We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mike Pennino. Check out our conversation below.
Mike, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Who are you learning from right now?
I’ve been taking time here and there to look at what some of the early church fathers wrote. Some guys like Polycarp, Ignatius, Chrysostom, and Augustine. A lot of their writings are thought provoking and helpful in the life of a Christian.
One quote from John Chrysostom that has been on my mind lately is, “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.” That quote has been a humble reminder that Christ is not only found in communion but in people (especially the least of these as Jesus said). God has always associated Himself with the poor and least fortunate to the point that the way we treat them is how we are treating Him. It has been a humbling truth that has challenged me at the core lately in how I live and how I see life.
And a quote from Augustine that has been on my mind is, “Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever, and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.” It is a humble reminder to make sure my soul and body are healthy, especially since God gave me both. We ought not put off the needs of our soul (which is God, His grace, and His restoration) until tomorrow since God is really one call away. And we should be realistically taking care of our bodies because our bodies have a time limit and a healthy body (and mind) does help us to live better. Tomorrow might be our last day, so be right with God. But tomorrow may not be our last day so don’t let your body go to waste. God has called us to steward our soul and body well. It’s a very wholistic and holistic way to look at life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yeah! I am Mike Pennino. I’m a New Jersey native living in North Carolina who loves Jesus, people, and hip-hop. I get the privilege of being the college pastor at my church and a Christian hip-hop artist. Both of those are really the results of loving Jesus, people, and hip-hop. I know that my life is kind of unique, which has been great. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I get to help people in many ways, whether through music, conversations, preaching, and living out my faith. One of the main things I hope people understand from me is that God really wants them. He truly loves us and wants what’s best for us. And ultimately, He is the one we need and is who’s best for us.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
That’s a really great question! Truthfully, there are many moments that can shape how we see the world, but the main one for me was when the moment I finally understood that Jesus died for me because I couldn’t fix myself.
Up to that point I had thought me and God were tight because I was a “good” kid and believed “about” God. When I started reading the Bible for myself, my perceived thoughts were definitely challenged (as they needed to be). I started realizing that I wasn’t truly good, but was a sinner in need of help. I thought the way to fix it was to try harder and do better. The more I tried the more I saw how flawed in sin I was. I ended up crying out to God telling Him that He had to fix me because I couldn’t fix myself. Then some time later (either a week or month, I can’t quite remember) I was walking out of my bedroom in my dad’s apartment and it dawned on me that Jesus died for me because I couldn’t fix myself. That God has already provided a way to fix me! In that moment, I gave my life over to Him and told Him I was down for whatever.
I’ve come to see the world from the perspective of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. We were made to know God and love Him (and love one another), but we rejected God and fell short with sin. But instead of destroying us, God made a way for us to be forgiven and restored (all because of His love for us). And we are called to love God and people. God is loving. And love is always right. Life is so simple, yet so deep.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Man… I really like this question because this is something I’ve noticed more and more as I’ve gotten older. Sometimes suffering can actually be a gift and a blessing. In no way am I saying that we should seek out suffering. That’s dumb. Truth is sometimes God allows us to suffer or struggle in order to grow us or teach us. Things I have suffered (or struggled) through like my ocd, heart breaks, rejection, etc has actually led to me becoming more compassionate, caring, bold, and selfless. Since I know what’s it’s like to suffer within and in general… I desire to help anyone struggling or suffering. Otherwise, suffering has strengthened me within and taught me to have thicker skin. I’ve learned better what to take seriously and what to let slide, as a result. Success could never teach me a lot of these things because in success there is no push to grow or learn. I’m not happy I’ve been through those tough moments, but I am grateful to God for them and how He has used them to make me who I am today.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Oh for sure. However, no one should expect to know everything about someone due to seeing them in the public sphere. For me though, I am the same person in public as I am in private. There’s always a time and place for things, but I see no reason to not be myself in any situation. It’s important to be real and authentic. I have a real issue with lying. If I can’t be myself, then maybe I shouldn’t do what I am stepping into (regardless of the “gain”).
Now I’ll say this, choosing to be silent and patient isn’t the same thing as not being myself. Some times I notice that people feel like they can’t be themselves if they can’t do what they want when they want. Life isn’t about me or any one person. Sometimes it’s good to make sacrifices and to withhold from things in order to help others or help a situation.
At the end of the day, the realest and most authentic person to ever walk on earth is Jesus. And my goal is to be like Him. To me, being real is being like Jesus and faithful to Him. He is one with the Father and came to restore us back to Him. And by doing so, He made the way of salvation and shows us what it truly means to be human (aka an image bearer of God).
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Honestly, I have given things my best plenty of times and still will regardless if I’m seen or not, or praised or not. There are moments I can be selfish and prideful, and God still has to work on me. However, I understand that life is not about me and the world doesn’t revolve around me. This is God’s world, I’m just living in it. If only God and others get the praise, then that’s fine with me. There’s a prayer that I’ve been praying on and off this year which has helped me with humility called the “Litany of Humility.” I’d love to share it with you and those who will read this:
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being esteemed,
From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should. Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
I’ve seen God answer this prayer in my life this year and as a result has helped me grow in my faith. I hope people see and praise the Lord when they see or hear of me. I am just another person who was found by God and His grace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bio.site/mikepennino
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikepennino
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikepennino
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikepennino
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmikepennino
Merch Store: https://mikepennino.creator-spring.com/
