HCR/ill Spot Merger/Vic stepping down?

[CHRISTion]

Just got an email confirming the 2, and if both are true, then I just wanted to say that after reading this:

On a sadder note, Victor Padilla, founder of Holy Culture, has decided to resign. Here is what he had to say:

"As hard as it is to walk away from Holy Culture (radio, website, download store, etc.), and my active involvement in Christian Hip Hop as a whole, the Lord has given me an amazing peace about the decision!

From this point forward, one hundred percent of my time will be directed towards learning more about the Lord and His Word, pouring into my three young boys (that they may be Godly men of the faith!), loving my wife as Christ loves His Church, and serving in any capacity possible in my local congregation (Calvary Chapel of Antioch)."

Often times during my years with Holy Culture, the platform somehow began to receive more attention (and affections) than the God the platform was supposed to be glorifying, and it is with a heavy and broken heart that I admit my guilt in not only being associated with that, but often times being one of the chief architects!

My shame is that the (often misguided) expansion of the platform took too many years (that I can't get back) from quality time with the Lord, family, and church. This verse in Joel comes to mind when I reflect on times wasted (Joel 2:25 ESV - I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter...). It's not that Christian Hip Hop is necessarily a locust, but more so that I allowed it to be a locust in my life. And that decision over the past half a decade has affected me emotionally, spiritually, and even physically! But I thank GOD that He is gracious to forgive us of our sins, and restore us! (1 John 1:9 ESV - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) My prayer is that the new partners in Holy Culture will do a better job than I did with the platform in expanding His Kingdom instead of expanding a kingdom. Amen."

I just wanted to say Thank you Vic for creating the site and maintaining it for so long. I cannot imagine where I would be spiritually OR musically without the help and guidance of this site. My prayers are with you and your family and it's encouraging to hear how you will be pouring more into your boys, who are blessed to have a father who is even willing to do so-and how you will be ministering to your wife. May God be praised for His Faithfulness to us!

God bless you in your future endeavors.

[sonshine]

so whats going to happen with HCR???

[B Blessed]

Vic,

I appreciate you big homie. The Lord used you to create something major that has opened many door and has created much dialogue between brothers and sisters that would have never met other wise. I pray that God be with you as you move forward in the direction that Has told you to go. Just know that all the hard work that you poured in to this thing we call HCR is mad appreciated.

One

[jeyjey34]

It was nice having you as the owner, Vic. This website has been a blessing to many people and it's definitely helped me to discover artists that I hadn't been exposed to before.

[d.hyde]

Thanks a lot for the site Vic.

[sonshine]

i wouldnt have heard about 99.9% of the rappers that i listen to if it werent for HCR!!! and i would be reformed now if it wasnt for HCR. heck id still be speaking things into existence and totally unaware of the sovereignty of God! and i wouldnt have met alot of cool people from all over that i do consider family!!! even if we dont see each other as often as others....

[joseph29]

Yeah vic gotta give u a lot of props. Not only did this forum give exposure to a lot of artists; djs; producers ect... but it also helped build a community of believers that enjoyed this music and allowed people like me to access music which i couldn't get through hcrdownload.com. So I pray that God will bless the next chapter in your life and to watch over u and your family. peace

[BlackCalvinist]

Appreciate you much, Vic.

Looking forward to the next move with HCR....

[TheRealPae]

And... just a side note. For any inquiring minds... ultimately the site's future (all of it) is in the "right hands". Like I said in the e-mail, God has given me complete peace about it, and I'm extremely excited to see what the Lord has for me next! And again... yes, I am no longer owner of Holy Culture (any of it)... The owner of Illspot and Trig have been good friends for over a decade, so I'm sure the two will work together very well. I especially want to say thank you to Anonymous for stepping up to the plate and taking over my duties. You dont know how much it means to me. I was blown away by him saying that it was an honor to continue Holy Culture's legacy...

Also for those wondering... no, I didnt sell my stake in Holy Culture... it was GIVEN away for free, no strings attached, and its IN WRITING. I'll be stopping in from time to time... and I'll continue to pray for Christian Hip Hop and its quest (or at least, to the remnant in it) to bring glory to The King.

Milton... Thank you for being the first guy with me on Holy Culture (radio). You inspire me dude! All past and present HCR djs... I LOVE you. Damon, I love you bro... Wade, continue to do ya thing with integrity, Jah Word, Official, Lady Grace, Double D, Chad (chadder box), Theory Hazit (you were one of the first to bless us with a mixshow... I'll never forget your humbleness... do ya thing!), DJ Esso and shai, Mac, Trig..and everyone else.. thanks for the fellowship.

illspot.net will slowly merge their content to the current HolyCulture.Net site... nothing is changing (that I know of) with HCR..... its just that I wont be involved anymore... Illspot.net is closing its doors and folding into Holy Culture.

Yo Vic, my prayers to you and yours, I def understand your burden I have kids and a wife myself, I respect your decision.

I hope this site doesn't lose its uniqueness, for sure, I appreciate what you done here.

And IllSpot.Net is just not quite the same, so I hope the merger keeps HCR more like this than that. I'm sad to see you go bruh, Grace and Peace bruh!

Won, Les

[eternal]

Sacrificing the will of self for the will of God is a true sign of the true Christian. I praise God for your acceptance of this revelation you have been burdened with by Him. Pursuing Christ and not our own vain endeavors will always result in the glory of Him who is leading us.

I commend you for your faithfulness, and thank God for all He has done, and will now even MORE do in your life.

Thanks for the good times. Still keeping you and your family in prayer.

peace.

[Oppose3]

I appreciate you Vic. Bless you. Bless you

[jnorman888]

Vic, Thanks for starting this site, and much appreciations!!!!






JNORM888

[t-roberts]

illspot.net will slowly merge their content to the current HolyCulture.Net site... nothing is changing (that I know of) with HCR..... its just that I wont be involved anymore... Illspot.net is closing its doors and folding into Holy Culture.

Hey bro! You took the time to build with me on the Holy Hip Hop culture. Praise God for you brother! If it was not for you and savedbygracealone, I'd probably still be in the G. Craige Lewis nonsense.

(In Flames voice)But it was obvious, God and His providence, put me with people to guide me and got me outta this.

Praise God for your patience and humility dealing with a guy who was sure he was right, and exposing the lies that I believed at the time. Grace and Peace my brother! Be Strong!!!!!

[Sketch the Journalist]

No doubt Vic. Thanks for your many, many years of hard work and promotion of this message music.

And props on realizing the need to shift your focus and attention on more important matters.

I'll be praying for you.

Sketch