Well. Hello, hello, hello, I'm Karen Fletcher. This is Urban Praise, and it's my pleasure being with you. And it's my pleasure. Introducing somebody that I met years ago, years ago, decades ago. And we were at a. Stellar awards. We were at the Gmw. And he left an indelible impression upon me. I was like, wow. He back then he was listing page. But now. Alright, praise God for all of this. He is Bishop, doctor Liston page the second. Yes. Congratulations. God bless you. And how are you doing?

Well. Hello, hello, hello, I'm Karen Fletcher. This is Urban Praise, and it's my pleasure being with you. And it's my pleasure. Introducing somebody that I met years ago, years ago, decades ago. And we were at a. Stellar awards. We were at the Gmw. And he left an indelible impression upon me. I was like, wow. He back then he was listing page. But now. Alright, praise God for all of this. He is Bishop, doctor Liston page the second. Yes. Congratulations. God bless you. And how are you doing?

I'm doing good, but I'm so happy to be with you on today. And you know, it's been 30 years, probably since we've interacted did when I was the national director of promotions at Savoy Records. Yes, yes. And that's a long time ago.

I'm doing good, but I'm so happy to be with you on today. And you know, it's been 30 years, probably since we've interacted did when I was the national director of promotions at Savoy Records. Yes, yes. And that's a long time ago.

It's a long time ago. A long time ago. But I have seen little things of you on the internet. And. And I saw when you became a bishop, I was like, alright, you know, I saw when you started preaching and pastoring and I was like, listing pages, pastoring. Not that you couldn't because you, you, you were always to me, a a person of integrity. When I met you, you were a person of integrity. But, um, I said, because, listen. Don't play. I'm just telling you, listen, didn't play. You know, you had to come straight. You had to come right or don't come at all. And so, uh, when I listened to, uh, some of the, the messages that you preached, I was like. Mhm. That's, that's the that's the listing. I know, but thank God. How long have you been pastoring now?

It's a long time ago. A long time ago. But I have seen little things of you on the internet. And. And I saw when you became a bishop, I was like, alright, you know, I saw when you started preaching and pastoring and I was like, listing pages, pastoring. Not that you couldn't because you, you, you were always to me, a a person of integrity. When I met you, you were a person of integrity. But, um, I said, because, listen. Don't play. I'm just telling you, listen, didn't play. You know, you had to come straight. You had to come right or don't come at all. And so, uh, when I listened to, uh, some of the, the messages that you preached, I was like. Mhm. That's, that's the that's the listing. I know, but thank God. How long have you been pastoring now?

I've been pastoring for 26 years in Paterson, new Jersey.

I've been pastoring for 26 years in Paterson, new Jersey.

Wow. Praise God, praise God. Well, I believe that you are a you. You appear to be. You sound to be to me a viable person for the Kingdom of God, for building the kingdom of God. And I see God has kind of put you out. You were representing Savoy, and now here you are with your own, uh, song or or recording or how is it going? I know we have a single.

Wow. Praise God, praise God. Well, I believe that you are a you. You appear to be. You sound to be to me a viable person for the Kingdom of God, for building the kingdom of God. And I see God has kind of put you out. You were representing Savoy, and now here you are with your own, uh, song or or recording or how is it going? I know we have a single.

Well, you know, it's amazing. You you say that? Uh, I left the music industry when I started pastoring. And here recently, a good friend of mine, uh, Norman Hutchins, who, of course, is a pastor. Uh, I consecrated or ordained him to the bishopric. So we, we we know each other from ministry. He's a colleague. But one day, you know, I'm just riding down the street. Uh, I'm listening to a song that comes on Sirius, uh, radio, and it's Norman Hutchins, so he's my friend. So I just call him and say, hey, Norman, that that that song really blessed me. I said, you know what? I think I want to get in the music. And he chuckled and laughed. And of course, he didn't know my music background. He said, well, Bishop, I tell you what you do when you get some lyrics, you call me. So about a week later I'm in service and we're worshiping and I get in the microphone and I give this affirmation. I know what I heard. I know what I see. I know what I feel, but I still believe God. And the church just erupted. And then I went out of town and started preaching in different parts of the country that week, and I would say that same affirmation. So I said, I think I'm on to something here. And I called Norman and I gave him what the Lord had given me. And immediately he said, listen, let me call you back in a couple of days. Well, a couple of days was maybe 3 or 4 days later. And when he called me. You're not going to believe this. When he called me, he said, I'm sending you something. He went in the studio and put all of the lyrics to music. And that's how the song was birthed.

