Marvin Winans: Gospel through and through



Detroit Historic District (by A. Jameson)

Pastor Marvin Lawrence Winans, who delivered the eulogy at Whitney Houston’s funeral,  was singing the Gospel long before he was preaching it.

Born in Detroit, Michigan into a family of eventually ten children (many of whom are also well known in the music biz, such as BeBe and CeCe Winans), Winans first performed in a group called The Testimonial Singers at a high school talent show.  Winans became a songwriter for the group, which later changed its name to The Winans.  Wikipedia reports that the group flourished during the 1980s and 1990s, and that their music was heavily

influenced by Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker.  In addition to his singing and songwriting, Winans also played organ and piano.  Plus, he “produced for The Winans records, for solo projects from family members, and on other gospel releases.”

Growing up, Winans attended the Zion Congregational Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) of Detroit, which was founded by his great grandfather.  During the 1970s, Winans acknowledged his own call to ministry.  His Perfecting Church, also in Detroit, was “born out of the scripture found in Colossians 1:28,” which exhorts that “we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”  The Perfecting Church website further explains how Winans’ pastorate call began:  After Mother Estrella Boyd [of the Shalom Temple] had laid hands and prayed with me, I was slain in the spirit.  I began to see people trickle toward me as water…

This trickle turned into a steady stream as the original membership of eight swelled to over 3,000.  With the

growth of the Perfecting Church also came other ministries such as the Marvin L. Winans Academy of

Performing Arts, the Amelia Agnes Transitional Home for Women, the Jenesta McCraw Youth Activity Center, and the Perfecting Community Care Center.

For Winans, “Ministry means People.”  He has graciously stated:  I would rather preach than eat, pray than sleep, and give to the ministry than receive the accolades of men.  The zeal for God’s house has eaten me up.  

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Winans

http://www.winans.spfs.k12.mi.us/administration.php

http://www.perfectingchurch.org/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/marvin-winans-will-add-soul-to-whitney-houstons-funeral/2012/02/17/gIQAfWUGKR_story.html

Copyright February 19, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved