On July 21, Grammy-winning rapper Lecrae Devaughn Moore hosted a unique blend of music and community service at City Takers headquarters in Atlanta, where he launched a back-to-school backpack drive alongside his album listening party for his new album, “Reconstruction.”
With the steady thump of hip-hop beats in the background, volunteers gathered to assemble 1,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for students on Atlanta’s west side who need support heading into the new school year.
“I wanted people, when they experienced this album, to know this is for them,” Moore said. “This ain’t a Lecrae story. This is our story of reconstruction, and let’s do some reconstruction of the city right now.”
Attendees were treated to an exclusive preview of Moore’s upcoming album, which boasts collaborations with notable artists including T.I., Killer Mike, Fridayy, Jon Bellion, and Jackie Hill Perry.
As volunteers listened to the first five tracks from the album, Moore elaborated on the inspiration behind each song, drawing from his spiritual journey as a Christian hip-hop artist and his personal struggles with addiction.
After enjoying the music, the attendees transitioned to packing stations where they filled each backpack with specific items while continuing to listen to the remainder of the album.
This event highlights the bedrock of both Moore and City Takers’ commitment to transforming the community.
Scott Free, founder of City Takers and a longtime friend of Moore, expressed how their missions naturally aligned. “Me and Lecrae have known each other for a long time,” Free said. “His heart is he just wants to impact people and see lives transformed, just like me. We’ve been talking about doing something together that impacts the streets, that impacts the neighborhood, that impacts the city.”
Free’s community leadership journey began 25 years ago when he relocated to Atlanta from Miami, seeking a fresh start. After experiencing a life-changing spiritual awakening six months after arriving, he felt destined to support those in need.
“I was in a U-haul truck with a guy sharing his testimony,” Free recounted. “I had this vision of every time God saved my life physically, and at the end, I heard the Father speak to me say, ‘Scott, I’ve been pursuing you since you were 12.’ From that moment, everything changed.”
After a decade of service to his home church, Free established City Takers to bridge the gap between traditional church culture and the underserved communities he saw around him.
“I felt more comfortable serving outside the walls of the church because of who I used to be,” he said. “The Lord was sending me back into the darkest places in the city to preach the gospel.”
City Takers operates as a ministry dedicated to continuous community outreach, with its building open daily for various programs.
“We believe that the church is a seven-day thing, not a two-hour thing on Sundays,” Free stated. “We consider ourselves a missional church movement.”
The backpack drive marks one of several annual initiatives offered by City Takers, which also includes “Boxes of Love,” providing Thanksgiving meals to families, a Christmas toy store where parents can shop for free, and “Socktober,” distributing socks to the homeless.
Authenticity plays a crucial role in City Takers’ operations, a core value Free emphasizes often.
“The world is looking for something real, something raw,” he said. “They want to know the truth. People are looking for truth, peace, and love, and the church should be the number one place that gives all three.”
image source from：theatlantavoice
