Minister James Willis, Jr
Minister James Willis is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a mentor to many within his community. He was born with a melodic intrinsic component, so music is not foreign to him. His compelling musical heritage is grounded in the rich traditional roots of the church. With lyrical melodies running through his veins, his strong desire to enlarge his territory continued to grow. At the age of 33, he started playing the piano, and today, he is considered the maestro of many instruments. Following a vision, he formulated and established the Greater Oklahoma Mass Choir (GOMC) in 2012. In 2018, The Gospel Artist Music Association (GAMA) was birthed to guide, equip, and empower all artists.
Minister Willis currently serves as an Associate Minister of the Gospel and Minister of Music for over 30 years at the Prospect Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK. His dedication to the Lord is endless and it is demonstrated through his love for the Word of God and music.
Minister Willis’ repertoire is well-documented, and His brilliant performances demonstrate his enormous sensitivity, musicality, and expressiveness with his musical proficiency. Minister Willis is an accomplished musician, songwriter, producer, artist, and preacher who has worked with an “A” List of some of the greatest legendary artists, such as Yolanda Adams, John P. Kee, Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans, Beverly Crawford, Terri McConnell, Edwin Hawkins, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Commissioned, Williams Brothers, Canton Spirituals, Carolyn Traylor, Pace Sisters, Treva Jones, Dr. Bobby Jones, Shawn MacClemore, Lemmie Battles, Earnest Pugh, David & Tamela Mann, Oscar Williams, Wes Morgan, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, James Fortune, Tremaine Hawkins, and many others. Minister Willis’s list of performances is quite impressive and validates his authenticity. He performed for the Gospel Music Workshop of America’s artist showcases in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012, The Texas Gospel Artist Showcase in 2014, and was featured on Atlanta Live in 2016. In 2021, he and his group Nu Praze opened for the incomparable world-renowned gospel artist Le’Andria Johnson.
In 2021, God enlarged his territory by taking this anointed and gifted vessel Internationally. Londo, England, witnessed a move of God’s work through Minister Willis as he ministered to the people.
Over the last 3 decades, Minister Willis has written and recorded over 80 songs for the Gospel music industry. Songs such as “I Have Decided,” Jesus Never Fails,” “Great Day,” “I Can’t Wait”, “When Jesus Touched Me,” and “This Joy.” These songs are just a few that have been sung across the country. Several songs have been recorded by various gospel choirs, with 8 songs selected by the National Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) Mass Choir and Choral Choirs. In 2022, the long-awaited album entitled “The Book of James Volume 1” was released with songs hand-picked that will minister to the needs of people and bring healing to the soul.
Minister Willis is the recipient of The Rhythm of Gospel Music Awards for Best CD Project and Best Choir Music in 2015, nominated in two categories for Song & Video of the Year. In 2015-2016, his video was featured in the Bahamas & Africa, which granted him a Nomination for Song of the Year, CD of the Year & Artist of the Year for the IGRA Music Excellence Awards in Florida, and was featured in the Gospel U.S.A, Magazine. In 2019, Minister Willis was the successor of the Voices of Gospel Music Awards (VOGMA) recipient for Traditional Artist of the Year. In 2022, Minister Willis was the recipient of the Trail Blazer Award by the Texas Gospel Music Excellence Award, they Released the re-mix of I’ll Praise Him, which landed him at #1 on the internet charts. Minister Willis was in the hit musical stage play Hairon Holiday Edition, which was a gospel comedy stage play presented by TAF & Black Wallstreet Expo. He presented an award entitled The Mighty Men & Women of God Award in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2022. Minister Willis ministered for the National Baptist Women’s Conference in 2023 and opened for the legendary group “The Isaac’s. In 2024, Minister Willis and his group Nu Praze were the opening act for the legendary gospel artist Joe Pace. Also, in 2024, he was awarded the Legends Award from the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA). In 2024, Minister Willis produced the hit single “Get Me Through This” written by Terri McConnell featuring Merton Huff Jr and the Metropolitan Baptist Church Choir, which rose to the top 100 gospel songs on the BDS / Media Base chart and qualified for a Stellar Awards Nomination.
Who Do We Serve
At Minister James Willis, we are here to serve individuals of all ages, from 16 to 90, with the love and grace of Christ. Whether you’re a teenager seeking guidance, a young adult looking to deepen your faith, or an older adult seeking a meaningful connection through worship, we are dedicated to meeting you where you are. Our mission is to touch hearts and transform lives through the power of music and ministry, creating a welcoming space for everyone—no matter their background or stage of life. We believe that God’s love is for all generations, and we’re here to share that love through every note, every word, and every moment of ministry.
Connect With Us!
Experience the transformative power of music and ministry—contact us today to create an unforgettable event that uplifts and inspires! Reach out now to book your service or learn more.