A former prisoner who converted to Christianity in jail, has combined his passion or rapping and evangelism to start a train ministry.

Elsworth Hewitt, 37, adopted the name Brimstone after he converted in Rikers Island prison and decided to become a gospel rapper. He now boards New York subway carriages and raps the gospel on a daily basis, according to the Christian Post.

His love of rap predates his faith. When he converted, his prison pastor Cato said "he wanted to rap in a way that exalts his faith."

He was baptised in 2009 while in prison and was invited to rap in chapel services. Cato said "it encouraged the other men because they saw the change in him."

Brimstone chose the train as the vehicle for his ministry because he likes a captive audience.

"You know the train is a different kind of evangelistic ministry, because when you evangelise in the street, people have the option to listen or to walk away. On the train, you ain't got no option. When those doors close, you're gonna get it," he said.

Donning a red T-shirt embellished with the name "Jesus" inside the image of a fish, Brimstone raps to carriages of people.

His ministry has not been without challenges; Brimstone raps with his eyes closed to protect himself from the "dirty looks" some people give him.

"I've gotten attacked on the train," the rapper told Christian Post. "I've had people say nast things to me."

Unperturbed by the mocking, Brimstone referenced the beatitudes and said "Jesus says when these things happen, rejoice because great is your reward in the Kingdom of Heaven."

Speaking of his time in jail, he said the Lord "used [it] to turn me to Him and I feel, you know, Brimstone was birthed in prison and Jesus has saved me from everything.

"Through His Word and His Holy Spirit and His love, he changed my heart."

He said that where some are called to pastor the church, he was called to bring hope to the lost sheep through his train ministry.