I have been able to worship in a lot of different contexts. I have also had the opportunity to sing all over the world and participate in multiple kinds of worship music. Out of all those contexts there is nothing that has me encountering the Holy Spirit like gospel music does. Now, I have had some amazing times of worship while singing hymns or contemporary christian music, but there is something about gospel music that just leads to intimacy with God.

I grew up in multicultural church and home, so I was introduced to many different types of musical worship--including gospel music. I remember the first gospel song I heard was "Lord You are Good" by Israel Houghton. A basic chorus of the phrase "Lord you are good and your mercies endure forever" struck a new chord with me and it spoke to my soul. I encountered the Holy Spirit in a new way, out of the simplicity of the gospel choruses. There was something in me even at a young age that knew I needed to sing and worship through this style of music for the rest of my life.

As I grew up and started singing more, I learned more gospel music and was involved in several gospel choirs and groups growing up. However, my horizon really broadened when I came to Trinity International University for College. I remember walking into chapel one day and hearing the sweet harmonies, the eclectic drum beat and the smoothness of the piano all complementing one another. Once again I felt that call to worship through the power of the music. I became involved in the choir my freshman year, and have not left ever since. I have loved the people I sing with and it has been amazing to share this powerful music with them.

Trinity is not necessarily a gospel music campus on normal chapel days, but it has been awesome being able to show the community the power of gospel music. It has been amazing seeing people that have never been in this context worship the living God.

So why the draw to gospel music? It is the power of the music for me. Gospel choruses are usually pretty simple, but there is something about singing about who God is for me personally leads me into a deep place of belonging to God.

It is almost hard to explain, but when I sing gospel music, it is almost as if centuries of saints are right there with you singing along, and the power of the Holy Spirit is anointing you to press on. When I sing gospel, there is an anointing that comes upon my voice to lead myself and the people around me into the presence of God. The beauty is that God through gospel music has set up His power, so when we call on His name, His power will fall.