Interview with Bredren Markus Magyar
The Man Behind Zion House

Global Gospel Sounds:
What's your background with Reggae music?

Bredren Markus:
As some may know I'm originally from Tennessee and I didn't listen to any Reggae and I really didn't know anything about Reggae until I left Tennessee to go to Chicago,IL in 1992.

While in Chicago I joined a "Christian" community ministry that some might be familiar with named Jesus People USA. While being there at JPUSA I was introduced to the beginning process of Gospel Reggae.

Christafari was just getting started and growing into what they are now. Nuff Respect due. And then I heard the music of Ben Okafor who started before Christafari...... I saw Ben Okafor perform at the 1992 Cornerstone festival (the same fest which Christafari and the Israelites recently performed at). Then I think the next year later Ben Okafor came by JPUSA and gave a little concert. After words I had the opportunity to meet with him and hang out some..... At that time is really when I began my liking for Gospel Reggae...

And while at JPUSA, someone by the name of Andy Young (Hey Andy! If you happen to come across this interview,Hello to you.)Well, Andy introduced me to the music of Yabby You. The first album I heard was "One Love, One Heart" and then "Fleeing from the City"... After hearing these albums from Yabby You, that's when I really got into that of Reggae. I was hooked....(More on Yabby You later on.)

Well, me background with Reggae music is kinda lengthy as you can see. And then there's that time when when I stopped listening to any kind of Reggae between 1996 and 2000 but that's another story all by itself which I might discuss sometime later on.

Global Gospel Sounds:
What is your faith background?

Bredren Markus:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 .

I have faith in in our Almighty Heavenly Father. I trust in Him. I have faith that through His Word, as found in the Bible, there is evidence that God truly does exist and is forever present with we. Guiding and protecting we on our journey every step of the way as we follow Him...

And with what I believe?
I Believe
In a personal God. Hebrews 1:1-3
In Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God and as our Saviour. Jn.1:1-3; Heb.7:25
In the Holy Spirit, the divine Comforter. John 15:26
In regeneration and the new birth, through the acceptance of the Gospel. John 3:1-7
That the Bible is the inspired Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16,17
That the 2nd coming of Christ is very near. That it will be literal, personal, and visible to all. Jn.14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Mt.24:30
That the Ten Commandments is the standard of righteousness by which all will be judged and we are commanded to obey. James 2:10-12; Exodus 20:3-17
That followers of Jesus should manifest true modesty in dress & behavior, and shun all questionable worldly amusements. 1 Tim.2:9,10; James 1:27; Matthew 24:37-44.......
For more on what I believe you can go to www.GetGospel.com

Global Gospel Sounds:
When did you start up the Zion House program?

Bredren Markus:
In October,November of 2000, I was staying with a Jamaican family in Palm Bay, Florida. Even though I didn't stay with them that long, they were still a major influence in my life. (Much love and respect toward de Simpson family.)

In December I came back to Tennessee.. I came back with a love for the people of Jamaica. I had a burden and wanted to share the Good News of Christ the Saviour with the ones of and associated with Jamaica. I did a word search on a computer that I was using at the time and typed in Jamaica for Jesus. When I typed this in it direct me to Mark Mohr of Christafari with the mission that he also has for the people of Jamaica.

At the Christafari site www.christafari.com, there was a link to S.T.A.R. Salvation Truth Alliance of Reggae. I joined S.T.A.R. and right away did get acquainted with so many brothers and sisters who are members of S.T.A.R.. One dear sister of mine that I happened to meet through S.T.A.R. is Sis.Kaya IsesaJah. Sistren Kaya sent me some Gospel Reggae.

Then Bro.Bill Laminack and Bro. Mike Roots sent me some more Gospel Reggae.. Through the Gospel Reggae that was sent to me, I was impressed and decided to get started the ZION HOUSE Reggae Programme. That was in 2001. Zion House officially got underway in 2002. That's also why my email address happens to be: zionhouse02@yahoo.com ... ZION HOUSE est.2002 ...

Global Gospel Sounds:
What keeps Zion House going?

Bredren Markus:
Even though Zion HOuse has just been happening for little over a year, sometimes I get discouraging thoughts about wanting to put Zion House on pause. But Me haffi seh no cause there's souls to be won for Christ.. seen.

Also I receive encouraging messages from people who have been blessed by the ZION HOUSE Reggae Programme. This helps motivate me and keeps me going.
-Zion House- .Forward Ever...Backward Never.

Global Gospel Sounds:
What's your day job?

Bredren Markus:
Hmmm. At the moment I guess you could say I'm baby sitting/watching after my nephew while his mother is at work as a school teacher...

The next couple relate to an interest both Markus and I share of the music of Yabby You.

Global Gospel Sounds:
What's the connection with Yabby You?

Bredren Markus:
Really no connection... As mentioned earlier I really enjoy his music.

Global Gospel Sounds:
Have you met him?

Bredren Markus:
At the moment, No. Hopefully one of these days I can get together with him though and discuss a few things.

Global Gospel Sounds:
What's his deal? Is he a Christian?

Bredren Markus:
To that of my knowledge of what I've read Yabby You is a "Christian", a follower of Christ. From the mouth of Yabby You, "The Rastaman, them say me is not a Rastaman. Through me worship Jesus Christ, them give me a name, so Rastaman can know me different, them call me Jesus Dread. Them think say I ashamed over it, I proud of it, to know I is not a Rastaman dread, I is a Jesus Dread." from interview by Dave Katz 1992. Another Yabby You interview from August 1995 is at http://www.peacemakerrecords.com/yab2.html).

One goal of mine would be to get together with Yabby You and to have a more recent interview with him to see where he stands at now. To make note.. Yabby You was the Technical Advisor for the new album release from Zema titled Black Sheep. (Splendid Roots album. Check it! www.ZemaZema.com ). Maybe Sis.Zema can introduce me to Yabby You one of these days?

Global Gospel Sounds:
Thanks Bredren Markus for your time. The Zion House tapes feature a great mix of Christian Reggae and other sound clips.