From Cece's heart to Hampton Roads

By DeAnne M. Bradley

Link

GOSPEL, R&B, POP, contemporary Christian - CeCe Winans isn't concerned about the sound. The message is the thing.

"I love packaging it up in different ways, because you reach more people. I love all the different genres of music, and my job is to make sure it's acceptable worship - that it comes from my heart to God's heart."

Winans is a big hit in Hampton Roads. Last year, the gospel artist performed for a packed house at Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News. She performed at Willett Hall in Portsmouth last April and will be back in the area on Saturday for a show at the Attucks Theatre in Norfolk.

"I guess the Lord has a lot of work for me to do in Virginia, but we always have a great time when we come."

The Detroit native comes from a long line of gospel musicians. Her parents and siblings sing, so going into the family business was a no-brainer. The platinum-selling, Grammy winner started her career as a teen and recorded several albums with her brother, BeBe Winans, before going solo in 1995 with "Alone In His Presence." Her latest, "Hymns At Heart," is scheduled to drop next year. Winans said her new album is all about reviving the old church and rediscovering the essence of praise and worship. "I love the way author Myles Monroe explains it. He said praise is something we initiate - something that we do. He said that worship is something that God releases. He said praise is building a house for God and worship is when He moves in."

Music comes naturally for Winans. Expanding the ministry - not so much. "I'm doing more speaking than ever before, which is something I used to run from."

In 2005, Winans started the Always Sisters conference in Nashville, Tenn. The annual event encourages young girls and teens to devote their lives to God. "People poured into me, and it made me strong, so I have the responsibility to pour into someone else."

Winans started with about 700 participants. In 2006, the number grew to 2,500, She expects to have more than over 4,000 next year.

"What do you all say? It's the bomb? It is the bomb," Winans said. "I could quit everything and do that full time."

The conference includes concerts and discussions about suicide, dating, teen pregnancy, fashion, self-esteem and more. Winans' book, "Always Sisters: Becoming The Princess You Were Created To Be," hit shelves earlier this year.

Music, conferences, books - what's next for Winans? A church with her husband, maybe? The wife and mother didn't get the memo on that one yet. "If you ever hear that we do have one, you know that God came down and told us that, and if that is his will for my life, then so be it. I don't see it, but hey, who said I had to see it."

Whatever happens, Winans is indifferent about the form of ministry. She just wants to share the love of her life with the world. "Jesus is the best friend you could ever have. He makes all the difference in the world. It doesn't matter what you've done or where you've been," Winans said. "He'll give you a new heart and a new mind. You'll never be the same. Jesus is just the best thing that ever happened to me, and he's the best thing that will ever happen to anybody who accepts Him"

DeAnne M. Bradley, (757) 222-3897, deanne.bradley@link757.com we always have a great time when we come."

The Detroit native comes from a long line of gospel musicians. Her parents and siblings sing, so going into the family business was a no-brainer. A platinum-selling Grammy winner, she started her career as a teen and recorded several albums with her brother, BeBe, before going solo in 1995 with "Alone in His Presence." Her latest, "Hymns at Heart," is scheduled to drop next year.

Her new album is all about reviving the old church and rediscovering the essence of praise and worship, Winans said.

"I love the way author Myles Monroe explains it. He said praise is something we initiate - something that we do. He said that worship is something that God releases. He said praise is building a house for God and worship is when he moves in."

While music comes naturally for Winans, expanding the ministry - not so much. "I'm doing more speaking than ever before, which is something I used to run from."

In 2005, she started the Always Sisters conference in Nashville, Tenn. The annual event encourages young girls and teens to devote their lives to God. "People poured into me, and it made me strong, so I have the responsibility to pour into someone else."

Winans, a wife and mother, started with about 700 participants. She expects to have more than 4,000 next year.

"What do you all say? It's the bomb? It is the bomb. I could quit everything and do that full time."

The conference includes concerts and discussions about suicide, dating, teen pregnancy, fashion, self-esteem and more. Winans' book "Always Sisters: Becoming the Princess You Were Created to Be" hit shelves earlier this year.

Music, conferences, books - what's next for Winans? A church with her husband, maybe? She didn't get the memo on that one yet.

"If you ever hear that we do have one, you know that God came down and told us that, and if that is his will for my life, then so be it. I don't see it, but hey, who said I had to see it."

Whatever happens, Winans is indifferent about the form of ministry. She just wants to share the love of her life with the world.

"Jesus is the best friend you could ever have. He makes all the difference in the world. It doesn't matter what you've done or where you've been.

"He'll give you a new heart and a new mind. You'll never be the same. Jesus is just the best thing that ever happened to me, and he's the best thing that will ever happen to anybody who accepts him"

DeAnne M. Bradley, (757) 222-3897, deanne.bradley@link757.com