Sometimes fact may sound stranger than fiction. And the call from a source to say that Bounty Killer would be going to church on Sunday (yesterday) was just a little hard to believe.

Somehow, 'Bounty Killer' and 'church' were two words that just didn't sound as if they should be in the same sentence ... and so very close together. Anyway, the story was that Miss Ivy -- Bounty's beloved mother and an upright Christian lady -- had ordered her son Rodney, to be present at her church yesterday morning. And, as the source pointed out, "If Miss Ivy say him fi come a church, him haffi come."

Needless to say, Bounty, and his entourage, was present and on time at Miss Ivy's place of worship, the Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Gregory Park, St Catherine.

Dressed in his trademark 'full black' and looking none the worse for his 10-day stint in police lock-up, from which he was released only on Friday, Bounty was obviously there to give thanks that he had come through his recent ordeal unscathed. No doubt, the prayers of Miss Ivy and the prayer warriors at her church played an active role in Rodney's eventual release from jail and the church welcomed Killer as if the Prodigal Son had returned.

Clearly, Bounty was not in church under duress, as the radiant smile on his face as he fellowshipped on an overcast Sunday morning, was enough to light up the entire community of Gregory Park in Portmore. Church leader, Pastor Maxwell -- father of Spelling Bee Champion Jodie-Ann Maxwell -- had a special consecration for Miss Ivy last son, who, like a good altar boy, was armed with his sword -- the Holy Bible. Evangelist Yvette Blake also had prayerful words of advice for Rodney.

Interestingly, one close Bounty aide had commented at the time of his arrest, that the Killer needed the jail time to get away from all the 'waste people' in his life, and to reflect. "Bounty need to stop go out every night and waste so much money pon liquor and flossin', so me glad him nuh get nuh bail, mek him stay deh and hol' a medz," the Alliance member noted.

One cannot help but wonder if his attendance at church yesterday comes as a result of the reflection, and marks a new beginning for Rodney Basil Price.

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THE STAR VERSION

Bounty Killer (left) and his mother Ivy 'Mama Ivy' Williams, after a church service at the Agape Christian Fellowship church on Sunday, April 18. - Anthony Minott

Dancehall artiste Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Price may think that it was divine intervention why he was granted bail on Friday, and so, attended church yesterday to give thanks.

Bounty Killer was arrested almost two weeks ago on a warrant by officers from the Constant Spring Police Station.

The court heard that on March 30 the female complainant told police that the deejay had assaulted her. It was further revealed that the complainant had reported that she had been involved with the deejay for three years, and when she told him that she wanted to end the relationship and move on with her life, he got angry and hit her all over her body.

denied bail

Bounty Killer, who was initially denied bail and then had his case put off, spent almost two weeks behind bars, and was only released on Friday.

Now a free man, he says: "It feels good to be here in church, as it was God who allowed me to be bail, after spending almost two weeks, and the church came and pray fi mi before mi go court the last time. It really good man, to be in church," Price told THE STAR at the Agape Christian Fellowship church in Gregory Park.

The entertainer, who was offered bail on Friday for assaulting his girlfriend, was dressed in his customary black.

He participated in the altar call, clapped and worshipped with his mother at his side, while the church sang, "Jesus how I love calling your name." It was a penitent-looking Bounty that came and worshipped.

straight church mi a sey

"A church mi sey now yu hear, as God alone can do it. Yes, a straight church mi a sey," Price said.

His mother, Ivy Williams, affectionately called 'Mama Ivy', said her son is one who loves God dearly.

"I am a member of the church and I know that Rodney loves God very much and he has reason to," Williams said.

One youngster, Mikhail Letmore, who was in attendance, even observed: "Him (Bounty) nuh look cross or angry as we always hear, him even laugh with me and told me to do my school work."

After signing a number of autographs and giving words of encouragement, Price and his entourage left the church as blessed souls.