LaRue Howard leads thousands into the presence of the Lord each week as Worship Pastor forFaith World Center in Orlando, Florida. For several years she has faithfully served under the leadership ofSenior Pastor Clint Brown, gleaning wisdom from his music ministry as well asthe Praise and Worship ministry of her mentor Martha Munizzi.   From the depths of her spiritflow evidence of a personal encounter that unveiled a vision, unwrapping her giftof praise and making her heart vulnerable to worship.  EMI Gospel has packaged this worship experience and deliversit to the world as Howard’s majorlabel debut, appropriately titled HowGreat is Our God. 

Her Encounter

Like most Christianartists, Howard was raised in thechurch.  However, her definingencounter with Christ came years beyond childhood and miles away from home, ona college campus in Atlanta, Georgia. As a 20 year old Vocal Performance student at Morris Brown College, Howard says it was there, through the faithfulnudging of her sister, that she came to encounter true relationship withChrist.  As she began to receiveHis embrace, she began asking questions and seeking His divine vision for herlife and for her music.

Her Vision

“I wanted to know what wasthe purpose for my life…”, she recalls. “As I prayed during an Intercessory Prayer meeting, I saw a vision of meministering on a stage with a group of people before countless numbers ofpeople from many nations.”  Growingup in the small, tranquil town of Ridgeland, South Carolina, Howard remembers often being the singularAfrican American to participate in many of the dance, vocal music, and piano eventsin which her mother heavily encouraged her involvement.  Looking back through the window ofthose pivotal childhood experiences, Howardcould now see the vision of her calling to bridge the racial gap through hergift of song.  In a masterfulcomposition of 11 songs of Praise and Worship, How Great is Our God becomes that musical bridge of unity.

Her Praise

Howard’s vibrantpersonality pierces through lyrics and instruments, proving to be infectious asshe delivers this project’s unique and versatile songs of praise.  Songs like “His Majesty is Here” invokes an atmosphere of reverent excitementand celebration of the King of Glory. While “He’ll Make A Way” luresyou back to Grandma’s old country church and the good ol’ days of week-longrevivals and all-day first Sunday services.  “Open the Eyes of MyHeart”, a popular Contemporary Christian tune, finds Howard sharing vocalduty with Jason Crabb of the infamous Crabb Family.  Crank up your volume, and prepare to lose your seat on “He Is” and the equally vigorous “Got Joy” – 2 electric blends of R&B and Hip Hop influences that simplycommand a dance.  Howard brings forth a song of praise tosuit every listener.

Her Worship

With equal conviction Howard leads you into worship with hersignature offering of Chris Tomlin’s hit and the title track, “How Great is Our God”.   Her vocaltransparency invites you into the secret place of her own personal worship withsongs like “Blessed Assurance” and “God Alone”.   “Thissong [“God Alone”] is just an exampleof my own personal worship time with God”, says Howard.  This subtlecomposition sings as sweetly as a baby’s lullaby, with a timely transition intoa climactic end, punctuated with phenomenal background vocals.  Another musical painting of Howard’s poignant anointing is unveiledin “Essence of Your Presence”, one ofthe many pillars of the How Great is OurGod project.  “….I was readingin Revelation how the 24 elders were laying their crowns down at the feet ofGod as they worshipped Him.  And Ijust thought, ‘God that’s where I want to be… so close to you … and lay downeverything that I am and worship  you’”. 

The authentic character ofHoward’s music ministry and vocalsavoir-faire is well received among her peers and rapidly opening doors to theworld.  She, recently, opened forPraise and Worship’s elite minstrel, Israel Houghton and has worked with a hostof other artists such as David and Nicole Binion, Stephen Hurd, Jason Crabb, MarthaMunizzi and Natalie Cole, to name a few. She, also, served as Vocal Director for the background vocalists and VocalCoach for the contestants of TBN’s Giftedcompetition, affording her the special opportunity to work with music industrylegend, Andrae Crouch. 

How Great is Our God is an eclectic mix of musical styles and influences -from traditional Praise and Worship to Gospel, R&B, and Hip Hop – thatsuccessfully brings even the most discriminate listener to the heart of worship.  With its release, Howard already has her sights planted on the future.  “I believe that there should never bejust ONE goal for ministry.  TheBible says that we have a treasure in earthen vessel so that the power of Godwould be made known.   When Ithink about a treasure it reminds me of the many different pieces that are in atreasure chest. That’s the way our lives are…many different pieces, manydifferent experiences and testimonies. Each experience is there for the purpose of God being glorified.  Once you’ve attained one goal in lifeor in ministry, that’s not the time to sit back and ride the wave ofsuccess.  Forget those things thatare behind you ~ not just the bad stuff but even the good. We should forget itand continue to press forward.  Gofrom glory to glory… go back into that treasure chest of life and allow thespirit of God to show you the other valuables that are just lying dormantinside you waiting to be discovered and put to use…. “.  Having received only a mere sampling ofthe exquisite gems and jewels buried within LaRue Howard, everylistener will be filled with grand anticipation of the next unveiling of jewels tobe displayed from her God given treasure chest.