Straight Gate

The music ministry at the Straight Gate International Church is composed of traditional, Pentecostal, and praise and worship music. Birthed through the vision of Bishop & Pastor Merritt this ministry ushers the manifested presences of God into our services. The Spirit of God will capture your heart and your soul as you partake of the ministry of our music department.

Praise & Worship:

The scripture says come into His presence with singing and that we are to sing to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs making melody in your heart unto the Lord (Psalms, Eph. 13:17). We are admonished to fine the heartbeat of God in singing songs unto the Lord, songs of praise and songs of worship.

Choir:

Straight Gate International Church has four choirs that express the vision of our church. Our children’s choir the Precious Voices range in age from 4-11 years old. The Voice of Praise is the name of our youth choir who range in age from 12- 17 years old. We also have a young adult choir who range in age from 18-34 years old. Music from traditional gospel, church hymns, anthems of praise, songs written through our generation can be experience through the anointing that resides in and upon our choirs.

Music:

With the help of gospel producers Fred Hammond, PAJAM, Noel Hall, and worship leaders Pastor Sheryl Brady, and David & Nicole Binion, we have recorded “Faith In The House” and “Expectations: I’ll Praise”, both were Stellar nominated projects bringing healing and edification to the Body of Christ. “Faith In The House” and “Expectations: I’ll Praise” were recorded live at Straight Gate International Church by our Mass Choir.

The Straight Gate Mass Choir

The Holy One

One of the pioneers in introducing praise and worship music into the urban black church, Detroit's Bishop Andrew Merritt continues to set and maintain the standard for urban praise and worship music. His Straight Gate Mass Choir's third CD “The Holy One” has just been released and debuted at #17 on Billboard magazine's Gospel Album sales chart.

Keyboardist Noel Hall, who has worked with artists such as CeCe Winans and Donnie McClurkin, produced the new project. The title song was written and led by Carnell Murrell, who has worked extensively with choirs such as the Bright Star Male Chorus and the legendary Dallas Ft. Worth Mass Choir. He also wrote the acoustic- styled "Holy is the Lamb" and the dramatic "Born to Worship." The latter features Murrell's gruff and impassioned vocals. Among other selections on the project are the warm congregational tunes "Early" and "Friend." The songs "I Will Worship" and "You Are Welcome Here" are praise anthems. Marcus Cole, a featured singer with the '80s gospel group Commissioned, leads "I Came to Worship." The set closes with the simple but majestic "Amen."

Bishop Merritt founded Detroit, Michigan's Straight Gate Church in 1978. The first service was held in a storefront building with three members: Bishop; his wife, Viveca and daughter, Rachelle. Under the powerful preaching and expository teachings of Bishop Merritt, the church has experienced phenomenal growth - from three members in 1978 (and eight church moves) to more than 6,000 members today. A family based ministry, housed in a 165,000 square foot building located in the heart of Detroit, Straight Gate Church is "Where Jesus makes families whole." Merritt is also the owner of Bajada Records where he has created a national platform for emerging artists such as Vanessa Williams, Antwaun Stanley, Charise Miles and The Straight Gate Mass Choir.

The first Straight Gate Mass Choir CD Faith in the House sold over 150,000 copies in 2000. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Gospel Album sales chart and even reached an impressive #68 on Billboard's Hot 200 Pop Album sales chart. The follow-up CD Expectations: I'll Praise was released in 2003 and was another smash hit. It reached #5 on the Billboard Gospel Album sales chart and produced a number of hit radio singles.