CeCe Winans

By Em Fergusson

Three million albums sold. Seven-time GRAMMY winner, mother, singer, author, songwriter and recording artist, CeCe Winans graciously shared her vision for her new release Thy Kingdom Come. Her sheer talent for singing, songwriting and compassion for the troops in Iraq demonstrate how CeCe Winans is called by God to do what she's doing. Her purpose for recording her eighth solo album? "I want to encourage others," she says, answering all my questions with the theme of inspiring others.

Em: Can you talk about your newest album, Thy Kingdom Come. This is your eighth solo album. What's different this time around?

CeCe: You know, I just think every time I go around, the message is different. It's about encouraging God's people all over the world, to be just that. To remind them of the power we possess inside: that we really do control our destiny. And we have to be reminded of this. Especially when you turn on the news and you hear about shootings on college campuses and you know, it just moves me to pray more and to understand the responsibility, not just for me and mine, but the responsibility that we have for the neighbors and for the children and the next generation. And the power we possess of prayer and love. It was a CD made to encourage everybody to stand up and "let's make a difference!"

Em: So is this what you want listeners to come away with, that feeling of empowerment, with, "Yes, we can do something"?

CeCe: Yes, yes. Our first single is "Waging War." And we're in a war every day; making the right decisions, doing what's right…we have to understand the responsibility that we have to make change. So I do want people to hear this CD and to encourage them to keep fighting the good fight of faith…so don't be discouraged, don't give up…

Em: You mentioned the first single, "Waging War." Can you talk about this song and what it means, as our troops are still in Iraq?

CeCe: Yeah, exactly! You know, I never really thought about the two. And people have asked me that since we started, "Well, do you think it would have a bad effect because of the war?" But no…when I think about our troops, and I do think of them often…they're sons and daughters (they're very young), have their own life in front of them. When you think about that, it's [also] about us at home who should be fighting for them and should be praying for them daily, pray for our leaders…we should feel their pain and we should pray for them as if it's our own children out there. Because it really is…we're waging war…this song is about the authority we have to stand up and make a difference. When we allow God to be the head of our lives, we pray His will into the earth; we change the atmosphere…so that's really what that song is about – not to sit back. We have to fight for what's right…for the next generation…for our children. Not let things fall where they may. We have to fight.