From Enterprise to American Idol: Roman Collins' Journey

What happens when you faithfully steward what seems like a mundane season? For Roman Collins, washing cars at Enterprise Rent-A-Car became the unlikely foundation for his journey to American Idol, touring with CeCe Winans, and releasing his debut album.

In this soul-stirring conversation, Roman shares the raw truth about losing his mother at 18 and how that profound grief awakened his calling as a psalmist. "I feel like that's when I woke up," he reveals, describing how pain became the catalyst for authentic ministry. With disarming honesty, Roman discusses how therapy helped him finally process his grief years later during the pandemic: "I realized I never really met me. I was busy taking care of everyone else."

The episode unpacks the viral moment that changed everything—performing with gospel legend CeCe Winans on American Idol, amassing over 120 million views. Yet Roman emphasizes that this "overnight success" came while he was already working faithfully on his music: "Due to me already working, the Lord provided the unimaginable to promote what He had already given me." His father's wisdom echoes throughout: "The Lord won't give you the next step until you finish this step."

Perhaps most powerful is Roman's charge to fellow creatives: "Don't wait to see the storm to build the ark. Build anyway. They're not going to understand because they're not supposed to." His partnership with Compassion International further demonstrates how true worship extends beyond singing into tangible acts of compassion.

Ready to sponsor a child and make a difference? Text 83393 with "ROMAN" to join this life-changing mission. And don't forget to follow @theePKpod on Instagram and TikTok to continue the conversation!

Transcript

Meeting Roman Collins

Speaker 1 0:08

Hey friends , welcome back to another episode of the PK pod where I'm your host , chaz Y'all . The PK pod . If you're just tuning in and wondering , we are a podcast where we highlight you're just tuning in and wondering we are a podcast where we highlight incredible PKs that all have a platform , but it may not be the pulpit , hello somebody . So thank you for tuning in . Today we are diving into some idle topics . I feel like that was like on brand for who . I'm about to introduce Some idle topics with my friend , friend with my brother , literally the viral sensation , the incomparable , the talented , the preaching , the singinest okay person I know in all of la , that is roman collins . Oh , thank you , roman . What's up ? Welcome to the vk pod .

Speaker 2 1:03

I'm so happy to be here .

Speaker 1 1:04

You have no idea , so glad to have you here at the PK Pot Roman . How does it feel to be literally like that guy and I know that you're like I am just a servant saved by grace because you are the most humble individual that I know .

Speaker 1 1:20

But you went viral with Auntie Cece Winans . You went on tour with Auntie Cece Winans . You went on tour with Auntie Cece Winans . You literally released new music . You were on American Idol for millions of people to tune in to who you are , witness the God in you to literally like , embrace Roman Collins , like , how does it feel knowing that , like I had that opportunity to experience this in this lifetime ?

Speaker 2 1:50

Not to give you a churchy answer .

Speaker 1 1:52

Give it to me .

Speaker 2 1:52

Which means I'm going to give you a churchy answer .

Speaker 1 1:53

Yes .

Speaker 2 1:54

To God be the glory . Genuinely because quick you know . Back story I never watched American Idol , never watched the full season , never voted . Don't tell them that . But it happened out of the blue . One day I was at work cleaning cars and a friend of a friend of a caster producer of the caster producer called me Yo American Idol , looking for someone to sing . Send a video in . I'm like it's Wednesday , I ain't doing nothing . Send a video in that I had on my phone . The following day I was on a Zoom call with them in my Enterprise workshop , which was on Thursday , and by that Tuesday .

Speaker 1 2:28

Pause . You worked at Enterprise Metal Car .

Speaker 2 2:32

I did .

Speaker 1 2:32

I worked at Enterprise Metal Car . What Roman .

Speaker 2 2:36

Do you still have your discount code ? I ?

Speaker 1 2:37

do not have my discount code , but can I use yours ? Dang it , I don't have it .

Speaker 2 2:41

Dang Listen . I left that place and burned every bridge . No , I'm joking . I left in grace .

Speaker 1 2:45

I did not know that we both worked at Enterprise . Wow .

Speaker 2 2:48

Listen , PK has got to hustle . We Listen , we're going to keep all these lights on . That's us . That is us . You really worked at Enterprise .

Speaker 1 2:57

I literally worked at Enterprise . It was my first job after college . Now listen for those of y'all that are in college and you are brainwashed . Talk about it .

Speaker 1 3:06

That as soon as you graduate , talk about it . You're going to land that six figure job . The devil is a liar . Yeah , yeah , yeah , yeah that you can . However , wisdom , yes , ma'am , come on , somebody is for you to get an internship . Yep , for you to do your part and have all of that lined up . And nobody told this PK that . Because PKs think that , because their parents say you're going to college and that this is how you're going to , you know , doors is going to open . My word , baby , no door open , except for the Enterprise .

Speaker 2 3:36

Okay , but also that's also biblical . Yes , although he was anointed king , what was he doing in the back ? He was still shepherding , shepherding . So still serve while you're waiting on the promise . Roman , don't be preaching this early . How you treat this season prepares the next door when I tell you Enterprise set literally the trajectory of me now being a VP .

