Remembering Mandisa, 1976-2024
There were two things to notice when first meeting Mandisa: her small battery-operated fan and her brilliant smile. She carried both with her on stage and off stage as she sang your favorite songs.
The themes in her songs resonated with young and old. They were reminders we can still have hope in the darkness, we are overcomers, and the things we go through can make us stronger. These weren’t just “nice Christian themes” to Mandisa: she lived them. They were songs born out of heartache. Mandisa was open with her struggles, vulnerably sharing her disappointment and anger with God when her friend and former backup singer Lakisha Mitchell died of cancer, a lifelong struggle with weight and weight insecurity, and, at times, crushing depression. And then there were the moments of joy like adopting her puppy Kiya and cheering on her football team, the Tennessee Titans.
Mandisa passed away on Thursday, April 18th, 2024.
She’s now with the Savior she so beautifully sang about.
I will follow, I will press on
Even when the walk feels long
Your hands hold me together
Your love is with me forever
Through the broken, through the victory
I will praise You through it all
And run hard ’til the race is done
I, I’m gonna press on, press on
Join us in the coming days as we celebrate and remember the life and music of Mandisa.
