American Idol Season 24 winner Hannah Harper didn’t just celebrate her victory on Monday night. She turned the whole finale into a worship service right there on national television.
We may never know how God would use us for His glory. We all have some kind of talents. But in the rush and responsibilities of life those talents just become hobbies we do once in a while. No more big dreams.
But if God has a purpose for you, He will pull you out of where you are and put you exactly where He needs you. That’s what He did with Hannah Harper from Willow Springs, Missouri. He took a stay-at-home mom of three boys and placed her on one of the biggest stages in the country. Not just to sing but to testify.
A Mom From Missouri With a Voice and a Testimony
Hannah Harper is 25 years old. She’s a mother of three boys from Willow Springs, Missouri. She grew up singing in her family’s bluegrass-gospel band and she made history as the first female country artist to win American Idol since Carrie Underwood back in 2005.
During the three-hour finale she performed her original song ‘Married Into This Town,’ did a duet with country legend Lee Ann Womack on ‘I Hope You Dance’ and revisited her viral audition track ‘String Cheese.’ She beat out finalists Jordan McCullough, a worship leader who sang ‘Goodness of God’ as his final song, and Keyla Richardson.
WATCH: Hannah Harper Sings Beautiful Original Song ‘Married Into This Town’
Carrie Underwood was emotional after Harper’s first performance. “You deserve to be here for your voice, for who you are as a person, for who you are as a mom, as a daughter, for your songwriting. I’m so proud,” she said.
At the Cross She Surrendered It All
But here’s the moment that got everybody. After Ryan Seacrest announced her name as the winner Harper chose to sing ‘At the Cross (Love Ran Red).’
The song was written by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Ed Cash, Matt Armstrong and Jonas Myrin and released in 2014. It’s a song about the mercy of God and the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.
She barely got through it. Tears were streaming down her face as she sang “At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life. I’m in awe of You.”
She pulled the mic away and raised her hands and just praised God right there on that stage. And what happened next is something you would rarely see on national television.
The other contestants came up on stage and started worshipping along with her singing the same song together. For a moment I just forgot it was a national TV stage and a competition. It felt like church.
A Faith That Was Never Hidden
This wasn’t something Harper pulled out at the last minute. Her whole journey was built on faith. During her audition she talked about battling postpartum depression and how God carried her through. Her song ‘String Cheese’ was about a simple moment with her son that reminded her that motherhood was her “biggest ministry.”
During Hawaii week she performed Bethel Music’s ‘Ain’t No Grave’ and Luke Bryan literally coined a new genre for her calling it “Resurrection Rock.” Lionel Richie said she wasn’t just singing. She was “preaching.”
Her Instagram bio says it all. “Only a somebody to my babies & Jesus | All for His glory.”
After her Top 20 performance she posted publicly “More than anything, I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have this platform to bring glory to God and for the freedom to openly sing and speak about my Lord without hesitation.”
Just Getting Started
Hours after the win Harper thanked everyone on Instagram. “What a wild, beautiful journey this has been. And somehow we’re just getting started,” she wrote. “I’m beyond thankful for the doors the Lord has opened and for the opportunity to walk this path.” She quoted Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you.”
She credited her husband’s support and the community of Willow Springs for helping carry her dream forward.
We serve a God who lifts up the humble and those who seek Him always. Hannah Harper is a living example of that. She had every reason to just celebrate the American Idol win with a big pop hit and enjoy the spotlight. But she didn’t.
She remembered where her victory came from and she gave all the glory right back to God.
On live television in front of millions she surrendered her biggest moment to Jesus. And honestly I didn’t feel like I was watching a national television show at all. I was just watching a woman of faith leading others in worship at a church.
WATCH: ‘American Idol’ Winner Hannah Harper Worships God with ‘At the Cross (Love Ran Red)’
