Fla.vor Alliance
Biography
Fla.vor Alliance
Fla.vor Alliance formed out of the need for more unity and support among Hip-Hop artists representing Christ in the Tampa Bay Area. Pablo Olivero (Rize) and Tommy Kyllonen (Urban D.) formed the alliance under the name of “Fla.vor Records.” Several other artists quickly joined as it kicked off with close to 20 people involved. Fla.vor began to put on concert events at Crossover every three months. The 1st event was Urban D.'s CD release concert for his 2nd independent release “The Answers” in March of 1998. As God began to open up more doors he also began to expose the true callings and lifestyles of some that were involved. Several eventually discontinued their involvement.
In January of 2000 things re-organized as the name officially changed to “Fla.vor Alliance.” Fla.vor also officially became a ministry of Crossover Community Church. Tommy Kyllonen became the pastor of the group and Edward Bayonet (Spec) became the president. Spec accepted Christ at the very first Fla.vor concert a few years before. Now that he had grown and matured in Christ he actually became the leader of the ministry. Fla.vor soon became much more organized as they launched their website and began to release a few albums.
Fla.vor Alliance has now developed into a much smaller, but solid group of ministers. It is a requirement that you must be a member at Crossover Community Church as Fla.vor is a major ministry under the vision of the church. Each alliance member is very involved in their home church as they are serving and leading youth and adults on a weekly basis. Several members lead bible studies, teach talent development classes, lead worship, run basketball leagues, provide mentorship, and speak at church services. Their ministry to this culture is not just at concerts or on a CD, it is a weekly tangible thing as they help pioneer a new type of church that is exploding with growth. Crossover has become an international model as a church targeting Hip-Hop Culture and leading hundreds into a real relationship with their creator as they build a real New Testament type of community. |
