Nicole C. Mullen has been involved in corporate worship her entire life. The child of deacons and the grandchild of a pastor, she has always had a stage on which to sing. “I have been led in worship by people I love for so long; I grew up in it,” Mullin explained. ” I sang alongside of many people I admired. Now, I feel like the highest call for me is to lead others to use their voices to proclaim Christ.”
It was after she graduated from Bible college that she began her foray into the Christian music industry. Her first job after college graduation was studio singing. A short while later, she had a record deal that brought her to Nashville, where she met her husband, David, at the Dove Awards for that particular year.
When she began singing with Michael W Smith, she got her “real” break when she had the chance to sing some her original material. One of those original pieces was the song for which she is best known–Redeemer.
Another highlight of her career, she says, is sharing a platform with three generations of Graham family evangelists–Billy Graham, Franklin Graham and Will Graham–and serving alongside BGEA to proclaim the Gospel.
Having gone as far away as Australia to be a musical guest at a Franklin Graham Festival, and serving alongside Billy Graham at his historic New York City Crusade, she has many fond memories.
One of the memories she recounts is when she was onstage, singing Redeemer, backed up by a large choir. “Before I knew it, the accompaniment track started to skip. In the middle of the song, I started motioning to the sound guy to just cut the track,” she remembers. “So, I started singing a cappela. A few bars later, the choir joined me. Then, the crowd joined in, and I was really moved by the sound of all those voices worshiping.
“This event reiterated to me that we can worship the Lord without music. We are not called to worship based on our circumstances. We should be led by our passion and love for Christ. It was a reminder to me of the calling that God has placed on us to worship.”
She feels blessed to have had this worship encounter while serving with a ministry she loves and respects so dearly.
“I love what this ministry (BGEA) stands for, and that they keep the Gospel simple–as it should be. They have an incredible way of breaking it down so it can be understood by all,” said Mullin. “I’m proud to be involved with BGEA and look forward to what God is going to continue to do through this organization.”
Her Impact on the World–And at the Cove
Her impact on the world through music continues. Her latest project, a worship album titled Captivated, will be released on May 3. Her latest single on that album, Kingdom Come can now be heard on Christian radio.
“This album is full of ‘vertical’ songs–from me to the Lord, and also expressions of God back to me. I hope people will listen and be blessed.”
Guests at her March 3 concert at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove can expect to hear some of these new songs, as well as well known classics, such as Redeemer.
While she is passionate about sharing her music with people, she is even more passionate about leading them in worship.
“Worship is not just a segment of a service–it’s a lifestyle. It is always my heart’s cry to engage people in worship. At the end of that evening at The Cove, it is my hope that the audience’s hearts are more stirred toward Christ. I want them to feel His presence stronger. I want them to see Him clearer. I want the message of the Gospel to take root in their hearts.”
