Chet Hanks broke down in tears on MTV's The Surreal Life as he recalled how he feared he was close to dying young during a 'rough' time in his life - before he was saved by God. 

The 34-year-old rapper son of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, who previously struggled with addiction, revealed that he found God at his friend's funeral - just moments after he desperately pleaded for the deceased to give him a sign.

Speaking with Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke, Chet said: 'I was going through a really tough time and somebody I was close to died.

'I went to the funeral and went up and talked to him and said, "Hey man, the way things are going right now, I'm going to be the next one in a box, so if you can hear me, if you're out there, just help me". 

'At the end of the funeral, the pastor said: "If there's anybody here right now who wants to give themselves to Christ, do it." I stood up. I was the only person to stand up.

Chet Hanks broke down in tears after he revealed he feared he would die young before finding his faith in Christ

Chet Hanks broke down in tears after he revealed he feared he would die young before finding his faith in Christ 

The 34-year-old shared the emotional moment in which he found his relationship with God on MTV's The Surreal Life

The 34-year-old shared the emotional moment in which he found his relationship with God on MTV's The Surreal Life

'The whole church prayed over me and ever since that day, I've just felt different.'

Shortly after sharing his story, Chet was overcome with emotion and started to sob.

'You got this,' singer Macy Gray said, to which he responded: 'I don't got it, God has it.' 

Macy continued: 'You've got it though, you're doing a lot of it yourself. I think He still leaves a lot of it up to you.' 

'Everything changed since I started having Jesus in my life,' he cried to Ally and Macy, wiping away his tears. 

Speaking in his confessional, he said: 'It's literally tears of joy.

'It's tears of gratitude. I couldn't even be here. I couldn't even be alive without my relationship with God.' 

Taken aback by his emotion, Macy quipped: 'Well, he wouldn't want you crying.' 

Speaking with Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke, Chet said: 'Everything changed since I started having Jesus in my life'

Speaking with Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke, Chet said: 'Everything changed since I started having Jesus in my life'

He was seen wiping away 'tears of gratitude' in the emotional scenes, which aired on Tuesday

He was seen wiping away 'tears of gratitude' in the emotional scenes, which aired on Tuesday

Singer Macy Gray also listened to Chet's emotional story

Singer Macy Gray also listened to Chet's emotional story

Speaking candidly about his faith, Chet, real name Chester, admitted: 'My relationship with God is everything to me. God is the controller of all things.

'He gave me this opportunity to do the Surreal Life and show the world what I have to offer. I thank God, I praise God, I give all the glory to God and Christ all the time.'

Reflecting on the moment at the funeral, Chet admitted: 'I didn't have him in my life until that day.' 

Before converting to Christianity in his late teens, Chet was a self-professed atheist.

Last July, Chet debuted a massive cross tattoo on his chest as his latest act of devotion to God.

Alongside a now-deleted picture of his inking, he revealed his relationship with God, and wrote: 'There's only on thing the world needs more of and that's God.'

Chet debuted a massive cross tattoo on his chest as his latest act of devotion to God last year

Chet debuted a massive cross tattoo on his chest as his latest act of devotion to God last year

The rapper is the son of Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson (pictured in 2012)

The rapper is the son of Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson (pictured in 2012) 

Before converting to Christianity in his late teens, Chet was a self-professed atheist

Before converting to Christianity in his late teens, Chet was a self-professed atheist 

He also expressed that he believes his hardships — including his addiction struggle, infamously erratic behavior and domestic violence allegations — were due to the absence of God in his life.

'All the pain in my life has resulted from one thing – the lie of believing that my purpose is anything but just serving God,' the sober star wrote.

Chet concluded the post by admitting that he's unsure how to best serve God but believes that God will guide him in the right direction.

'It's not fully clear to me yet how I can best serve Him but I feel that this level of honesty is a starting point. And I know He will continue to reveal more,' he wrote.

He also encouraged his followers to embark on their own spiritual journey by accepting God into their hearts.