Author: Dr. Nita Evans

Interview with Bishop Merritt Founder, “One In Worship” Pastor, Straight Gate International Church, Detroit, MI

Manhunt: It is often said that our expectation is God’s invitation. What can we expect to experience at the “One In Worship” conference?

Bishop: Any time there is true, pure worship to God, God does something in our hearts and He changes us. “One in Worship” is interracial, interdenominational, a move of people coming together. You will see nuns, Koreans, people of all races coming together.

Manhunt: One In Worship is expected to draw over 50,000 people. Why does an event like this appeal to so many people from different denominations, races, nationalities, and socioeconomic statuses?

Bishop: Because it is non-threatening. We are here to worship God. It has a lot to do with music. Music is universal. The music we are singing is praise and worship to glorify God. The music is performed by white and black people, so there is a mixture. It’s a white and black presentation. It will bless people. There is very little preaching. The messages themselves will be about worship. It’s not a seminar or training on worship. We are not here to start a church or movement. It’s just the Body of Christ coming together. It creates a true picture of Christ in God’s church. You will see white people and black together, with their hands lifted to God, weeping, crying, singing, and expressing their love for God.

Manhunt: You have a very diverse line-up of worship leaders, from Judy Jacobs to Vickie Yohe, J. Moss, Martha Munizzi, Antwan Stanley, David and Nicole Binion, William Murphy, Marcus Cole, and none other than the Straight Gate International Church praise team. How did you decide on this particular group of gospel artists for this year’s event?

Bishop: Well, this is the third year. Judy has been with me, this is her third year. This is Martha’s third year. This is J. Moss’s second year. Most of the people I have were with us from day one. It’s not that we were making decisions. We locked in on certain people that really understand what we are doing and really want to be a part it.

Manhunt: As part of the vision of the music ministry at Straight Gate you say, “We are admonished to find the heart beat of God in singing songs unto the Lord, songs of praise and songs of worship.” What does worship mean to you?

Bishop: What we find in Scripture is that we should enter His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise, be thankful unto Him and bless His name. So, all music should have an element of entering in with thanksgiving, being grateful, and a lifting up of His holy name. That’s the center of all music. There’s another Scripture that say’s, understand what thou singest. So, a lot of music that people sing in churches has absolutely nothing to do with God. It has something to do with them and their emotions and we pass it off as worship music, but it has nothing to do with God at all. It’s about them. Admonishing, exalted and glorifying God, that is worship. After the first year we did “One In Worship” I walked away with a humble spirit. I had so much contentment. There are people who come that have been in church all of their life and have never experienced the presence of God. You cannot come into the presence of God and worship and not be changed. Worship changes you.

Manhunt: What made Greensboro, North Carolina a good fit for having this event?

Bishop: It was suggested that we try Greensboro. It’s a great community. It’s a great place to bring a meeting and I was told that the people would really appreciate it. “One In Worship” was never created to stay in one place.

Manhunt: Thank you for your time and we are looking forward to “One In Worship.”

Bishop: Thank you.