Utica, NY – With Lent and Easter on the horizon, one thing was certain: Rev. Ladonna Clark, also known as LadyJam, brought the fire—literally and spiritually—with her bold new ministry, Church in the Hood to Hope Chapel. The sanctuary pulsed with beats, bars, and blessings as parishioners were swept into a Gospel throwdown led by the Heat Squad, a DJ collective from 95.5 FM, determined to meet young people where they are—on the street, in the music, and at the heart of a cultural shift.
National data supports what many church leaders have felt for years: America is becoming less religious, especially among younger generations. According to Pew Research, nearly 40% of adults under 30 now identify as religiously unaffiliated, and regular church attendance has dropped to just 28% nationwide. For LadyJam, a veteran, former corrections officer, and performing artist who’s opened for R&B legends like Bobby Brown, Rick James, Shirley Murdock, and Angie Stone, the writing is on the wall: “The old playbook doesn’t work anymore.”
LadyJam, whose name stands for Jesus Anointed Me, believes traditional church settings often miss the mark when engaging today’s youth. “We’ve got to move beyond just organs and pianos. We’ve got to reach them in their language—and for many, that’s music, rhythm, and authenticity,” she said. Her unique blend of DJ ministry, scripture, and raw testimony is part of a deliberate effort to create a new spiritual language for young people.
At Church in the Hood, the Heat Squad did just that. DJs Tone and Salsa went turntable-to-turntable in a gospel battle royale—new school vs. old school—while DJ Duss dropped an impromptu set featuring the Staple Singers, Alicia Meyers, and the Clark Sisters. The crowd roared. Spirits lifted. Tears flowed.
LadyJam’s sermon hit hard and healed deeper. Drawing in heartfelt testimonies and prayers from attendees, her words rang with urgency and love. “We can’t let microaggressions—racism, ageism, sexism, gender issues—divide us. We need to talk about root causes and come together. This ministry is about unity and understanding.”
Rev. Sharon Baugh, pastor of Hope Chapel AME Zion Church, echoed that sentiment, saying she was ready to extend an olive branch to collaborate on new youth outreach methods. “We have to find a way to minister together,” she said.
LadyJam’s closing anthem, Hateration, challenged the audience to reject judgment and embrace love. And just when the service seemed to wrap, LadyJam introduced Robert Lucas and Voice of the Voiceless, a stirring vocal group from Otsego whose message about prayer for prisoners and justice reform brought the house down.
Having already taken her ministry through Syracuse, Oswego, and Dodgeville, LadyJam shows no signs of slowing. With Church in the Hood, she isn’t just changing the method—she’s reviving the mission.
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