The CeCe Winans Quotes That Reveal Her Heart

CeCe Winans has spent four decades singing about faith, hope, and love — but it’s in her own spoken words that you really see the woman behind the voice. In interviews over the years, the most-awarded female gospel artist in history has shared her thoughts on success, humility, family, and God with a warmth that explains why fans feel so close to her. Here are some of her most revealing real quotes, and what each one tells us about CeCe Winans’ heart.

On real success

For an artist with 18 Grammys, her definition of success is striking. Reflecting on her career, Winans said that “good success is not always your songs being on the top of the charts” — for her, it’s about going home and having peace in her home. The quote reveals a woman whose sense of accomplishment was never really about fame, but about a settled, peaceful life.

On humility

People constantly call CeCe humble, and her response says everything. Told how humble she is, she deflects by pointing to her faith, describing herself simply: “I’m just a striving believer,” she has said, adding that Jesus is her example. It’s a small line that reveals a genuinely modest heart beneath one of the most decorated careers in gospel history.

On what comes first

Asked how she balances being a wife, mother, pastor, and singer, CeCe pointed to a single anchor. “You’ve got to keep your relationship with the Lord Jesus first,” she explained, “because it’s out of that relationship that everything else flows.” The quote reveals how she orders her whole life — faith at the center, and every other role radiating out from it.

On gratitude to those before her

CeCe rarely takes credit for her own strength. “I am a strong woman of faith because of those who went before me,” she has said, pointing to her mother, her grandmother, and the saints of her church. The quote reveals a deep gratitude and a sense of belonging to something larger than herself.

On family and heritage

Family runs through everything CeCe says. “I’m so blessed by my family and by my heritage,” she has shared, calling it a godly one and crediting her parents with teaching her to love God above all. The quote reveals how central her roots remain to her identity, no matter how far her career has taken her.

On her message of hope

Describing her song “Come Come,” CeCe distilled her entire ministry into one reassuring promise: “All you have to do is call Him, and He’ll come.” The quote reveals the heart of why she makes music at all — to remind people that help and hope are always within reach.

On thinking of others

Addressing division in the church, CeCe offered a simple, selfless answer. “I think we just have to think about other people,” she said, tying it to the parable of the Good Samaritan and a longing for unity. The quote reveals a heart oriented outward, toward compassion and away from self-focus.

On encouragement

CeCe often ends her messages with encouragement rather than accolades. Speaking to fans, she has said that “if you’re in Christ, you can do it,” no matter what you’re facing. The quote reveals a woman who sees her platform as a way to lift others up and hand them hope.

On forgiveness

Few things reveal a person’s heart like how they handle being wronged. CeCe has said she lets offense go quickly — “I’m quick to forgive,” she explained — reasoning that she forgives because God forgives her every day. The quote reveals a genuine grace toward others, the same grace she believes she’s been shown.

The bottom line: Taken together, CeCe Winans’ own words reveal exactly the heart her fans have always sensed — humble, grateful, family-rooted, and pointed toward hope. She measures success by peace rather than charts, credits those who came before her, and keeps her faith at the center of everything. After four decades at the top, what shines through most isn’t the trophies — it’s a heart that still just wants to point people toward the love she sings about.

Note: All quotes above are drawn from published interviews and profiles, including NPR, CCM Magazine, Charisma Magazine, the Jesus Calling podcast, and TBN. Quotes are presented as reported by their original sources.