Speak the name Alvin Slaughter and visions of dynamic worship songs and lively praise tunes rush to mind. The Dove and Stellar Award nominee has been a pivotal part of the growth of praise and worship in the Church. This former lead vocalist of the GRAMMY Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is known for his cross-cultural songs and a smooth blending of gospel and contemporary Christian music, creating a style that’s uniquely his own.
But don’t be fooled, there’s much more to this amazing artist than catchy songs and crystal clear vocals. Alvin is a man on a mission. His mission is to help transform the lives of people who have been bound by self doubt and religious tradition – – setting them free with the acceptance of God’s love and the power of a personal relationship with God.
Alvin is the epitome of the phrase “success is a journey not a destination.” He spent years living life as a defeated Christian. The effects of bankruptcy, foreclosure, welfare, low self esteem and a troubled marriage ruled his life until 1990, when he discovered a whole other world outside the four corners of his own mind. Little did he know that he was on a collision course with the power of God. A power strong enough to set Alvin on an amazing path that would lead him back into the doors of the church, right into the arms of Christ and into a powerful, worldwide music ministry.
In 1991, Alvin began receiving invitations to sing at national evangelistic crusades and major Christian conferences. Today, as a recording artist, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and philanthropist, he is a regular on Christian television and travels all over the world in concert ministry… healing hearts through his compassionate speaking, restoring joy with his songs of faith and exhorting Christians to live passionately for God.
Six albums later, his latest being Overcomer, an album that echoes his testimony, Alvin has made a name for himself in the genre of praise and worship. Accolades have followed including Dove Award nominations for Praise & Worship Album of the Year, Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year and Contemporary Black Gospel Song of the Year as well as a Stellar Award nomination for Best Male Solo Performance. He’s nurtured a career that’s seen him speak and sing globally in South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and throughout the United States, racking up millions of miles on the road.
Alvin frequently appears as a guest soloist from major conferences and festivals around the country and, he has appeared on the Trinity Broadcast Network more times than he can count. Because of Alvin’s leadership and experience, he received an honorary doctorate from Canada Christian College in Toronto. Excited by the doors that God has opened for him, his mission, now more than ever before, is to also help open the door for others to find their own voice, reach their unique potential and have a personal relationship with God.
This passion inspired the writing of Alvin’s book, “I Got It Back!,” an inspiring work that gives six keys to living and growing in the faith life. “I Got It Back!” was written to help people overcome fear, failure and other people’s opinions. Written in an honest, inspiring and sometimes humorous way, it guides the reader on how to make right decisions based on Godly wisdom when faced with difficult situations. Most importantly, it will help people reignite their faith and discover a renewed passion for God.
“This is a new day. Too many people still live their lives just holding on, living in the past or walking in fear,” says Alvin. “… just ‘holding on’ for most people is an exercise in futility. If your life is stuck in neutral, you need to forget about ‘just holding on’ and start ‘pulling up’ from out of the pit you’re in.”
Alvin’s goal of spiritual empowerment has moved far beyond the boundaries of the United States and is also specifically embracing the overwhelming problems faced in the nations of Africa.
“My focus has expanded from just music to blending the ministry of music, inspirational speaking and writing — empowering people to not just live passively, sort of looking at their lives as something that they cannot control, but to live passionately, finding the courage and power within to live their lives on God’s terms for them and not someone else’s,” says Alvin.
Whether by song, the written or spoken word, Alvin is committed to helping others across the world discover their value and destiny in Christ.