Gospel Icon CeCe Winans On A Legacy Led by God: ‘At All Times God is with Me’
By Movieguide® Staff
Last year in 2022, Gospel singer CeCe Winans won yet another Grammy award.
However, the famous singer did not attend the Grammys in Las Vegas, but instead chose to worship God at Liberty University, in Virginia.
“I had already made a commitment to be somewhere else that night,” Winans told Decision magazine.
In 2022, the ‘Goodness of God’ singer was nominated in three categories, but says that she wants her legacy in the music industry to point towards Christ and not her career.
“It’s encouraging to be recognized by your peers, but to me, it’s ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’” Winans explained. “Winning 15 Grammys definitely gives you more influence in this industry, and even outside the music industry, and so, my question is always, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do with this influence?’”
She continued: “I know that every stage, every platform comes from the call that He has on my life. He’s entrusted me with these opportunities. I just pray that 15 Grammys behind my name will make people remember who He is.”
The former Movieguide® Award Gala performer said that her parents, David and Delores Winans, trained each of their children to love the Lord—which in the Winans household meant only Christian music.
“Even though they were strict, they were full of love. Their rules built character in me,” Winans recalled. “Today, I can wear makeup and know I’m not sinning, but at the same time, I can go without it and know who I am. And while I also don’t believe there is sin in wearing pants, their rules landed me in a place of modesty.”
“They never had us look down on people who believed differently than we did or had different rules and standards,” she added. “We were raised to love people and respect their beliefs, but also be able to stand firm in what we believe.”
Despite her parents’ faithful example to her and her nine siblings, Winans said that her individual faith was tested at an early age.
“I remember having to take a stand for righteousness, and that’s when I asked God to be my personal Lord and Savior,” Winans said of a moment when she was around 10 years old.
Now, the 57-year-old singer is accustomed to wowing millions of people with her voice. But Winans said that building up the courage to sing in front of people took time.
“Singing in the background, singing in the choir, I was totally satisfied with that. But singing out front—that wasn’t for me. Yet my parents saw the talent that was in me, and between them and the kids choir teacher, I didn’t have a choice,” she said.
“Being an artist was not my goal, yet I started to realize the anointing that God had given me,” she added. “I saw the reactions of people as I was singing, and whether they were crying or deep in worship, I felt the presence of the Lord. I got to a point when I said, ‘Lord, if people are going to be blessed by my voice, then yes, I’ll perform.’”
Winans notes that her career began by trusting the Lord, and that is something she leans into even today—even after her 15 Grammy awards.
“It’s been His leading,” she explained. “Even when I mess up, I know at all times that God is with me and He loves me.”
Winans shares two children with her husband, Alvin, and she also recently became a grandmother.
“Alvin and I laugh a lot,” she said. “We’ve got to. Life is short, and when you recognize the blessing of waking up every day, and you both love Jesus, it’s important to have fun and laugh.”
In her book, “Believe for It: Passing on Faith to the Next Generation,” Winans said that she hopes her music will inspire the younger generation to put their faith and hope in God.
“My parents’ generation really magnified God in a way where I wanted what they had. I saw God move in their lives. I saw their stability; I saw their commitment to Him; and I saw the rewards. God blessed their lives,” she said.
“I’ve got to pour out everything they poured into me into the next generation coming after me. I need to pass the baton. I’ve got to make sure I’m preparing the next generation to run a better race, to run a stronger race, to understand who they are in Christ,” she continued.
Movieguide® previously reported on Winans’ faith:
Gospel legend CeCe Winans is sharing her story in a new book, “Believe For It: Passing on Faith to the Next Generation.”
The book details the events in Winans’ life that led to her strong Christian faith today. The singer links her stories together with the message that everyone has a responsibility to pass on their faith to their family and friends.
“We all have been influenced by those who came before us,” Winans said. “You don’t have to be related by blood to have a spiritual influence on someone’s life.”
“Believe For It” is also the name of Winans’ 2021 live album. The singer just kicked off a 21-city tour earlier this month, with shows planned in Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
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