The year 2019, like the one before it, proved to be a very interesting one. Kanye West came out as a born-again Christian. White Evangelicals continued to surprise with their relentless support of President Trump. The cop who entered the wrong apartment and killed an unarmed Black man was forgiven and physically embraced by the victim’s brother, setting off further discussions about Black forgiveness and pain. These were just a few of the topics highlighted in some of 2019’s most popular tweets on Christian Twitter.
To clarify, the following popular tweets are restricted to individuals who either publicly identify as Christians or who work within the realm of Christianity. That means the content of some of these popular tweets may not necessarily have anything to do with the subject of Christianity or theology itself.
These 10 popular tweets of 2019 from Christian Twitter are presented chronologically.
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![The coronavirus pandemic has been a source of grief for people around the world. Yet, the disease has also brought new, or renewed attention, to creatives who have inspired hope, joy, and laughter amid loss and the uncertainty of the times. Twitter is my go-to source for news, water cooler chatter and silliness, and to discover talented and interesting people doing, creating, and saying amazing things (two current favorites include Sarah Cooper for her Trump impressions and Nandi Bushell, a 10-year-old U.K. drummer with jaw-dropping talent). Amid the pandemic, however, I have been spending more time on Instagram, mostly (still) trying to figure out how the social networking site is supposed to work. In the process, I’ve come across accounts that give me an excuse to do one of my favorite things—laugh. Ahead, I highlight three of my top six Instagram accounts featuring creatives who provide and portray authentic commentaries, church humor, and relatable cultural scenarios. Kev On Stage: Saying Exactly What’s on His Mind @KevOnStage Kev On Stage, born Kevin Fredericks, is commonly known as a Christian comedian. However, his official bio includes “actor, speaker, director, filmmaker, content creator, and influencer.” Fredericks has been making waves for several years, particularly on social media in videos that commonly feature his hilarious commentaries on, and reaction to various topics. He’s followed by Priscilla Shirer, Jonathan Butler, Lecrae, Tamela Mann, and numerous other Christians popular in their own right. If he’s not explaining why Prince Harry would obviously choose his wife, Meghan Markle, over his grandmother the queen, then he’s recreating Martha Stewart’s poolside “insider-trading lewks.” The married father has nearly 4.4 million followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, which would put him on par with figures like T.D. Jakes and Steve Harvey...if you only count their Twitter followers. Fredericks says what most people want to say but might not feel comfortable saying, from the lighthearted to the serious, and makes you laugh. While he doesn’t drop f-bombs, like say Tiffany Hadish, Leslie Jones, or Dave Chappelle, Fredericks doesn’t exactly keep it clean—or safe. He doesn’t shy away from extolling the joys of married sex, for example. And he’s not afraid to show some vulnerability and transparency, the latter of which is what likely keeps him popular. He’s a man of the people and for the people, and has no problem being their comedic voice. Tabitha Brown: Vegan Foodie Who Minds Her Business @IAmTabithaBrown Tabitha Brown, an actress and influencer, regularly publishes vegan-friendly food videos on her Instagram account. As an adventurous vegan, Brown shares how she makes everything from carrot bacon to crabless crab cakes for her more than 10.6 million social media followers and fans. People may enjoy watching Brown cook and seeing her interactions with her family, but what really sticks with you is her warmth, transparent joy, and spiritual encouragement. Brown’s personable style and Southern accent also give her videos an irresistible charm and soothing vibe. When she’s not in the kitchen cooking something up or unveiling goodies at the table on mail day, she’s dishing out sage advice or defending Donna (her large, natural afro) from “wig” allegations. Some of her popular catchphrases are: “That’s my business” (when she chooses to divert from protocol or expectations) and her top sign-off, “Have a good day and if you can’t, don’t go messing up nobody else’s.” As an actress, some of Brown’s credits include “Will & Grace” and “Black Jesus.” As her following has grown amid the pandemic, Brown’s resume has also grown. In addition to being featured in publications such as The New York Times, BuzzFeed, Cosmopolitan magazine, and Vanity Fair, Brown has partnered with countless brands and been tapped to host her own cooking show on the Ellen Digital Network (a partnership between Ellen DeGeneres and Warner Bros’ Digital Networks). Brown decided to drop meat from her diet after a doctor’s devastating diagnosis rocked her world. Initially setting out as a vegan for just 30 days, once she started experiencing a positive shift in her physical health, Brown decided to stick with her new vegan journey. She shared in a 2019 “Success in Christ” podcast interview that it was God who inspired her to start producing videos