COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP -- A legendary rap star turned minister made a stop at a church in Monroe County on Sunday.
Rev Run, a founding member of Run-DMC, was the guest speaker at the Pocono Community Church in Tobyhanna as part of new Sunday programs. Church members say it was a great experience listening to Reverend Run, whose real name is Joseph Simmons.
The theme of his travels is called "Run to the House," and he hopes to make a difference by sharing his life experiences with the audience.
"It's more what they're going to receive as a result of my testimony, so when I come, my expectations are I hope the house is packed, not for me or my glory, I just hope the words that I speak, the truth that happened to me, can resonate and change somebody's life," said Rev Run.
Rev Run made his way to the Poconos after a friend of Pastor David Crosby suggested he would be a great speaker for his church. Pastor Crosby reached out to Run's management, and he accepted.
"Rev Run, he's a man of God. He's had a phenomenal career, and he's here this weekend sharing his story of redemption and God's grace for all over the Pocono Mountains," said Pastor Crosby.
Pastor Crosby says the response to Rev Run's appearance has been overwhelming. There was standing room only during the show, and folks even watched on the internet. People who listened to his story say they are inspired.
Jonathan Alcorn of Mount Pocono said, "Because he was a rapper and he lived that lifestyle, and to see he's doing the church thing and talking to people about God, I think that's really nice."
"He's a living testimony. Everybody can relate to him, and I think what I most got out of it was he wasn't perfect and he admitted that," said Chanel Fladger of Tobyhanna.