Speaker 1 4:00

Do you know that literally was my first job out of college ? Yes , ma'am , I started in the Lancaster branch .

Speaker 2 4:04

Wow , now being a VP , do you know that literally ?

Speaker 1 4:04

was my first out of college . Yes , ma'am , I started in the Lancaster branch .

Speaker 2 4:08

Wow .

Speaker 1 4:09

I worked there for 90 days and my parents , who were pastoring in Lancaster , california , said we are closing our church down , we are relocating to Florida , jesus and I said well , y'all think y'all going without me .

Speaker 2 4:24

The devil is a liar , I'm coming too .

Speaker 1 4:26

They transferred me to Florida . I became the manager at Jacksonville airport location of enterprise . I was going to the conferences , the convention , like I was making so much money , I was working the night shifts like overnight , yeah yeah and literally while working at enterprise .

Speaker 1 4:47

I started my first business because I was able to fund my hustle , of course , like I literally got the foundation of like working like in the real world through enterprise shout out to enterprise , honestly , thank god , it literally fueled me and literally set me and I was able to learn different people , skills , customer service , talk about it . Washing cars yeah , you're dealing with driving home customers .

Speaker 1 5:09

Oh my god , all that type of customers coming in and out that you're dealing with . It's literally so much . Yeah , I can't believe that you was working at enterprise because everywhere you are is for a reason .

Speaker 2 5:21

So , although you don't want to be there , take the lesson Because you got to apply it when it's your turn . But if you're only saying God , get me out of this , why did he put you in this ? God not bored saying okay , what can I do to mess up ? Jasmine , go work at Enterprise . Wow , unless it's for a reason , it is God ordained the thing that you . I used to hate Enterprise . Oh , I used to hate it . But I found myself praying for the customers , taking them home and they're in tears . I'm asking is it okay if I pray with you ? So , although I'm mad that you showed up at 530 when we closed and you expect a ride back , I'm praying .

Speaker 1 5:56

Because they do it every time .

Speaker 2 5:58

Every time . But it's ministry To whom much is given , much is required . So , although I hated it , the Lord allowed it . And when I was on idol , guess who was in all the team email chains ? Vote for Roman . He works at so-and-so branch .

Speaker 1 6:14

And they were literally fully . Ooh , roman , I'm excited . Didn't even know about that . That's crazy . Okay , so press play . So you the casting producer .

Speaker 2 6:19

You didn't even know about that . That's crazy .

Speaker 1 6:21

Okay , so press play . So you , the cast and producer , reached out to you while you was just at your regular degular job , serving , yep , serving , praying for customers

Working at Enterprise: Unexpected Ministry

Speaker 1 6:31

. Yep , you didn't seek out Idol . Idol sought out you , yep .

Speaker 2 6:38

Oh , this is heavy already but it's such a big story that I'm not going to take up the entire time with . But even longer story short , dad did a live recording , my first live recording , first debut album . I recorded that September in 22 , called my father Like I'm sure you did , as you were , you know , following God , chasing your dream . My dad is expensive . What do I do ? Cause it was fully funded , whatever course . I had people that helped out , thank God , but I would call my dad like dad it lot . What do I do ? And I'm expecting my great anointed man of God to say call so-and-so because they'll give you 10 grand . I went on that . Instead he told me he said well , son , um , keep working on the album . I'm like that's not the TED talk . I wanted that . I , I this . This is not very Joel Osteen of you . This is is not encouraging . This isn't . I love my Bible .

Speaker 1 7:25

This isn't that . This isn't that moment I'm like what ?

Speaker 2 7:27

But he kept telling me . He said , son , just do what you can do and God do the rest . He said the Lord won't give you the next step until you finish this step , because the next step will overwhelm you . So just keep working at it . I'm like that's not what I want to hear , I want party . Wow , he didn't give me that . He kept saying , son , I know it's expensive , keep working on it . So I kept shepherding yeah and um , yeah , idle happened in November of 22 , out of nowhere . Idle sorry , 24 , forgive me . Idle happened November of 23 and aired in February of 24 and the album dropped in March of 24 . So while I was working on something , the Lord said something else I did not imagine , which caused me to share my album that I was already working on across the world , because I didn't wait on the door to open for me to get started . Wow . So , due to me already working , the Lord provided the unimaginable , which was idle , to promote what he already given me .

Speaker 1 8:18

It's something about stewarding the season . Well , oh yeah , and I think I know for sure we have that in common , but I think a lot of pks um , miss that step , like they are in a hurry to get to the okay .

Speaker 2 8:36

I can take a deep breath without realizing that every season you have to steward you are not exempt because your father is supervisor so and so apostle , so you are not exempt . Because your father is supervisor so-and-so apostle , so you are not exempt . Jesus , say it again that only lasts for a season . It's a title .

Speaker 1 8:49

It's a title .

Speaker 2 8:50

I'll make your name great , Not your title . And , truth be told , your favor isn't in these four walls . You may feel favored , but tell that when you have warfare Because , truth be told , I grew up when my mother died . I said Lord . I said why are we walking down the middle of this church at a funeral ?