Well, you know, it's amazing. You you say that? Uh, I left the music industry when I started pastoring. And here recently, a good friend of mine, uh, Norman Hutchins, who, of course, is a pastor. Uh, I consecrated or ordained him to the bishopric. So we, we we know each other from ministry. He's a colleague. But one day, you know, I'm just riding down the street. Uh, I'm listening to a song that comes on Sirius, uh, radio, and it's Norman Hutchins, so he's my friend. So I just call him and say, hey, Norman, that that that song really blessed me. I said, you know what? I think I want to get in the music. And he chuckled and laughed. And of course, he didn't know my music background. He said, well, Bishop, I tell you what you do when you get some lyrics, you call me. So about a week later I'm in service and we're worshiping and I get in the microphone and I give this affirmation. I know what I heard. I know what I see. I know what I feel, but I still believe God. And the church just erupted. And then I went out of town and started preaching in different parts of the country that week, and I would say that same affirmation. So I said, I think I'm on to something here. And I called Norman and I gave him what the Lord had given me. And immediately he said, listen, let me call you back in a couple of days. Well, a couple of days was maybe 3 or 4 days later. And when he called me. You're not going to believe this. When he called me, he said, I'm sending you something. He went in the studio and put all of the lyrics to music. And that's how the song was birthed.

Wow. Well, that's a powerful song. That is a powerful song. And in days like this. In times like this, I know what I heard. And we're here. Everything I know what I see.

Wow. Well, that's a powerful song. That is a powerful song. And in days like this. In times like this, I know what I heard. And we're here. Everything I know what I see.

That's right.

That's right.

I know how I feel.

I know how I feel.

That's right.

That's right.

But I still believe God. I still believe God. That is powerful. God gave you something when he gave you that. Amen.

But I still believe God. I still believe God. That is powerful. God gave you something when he gave you that. Amen.

You know, I thank God for it. Uh, I never thought again I'll be back in this space, in the music space. But I believe if it's going to be gospel music, it is the good news about Jesus Christ. It it is a message about our savior, our panacea. Uh, and I don't think I've heard a lot of music that's filtered through that theology. Uh, but I, I wanted something, and I'm glad God gave me something that had a, you know, that foundation. I still believe God.

You know, I thank God for it. Uh, I never thought again I'll be back in this space, in the music space. But I believe if it's going to be gospel music, it is the good news about Jesus Christ. It it is a message about our savior, our panacea. Uh, and I don't think I've heard a lot of music that's filtered through that theology. Uh, but I, I wanted something, and I'm glad God gave me something that had a, you know, that foundation. I still believe God.

Amen. Amen. And you said something there, uh, to to to bring the gospel. The gospel is not a song. The gospel is Jesus.

Amen. Amen. And you said something there, uh, to to to bring the gospel. The gospel is not a song. The gospel is Jesus.

That's right.

That's right.

Jesus Christ. Now, you can put Jesus Christ Savior in your song. But, you know, we've we've gotta hear the gospel that that's my thing. Now for for us to hear the gospel, for us to hear the good news that Jesus came, that he died, and he that he shed blood to wash our sins away, that he died, that he rose, and that we can have a wonderful life in Christ in spite of what's happening on our side.

Jesus Christ. Now, you can put Jesus Christ Savior in your song. But, you know, we've we've gotta hear the gospel that that's my thing. Now for for us to hear the gospel, for us to hear the good news that Jesus came, that he died, and he that he shed blood to wash our sins away, that he died, that he rose, and that we can have a wonderful life in Christ in spite of what's happening on our side.

That's right, that's right.

That's right, that's right.

Still believe God. Oh, I play that. I played that just recently. Today I was playing it and I played it over and over and over and over and over. I was like, God, because we hear some things and we have seen some things. And it just made me go back to the Bible. Uh, I'm stuck in, uh, in the Exodus part where God was, God told the children of Israel, you know, you get ready tonight, you're going to leave and all kind of hell was breaking out in Egypt and they left. He's the same today. I still believe God. We are in a in a situation now.

