CCM: What prompted the recording locale—South Africa?
VM:
Over the last few years, I have traveled to South Africa numerous times. Some would say it has become my second home. The worship experiences I have encountered there have been life changing and created in me a yearning to worship unconditionally. I heard God [tell me] to record and release my next sound in South Africa. This sound would share the experiences I had there in live worship, and continue to change lives in the way mine was impacted.

CCM: This record integrates multi-nationalities. How does the diversity of sounds help summon the divine?
VM:
When the Scriptures say, “One Lord, one faith,” it provides the necessary framework for the focus of our worship experience. We have unnecessarily created divisions within our worship experiences. Our styles can differ without changing the substance of our experience. This was the driving force behind all that was done leading up to and during the recording of Secret Place. From singers and song selection, to the various expressions of faith, there was an intentional integration of a variety of influences, all focused on worshiping the One God and Father outlined in Ephesians 4:6.

In Psalm 133 we are taught that it is in an atmosphere of true unity where the Lord commands a blessing, and we have experienced that through this project.

CCM: Tasha Cobbs and BeBe Winans guested on this record. How do you feel collaboration adds to our every day worship experiences?
VM:
I am a huge fan of collaborations and pray for many more. Collaboration shows artists united together with no other agenda but to minister the gospel. When I was recording my last project the Lord told me, “If you build something that only benefits you, you are not building something inspired by Me.” I bear witness to the fact that it is in the place of unity we experience the commanded, intentional blessing of God.

VaShawn Mitchell, CCM Magazine - image
Tasha Cobbs and BeBe Winans are not just individuals I work with, they are people I walk with. Lifting up the name of Jesus on this project was a natural demonstration of our relationship, not only with God but also with each other.

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