to share what she was eating with people online. Although her videos didn’t take off right away, Brown pressed on. It was a video she made of herself getting lunch at a Whole Foods while taking a break from Uber driving that put her on the influencer journey in 2017. In a short time, her video went viral and Whole Foods connected with Brown to hire her as a brand ambassador. The rest, as they say, is history. Elsa Majimbo: Avid Chip-Eater Who Laughs at Her Own Jokes @Majimb.o Elsa Majimbo is another creative who’s star has risen amid the pandemic due to her unique delivery and infectious laugh. Highlighted by The New York Times, CNN, and The Guardian, Majimbo may have initially gotten a boost when fellow Kenyan Lupita Nyong’o shared one of the journalism student’s hilarious videos with her 1.8 million fans back in May. Majimbo, whose family is Christian, is consistent in her presentation: she’s usually in a bedroom, her hair in plaits, and smack-talking while laughing at her own jokes and snacking on chips. In one of her recent interviews, Majimbo explained that her jokes don’t always land well with her father—but he’s not her primary audience. The combined 768,000-plus people who follow her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are the ones she’s out to amuse—or set straight. For example, the 19-year-old creative will tell you that she procrastinates because she works well under pressure—so she’s “thriving to be the best [she] can be.” In fact, she is actually putting her work first by “saving the best for last.” And, if you really think she can be bought, she will gladly give you her back account number. “You want to send useless things [like heart emojis] and you have my bank details and address?” she scolds in the caption of one video. Majimbo’s newfound fame has led to partnerships with MAC Cosmetics and Rihana’s Fenty Beauty products, the latter of which gives her numerous options when swapping out the shades she usually wears in videos. What I appreciate about Majimbo, besides her infectious laugh, is her authenticity and ease with her audience. Like Kev on Stage and Tabitha Brown, and the other Christian creatives listed here, the gifts these artists offer to the world are needed now more than ever. It is worth noting that these creatives have been doing their thing for a very long time. It’s just that the pandemic has forced many of us to slow down and smell the roses. In addition to Kev On Stage, Tabitha Brown, and Elsa Majimbo, here are three other creatives I follow on Instagram: EJspeaks @ mrs_ejspeaks Anna C. Douglas @ annacdouglas Church of Laugh @ churchoflaug](https://faithfullymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Creatives-to-Follow.jpg)
White Privilege
Minister and activist Bernice A. King tweeted on February 5 a brief clip of educator and diversity trainer Jane Elliott (popular for her “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise”). King’s tweet also quoted Elliott: “If you, as a White person, would like to be treated the way Black people are in this society, stand.”
In the video, viewed more than nine million times on Twitter, none of the people addressed by Elliott stand up. As a result, Elliott concludes that White Americans are well aware of the adversity and maltreatment faced by African Americans and wouldn’t want to experience it themselves.
“If you, as a White person, would like to be treated the way Black people are in this society, stand." pic.twitter.com/t7WcwCahAt
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) February 5, 2019
Jesus and Therapy
Author Carlos A. Rodriguez, who goes by the handle @CarlosHappyNPO, tweeted on April 22, 2019, a photo of a church sign stating: “It’s OK to have Jesus and a therapist too”. The sign belongs to Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, according to the photo. Rodriguez’s tweet received nearly 13,000 likes. The tweet likely resonated because Christians remain at odds about therapy and faith–although public opinion about counseling has been trending upward.
— Carlos A. Rodríguez (@CarlosHappyNPO) April 22, 2019
White Nationalism’s False Christ
Bible teacher Beth Moore, apparently shocked at the marrying of white nationalism with Christianity, tweeted about the movement on August 6:
Any “Christ” that can be invoked in support of white nationalism is a false Christ of the highest, most hellish order. An anti-Christ. A wholly-opposite christ. No such christ is the Christ Jesus of Scripture who taught His followers a love that sacrifices life & limb for others.
Any “Christ” that can be invoked in support of white nationalism is a false Christ of the highest, most hellish order. An anti-Christ. A wholly-opposite christ. No such christ is the Christ Jesus of Scripture who taught His followers a love that sacrifices life & limb for others.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) August 6, 2019
Sorry To This Man
When Vanity Fair released a clip of its interview with actress Keke Palmer in September, a meme was born. The clip was of the actress hilariously not being able to identify former Vice President Dick Cheney in a photo.
Apparently Palmer’s remarks reminded Christian comedian Kevin Fredericks, who goes by Kev On Stage, of a certain biblical figure. On September 14, he suggested the lines reflect what the apostle Peter had said after Jesus’ arrest.
