Gov. Abbott praises rapper Kanye West, urging others to follow 'Kanye's lead'

Rapper Kanye West appeared at the Harris County Jail on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 for two unannounced jailhouse shows, one for more than 200 men at the 701 San Jacinto building, and another for a smaller group of women at the Baker Street jail. less Rapper Kanye West appeared at the Harris County Jail on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 for two unannounced jailhouse shows, one for more than 200 men at the 701 San Jacinto building, and another for a smaller group of ... more Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Gov. Abbott praises rapper Kanye West, urging others to follow 'Kanye's lead' 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Only days before rapper Kanye West's special appearance at Houston's Lakewood Church, he decided to spread the gospel with a message intended to uplift and inspire Harris County inmates at a secret concert.

"This is a mission, not a show," Kanye declared in front of about 200 Harris County inmates.

The act caught the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott, who took to Twitter to praise the rapper and ask others to follow Kanye's lead.

"What @kanyewest does to inspire the incarcerated is transformative," Abbott tweeted. "Inmates who turn to God may get released earlier b/c of good behavior and may be less likely to commit future crimes. It would be great if other artists followed Kanye's lead."

What @kanyewest does to inspire the incarcerated is transformative.



Saving one soul at a time.



Inmates who turn to God may get released earlier b/c of good behavior & may be less likely to commit future crimes.



It would be great if other artists followed Kanye’s lead. https://t.co/kK3cTk8dtp — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 16, 2019

West had a special conversation with Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church during this Sunday's service at 11 a.m. Osteen and West discussed West's journey of faith.