Speaker 1 9:08

I'm supposed to sing at a funeral .

Speaker 2 9:09

I'm supposed to help and call the grieving . I'm not supposed to grieve . I felt exempt because my daddy pastor said he could preach . I'll preach anybody . He can break down a text like anybody . I'm good , that's what I felt . I had to realize , although , that my father , my mother and so , and so I'm still his son , and he promised that offenses would come .

Speaker 1 9:30

Promised it . Yeah , not just joy and peace , long suffering , talk about it . It's a fruit of the spirit and I think we omit that fruit . Yes , ma'am , we go , joy peace . Listen , pineapples , strawberries , tomato , yep it's like it's literally listed as a fruit , meaning it is to benefit you . Good word to suffer long it's a benefit . So you skipping out on the suffering is not benefiting you anything ?

Speaker 2 10:00

it's not . It's not that just skipping out on it , you think you're avoiding it , but why are you over there doing whatever that ? That mountain is growing . It's getting bigger and bigger . That mountain about to railroad bus , it's a volcano . It's erupting genuinely . You're over there shouting and that thing is like , as soon as you're done , bucking trauma .

Speaker 1 10:18

I'm waiting on you literally yep , okay , so let's , let's unpack a lot of this , because we can do this all day . Because , Roman and I are we get this Okay . So take us back to the beginning of your PK journey , right , Like okay , Mom and dad said all right , listen , we we feel called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ . This is what we're doing . Yes , ma'am , Good luck .

Speaker 1 10:45

You are now voluntold to be

Roman's PK Journey and Family Loss

Speaker 1 10:48

voluntold that you are , and this includes everything with the kitchen sink . So walk us through like your PK journey from the beginning .

Speaker 2 10:55

So my story is I was born into it . I didn't have the one day the Lord , I don't have the one day my dad said the Lord called me . I grew up when the phone was already answered . I grew up into it . You know church nine days a week .

Speaker 1 11:08

Nine days a week is my favorite thing . It's a very true thing . It's always like why is there two extra days we got ?

Speaker 2 11:16

school . We have school . I didn't play sports , but I could have had basketball . I would have wanted to . Maybe , if , if I wanted to , I would have wanted to . Maybe if , if I wanted to , I would have wanted to .

Speaker 2 11:25

There we go , but no , I , I grew up in it . Yeah , I grew up in it and I , I loved it . Yeah , my punishment was you know what ? You can't go to third service . What ? Now I'm like , I get to take a nap , praise god . But no , that was my punishment growing up . Yeah , so , growing up , church was all I knew . Everybody in school knew roman want to be a preacher . He's going to be a singer .

Speaker 2 11:47

I grew up in all of my toys . They were my choir . Wow , they would walk in and all of my all my little stupid mcdonald toys were in symmetry going on and they were my choir . That was the church , that was the pastor . That was this . I grew up in it .

Speaker 2 12:01

Yeah , so , um , and I thank god , I'm so blessed because I don't really have a horror story like some of our friends who are PKs do , which is good . I'm grateful that I was shielded , but I didn't have what's the word ? I didn't have gullible parents . My parents were very honest with me . Yeah , very real . Yeah , still gave me the standard , but but not not being so strict as if I would never see a bad day . But they became the example of , of stewarding stewarding , forgive me . Through those examples , through the bad days , through the turmoil , through comparison , I saw them do it instead of them , instead of just them telling me what to do . Yeah , I saw them live it . So it was easier not easy , but easier to mirror something that I saw . So it's something I was yelled at to do .

Speaker 1 12:45

Wow , you just said a lot , because I think that there's an expectation that all PKs are bad or had this bad experience , but that's not the case . It's not , which is why we're on the PK pod to highlight different PKs experiences , so that people can feel encouraged or inspired or like okay , good , I shouldn't feel bad for having parents that raised me right , that literally modeled the calling in which they were called to and didn't mismanage it . They didn't abuse the title To be commended .

Speaker 1 13:21

Yes , yes you know what I mean , especially in a day and age where so many people mismanage yes , ma'am . Or just are seeking titles and denominations and not wanting to seek out souls . Talk about it , or the actual assignment , the actual assignment , and so that's kudos to literally your parents for literally doing that , because we're witnessing that in who you are . Okay , so walk us back . You mentioned your mother passing Around . What age were you when you experienced that grief ? 18 . 18 years old .

Speaker 2 13:57

December 14th 2017 . Wow yeah , she's been sick most of my life . Get to the hospital Say your goodbye . Never that Mom go to the hospital say goodbye .

Speaker 1 14:04

Never that .

Speaker 2 14:05

Mom . Go to the hospital . We'll see you in three days . She's Jesus . Go to the hospital and then she'll resurrect , basically , but yeah , from diabetes , kidney failure , heart failure . And although , even in , even in this sorrow , there's a word she was pronounced , sorry , not pronounced . The doctor said she would be blind by 25 , dead by 30 . She lived to be 42 , although there's still a , oh my God , 42? . I don't know what the devil tried to do .

