Moving to a new city is always difficult — and that’s without the added pressure of trying to keep a church afloat while navigating a crisis of faith. That’s the challenge facing Isaac (Durrell “Tank” Babbs Sr.), an R&B singer turned pastor, and his wife, Rebecca (Fantasia Barrino Taylor), in Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas.
When Isaac’s father, Abraham (Fred Hammond), suddenly passes away, Isaac agrees to fulfill his dying wish and assume leadership of an old church in a gritty neighborhood with almost no members left. But upon arriving in New York City, reminders of the life he used to lead — old flames, musician friends, tour promoters — leave Isaac questioning whether he still belongs behind the pulpit.
Prayer and community go a long way toward setting our beleaguered preacher on a righteous path — as does a well-placed song. The cast of Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas is stacked with a full choir’s worth of gospel legends, including Shirley Caesar, Hezekiah Walker, The Clark Sisters, Yolanda Adams, and CeCe Winans, making every musical interlude a powerhouse performance.
Read on to meet the family, angels, and neighbors bringing Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas, now streaming, to life.
Isaac is an R&B singer turned pastor, who knows that his skills behind the pulpit leave a lot to be desired. When he’s asked to go lead an old New York City church with no congregation to speak of, he wonders if he’s the right man for the job.
“I didn’t think there was a better person to play the role of Isaac than Tank,” says Perry.
Grammy Award–nominated singer with roles on stage and screen in Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway, Single Ladies, The New Edition Story
Wife to Isaac and devoted mother to Jacob (Mason Douglas) and Esau (Eric Wiltz), Rebecca always puts God and family first. Despite her husband’s doubts, she’s convinced that he can turn the church around and does her part to help, building and leading the parish’s choir. Rebecca handles every obstacle with grace, determination, and a whole lot of prayer.
“From the first word of Rebecca, I knew it was Fantasia, and I was hoping that she would say yes,” Perry says. “So to have [her] come in and be a part of this film and also kill it the way she did was really inspiring to me.”
American Idol and Grammy winner who performed on Broadway and made her feature film debut in 2023’s The Color Purple
Jacob is Isaac and Rebecca’s 15-year-old son. He’s frustrated when his life is upended by his family’s sudden move, and he’s got an attitude to prove it. As he settles into his new situation and gritty urban surroundings, he tries his best to connect with people his own age and establish a life of his own outside the church.
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Esau is Isaac and Rebecca’s younger son. He’s nonverbal, which many see as a problem to be solved. Rebecca, however, sees it as a special gift. After all, Esau can see the angels living in the family’s new church.
Abraham is Isaac and Peter’s (Smokie Norful) father, a preacher with a devoted following who suddenly falls ill while Isaac is trying to figure out what to do with his life. Just before Abraham passes, he asks Isaac to go to New York City and revive one of the family’s churches — a request that surprises almost everyone in the family.
Gospel music legend
Sarah is Isaac’s mother. Like her late husband Abraham, Sarah sees beyond Isaac’s insecurities and encourages him to go to New York City and realize his potential. As the family matriarch, Sarah is always ready to provide guidance and prayer.
Grammy winner with roles in Queen Sugar, Atlanta, and The Fighting Temptations
Peter is Isaac’s brother and a gifted preacher, which makes Isaac even more self-conscious about being given a church revival mission as their father’s dying wish. Peter has dedicated his entire life to the church and sometimes harbors jealousy about his brother’s past career as an R&B singer.
Two-time Grammy Award winner and pastor
Lilly is Peter’s wife. She is vocal about her dissatisfaction when Isaac receives a preaching role that she believes should have been given to her husband. Blunt and direct, sometimes to a fault, Lilly still shows up whenever needed to support her family.
Grammy winner and the first gospel artist to be inducted into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame
Aunt Lynn is another member of Isaac’s extended family, who is always ready to offer support, a song, and a prayer whenever the going gets tough.
Grammy-winning gospel singer and member of The Clark Sisters
Aunt Susan is another member of Isaac’s extended family, who is always ready to offer support, a song, and a prayer whenever the going gets tough.
Leader of The Clark Sisters and known as the mother of contemporary gospel music
Aunt Pearl is another member of Isaac’s extended family, who is always ready to offer support, a song, and a prayer whenever the going gets tough.
The soprano of The Clark Sisters, and known as the rose of gospel
Watching over Isaac’s new church is the Heavenly Choir, a group of angels living in the attic who can be seen by only a chosen few.
Deacon Daniel has been maintaining the New York City church on his own until Isaac and his family arrive. He welcomes them and offers a helping hand, though they don’t realize he’s actually an angel visible to everyone.
Gray toured with Kirk Franklin, appeared in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, and is a senior pastor
Matthew is part of the Heavenly Choir, the group of angels in the attic. Troubled by the neighborhood’s decline, he wants to take action.
Founder and senior pastor of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Churches
Eve is one of the angels living in the church attic. She keeps her ear to the street, surprising her peers by keeping up with current music.
Grammy Award winner
May is also an angel. She’s concerned about Isaac’s ability to turn things around but has faith that Rebecca’s unshakeable devotion can change the trajectory of the family.
First lady of gospel music with roles in Why Do Fools Fall in Love? and The Fighting Temptations
Noah is an angel who’s frustrated by the way Isaac seems to be wallowing in uncertainty when he needs to be taking action to save the church.
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The last of the angels, Bella is deeply affected by the state of the world beyond the church windows.
Eldest sibling of The Clark Sisters
Mr. Lived owns a local pawn shop, but he knew Isaac back when he was a secular recording artist. When they cross paths again, he takes it upon himself to advise Isaac about the reality of the neighborhood and gives Jacob a part-time job.
Mission Impossible
Juanita is one of Isaac’s former flames and a creative collaborator from his previous life as a recording artist. Since she works at the bank overseeing the church’s mortgage, she has insight into Isaac’s financial troubles. Her renewed presence in his life creates trouble at home for him, too.
Grammy-nominated R&B singer known for R&B Divas: Los Angeles
When she first encounters Jacob passing out flyers for church services, Imani gives him a bit of a hard time. But after she attends a service, a mutual crush begins to blossom.
Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway, Tarot Curse
Gloria is initially resistant to Isaac’s family and their efforts to revive the church. After her daughter Imani starts attending services and her son Quamie befriends Jacob, she warms up to the idea and even joins the choir.
First gospel artist to be nominated for a Tony Award
Quamie works alongside Jacob at Mr. Lived’s pawn shop, where the two become fast friends and confidants.
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Mrs. Johnson lives close enough to the church to hear every one of their choir practices — and she makes sure that they hear every one of her complaints. Though she used to be a dedicated church member, the death of her husband has left her feeling bitter and lonely.
Bestselling and most-awarded female gospel singer of all time
Troy leads a men’s group at the local rec center, where he encourages attendees to share their struggles by coming clean about his own failures.
Former pastor for Hillsong, New York, and now podcast host
Brandon is a member of the men’s group that meets at the rec center to share their vulnerabilities and build solidarity.
Singer and rapper
