Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr.

It's hard to miss the enormous contributions of Bishop Paul Sylvester Morton, Sr. when you're in his neck of the woods. From the multiple church edifices that populate the city of New Orleans, to the countless new converts that count themselves among the shepard's fold, to the numerous business ventures spearheaded from the Bishop's head office, everything suggests that Bishop Morton is changing N'Awlins for the better.

It is important to put this in perspective because in New Orleans, a city that has gained the incredulous nickname the "Big Easy", "Mardi Gras Madness" and "Sin City 2", for its devotion to hedonism, is not your typical Bible-belt city in the south, with conservative Christian values and a Sunday-worshipping culture.

On the contrary, "Southern Comfort" is better known for making folks more comfortable in the flesh than in the spirit, at least until Pastor Morton arrived on the scene some thirty odd years ago. Since then, Bishop Morton's Crescent City Fire vision in the 'dirty south' is purging away old mentalities and introducing a prosperous rainfall on all God's people.

It appears as though the rainfall has been good for the root and is now quickly bearing fruit. With over twenty thousand members today in his church - the Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church - Bishop Morton currently oversees the largest church in the state of Louisiana.

In addition, the bishop currently holds the post as the international presiding bishop for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, not to mention a host of other active duties within the church, city and state. Even a nearsighted saint could see that Bishop Morton is steadfastly fulfilling his divinely ordained duties, one day at a time.

GospelCity spoke with one of the most anointed men of God about his new album aptly entitled Let It Rain (Tehillah), his other evangelical ventures and his mission to bring the Full Gospel to all the world in this generation.

Christopher Heron: This has certainly been a very busy season for you and the church. You've just released a new album entitled Let it Rain; it sounds as though the church is captured on disc in the midst of worship. What went into this particular recording?

Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr.: I'm really, really excited about it. What we tried to do with this project is that we tried to reach everybody and I think that is important. We have the contemporary music and then we have the praise and worship. I think it's really about getting people into the presence of God. That's what Let it Rain is about, the blessings of God and the growing into one's life. We believe it takes people where they need to go.

CH: It's very apparent that you have a very strong belief in the power of music. Every year, your church is always in recording, releasing good gospel music. Is this a focal point of the ministry you believe will have an undeniable impact on the public?

PM: I've always preached that music has been a great part of my life. I never lost that desire, never lost that motivation because I believe if God gives a gift to you then you should use it. Even when I became a preacher, music was such a great part of my life; you can reach people and there is always a message in the music. That's why I've tried to use it to the max and make sure we're putting out things that are going to bless people; so, yes, I love music.

CH: An integral part of your music ministry for many years was the late Michael Robinson; how has his loss been felt by the St. Stephen Church and how have you tried to make up for his absence?

PM: Michael was just so special to us and there was such a special anointing upon him. His music could take you right into the presence of God. We feel the loss in our ministry; he was one who believed in training of the musicians. We're going on in the name of Jesus and we feel Mike is still with us; I know he would love Let it Rain. He would love those kind of songs we would put out because I just know; it's just the way he is.

CH: I've watched your music ministry over the years evolve; first, there were the days with Blackberry Records, with your memorable album - We Offer Christ - which propelled your singing ministry on to everyone's radar. Of course, there was your short stint with CGI / Intersound Records, with the release of your preaching ministry. That was followed by your relationship with GospoCentric Records as one of the first singing bishops. And now, it appears as though the church is ready to begin producing its own material with the launch of Tehillah Music Group. Give me your take on the evolution of the church's music ministry.

PM: I've always appreciated it and said, "Thank God" for people who get us to where we need to be and of course Blackberry was a blessing. We wanted to expose talent and people who hadn't had an opportunity. To me, that's what it's all about. I know since I was very young I've always said, "My God, if someone could just put me on a record and hear me out, I think they would get my name out there." When God blessed me I said, "I want to fulfill that belief in somebody else's life. It was just another avenue of really appreciating talent and making sure that those involved get their right royalties. We believe Tehillah is being fair with everybody we're bringing on board and trying to make our record label a success.

CH: Speaking of bringing the dream to reality, your church anchored the recent Gospel Dream talent search, in bringing unknown talent to the forefront. What was the inspiration behind you and your church launching this new aspect of ministry?

PM: The Bible says, "That the world is many as times as wise than the Christians." Elvin Ross looked at American Idol, at the excitement, the new talent we would never know about that needed exposure. Then we said, "Why not bring this into the gospel realm and expose talent this way." That's what a lot of record companies do; they get so many tapes and put them to the side. Much of the great talent is missed. When you have an opportunity to bring all these people and let them audition, you get to hear something really exciting; you try to make someone's dreams come true. We believe we have something to hear because it's really an anointing to the Holy Spirit.

CH: For a church like yours that has already achieved so much and is known as the largest church in the state of Louisiana, what is left to achieve and pursue as a minister of God?

PM: God has blessed us. We're growing and continuing to grow and believe we have to produce our own kind. What we're doing is planting ministries out of our ministry in different parts of the city and in various states. We're really multiplying ourselves. I believe if Wendy's can be all over the place and McDonalds can be all over the place then we can produce what people like when they come to our ministry. That's what's working for us. We train people, sending our qualified people to make sure the same kind of flavor is manifested wherever we plant churches.

CH: Your ministry is yet another example of progressive ministries catching the attention of the mainstream with respect to its music and community involvement. Like pioneers Eddie Long, T.D. Jakes and others is there a new trend of evangelism taking root in the American Black church and internationally? Or are these just unique, pioneering individuals who will have their distinct impact on mainstream society?

PM: I think many are called and few are chosen to lead to way in this particular area. I think God has chosen a select group that is very unselfish in training others; this is the way you do it. You have to spend money in order to show what you can do. People are realizing they have to invest in television and radio if they're going to send a message out there to a wide audience. It's different from thirty years ago where you could just go knock on people's doors and say, "You need Jesus Christ." People are afraid now and they're not opening their doors but you cannot get into their homes without using television. They want us in their homes and I think this is such a great soul winning tool that God is using for us to change the generation.

CH: You are a mentor for so many ministers in the flock looking to make an impact on today's society. People forget that you too need to occasionally lean on someone to find strength. Who do you turn to when you are in situations of adversity, disappointment or temptation?

PM: I thank God for the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship. Of course, they've ministered to me and I've ministered to them. There are pastors that I admire. They're just so many people that find out we all need each other; that's what makes a difference. When you reach that level of success, you should be able to share what you're going through because no one is trying to kill anyone. We realize we're all in the same business, so it works out very well with those kinds of relationships across the country.

For more info, visit www.paulmorton.org, www.greaterststephenfgbc.org and www.gospeldream.net. To contact Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., email him at jan@paulmorton.org.