Lauren Daigle, a Louisiana native, is a two-time Grammy^®, eight-time Billboard Music, four-time American Music, and twelve-time GMA Dove Music Award winner. She’s performed at the Super Bowl (“America the Beautiful” with Trombone Shorty) and garnered over a billion streams and years of sold-out world tours with performances spanning four continents (North America, Australia, Europe and Africa). On Super Bowl Sunday at the Superdome in her adopted hometown, Daigle kicked off the biggest televised event of the year for a live audience of 127.7 million viewers. Her latest Grammy-nominated album, Lauren Daigle, features 23 new songs, including the RIAA gold-certified single “Thank God I Do,” which earned her sixth Billboard No. 1. Daigle’s breakthrough 2018 album, Look Up Child, includes the six-time platinum hit single “You Say,” which holds the record for the longest-running No. 1 on any weekly Billboard chart. Currently, Daigle is captivating audiences with The Kaleidoscope Tour, which has been extended twice due to popular demand. While living in the rarefied air of being a recording artist with widespread popularity and critical acclaim, Daigle’s faith in God and relationship with Jesus have remained constant and integral to her work. In this exclusive interview, Daigle shares reflections on her spiritual journey, artistic growth, and partnership with The Salvation Army.

WC: What do you see God doing in this season of your life?

Daigle: One thing that I keep seeing over and over again is how well His plan works out. I think sometimes, when we’re going through the middle of a season, it can be hard to see the end in sight. To arrive at the end and see all the ways He has been faithful — organizing every step along the way and being in charge and in control, even when we might feel out of control — has been really reassuring about His nature and His character. In this season of my life, I’m seeing over and over again how faithful and constant He is to provide everything we need, organize our path, and set us up in a way that is for our good and for His glory.

WC: How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist since your debut album?

Daigle: I’ve learned how to communicate. In the very beginning, I wasn’t really sure how to bring my ideas across the finish line. I didn’t even know how to bring my ideas into the room. I was intimidated by people who knew much more about music than I did—how to program, produce, or arrange things better than I could. Where once I was intimidated, now I am just truly inspired. I’ve learned that collaboration is one of my all-time favorite things! I love to dream, hear other people’s ideas, and partner with them to bring those ideas to life. That’s how I feel I’ve grown as an artist. I look back on my debut album. It was filled with curiosity and questions. I was really trying to get my feet underneath me; I was so green. Now, I can go into a studio, share ideas, talk about different arrangements and instruments I want involved, and discuss different parts I want to sing or play. It’s so much fun. I’ve also learned just how powerful a song can truly be. I had no idea when I was making that debut album where my music would go or how it could speak to people’s hearts and experiences like it did. I didn’t fully realize what was on the other side of writing a song. To be able to see that now has truly changed my life.

WC: You recently served with The Salvation Army in New York City. You’ve also helped promote The Salvation Army’s work and invited others to support it. Why have you chosen to partner with The Salvation Army?

Daigle: I love this question so much! Just this morning, I was in a prayer meeting, and I mentioned The Salvation Army and how powerful of an organization it is! I am so inspired by the work that they do! It goes all the way back to the very beginning for me. I have been really impacted by William Booth. There’s a quote where he says: ‘While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight. While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, I’ll fight. While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, I’ll fight.While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight — I’ll fight to the very end!’ I understand that tenacity for justice for humanity, especially when it comes to being the hands and feet of Jesus — I love his boldness. What he and his wife created to pour into millions of people around the world just shows the power of what can happen when God truly builds a vision inside of you. To be even a small part of that legacy — an extension of that desire and love for humanity — is something I will always support, champion, and want to be a part of. I think The Salvation Army is amazing at meeting the needs of individuals right where they are. That, to me, is one of the most powerful things and truly the most beautiful way to love.