Naveed
Calling Himself and Bunnie XO “Baby Christians”
Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord in Antioch, Tennessee, doesn’t present his Christianity as a finished story. He’s described his own faith — and his wife Bunnie XO’s — as still a work in progress, using the phrase “baby Christians” to describe where they are in it, per Mercy House Ministry.
| Religion | Christian (self-described as a “baby Christian”) |
| Birth name | Jason Bradley DeFord |
| Hometown | Antioch, Tennessee |
| Notable faith song | “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Brandon Lake (Dove Award winner) |
How “Hard Fought Hallelujah” Deepened His Faith
His Dove Award-winning collaboration with Christian artist Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” became more than a hit record. Jelly Roll has said the song connected him to his faith “in a way that I haven’t been connected in a while,” according to Crosswalk, where he’s also said plainly: “I have a heart for Jesus.”
His Take on Modern Christianity
Jelly Roll has been vocal about wanting Christianity to look less like judgment and more like service. “I love where contemporary Christianity is heading right now,” he told RELEVANT. “It’s not being preachy on corners and through megaphones. It’s like through acts of service, through acts of kindness.”
Not Interested in Being Judged
He’s also been clear that he doesn’t look to organized religion for approval, telling reporters he doesn’t care when religious institutions “wave their finger” at him — a stance consistent with a faith he frames as personal and hard-won rather than institutional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jelly Roll a Christian?
Yes, though he describes himself and his wife Bunnie XO as “baby Christians” — meaning his faith is still relatively new and evolving rather than something he grew up devoutly practicing.
What role did music play in his faith?
His Dove Award-winning song “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” recorded with Brandon Lake, is widely credited by Jelly Roll himself as reconnecting him to his Christian faith.
Related: another country legend’s faith is explored in our profile of Johnny Cash’s religion.
