If you ask gospel lovers who the best singer is, many would say CeCe Winans.
The multiple Grammy, Stellar, and Dove awards; the various gold-and platinum-certified albums; and books she has penned over the course of her career certainly helps her celebrity.
However, many feel it’s her genuine and deep love of God, how she patterns her life after Christ and how she uses her gifts to the glory of God is what makes CeCe not only a fixture in the gospel industry, but successful and blessed.
Winans was recently in Indianapolis for the Women of Faith tour. She, along with award-winning musicians, authors and Bible teachers conveyed messages of spiritual renewal and a deeper faith to a crowd of women at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.
The Recorder sat down with Winans to discuss what Christian women need and her upcoming projects.
Recorder: You are in town for the Women of Faith tour. What is it all about?
CeCe Winans: We’ve been touring for a long time and the tour is to always encourage women, to build them up, to bring light, to speak light into them and create a conference that will help their faith and give them hope. Every year there’s a different theme and this year’s is “Believe.” It’s amazing to see thousands of women come together and leave encouraged, uplifted and their faith renewed in God.
What do you believe is going on in the Christian woman’s life where these types of events are needed?
Wow. As believers, women, men, boys, girls – the Bible tells us how important it is to hear the word of God, to come together, the importance of being in the sanctuary. You come together and strengthen one another and encourage one another. We all need one another. God created us where we wouldn’t make it by ourselves. He created us so we’d need one another. Life is every day. You go through trials and tribulations. You deal with pain and loss.
Whether you’re a Christian or not, life happens to everybody. And through those times, you need to be encouraged, you need to hear a word. You need to be reminded of who you are. You need to be reminded of the ways you get through your rough time. Whether it’s a loss of a loved one or loss of self image. Whatever it is, when you hear the word of God and you hear other people’s testimonies – because that’s really what you hear a lot about at Women of Faith.
It’s amazing because a lot of times we think we’re the only one’s that go through something, then you hear someone else tell their story and it’s like ‘wow! If they made it, maybe I can make it too.’ That’s why you need a Women of Faith or to be plugged into a place of faith that will share and teach the word of God.
This tour is scheduled to go to 24 cities. How do you remain steadfast in your studying and positive in order to help others?
I know the importance of what we’re doing, not just for others, for me as well. I do the same thing. I’m in church, I listen to the word, I read my word daily, I’m in fellowship with people who encourage me to do the right thing. I understand the importance of sharing songs of worship and staying in a place of positive thinking. I do that for myself because unless I feed and strengthen myself, I can’t give out strength. If I don’t receive the peace of God myself, I can’t give out peace.
As far as the schedule, that’s really like every Friday for me, but of course I tour around the world. The Women of Faith schedule is pretty easy for me. (laughs.) I’m touring and am in full time ministry when I’m at home as well. You just learn how to keep balance. But I understand the importance to being plugged into the source and not too busy where you’re not getting the nourishment you need.
There are lots of ladies on this tour. Explain your relationship.
Sheila Wash is really the one, I think, who started this. I just love her! I told her I love her, but I just wish I could talk like her. You know, that accent she has is pretty awesome (laughs). But they’re sweet ladies and I love being a part of (Women of Faith). I enjoy what they offer and the stories they tell. They are so vulnerable and transparent and real. I’ve been blessed by being a part of it.
Many believe today’s youth are disconnected from God and the church. How do you feel about that?
I love youth and yes, you look at some of the statistics or look at the news and we have a lot of youth who are in trouble. But because of me doing what I do, I have been so encouraged and refreshed.
I’ve seen incredible young people all over the world that love God and are busy doing God’s work. You’re not going to see that in the news. (Laughs). For those who are in gangs or really feel a sense of hopelessness – we’re dealing with a lot of young people taking their lives. It seems like we’re hearing about suicide every day for some reason. We have to understand there is a problem that we cannot ignore.
We have to take our time to create programs and conferences like this for young people. The good news is that God is building an army of young people who understand the principles of loving God and loving one another.
In addition to the tour, what other projects are you working on?
Well, it has been a long time since I’ve put out new music so I’m working on that right now to get that done. I’m getting excited about it. It’s hard to slow down when you’re busy doing so many things so I’m trying to focus, praying and trying to see what that next sound is going to be. But I’m supposed to have a CD out by the first quarter of next year.
Was there anything else you’d like to add or anything you’d like readers to know?
It’s interesting you ask about young people. My husband and I started a church about a year ago, which I still can’t believe. It was birthed from my son’s friends. We have a church in Nashville called Nashville Life Christian Church. Members are about 30 years old or younger, on fire for God, loving God. They just want a real relationship with God. It’s pretty simple. It’s not all the traditional things.
We come in, worship and learn the principles of loving God and living a life that is holy and set apart.
With all things that are fighting for your attention, when you find young people who really want to do the right thing and understand the sacrifices and the stand they’re making. I’m being blown away by what God is doing in this next generation.
