Alabama Pastor Wins 6 Stellar Gospel Music Awards: ‘Living a God-Given Dream’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pastor Mike Jr. took home six Stellar Awards at the 37th Stellar Gospel Music Awards after spending the last 10 years pastoring a church in Alabama.
In a recent Instagram post, the musician celebrated his win, saying, “Biggie Smalls said it best, ‘It was all a dream!’ Now more than ever I understand that statement. I’m literally living a God Given Dream! A kid from Birmingham doing it all independently inspiring the world! Thank you to my family, team, and all those who pray & support me. I’m proof God is still doing the ‘IMPOSSIBLE.’”
Pastor Mike McClure’s wins include awards for Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year and Album of the Year for I Got It: Single’s Ministry Vol. 1.
But until 2019, music was not his focus.
In 2009, “I clearly heard the Lord tell me, ‘For the next 10 years, love God, love your family, love your city, love your church, and the world will come looking for you,’” McClure recalled. “So when I started my church, I literally didn’t do anything music related for the most part.”
He and ten friends started Rock City Church in Forestdale, Alabama, which grew to include thousands of people within a year.
Then in 2019, McClure released his first solo single, “Big,” which reached the Top 20 Billboard charts.
As a result of his musical success, he has won eleven Stellar Awards in just three years.
“In what world does a kid from Birmingham, AL with no major label, backing, or connections accomplish all this,” McClure said.
Through his success as a musician and a pastor, he pursues one goal.
“It’s to inspire people and help push them to Jesus,” he noted. “Gospel music is the only genre of music where the message plus the melody equals a miracle.”
He wants to help those “on the margins, the least, the lonely, the left out, and the loss” and share God’s love and purpose for them.
His music continues to inspire others, and as an independent artist, “It’s just surreal, and for a lot of independent artists to walk up to me after and say, ‘Man, thank you, you given me hope, you give me inspiration,’ it was worth it!” the gospel performer concluded.
McClure hopes that his music encourages listeners to “trust God and dream big, He will come through for you.”
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