"I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, the youngest of five children. We had a family group. Singing in church became a release for me," Cole says. "Community Temple Church for God and Christ. I sang in the choir and our family sang as a group in church."
When he was fourteen, the family moved to Danville, Illinois. After school, Cole returned to Flint, Michigan, to work in the music business. One day he saw a girl whom he had not only grown up with but who had lived on the other end of his block.
"I knew who she was right away. I couldn't forget that face," says Cole. "It wasn't until we were dating that I told her I was the guy who used to throw rocks at her to get her attention." That girl, Anissa, became his wife.
Honing his skills as a Gospel and R&B singer, Marcus Cole moved with Anissa to Atlanta for a short time. His big break, though, came once again in Michigan. Singing in a showcase for Jive/Verity Records, he struck up a conversation with Mitchell Jones of the legendary Gospel group 'Commissioned'. "We were just talking about music," Cole explains. "He didn't mention joining the group then."
"A few months later, they called me and asked me to come to Grand Rapids to audition. So I did and then the next thing I know I'm singing with them in a New Year's Eve concert at Radio City Music Hall. That was my first time with Commissioned and Marvin Sapp's last."
That was 1998 and Cole stayed with the group through its breakup, recording a Christmas album, "Time and Seasons," and the famous Reunion album in 2004. "It wasn't really a breakup as much as a dissolve," he says. "With the Reunion album, which I was flattered to be a part of, it was the culmination of the group - for both old members and new members -- and it was time to move on."
Like other members of 'Commissioned', Cole doesn't just sing the Gospel, he preaches it, too. At the invitation of Sheryl Brady and Bishop Joby Brady of The River church in Durham, North Carolina, Cole, Anissa, and their four kids, ages six through sixteen, moved to North Carolina five months ago.
Marcus Cole is a Worship Minister in the nondenominational church. Besides his duties in services, he also joins the Bradys at conferences and in other worship opportunities. He is starting an album next month with The River Church choirs.
He also does concerts around the country as well as joining nine-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans in concert. Winans is head of PureSprings Gospel, which signed Cole last year. He will start working on a worship album in February.
Marcus gets his musical inspiration from a variety of sources. "I have a very eclectic ear," he says. The Winans, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Rascal Flatts, James Taylor and Shania Twain are just a few of his favorite artists. "I stay fresh and inspired listening to all kinds of music."
And it is no doubt that both his ministry and his music will remain both fresh and inspired. "The music I sing is about my relation with God," Cole says. "The more I learn about God, the sweeter the music is for me.
Celebrate
Marcus Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are here to give Him praise, give Him praise
We have come to give Him glory, give Him honor
We are here to give Him praise, give Him praise
Now is your chance
Raise your hands and lift your voice
Let us this day give Him praise
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, Jesus is alive
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
We have come to give Him glory, give Him honor
We are here to give Him praise, give Him praise
Now is your chance to raise your hands and lift your voice
Let us this day give Him praise, give Him praise, give Him praise
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, Jesus is alive
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, Jesus is alive
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
Way beyond the clouds You sit high upon Your throne
But Your love still rains down upon us
Every nation and tongue will sing
You're the King of kings, yes, You are the Lord of lords
You are the Prince of peace and we praise You
Lord we praise Your Holy name
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, Jesus is alive
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
For He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
For He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
Celebrate, Jesus is alive
Celebrate
This is the season that I will live
Not because of me but because of Him
Celebrate
I'm not crying over what's been stolen
God's gonna give it back a hundred fold
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, Jesus is alive
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Celebrate new life, He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
Marcus Cole's song "Celebrate" is an energetic gospel song that encourages listeners to lift their voices and hands in praise of God. The lyrics emphasize the importance of glorifying God and giving Him honor and praise. The opening lines of the song declare that we have come to give Him glory and honor, and reiterates this message throughout the song, urging listeners to raise their voices, lift their hands, and give God praise.
The chorus of the song, "Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up," is a powerful message that celebrates the victory of Jesus Christ over death. This message is repeated throughout the song, which emphasizes the importance of celebrating and enjoying the new life that Christ has given us. The song also includes several references to the greatness of God, as well as His love and peace.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics take a more personal turn, expressing the singer's determination to live their life for God and to celebrate despite past losses. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus, urging listeners to continue to celebrate and give praise to God.
Overall, Marcus Cole's "Celebrate" is an uplifting and joyful song that encourages listeners to place their focus on God and celebrate the new life that He has given us.
Line by Line Meaning
We have come to give Him glory, give Him honor
We are gathered here to give glory and honor to God
We are here to give Him praise, give Him praise
We are here to praise God
Now is your chance
This is your opportunity
Raise your hands and lift your voice
Express your gratitude through the lifting of your hands and the raising of your voice
Let us this day give Him praise
Today, let us praise God
Celebrate new life, He has risen, He has risen up
Rejoice in the new life that Jesus Christ brings, as he has risen up from the dead
Celebrate new life, Jesus is alive
Celebrate the new life that Jesus brings, as he is alive
Way beyond the clouds You sit high upon Your throne
God is beyond the clouds and sits on his throne in heaven
But Your love still rains down upon us
Despite being in heaven, God's love still touches us
Every nation and tongue will sing
People of every nation and language will sing God's praises
You're the King of kings, yes, You are the Lord of lords
God is the ruler above all other rulers
You are the Prince of peace and we praise You
God brings peace and we praise him for it
Lord we praise Your Holy name
We praise God and his holy name
For He's alive, He's alive, He's alive
Jesus Christ is alive
This is the season that I will live
I choose to live in this season
Not because of me but because of Him
My reason to live is not because of myself, but because of God
I'm not crying over what's been stolen
I am not distraught over what has been taken from me
God's gonna give it back a hundred fold
God will return what has been taken from me, in abundance
Celebrate
Rejoice
Writer(s): luther "mano" hanes
Contributed by Kaitlyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.