something of yourself. You’re not going to go down the same path as your parents. You can come from a weird place and make something great.”
Bowe also spoke about his career in fashion and addressed some misconceptions about Christians in the modeling industry.
“Nothing’s just about the money!” he said. “I think that’s one of the misconceptions. [Whether you’re a music] artist or a fashion designer, before we made money, we were doing it, and that’s why we make money. God made us little creators. Sometimes we limit ourselves, thinking that Jesus is this black-and-white God who’s sitting on high, judging everything, being mean. Really, He’s the ultimate Creator. He said: ‘Let there be light’, and there was. Wow!
“Some people think when you get success, you change; your morals go down because you have more. But I’ve been in Walmart and the checkout lady is arrogant and rude. Forget being in an industry. When you’re trying to be a good daughter or a good husband, trying to live a life that’s pleasing to God without getting road rage, without having a fit over something you shouldn’t, without being lustful and jealous and envious… It’s a sacrifice to give your life to God. It’s like reciting my vows every day: ‘I choose you today. Again.’ Being a model, or not being a model…just trying to be a good husband is hard!”
Bowe said he never wants people to idolize him and turn away from God.
“I didn’t really see myself being famous for being a Christian! That’s scary to me still today. I don’t want to be famous for being a Christian! I mean that’s horrifying…traumatising,” he said. “People say there’s only one God – there’s only one that we look to, only his life is worthy – and then they will turn around and idolise me – and they don’t even know it.”
“It’s only God who can heal and save and restore,” he added. “People are cool to be inspired by but not to idolise, as if they’re incapable of flaw. So being famous for being a Christian is ridiculous. We’re all just trying to live a life that’s pleasing to him.”
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