Contemporary gospel group releases new single, “Miracle Worker”
After two decades of singing contemporary gospel, JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise still delight in lifting God’s name.
They have charted several award-winning tracks over the years, yet the group continues to release more songs about the Lord. Their latest single, “Miracle Worker,” is dominating the airwaves and Hairston hopes listeners will be encouraged by its message.
“We’re excited about “Miracle Worker” and believe the song is uplifting,” said Hairston, who spoke with the L.A. Sentinel while in Los Angeles for the Gospel Music Workshop of America’s annual board meeting on March 17-21.
“There are a lot of people who are facing different situations and…if they could get themselves out of it, do it alone, they would. It’s in those times that we need a miracle. We need God’s intervention,” insisted the singer, songwriter and director.
“Sometimes He empowers us to do what we need done and some things He needs to do Himself. This song will give them faith and hope that God is a miracle worker and He will perform a miracle for them.”
Hairston’s confidence in God likely stems from his personal walk with Christ. Since the group’s 2001 debut album, “Awesome God,” blessings have followed and their national prominence increased. CDs such as “Thank You for the Change (2004), “Exalted” (2007), “I See Victory” (2014) and “You Deserve It” (2017) have inspired people across the U.S. as well as raised their stature to an international level.
In fact, part of the upcoming “Miracle Worker” album was recorded in Abuja, Nigeria at COZA Church. The remainder of the project was recorded at City of Praise in Landover, Maryland, where Hairston serves as an active director of music, despite his busy schedule.
“I’m very intentional in making sure that I’m always in place at my church because I really believe that in order to grow, you have to be planted somewhere, so I’m planted at City of Praise,” said Hairston. “Fortunately, I have a really strong team there that takes care of the music ministry when I’m away.”
Throughout his long career, Hairston can look back on many highlights, but he noted that his most enduring memory is when he and Youthful Praise recorded the album, “Resting on His Promise” (2009), with participation by gospel stars Donnie McClurklin and Dorinda Clark Cole.
“Donnie McClurklin was already one of our biggest inspirations and a role model musically. We had heard that he may come and halfway through the recording, he walks up the middle aisle. Later on in the recording, Dorinda Clark Cole – one of my gospel favorite artists – was singing and he came up and joined her in the song,” recalled Hairston.
“That moment will always stick out because it was my favorite male gospel singer and my favorite female gospel singer singing together on one of the songs that I wrote. That moment will always be huge for me!”
And the huge moments will probably continue for Hairston as his career moves forward. Future plans include a summer tour, an upcoming trip to Nigeria and a new book, “Amazing Love,” written by Hairston and his wife, Trina. But, whatever comes his way, Hairston said he will be guided by his favorite scripture, Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
“I really believe that even though there are some divers situations that we may face, we know that they are all part of the plan for things to work together in your life,” said Hairston. “So you have to look at every situation you face as an opportunity for God to show Himself mighty through your life.”
“Miracle Worker” is available in audio and video on all digital platforms.