Speaker 1 14:31

Come on .

Speaker 2 14:32

But even in that it caused me to grow up . I didn't have mama's faith to lean on and that's where I got the you're not exempt , although you're covered . You're not exempt Because , truth be told , you're covered . You're not exempt Because , truth be told , you being covered can tell you oh , I'm good , they're covering me , I'm hidden . You're not hidden from it . It's just not your turn yet . So , growing up and it's funny now people ask me about high school , which of course I remember , but a lot of my life before my mother passing was a blur , or is a blur , because I feel like that's when I woke up . I feel like that's when I woke up . I feel like that's when my , my , my psalmist , woke up . Wow . I feel like that's when my intercessor , my intercessor , woke up . I feel like that's when I kind of I had my aha moment . Yeah , and it's sad that something had to be taken for that to be the case , but in all things it well .

Speaker 1 15:22

Yeah , I think so many of us can relate to having that moment of you know . We know what we're supposed to do , but we got to endure hardship .

Speaker 2 15:34

Yes , ma'am , as a good soldier . Yes , ma'am .

Speaker 1 15:36

To awaken and ignite the God in us .

Speaker 2 15:39

What's been there all along ?

Speaker 1 15:41

Which all we have . Yep , talk about it . It's all all we need . Like he's on the inside of us . We are literally made in his image yes , ma'am so it's there . Yeah , it's not for us to have to go and find and ask somebody for it .

Speaker 2 15:53

It's already talk about it you know , we don't need somebody on youtube to tell us a horoscope . Your greatness is your greatness . It's here , literally it's here yeah , but it's I put it this way something my father , who's still my pastor , yes , I rep that boldly , period . Um , yeah , something he says . He says to discover something doesn't mean to create something else and put it under there . It literally means to discover if I put something off this microphone , the microphone didn't leave yeah , you just can't see it .

Speaker 2 16:21

Yeah , so sometimes , when things are taken from us , I'm out , yeah , which is now the real growth . Yeah , because now I'm , I'm out of the shade tree , yeah , I can fully blossom to be a tree yeah so yeah were there moments like you had mentioned um having to sing at funerals while grieving yourself ?

Speaker 1 16:41

were there moments in your grief process where you was just like I'm over this , I'm over church , I'm over showing up , having to be faithful ? Did you ever feel like I just need a moment , this isn't for me ? Or were you always just like this is all I know ? You know what I mean .

Speaker 2 16:58

Yes and no .

Speaker 1 16:59

Okay .

Speaker 2 17:00

I say yes , well , I'll say no . First I said no because I really saw , not to say he's never been that , but once again it was taken from me . So now I needed that void to be filled and I found strength . To this day I can't explain how I got out of bed every day . I can't explain it . For example , god is so faithful .

Speaker 2 17:25

The following Wednesday , as my mother passed , william Murphy was in town and everybody was , you know , worshiping , just crying , crying out to God . And I was crying , but my tear was different . How many times have you been in church in in that number hands lifted ? But our , our emotions are different . I was crying . I said , lord , I need your help . I don't know how I'll get through this . I don't know how , lord and I'm pouring out , it looks like I'm oh , roman went in . No , I was desperate . That wasn't the Lord I'm worshiping . That was a question . God , what is this ? Yeah , and in that moment I literally said Lord , how can I get out of this ? And Bishop William Murphy , at that exact same time , said he'll be your strength .

Finding Strength Through Therapy

Speaker 2 18:05

No , strength like no other .

Speaker 2 18:09

And I lost it because out of that big church , the Lord spoke to me . The Lord say I've asked for you so to answer your question . No , because I had this unexplainable strength that came . But once COVID came and we were all forced to look ourself in the mirror and say , all right , I can't avoid this with work , I can't avoid this with going out . Who am I ? That's when I realized I never really met me . I was busy taking care of everyone else , which was a good distraction . But once COVID came , that's when I started therapy to realize , three years later and I'm just now starting to grieve , I'm just now starting to feel it's okay not to be okay , because even in that it's faith , saying I'm going to therapy to find another version of myself in God , instead of saying who got Bible study ? Yeah , I studied the Bible , but I don't know me , I haven't studied me yet .

Speaker 1 18:58

Yeah .

Speaker 2 18:59

So yes and no .

Speaker 1 19:01

I literally can totally agree with the role therapy has played in the Jasmine that y'all are witnessing today . Talk , because if it wasn't for me saying I need help , Yep . I don't understand it . I can't explain the feelings , the thoughts , the . I'm going to church , I have a relationship with Christ , I'm doing all the things , but it's it seems like I need some help .

Speaker 2 19:36

It's something else .

Speaker 1 19:37

It's literally there to help us .

Speaker 2 19:39

Yeah .

Speaker 1 19:41

And I think a lot of Christians , pastors , pks all of them literally can benefit from PKs . All of them , literally can benefit from utilizing the resource of a therapist . It is a doctor , yes , just like when we're sick , we go and get a checkup . There is nothing wrong with getting a mental checkup .

