Movin’ in Faith: Allen Thomas

By Kim Payne and Allen Thomas @instawithkim @sermonsoverbeats 

"Music gave me a voice to speak up and be heard when nobody else would listen.”

As a young boy growing up in Indiana, Allen Thomas found his voice and purpose in writing lyrics. At ten years old, he was writing poetry and working on rhyming, until he was able to start recording as a teenager. 

From a split single household, much brokenness had impacted Allen; and by the age of 21, he had moved to California. He was consumed in worldly music; but a shift was happening and a miracle was taking place. Allen became encouraged in the gospel and became a believer of Christ. 

“I put my microphone down. I threw away all the music that had nothing to do with Christ,” he shared. “My entire library and catalog were gone.”

During this time, Allen’s pastor was an incredible support. Once the pastor discovered that Allen was a musician, he encouraged the rapper to make music for Jesus.

“My pastor was the influence God was using to wrap the bow on His musical gift,” said the rapper. “I could see the gift in front of me; and I knew that after ten years of creating worldly music, I could now create music to share the gospel.”

Allen continued, “I could make music to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth; just like Jesus tells us in the gospel.”

Throughout his career, there were times when the artist experienced discouragement and decided to step away from music. In those moments, Allen felt God was asking him to put down the microphone and take a break. 

"At times, there was discouragement and lack of support which caused me to doubt myself and the gift God gave me," he shared.

Before he was a Christian, Allen’s goal was simple: become a superstar. His faith changed his perspective; and the focus for his music shifted. 

“I want to use music to reach souls in a way that would cause others to ponder their eternity and consider the gospel,” Allen explained. 

The ministry ‘Sermons Over Beats’ experienced a fruitful increase after the successful release of Allen’s first three albums; but another shift was happening.

Through numerous dreams and convictions, there was a stirring in the hearts of Allen and his wife, Carol. The couple sought godly counsel through their pastor; and in January 2020, Allen and Carol, by faith, left their church home in California.

With the faith of God leading their dreams, they packed up two vehicles and headed to San Antonio, Texas. The couple were on a mission that even they did not realize. Allen and Carol arrived in their new home just as the coronavirus pandemic was announced. The music and ministry were forced into a standstill.

“I felt like no one was certain what the pandemic would bring,” Allen recalled. “With most of the world secluded from contact, I did what I know to do: write and record.”

For the next few years, writing and recording music became the mission. Digging deeper than before, Allen had a hunger to flood the world with the gospel through the music.

Although there were not many releases between 2020 to current, Allen has been tirelessly working. He is set to release music every month for the rest of 2024, and even into 2025. 

His goal will remain to share the gospel through the gift from God: creating sermons over beats.