“font-family: Verdana;”>When the “font-family: Verdana;”>Of “font-family: Verdana;”>in Christ came to
last month, it was expected
that some of the greatest gospel singers would be among the tens of
thousands that converged in America
“font-family: Verdana;”>’s Center as part of the programming for the 104
Annual Holy
Convocation.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>But thanks to the interfaith night that allows for Christian faith leaders from different denominations to deliver the Word of God to the COGIC community, members were blessed to see a new level of ministry from a family that has grown to become both legends and trailblazers in the realm of faith music.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”> “We know his voice musically, but we also know that he is a spectacular preacher of the gospel of our lord and savior Jesus Christ,” COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake told the thousands that sat with anticipation to hear the message of the evening.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I know that we are going to be blessed and we want you pastor to take your time and preach the word of the Lord. We are going to push our watches under our sleeves and we are going to hear what the lord is saying to us through Pastor Marvin Winans.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the few short years since he founded Perfecting Church in Detroit, membership has exceeded 4,000.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”> “Let the people be blessed by Thee and never impressed by me,” Winans said as he opened his remarks with prayer.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>But just as he prepped the audience to read from Judges 15:9-19 for the context of his message, Winans was led into song.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I feel like going on,” he sung in the signature rich, pitch-perfect Winans tone that made him and his entire family a star.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The choir backed him up for an abbreviated version of the gospel classic, but he quickly bounced back into his designated message.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“God does not cancel his eternal purpose because of personal proclivities,” Winans said. “Samson is hurt because his wife has betrayed him and his father in law has given her to another man. Is there anyone here that’s ever been hurt? God has the uncanny ability to take pain and use it as a lightning rod for you to use to fight the enemy. God can take something that was used to hurt you and use you to deliver others.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As he continued with his message, Winans focus was on a profound and timely warning as he talked of the Samson being delivered to what was expected to be his demise.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Be wary of saints that settle. Believers who expect more, see more pray more, study more, labor more or even love more are always held in suspicion of those who are content with less,” Winans said. “Of those who are content with what the devil, people and society says is enough for them. The devil doesn’t mind you singing and shouting in the place he allows you to be. It is amazing how the church of the 21st century has fallen victim to what the world thinks the church should do. When the church stands up and says ‘no’ to what the world says the church ought to be doing, then the world will have problems with you.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As he continued, he made the message even more personal.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When god has an assignment for your life, you are not going to be able to hang with everybody,” Winans said. “If you are going to be extraordinarily used by God, you have to become comfortable with isolation. To understand that god has called you into something unusual, you have to find yourself comfortable with being talked about. It is impossible to be all that God has called you to be and everybody be with you. As a matter of fact, Jesus said, ‘If you are going to do what I tell you to do, you are going to be hated.’”