Speaker 2 20:06

Let this mind be in you Genuinely , genuinely .

Speaker 1 20:11

You , genuinely , genuinely , you know what I mean and I think we need to normalize that it is OK to partner Jesus with therapy . So it is . It is literally a partnership . Yeah , like this is there for our benefit .

Speaker 2 20:23

You know what I mean . It is so great because I realized for me and I'll be honest , my therapist wasn't the best . I'll be honest , yeah , but truth . But truth be told , jasmine , I didn't really need someone who was great , like what do you mean by that ? I just needed to talk to someone that didn't know me from a can of paint . I don't need to talk to uncle so-and-so . Well you . Well , you know your daddy taught you better . Well , you know your mama or mommy because you know you were . I just had to talk , yeah . So it wasn't that I need an answer , and not to say we don't need answers from therapy , but it wasn't that I was looking for this . Your problem is that wasn't my story . Yes , not to diminish anybody else's story , I just needed to talk and not be judged .

Speaker 1 21:00

No judgment , no shame , no , no guilt , because you don't know me . You don't know me from a can of paint .

Speaker 2 21:07

You don't , just don't know , you are unbiased , and that's what I needed . I don't need the church community , I just needed something the church should be and it helped .

Speaker 1 21:18

Oh , that was heavy . Yeah , the church is supposed to be unbiased . Yeah , non-judgmental Yep Place for where we literally are to take our alts one to another .

Speaker 2 21:31

Right , this is literally Bible . That's in the book .

Speaker 1 21:34

Without them condemning right . Yeah , Like you , can't cast the stone without looking inward to your own .

Speaker 2 21:41

You know what I ?

Speaker 1 21:42

mean yes , ma'am , but some kind of way in church culture which I don't understand why it continues . I don't understand why it continues , but in church culture we feel the need to judge or give the advice or tell them what they did wrong , and everything is accountability . And it's like no , I don't need you to literally judge and condemn me , I need you to pray for me . Yeah , like , because at the end of the day , if you're praying for me , let God be God .

Speaker 2 22:11

Because his word never returns void Literally . But you are avoiding what he could have done . You're getting in his way , in his name , you're getting in his way .

Speaker 1 22:21

Ah , okay , yeah , we can do this all day , literally . Let's talk about literally music .

Speaker 2 22:29

You said something calm , something easy .

Speaker 1 22:32

Something calm , but we're going to get excited and we're going to do this anyway .

Speaker 2 22:35

We will quicken Absolutely .

Speaker 1 22:36

Okay , so we have to talk about on TCC Winans .

Speaker 2 22:41

Yes

Going Viral with CeCe Winans

Speaker 2 22:42

, ma'am .

Speaker 1 22:42

Because you literally like , went viral Roman , like how many millions of views did that performance ? It was too many millions .

Speaker 2 22:54

When I went back the other week they said over 120 million views . I know you not lying 120 million views , and that aired on Pentecost Sunday .

Speaker 1 23:06

Listen , I ain't gonna hold you and you probably know this . I have been saying that somebody say works at American Idol . Listen , they have to be because your season it shifted . I felt like that's when we got more gospel singers . That was highlighted .

Speaker 2 23:24

Yes , ma'am .

Speaker 1 23:25

They allowed y'all to choose song choices . That was churchy and not like borderline , maybe gospel maybe gospel-ish , where they highlighted literally other gospel artists coming on outside of Kirk Franklin . Although we love you , unc but , you don't get more gospel-er yeah , I just made that up than Auntie Cece . You feel what I'm saying ? Walking good , like she's literally the angel of angels . Yes , here on earth . Yes , does she smell good she ? Okay here's the thing , please tell me .

Speaker 2 23:53

I've been waiting for this answer . Please tell me . She smells amazing . But I will say this Every night on the tour , when I sang Goodness of God with her , I kept getting distracted . She smells so good I'll be singing all my life . And I kept looking down . I'm sitting there . I love you , lord , and you're my God dog . You ever felt me in all my days ? That woman . Romy , you wanted to ask her who her dentist was . Listen , that is Chip Skylark for sure , because God , all that woman teeth is white .

Speaker 1 24:30

I literally White as snow . I feel like she can do no wrong , not none Like . I know . We are all sinners saved by grace , but I just feel like she's not one of them . She's exempt , she has to be .

Speaker 2 24:44

People always ask me , you know , is she really as sane as people say she is ? I say honestly , guys , no , she's not . She's even more like . I watch her no , genuinely , but it's not forced . I mean from , from random talks , or just me and her in the dressing room without the cameras . Yeah , from the us , us eating on break or whatever . Yeah , in the rehearsals , me watching her flag down a sound man just to say , hi , small stuff , smart , like her giving her entire team christmas gifts , her giving me a box of cologne . Either I stink or she . Nice , either one , I'll take it , I will take both . Woman of god , but no , like she's genuinely . I see why she's still at the top of her game and why she still has wanted it's like that's needed , rather , what did she have to give up ?

