After nearly a decade, a Philadelphia Lyft driver is back on the streets, reprising his role as “Philly Jesus.”
Michael Grant, known as “Philly Jesus,” has become a social media celebrity since he first took on the role nearly 10 years ago.
Mr. Grant took over local station Fox 29. He rode in his sacred Acura, a Bible on the dashboard, rosary beads in his hands, and gospel music playing.
“It’s like a church on wheels, and you know that’s how I look at it now,” Grant said.
“When I pick up a passenger, he sees me dressed like this, turns around and says, ‘Jesus is behind the wheel today,’ and then he plays gospel music on the gospel radio.”
Grant arrested for trespassing He told Fox 29 in 2016 at the Apple Store that it led to him quitting the social media scene.
A few years later, a divorce and the deaths of his father and grandmother led him to step away from the role.
But nearly 10 years later, he told Fox 29 he felt the need to don the robe again and get his message across.
“I tell them what I do: I’m an artist, a Christian artist…I dress up like Jesus, the superhero, I play gospel music, I follow me on social media. They do it,” Grant said.
“Philly Jesus, I’m a Lyft driver.”
Grant works 10-hour shifts, six days a week, with only Sundays off, and although he says not all of his customers enjoy the act, he prefers getting behind the wheel and walking the streets spreading his word. He said it was much safer.
“God gave me a car and gave me a job. Beat walking down the road. Jesus rode a donkey. ‘Philly Jesus’ is riding in the car,” Grant said. .
