Preashea Hilliard

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Encore: Tell us about the journey of, “The Glory Experience” album.

Preashea: For 6 years, I just believed God wanted to give me some things personally in my life and in my ministry, I was becoming more authentic in what God called me to do. So, the “The Glory Experience” is out now it and went number #1 the first week and I’m just completely amazed by what God is doing. There’s a song on the record called, “You Amaze Me” and the lyrics say, “I’m not in shock because you told me you would do it, I’m not even surprised by the works of your hand, but I stand in awe because I didn’t know how I made It, didn’t know when you would amaze me.” So, 6 years kind of waiting on God to open up doors, I’m definitely amazed. I call “The Glory Experience” a love worship tool. Debuting #1 that’s all good, but I really want to hear the testimonies of people saying I played this in my house or I played this every morning taking my son to school who has learning issues. Whatever it is, I just feel worship is the answer to what people need and that’s what “The Glory Experience” is.

Encore: This album has so many different music styles featured, talk about some of your musical influences.

Preashea: I think I get influenced from all kinds of places. As a kid I listened to everything from Rock to Country to R&B to Gospel, don’t tell my mom I was listening to all that secular music, but I was. I listened to it all. I just have a passion for the sonic nature of music, I just love music. I sing all day, I’m listening all day, “air guitaring” and “bassing” all day. That’s why “Let’s Go Up,” has that techno feel and “Forever” has this real country twang to it. I believe my music is just a conglomerate expression of who I am and what God has called me to do. As long as it’s authentic, I’m with it.

Encore: You’re known as such an anointed worship leader, any encouragement and advice for the next generation of worship leaders?

Preashea: I’ll say 2 things, number one, worship with your life. Number two, study for your life, the Bible says, “They will know that we are Christians by the way that we love.” Worship takes you from where you are to a better place. So, as a worship leader, I believe when you come into a room you should leave the room better than you came in. Another thing as a worship leader, this is my biggest thing, study for your life. We get up and what we do amounts to about 15-20 minutes in the service, but somebody’s life is hanging in the balance and I believe as a Praise and Worship leader, the biggest thing is that you have to know what and who you’re talking about. The Bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” So, If you’re saying, “Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever” at least know where in the Bible it says that. But, one thing I did when I was training a worship team at home I had a whole bunch of teenagers when I started, so I gave them a bunch of worksheets and I said here’s the song list and here’s a CD of a message that our Bishop has preached. I want you to find 3 scriptures out of this entire thing that goes along with what we’re doing and I saw the growth and development. We begin to know God when we begin to know his ways. So, worship leader, live worship with your life and study for your life.