Speaker 1 25:32

like I just hear her song , that her song . Like you don't know the cost of the oil , like I feel like that literally is her testimony , because she carries such a mantle of grace and of peace and of joy , like I feel , like I know she has bad days , oh , yeah but she walks in the grace of God listen and I'm like God .

Speaker 1 25:59

I want to be able to have that level of yeah , I could just tell , like you know , I was like from faith to faith , yes , yes , I feel like she's at the , the top level . Yeah , Like she's highest level Auntie , cece , mm-hmm . Jasmine that dog . I got a ways to go Because she just you know what .

Speaker 2 26:18

I mean yeah , no , I hear you , I hear you Class of Rome .

Speaker 1 26:20

So saying all that to say for Roman Collins to be the person that she chose to tour around the world with is speaks a lot about the God in you . Wow , like Roman , literally , when you announced that you , I couldn't smile bigger because I was like I was so like cheeks hurting . Nope , because you model literally that type of life . Wow , to the umpteenth power . Wow , here in LA . Wow , where they gangbanging you will walk by , pray with them and literally Jesus will just exude you . Wow , you know what I mean ? Yeah , and so I feel like that definitely was God ordained , like that was such a God moment and I , I love that you got to experience that out of all the people .

Speaker 1 27:24

You , you deserved that moment . Wow , like you really like , really and truly like . No , you deserve that moment Cause you have been serving sowing . No , you deserve that moment because you have been serving , sewing , giving pouring , like you have been doing that for years , roman , like I have been watching you do that and so for God to do that , I feel like that was just his like preview of what's to come . Like , all right , I'm going to take this moment with Roman . I'm going to make this video go the most viral . Take this moment with roman . I'm gonna make this video go the most viral than it like a over 120 million . That who has in idol history . There's no video that has gone that has topped that nobody something you just said .

Speaker 2 28:02

I just , I just got a flashback . Do you remember ? I forgot . I don't want to cry , I just thought about this as you're saying how I deserved all the great stuff . Do you remember ? Julian took me home and you were in the car when he told me I was getting a raise to what ? $80 for every two weeks and I was like , oh my god , thank you , lord , so great and you were so happy for me . So , just to give context , I totally forgot about that until you just said how you ? Just I'm like I want to say I was like 14 , it's over 10 years ago . Yes , just to give context , I I totally forgot about that until you just said how you ? Just I'm like I want to say I was like 14 , it's over 10 years ago . Yes , just to give context , um , you were serving .

Speaker 1 28:39

Unless you want to share , you were serving , so yeah wow , I forgot about that serving at his local church for years at the youth ministry .

Speaker 1 28:48

At the youth ministry , our mutual friend , julian Godfrey , shout out to Juju , purpose of peace . Literally , we love you , juju . Literally Was like Overseeing it . Roman was like Next in charge , making sure Music , everything was running . Wow , literally A junior father , like literally the junior Right . And I had came in One day and thing was running , wow , literally a junior father right , like literally the junior right , um , and I had came in one day and julian asked me to share worth the wait . Oh , my god , lord jesus , I brought my purity movement at the time , worth the wait , um , and shared it with the youth there at the city of refuge and we were on the ride home . Oh my god , this is crazy . And even in him having that moment , that conversation , and saying , hey , this is like you're getting a raise , even though it could have been pennies on the dollar , which in today's day it actually , and it was then it's , let's just keep it , it was still not nothing .

Speaker 2 29:51

It was $80 for every two weeks and I was happy I said y'all , I done made it .

Speaker 1 29:55

I done made it . I mean happy as can be Like so genuine , so sincere . That's funny and I was like he is literally just Like his heart posture is right . I forgot about that , like you in the back seat , like I'm so happy for you .

Speaker 2 30:10

I literally was like outside of my house . I was like 14 and 15 .

Speaker 1 30:13

Yeah , yeah , as you're saying how I deserve this , I'm like because you deserve that , then wow because I saw how hard and how passionate and the God in you you know what I mean like , and how you really wanted to see these young people succeed and winning , how you really wanted to do your part in making sure that it was run Like you had . You were a visionary , you had vision . You were telling you , and Juju y'all was talking . I was like he deserved this raise . Don't make me laugh , that's funny . You're working , you know that is funny . So to see 10 plus years later , wow , I forgot about that . Jasmine , let me tell you something . I was like , oh my God , I forgot about that . So deserving , roman , thank you , absolutely deserving which then was another platform for your own music . Yeah , let's talk about the music . Yes , ma'am , how excited does it feel to have your music out there to release it , all the things .

Speaker 2 31:10

It's so great because it's been my only plan . I never had a plan B . Yeah , it's always do music . Yeah , love the Lord . Yeah , I have a lot of music out for my album , st Gosselin New Sound . I have an EP that was out . I dropped two new Christian covers recently . I got a chance to work with the legendary commission who , ruby green , introduced me to shut up .

Speaker 1 31:34

Ruby introduced you to commission .

Speaker 2 31:36

Yep , they called her because they assumed she knew me and she did , which is holding the testimony . The stuff with Maverick city , like all of it is God . But it goes back to the kid that was getting his little McDonald toys as a choir . Wow , I saw it then , but I'm seeing it now because I saw . I'm only seeing it now because I saw it then . Wow , but I'm seeing it now , yeah , because I saw . I'm only seeing it now because I saw it then on tour with cc , with lady cc , I sang one of my songs with you all things are possible .

