The Preacha-Poet

Bio

Born Jediael (pronounced jehd-eye-EL, and meaning “known by God" in the Hebrew) Ben Johnson, The Preacha-Poet is the founder of Soul Speech Ministries. Soul Speech is a Los Angeles-based missioanary organization and church start-up that was birthed out of an inspirational poetry night founded in 2001. As a Spoken Word Artist and Host/Emcee, The Preacha-Poet has ministered at Poets of Faith" @ Faithful Central Bible Church; "Koinonia & Koffee" @ West Angeles COGIC; "Imani Cafe" @ Imani Temple Christian Fellowship; "Spoken Word & Arts Cafe; "SpokenWordFest" @ the Pan-African Film Festival; as Spoken Word Showcase Host/Emcee at the Urban Gospel Industry Conference & Awards; as Creator/Facilitator of “Soul Speech Praise & Worship" and more).

Suffice it to say, The Preacha-Poet has a heavy burden for the Spoken Word Movement. He says, "It is a ripe (and oft-neglected) harvest field for evangelism. There is a poetry venue every night in any given major city. And the poets often have much to say about 'spirituality', but 90-percent of what is said about Jesus is biblically inaccurate. And not enough Christian poets are collectively hitting these venues to set the record straight with bold love for the lost souls". In light of this stark reality, under the umbrella of Soul Speech Ministries, The Preacha-Poet founded the original Soul Speech Poets, which has now given birth to the new Poets for Christ Fellowship. The Poets for Christ is an online and international fellowship that disciples Christian poets, emcees, and songwriters and conducts evangelistic outreach to secular venues and Christian events. He is also the author of “Speech Fo' Yo' Soul Devotional", periodic meditations and practical applications of God’s Word via e-mail and blogs.

With powerful preaching and poetry that speak from "the Spirit of the Living God, through the Living Word of God, to the soul of man" (“Speech Fo' Yo' Soul", "Dead Man Walking", "The Cross of Christ", etc.), the Preacha-Poet’s commanding voice holds the attention of the listener. But he says, "It's not about the bass in my voice or lyrical skill, as the Word says, 'So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ' (Rom. 10:17 NASB). So I only speak what the Holy Spirit leads me to, and that's why…I got that speech fo' yo' soul!"

The Preacha-Poet was born and raised in the "Windy City" of Chicago, but has called the Greater Los Angeles Area home for nearly 20 years. A writer (like his artsy mother), and a 'thinker' (like his analytical father) since childhood, he began performing at poetry nights in the summer of 1997 at Lucy Florence Coffeehouse, first under his given name and later under the stage name "Agyei". It was during this journey through the Spoken Word Movement that he heeded the Holy Spirit's call to Salvation and accepted Christ as Savior in 1998 after the birth of his first son. But it was during the period between July-September 2001, shortly after organizing the first “Soul Speech Poetry" venue, that he re-committed his life to Christ and felt truly born-again. This was partly resulting from fellowship w/ Maura Gale’s anointed “Poets of Faith" at Faithful Central Bible Church, which had a profound effect on him and his burden for urban arts ministry.

As a minister of the Gospel, Jediael finally stopped running and answered the call to pastoral ministry in January of 2004. He received his licensing and initial training at Paradise Baptist Church (his church home since 1998), under the pastoral leadership of Dr. Aaron D. Iverson, where he organized and served as pastor of the “Generation Blessed" Young Adult Ministries. He later sat under Pastor Jonathan Doddemeade at Gardena International Christian Church (where he served as an elder), and now devotes his full attention to pastoring Soul Speech Ministries.

The Preacha-Poet is available to minister at church services, Gospel events and programs, college campuses, coffeehouses, community events, etc. For booking requests, please send an e-mail inquiry to speechfoyosoul@yahoo.com, with “Ministry Request" in subject line. Or call (310) 988-0713