Still believe God. Oh, I play that. I played that just recently. Today I was playing it and I played it over and over and over and over and over. I was like, God, because we hear some things and we have seen some things. And it just made me go back to the Bible. Uh, I'm stuck in, uh, in the Exodus part where God was, God told the children of Israel, you know, you get ready tonight, you're going to leave and all kind of hell was breaking out in Egypt and they left. He's the same today. I still believe God. We are in a in a situation now.

But I it's amazing that you that that you use that text because they're in the land of Goshen, which is on the outside of Egypt, and they're there 430 years in Egyptian bondage. And of course, it didn't start out in bondage. They were there for preservation, but their preservation turned into slavery because there was a monarch or a despot that rises to power that does not remember Joseph, and they don't receive the same favor, uh, that Joseph received. But what I love about that text, the more they were afflicted, the more they grew, and the more they multiplied. And that comes from really having a relationship with God. No matter what we see here, our field. God is expanding our territory. God has granted us with with divine supernatural favor. And all things are going to work together for the good.

But I it's amazing that you that that you use that text because they're in the land of Goshen, which is on the outside of Egypt, and they're there 430 years in Egyptian bondage. And of course, it didn't start out in bondage. They were there for preservation, but their preservation turned into slavery because there was a monarch or a despot that rises to power that does not remember Joseph, and they don't receive the same favor, uh, that Joseph received. But what I love about that text, the more they were afflicted, the more they grew, and the more they multiplied. And that comes from really having a relationship with God. No matter what we see here, our field. God is expanding our territory. God has granted us with with divine supernatural favor. And all things are going to work together for the good.

Amen. Amen. Amen. That. Well, again, that song struck me. It struck a chord with me. I still believe God, and I, I, I have to keep equating it to the to the these days. Because these days, you know, I, I tell my children, I said, I think you lived in what I call the best of the settled times.

Amen. Amen. Amen. That. Well, again, that song struck me. It struck a chord with me. I still believe God, and I, I, I have to keep equating it to the to the these days. Because these days, you know, I, I tell my children, I said, I think you lived in what I call the best of the settled times.

Yes.

Yes.

Now we are we are living the Bible times. We are living Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and Revelation. We're living that. And so, uh, that song right there, that's the Blessum lives. That is the Blessum lives. Our God, he does not change. He's the same today, yesterday and forevermore. I still believe God, yes I do. Amen, sir. Amen. Amen, Bishop. Amen. Amen. Me. So what are you doing these days, besides, uh, singing? Uh, something God has put on your heart. What else are you doing?

Now we are we are living the Bible times. We are living Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and Revelation. We're living that. And so, uh, that song right there, that's the Blessum lives. That is the Blessum lives. Our God, he does not change. He's the same today, yesterday and forevermore. I still believe God, yes I do. Amen, sir. Amen. Amen, Bishop. Amen. Amen. Me. So what are you doing these days, besides, uh, singing? Uh, something God has put on your heart. What else are you doing?

Well, you know, I don't consider myself a gospel artist. I consider myself a preacher pastor, a communicator that takes the Bible, the scriptures, and put music to it. So I'm preaching with music. That's kind of how, uh, me and Norman dubbed it. We didn't know what genre to classify it as. I said, well, listen, I'm not an artist. I don't claim to be a singer, but I know what God called me to do. So I take the, the, the word of God, and I put it to music. And I think that synergy is so powerful. And this is what's amazing. One song turned to to two songs, then to three songs, then the four songs, now five songs. So we're working on a complete project right now, and it's it's all me talking through scriptures, uh, with lyrics that come from what God has given me in terms of affirmations. Um, and I think it's, I know for a fact it's going to bless people's lives.

Well, you know, I don't consider myself a gospel artist. I consider myself a preacher pastor, a communicator that takes the Bible, the scriptures, and put music to it. So I'm preaching with music. That's kind of how, uh, me and Norman dubbed it. We didn't know what genre to classify it as. I said, well, listen, I'm not an artist. I don't claim to be a singer, but I know what God called me to do. So I take the, the, the word of God, and I put it to music. And I think that synergy is so powerful. And this is what's amazing. One song turned to to two songs, then to three songs, then the four songs, now five songs. So we're working on a complete project right now, and it's it's all me talking through scriptures, uh, with lyrics that come from what God has given me in terms of affirmations. Um, and I think it's, I know for a fact it's going to bless people's lives.