Speaker 2 32:02

That's on . The lord gave me when I was 16 and almost every night , almost broke down because , of course , it's with you , all things are possible with you . But as I'm singing it something lord gave me eight , nine years ago I'm looking at 2 000 people singing of different nationalities with their hands lifted with you all things are possible with you . And I'm literally watching the impossible . Yeah , sing to me . Oh , that is possible .

Speaker 2 32:32

When I wrote it when I was 16 , I didn't know that you're going to be with the number one gospel-selling artist in the world , number one female gospel-selling artist same thing , whatever . I didn't know that Years later they will be singing what the Lord sang over me , roman . So I'm grateful , but my only not that you asked , but my only not that you asked is my only advice , oh yeah , to any other PKs or or worship leaders I'm sorry if I'm jumping no , please do it anyway . Don't wait to see the storm to build the ark Noah . Build anyway . They're not going to understand because they're not supposed to build anyway . They're not supposed to build any way .

Speaker 2 33:12

They're waiting , they're waiting , the world is waiting . And , jasmine you , you saw me at 14 jumping all over the place . Heck , I still do the same thing , but although I was the laughingstock , if you will now I wanted to do that exact same .

Music Journey and Compassion International

Speaker 2 33:27

Excuse me , that exact same thing . They want that fire what was overlooked and made a mockery of . Cece Winans loves Most importantly , god loves , of course , but she's also a great candidate , might I add . So don't wait on their approval to do what the Lord told you .

Speaker 1 33:46

Do it anyway .

Speaker 2 33:47

Serve anyway , worship anyway . Be you anyway , because if you try to be anybody else , your very best is still second place . Be you . Everybody else is taken . The Lord made you like this for a reason . Something I tell my students is that the creator created us to be creative . So the more creative you are , it's not that you're showing off . I'm showing how good and how much of an architect my father is , because I'm his being and I'm being fruitful . So I just feel like to say that there .

Speaker 2 34:21

For every creative . Please go forth , anyway They'll catch up . But if you wait on them , you'll never start .

Speaker 1 34:28

And God will get the last laugh . Like that's just what , like if we were to literally stop doing what we feel called to do because of trying to please people . Think about the Bible , oh my God .

Speaker 2 34:45

Would the woman with the issue of blood have gotten healed if she listened to the people , unclean or whatever ? Wouldn't I have . She would have just been a woman , wouldn't even know her name , wouldn't even know she's the woman with the issue of blood . If she was never vulnerable and having faith enough to try to get her healing , she just would have been our woman .

Speaker 1 35:02

Yeah .

Speaker 2 35:03

Because we wouldn't know her name . We don't know , we only know her by what she accomplished Jesus .

Speaker 1 35:07

Oh , my God . Okay , two things to do very quickly because I could talk to you all day . Listen , we can do this the first thing is you are an ambassador for compassion . Yeah , can you talk to us a little bit about the organization and how that experience has been for you ?

Speaker 2 35:26

god is so great . Yeah , I didn't expect to be a part of this amazing organization . I went to el salvador in 2020 . Oh , last year , 2024 so been happening .

Speaker 2 35:35

I don't know my years , even from the pandemic being a thousand years , I don't know but last year I went to El Salvador , which is also my first time out of the country . They reached out to me because they're really close with Cece , and her manager simply connected me through a text message hey , roman , you should meet so-and-so . And they asked me are you free to go to Salvador in August ? This is who we are , of course , I know Compassion International is , so I would love to go , and I saw the work they do . I went to the villages , I went to the huts , I went to the local churches and I saw how much poverty has these impoverished countries in a stronghold , in a chokehold . I saw that , but I saw how the church stood up .

Speaker 2 36:15

It's one thing to talk about it , which I'm sure you've seen . Yeah , somebody ought to do something . Yeah , instead of somebody actually doing something . Yeah , and compassion international , their entire mission is to destroy the yoke of bondage in the lives of children all over the world . Wow , because I say this all the time . It's the one thing to help out your sister , your brother , because you know if you're , they got your back , but it's another thing to help out a complete stranger . Wow , if that's not agape love , I don't know what is Come on . So Compassion International is an amazing ministry I'm proud to be a part of , yeah , where we help sponsor , where we help to get children sponsored , because now we can show them God to be provider . Absolutely . God didn't bless you for you to be on Instagram bragging . Do you really think that's the heart of God ? He blessed you to be a blessing .

Speaker 2 37:00

Yes , he gives seed to the sower he gives seed to the sower and givers never run out . Yeah , come on , I grew up just like you , seeing my parents give , give , and although they may have been done wrong , they never lacked . Yeah , because giving is literally a chain it keeps flowing .

Speaker 1 37:15

Literally keeps flowing .

Speaker 2 37:16

So through compassion , I'm able to say I partner , I partner with them . I sponsor several children .

Speaker 1 37:21

Yeah .

