The Reason Why I Preach

By: Angela Lee Price

The lyrics of this beautiful song written and performed by Rev. Vincent Bland (photo left) resonated with pastors, preachers, theologians, seminary students, laypersons, and all in attendance at the Simmons College of Kentucky's Founder's Day Observance on November 13th. To commemorate the school's Founder's Day, Dr. Charles Adams, Senior Pastor, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan delivered powerful messages at two midday Chapel Services at Simmons College of Kentucky on November 13th & 14th, and at nightly worship services at Zion Baptist Church.

Lyric Arrangement by Vincent Bland © 2006, Babydear Music Company; Music by Kirk Franklin. Vincent Bland is Artist-N-Residency, St. Stephen Church & Prayer Retreat Center, Jeffersonville, Indiana.

THE REASON WHY I PREACH

VERSE 1:
SOMEONE ASKED THE QUESTION: “WHY DO WE PREACH
TO A WORLD SO TOSSED AND DRIVEN, LIKE THE WAVES UPON THE SEA?”
SOMEONE MAY BE WONDERING WHEN WE SPEAK OUT STRONG,
THO’ TRUTH BE ON THE SCAFFOLD AND WRONG UPON A THRONE,

CHORUS A:
I PREACH BECAUSE HE CALLED ME,
HIS ANNOINTING (IS) IN MY BONES,
GEORGE BUSH MAY BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE,
BUT OUR GOD IS ON THE THRONE!
GLORY HALLELUJAH! YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH,
GLORY HALLELUJAH! YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH.

VERSE 2:
A CHARGE TO ME IS GIVEN,
A GOD TO GLORIFY,
AN EVER DYING SOUL TO SAVE AND FIT IT FOR THE SKY.

TO SERVE THIS PRESENT AGE,
MY CALLING TO FULFILL,
OH MAY IT ALL MY POWER ENGAGE TO DO MY MASTER’S WILL.

CHORUS B:
I PREACH BECAUSE I’M HAPPY,
I PREACH BECAUSE I’M FREE,
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW,
AND I KNOW HE’S WATCHING ME.
GLORY HALLELUJAH! YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH (2X)

GLORY HALLELUJAH!
I GIVE ALL PRAISES TO YA!
GLORY HALLELUJAH!

SPECIAL:
YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PREACH -
THE WORLD FOR YOU TO REACH;

YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I SING –
LIFT MY VOICE AND LET IT RING;

YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I PRAY –
YOU’RE MY STRENGTH FROM DAY TO DAY;

YOU’RE THE REASON WHY I SERVE –
YOUR POWER GIVES ME NERVE;

ENDING: YOU’RE THE REASON WHY---------- I PREACH!!! vb

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus saves!