Amen. Amen. That's wonderful. Amen. Okay, so it started out as just that, that getting those words and giving it to, um, Bishop Norman Hutchins. And then one step at a time, you know, God doesn't give us the whole journey. He doesn't tell us the whole plan because we would say, oh, God, I can't do it.

Amen. Amen. That's wonderful. Amen. Okay, so it started out as just that, that getting those words and giving it to, um, Bishop Norman Hutchins. And then one step at a time, you know, God doesn't give us the whole journey. He doesn't tell us the whole plan because we would say, oh, God, I can't do it.

Correct.

Correct.

And I'm sure you're busy with your your church and the things that you do within the church. And this maybe a little while ago, maybe it sounded would sound like a lot. You're going to do a whole album. You're going to have a whole I don't have.

And I'm sure you're busy with your your church and the things that you do within the church. And this maybe a little while ago, maybe it sounded would sound like a lot. You're going to do a whole album. You're going to have a whole I don't have.

Time for that. I don't have time.

Time for that. I don't have time.

See, God has a way. We just have to trust him every step of the way. We don't have to know the whole plan. No, the one that knows the plan and follow him. So, you know, praise God.

See, God has a way. We just have to trust him every step of the way. We don't have to know the whole plan. No, the one that knows the plan and follow him. So, you know, praise God.

But you know what's important? I think this whole idea of collaboration and partnership, when we were in the pandemic, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, when you come out of the out of the pandemic, relationships will be the currency of life. But collaboration and partnership is what he's looking for in this season, along with courtesy, kindness, hospitality, being, being intentional with, being affable and congenial. Uh, the scriptures say, uh uh, be careful how you entertain, uh, Strangers, for some have entertained angels unaware. And I think through this music, through this collaboration, I'm hoping that what exudes from it is, is hospitality. People sense community. They sense connection. Uh, because I think that's what we're going to need as we move forward, uh, in these critical times.

But you know what's important? I think this whole idea of collaboration and partnership, when we were in the pandemic, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, when you come out of the out of the pandemic, relationships will be the currency of life. But collaboration and partnership is what he's looking for in this season, along with courtesy, kindness, hospitality, being, being intentional with, being affable and congenial. Uh, the scriptures say, uh uh, be careful how you entertain, uh, Strangers, for some have entertained angels unaware. And I think through this music, through this collaboration, I'm hoping that what exudes from it is, is hospitality. People sense community. They sense connection. Uh, because I think that's what we're going to need as we move forward, uh, in these critical times.

Amen. Amen. You said I just had to write that down. Relationship and partnership. Collaboration? Yes. That's so important. We've gotta be hospitable. We've gotta be community. We've gotta connect. God did not mean. My pastor always says. God did not mean for us to do life alone.

Amen. Amen. You said I just had to write that down. Relationship and partnership. Collaboration? Yes. That's so important. We've gotta be hospitable. We've gotta be community. We've gotta connect. God did not mean. My pastor always says. God did not mean for us to do life alone.

That's right.

That's right.

No man is an island. It is important that we have rich relationships. Found something we can build on. I, uh, just thinking about doing my devotion today. It was talking about prayer. And in prayer. It is a relationship we have with God. We just don't go to him. Oh Father God, we thank you.

No man is an island. It is important that we have rich relationships. Found something we can build on. I, uh, just thinking about doing my devotion today. It was talking about prayer. And in prayer. It is a relationship we have with God. We just don't go to him. Oh Father God, we thank you.

That.

That.

We can cry out daddy, God! And it's the relationship we have. Then we have a because of Jesus. He's our partner. He's our brother. And you know, it's it's just all relational. I thank God for it. And I thank God for what you just said. You I took notes. Collaboration, hospitality, community connect. Because that's what we need to do in these times. I thank God for touching your heart and for you writing, writing the words. I, I don't know if you actually wrote the lyrics, but writing the words and and for your connection with us. Bishop Norman Hutchins and how you all collaborate. I mean, we we see it right here. He was hospitable to to to, uh, help you with this. And now you all are reaching out. Well, I thank you. I appreciate that song again. It it blesses me just to hear it over and over. And then I start singing it with the group. And who backs you up? Who's singing with you? Is that your choir?

