Thursday, November 11, 2010

Preacher of the Week

Shirley Caesar, the American Gospel music singer, songwriter and recording artist whose career has spanned six decades. A multi-award winning artist, with eleven Grammy Awards and seven Dove Awards to her credit, she is known as "First Lady of gospel".

Caesar began singing and performing for family and friends they loved her and knew she was gonna be great. While she first began recording in 1Caesar graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1984. She also received honorary doctorates from Shaw University and Southeastern University.
She sang with Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Delores Washington and James Cleveland in the Caravans. She recorded and performed with The Caravans from 1958 until 1966 when she began pursuing a solo career and making a name for herself in the gospel music circuit she was known for her singing. Caesar credits Albertina Walker as her mentor and "Queen of Gospel Music". Biography|Encyclopedia of World After singing with the Caravans, she started her solo career, making guest appearances on the Bobby Jones gospel show and other popular television shows.
Caesar graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1984. She also received honorary doctorates from Shaw University and Southeastern University.
Caesar pastors a church in Raleigh, North Carolina that seats 1500. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has been married to her husband Bishop Harold Williams since 1983. "I never dreamed the Lord would bring my ministry to where it is, and I feel that I have not yet reached the zenith because we've got such wonderful things planned!" She cites her mother as a strong influence in her decision to give so selflessly of herself. The pastor has committed a sizeable portion of all concert sales to her Outreach Ministries. She continues to deliver weekly sermons and also leads an annual Outreach Ministries conference. She notes, "I cannot sweeten the Atlantic Ocean, but I can take a pitcher out of the ocean and sweeten that."

No comments:

Post a Comment