“I hate to say it, I hope I don’t sound ridiculous, I don’t know who this man is. I mean, he could be walking down the street, I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this man,” Palmer says in the clip.
Peter right after he told Jesus he would never deny him.
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) September 14, 2019
Christianity or White Supremacy?
Bishop Talbert Swan is a Springfield, Massachusetts, pastor and radio host who routinely tweets about politics and race. His most popular tweet of 2019 went live on September 28. He tweeted:
“Calling a Black POTUS married 25 yrs to 1 wife with 2 children, no mistresses, affairs or scandals, ‘the antichrist’ but a white POTUS married thrice, 5 kids by 3 women, mistresses, affairs & scandals, ‘God‘s anointed,’ proves your religion is white supremacy.”
Swan has not been the only one questioning the condemnation of former President Barack Obama in contrast to the near-deification of President Trump by some Christians. Authors Brad Christerson and Richard Flory have found that the segment of Christianity most fervently lending their support to Trump tend to be linked to a growing movement of independent charismatic groups.
Calling a Black POTUS married 25 yrs to 1 wife with 2 children, no mistresses, affairs or scandals, ‘the antichrist’ but a white POTUS married thrice, 5 kids by 3 women, mistresses, affairs & scandals, ‘God‘s anointed,’ proves your religion is white supremacy.
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) September 28, 2019
Black Anger and Forgiveness
The trial of former police officer Amber Guyger was marked by an unexpected scene–her Black victim’s brother openly forgiving the White woman and hugging her in court. This scene from the trial, which was about getting justice for a murdered Botham Shem Jean, was immediately picked up across the media. Meanwhile, comments of frustration made by Jean’s mother as well as her demands for police accountability in the wake of the trial, were not nearly as heavily rotated in the press or praised by the public.
Speaker and writer Andre Henry tweeted a comment related to this event on October 3:
“Here’s what I’m saying: If you don’t validate black anger, but praise black forgiveness, you’re just tone policing.”
Here’s what I’m saying:
If you don’t validate black anger, but praise black forgiveness, you’re just tone policing.
— do a revolution already 🇯🇲 🇺🇸 (@andrehenry) October 3, 2019
Which Jesus?
Kanye West caused a stir when his “Jesus Is King” album finally dropped. Although the artist had already shown himself to be controversial in regards to his relationship with the MAGA movement and his ideas about slavery and Black agency, the rapper invited further scrutiny when it became apparent that his espoused Christianity may be rooted in White theology. However some people, such as rapper Lecrae, applauded the simple fact that an influential public figure such as West was reminding the masses with his music that Jesus is king.
However, theologian and psychologist Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes expressed disagreement on October 26: “No sir. This is how we ended up worshipping colonized Christ. Think critically, Christians. Everybody talking about Jesus ain’t talking about the same person.”
No sir. This is how we ended up worshipping colonized Christ. Think critically, Christians. Everybody talking about Jesus ain’t talking about the same person. https://t.co/tkTX0Dlrin
— Dr. Chanequa (@drchanequa) October 26, 2019
Checking Sexual Harassers
Professor and author Heather Thompson Day tweeted about about a negative experience she had with a boss when she was a teen that ended up teaching her a valuable lesson. The lesson resonated with more than half a million Twitter users who liked her tweet. Day wrote on November 7:
When I was 19 my boss said I should be a phone sex operator & laughed.
I said “I don’t get it”
He said “it’s a joke”
I said “explain it to me”
& that’s how I learned that once sexual harrassers have to explain why their inappropriate jokes are funny, they stop laughing.
When I was 19 my boss said I should be a phone sex operator & laughed.
I said “I don’t get it”
He said “it’s a joke”
I said “explain it to me”
& that’s how I learned that once sexual harrassers have to explain why their inappropriate jokes are funny, they stop laughing.
— Heather Thompson Day (@HeatherTDay) November 8, 2019
White Jesus
Religion professor and author Nyasha Junior tweeted a simple sentence in response to a popular meme–“Please quote this tweet with a thing that everyone in your field knows and nobody in your industry talks about because it would lead to general chaos.”–and ended up going viral herself.
Her November 26 response to the prompt? — “Jesus was not White.”
As Junior suggested, it remains controversial to remind the masses that Jesus was a brown-skinned Middle Eastern Jew.
Jesus was not White. https://t.co/E7pF9JgqJh
— Not Just Women (@NyashaJunior) November 27, 2019
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