Tony Cummings reports on dance music phenomenon RAVE JESUS

Rave Jesus

The passionate conviction of Rave Jesus - the deejay and music producer Topher Jones - is one which will appear rather extraordinary particularly amongst believers who have encountered God in the silence of a monastery or the windblown solitude of a walk in the Lake District. Topher believes the living God can also be encountered when enveloped by thunderous rhythm, strobe lights and bass drops.

Such a conviction is spelled out on the latest Rave Jesus Cross Rhythms radio hit "I Met God On The Dancefloor". Topher grew up in Detroit in a Christian home. At 15 he was sneaking off to dance music clubs. But rather than being sucked into the drugs and available sexual parties that are part and parcel of the club culture, Jones decided to get serious about the Christianity of his parents. He said, "I had a conversation with myself where I really need to take this stuff seriously and make it mine, not because my family goes to church or culture tells me to."

Continuing to love the house music and techno he heard in the clubs he purchased equipment and began creating dance tracks of his own. Under the name King Topher he forged a successful career in dance music. His tracks have been supported by major names like Diplo, Tiesto, John Summit and Kaskade. Over the next few years King Topher's deejaying skills became internationally recognised. He played shows in over 20 countries including the mainstage at one of the biggest dance music festivals in the world, Tomorrowland.

But as his deejaying career found greater and greater levels of its success he started meeting regularly with other people in the dance music industry to study the Bible and pray for the whole international dance music scene. He made his intentions clear saying, "I want people to partner with the Lord's heart for my industry and the people who are in it."

Eventually, Topher received an instruction from God - to produce worship music that would sound good on the dancefloor. He created a series of singles including a reimagining of the ancient hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" and a house-styled version of "Walk On The Water", the theme music of The Chosen TV series. And, utilising the name Rave Jesus, in October 2025 Christian label Provident released the album 'I Met God On The Dancefloor' featuring high octane versions of Brandon Lake's "That's Who I Praise" and the classic "Hard Fought Hallelujah". An international tour followed including a appearance at 2026's Big Church Festival.

Wrote Romilly Lynne, Rave Jesus' Chief Operating Officer, "The impact has been beyond anything we could have imagined. Week after week, we received testimonies on social media from people encountering God through our music - many of whom had long searched for worship that resonated with their love for dance music. Summer say thankful to be able to worship to music that they love and others are testifying that after hearing one of our songs, they were met by the love of God. The one that shocked us most was hearing that three EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) members in South Africa gave their lives to Jesus after walking in off the street to a church that was playing Rave Jesus. It's amazing to hear how far and wide the music is reaching people.

"What excites me most about the fact that Jesus can be worshipped at raves is the reclamation of a space that has long been associated with drugs, darkness, escapism and the search for a fleeting high. Instead, we're offering an alternative - a space where people can experience the same euphoric energy of a dancefloor, but with music that glorifies and honours God and where, ultimately, they can meet with their Father, the one who knows them, loves them and radically pursues them. Rave Jesus isn't just a project; it's a movement that's redefining what it means to worship."