Two decades after releasing his breakout record, old school pioneer Kurtis Blow has instituted Hip-Hop church services at two Harlem parishes.

"The kids need to learn about God, but even the ones who already know God don't like the church, because church is boring," Blow told the New York Post. What we do isn't boring — it's energetic, it's uplifting, it's spiritual — and the kids can relate to it. We speak the word of God in a language they can understand — rap."

Blow rocks a DJ booth and commands the microphone at the weekly services held Fridays at Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church and Greater Hood Memorial AME Zion Church. During a recent service, Blow was supported by acts including Shades of Faith Introducing Prophecy, The Hip-Hop Church Band, guest rappers and break-dancers. In February 2005, Blow plans to enroll at New York School Ministry in his quest to become a minister.

"When you're born again, all old things pass away. It's a totally new day for Kurtis Blow. If you see me with Gina Lynn again, we will be in church praying together — and she will be fully clothed," Blow told the Post in regards to an old photo with an adult film star. "Rap is a great thing, but it's been getting blamed for a lot of the brawls you see in sports and at shows and gangsta rap has had its problems."

Hip-Hop artists have become increasingly active in their respective faiths by way of religious rap. Play of Kid-N-Play and Salt of Salt-N-Pepa have been performing at services during the past few years. Meanwhile, after retiring and becoming a minister 5 years ago, Mase returned to Hip-Hop and released his third album, Welcome Back this past August. Mase is still active in his S.A.N.E ministry while maintaining an ongoing recording career. Now, churches are slowly adopting more Hip-Hop services. Bronx-based Trinity Episcopal Church of Morrisania is presently sponsoring Hip-Hop Masses.