We can cry out daddy, God! And it's the relationship we have. Then we have a because of Jesus. He's our partner. He's our brother. And you know, it's it's just all relational. I thank God for it. And I thank God for what you just said. You I took notes. Collaboration, hospitality, community connect. Because that's what we need to do in these times. I thank God for touching your heart and for you writing, writing the words. I, I don't know if you actually wrote the lyrics, but writing the words and and for your connection with us. Bishop Norman Hutchins and how you all collaborate. I mean, we we see it right here. He was hospitable to to to, uh, help you with this. And now you all are reaching out. Well, I thank you. I appreciate that song again. It it blesses me just to hear it over and over. And then I start singing it with the group. And who backs you up? Who's singing with you? Is that your choir?

There's a group out of Los Angeles called trilogy. And of course, you know, I gave Norman the lyrics. He put his special sauce to it and he produced it. And, uh, it's just been. It's just been tremendous. It's been wonderful working with such a professional, uh, like Norman Hutchins, because people really don't know, um, how Norman is so down to earth. He's so in tune to the voice of God. And I think that's why our collaboration is so powerful and rich. He loves the word like I love the word. So when we start talking about Scripture in the Bible and I may say something that sparks him. Bishop, let me, let me let me write that down. And, uh, he said, give me a couple hours and he'll come back with a melody. So it's really been a collaboration.

There's a group out of Los Angeles called trilogy. And of course, you know, I gave Norman the lyrics. He put his special sauce to it and he produced it. And, uh, it's just been. It's just been tremendous. It's been wonderful working with such a professional, uh, like Norman Hutchins, because people really don't know, um, how Norman is so down to earth. He's so in tune to the voice of God. And I think that's why our collaboration is so powerful and rich. He loves the word like I love the word. So when we start talking about Scripture in the Bible and I may say something that sparks him. Bishop, let me, let me let me write that down. And, uh, he said, give me a couple hours and he'll come back with a melody. So it's really been a collaboration.

Well, I thank God for your collaboration. And you're right, I. I met Bishop Norman Hutchins a while ago. Just so down to earth, just very friendly, cordial, uh, person. Well, Bishop, I'm going to let you go, but it is truly been my pleasure talking with you. It's truly been a wonderful pleasure to connect. You know, go back and just I, I feel like I missed you just for a few years, just for a few years. And I thank God for the internet, I do. I thank God for the internet because we may be distanced and may not even talk a lot, but I can still again, I knew when you became a pastor? I was I was so surprised. I remember when you became pastor, though. And so I just thank God for you. I thank God for your your work in the kingdom. And I pray that you keep preaching wonderful sermons, singing and, and, um, uh, narrating wonderful songs and just keep building the kingdom of God and walking according to his will for your life, because it's to bless many.

Well, I thank God for your collaboration. And you're right, I. I met Bishop Norman Hutchins a while ago. Just so down to earth, just very friendly, cordial, uh, person. Well, Bishop, I'm going to let you go, but it is truly been my pleasure talking with you. It's truly been a wonderful pleasure to connect. You know, go back and just I, I feel like I missed you just for a few years, just for a few years. And I thank God for the internet, I do. I thank God for the internet because we may be distanced and may not even talk a lot, but I can still again, I knew when you became a pastor? I was I was so surprised. I remember when you became pastor, though. And so I just thank God for you. I thank God for your your work in the kingdom. And I pray that you keep preaching wonderful sermons, singing and, and, um, uh, narrating wonderful songs and just keep building the kingdom of God and walking according to his will for your life, because it's to bless many.

Well, I want to thank you for having me again. It is a joy for us to reconnect. And I speak God's choices. Blessings over your life. Nothing broken, nothing missing, nothing lacking. But the bigger, the better and the greater. And, uh, again, thank you so much for having me.

Well, I want to thank you for having me again. It is a joy for us to reconnect. And I speak God's choices. Blessings over your life. Nothing broken, nothing missing, nothing lacking. But the bigger, the better and the greater. And, uh, again, thank you so much for having me.

You are so welcome. Stay in God's care. Okay. Yes.

You are so welcome. Stay in God's care. Okay. Yes.