Speaker 2 37:21

But I help their lives get changed . If I could be very transparent , because I feel real safe here , I was talking to my dad . I said , Dad , you know I'm going to different churches talking about compassion and the kids are getting sponsored , but it's not as many as I would hope . You know , I feel like I'm not just really going there . And my dad said you're right . He said , for example , I'm just going to shout out a number . He said , although you wanted to get 50 kids sponsored that day , do you think the five are ungrateful ? He said , if you were to ask them , do you think that family would have told you yeah , you're right , Just stop .

Speaker 1 37:51

Wow , wow .

Speaker 2 37:53

Somebody is getting their life changed yeah , Although it's not the biggest , biggest and truest like I want it to be which it will be one day . Jesus name , Absolutely . How dare I say ? Nothing's happening . And someone knows where they're going to eat yeah . Someone knows what they can do this week . Someone knows that they can afford school yeah . So Compassion International is an amazing organization that I shout proudly . I get to be a part of and help change the lives of children through jesus , I love that and honestly , I have sponsored children child because I ain't got no chance .

Speaker 1 38:28

I feel like , why not ? You feel I'm saying even if I had some kids I probably still would . But it is so amazing , amazing opportunity . You can literally write to the children , you literally can communicate with them , and I want you to know that we here at the PK Pod , we are supportive of this initiative .

Speaker 2 38:45

Thank you .

Speaker 1 38:46

And we want to support our friends . We want to support children all around the world , so tell us how can we be a part of this initiative to anybody listening that is interested in sponsoring a child .

Speaker 2 38:58

It's simple . All you got to do is text 83393 . That's the contact , of course , in the chat box , just put Roman , r-o-m-a-n . They'll send you a link . Put your credit card information in and you just changed your life .

Speaker 2 39:10

Wow , I tell people all the time I'm grateful because through compassion , I get to lead worship . Grateful because through compassion , I get to lead worship . Oh , you get to sing . No , I get to lead a life of worship . Wow , leading worship isn't singing . You deserve it . On Sunday morning , with the audience , this is me literally leading them in a life of worship and sacrificing for the greater good . If that's not worshiping God by helping his children that you don't even know , what do you find worship , as People say ? Oh my God , worship was amazing , yeah , no , that song was amazing . Yeah , but what did you do when you left the church doors ? Wow , not just did you keep singing Good Good Father , did you sing about the goodness of God or did you spread the love of that goodness of God ? Yeah , I'm sorry , did you spread the goodness of God ? Yeah , so , yeah , I love compassion , but it's that simple . Simply text 83393 . And then in the chat box , my name R-O-M-A-N . The rest is easy .

Speaker 1 39:59

Friends , let's do that . Let's do our part . Like he said you will not run out . Givers , do not run out .

Speaker 2 40:07

Never .

Speaker 1 40:07

Like , your supply is literally limitless . So let's do our part and let's literally let's make it an initiative . I feel like we can do some type of social media contest , like , if you're supporting it literally , if you're supporting Roman , if you're supporting the lives of these children and you're saying I'm sponsoring it , put it in the chat , share it on your social media Tag Roman , tag the PK pod . Let us know that you literally are committed to the cause , in seeing the lives of these children literally change for the better . So we're so grateful , roman . Thank you so much for stopping by the PK pod . Before you leave , I want you to tell us your top five worship leaders , like that , just without thinking , just top five who come to mind , like who we got listening to .

Speaker 2 40:57

Miranda Curtis . Ooh , good one , that woman is Oily . She is the sort Benita Jones . I'm sorry , I like that . Wait , I'm sorry , I'm starting over . I'm starting over . I'm starting over Number one , dr Judith McAllister , sorry .

Speaker 1 41:12

Because , la , Because the queen Because sorry , because la , because because the queen , because the blueprint .

Speaker 2 41:19

Okay , sorry , okay , start there , dr judith mccallister , of course , miranda curtis said that miranda curtis , miranda curtis I got to say this . I have to daniel johnson because we don't talk enough about daniel johnson . I'm sorry , big brother , daniel johnson , yes , the daniel johnson have to . Daniel Johnson , yes , the Daniel Johnson have to . That's a good one . Who else ?

Speaker 1 41:39

That's such a loaded question yes . Benita Jones oh , that's four , that's four .

Speaker 2 41:43

One more Dr J Miranda Curtis , daniel Johnson , jasmine Edwards .

Speaker 1 41:49

I'm going to pop him . I had to . I am literally going to reach over . I had to . I'm a wrench over .

Speaker 2 41:55

Nah , the

Roman's Favorite Worship Leaders

Speaker 2 41:56

devil is a lie . I remember . I remember Talk about it . Tell them I remember .

Speaker 1 42:00

Because y'all my friends , basically I released this song called Nah Nah , nah Nah Nah the Devil is a Lie back in the early 2000s . I remember and yeah , you're welcome , yes , it's my testimony in music form . It was therapy for me . I literally was sharing with ruby green on a separate episode that literally she inspired me to write and release it . Oh what ? Because ruby got bops . Ruby got bops . Yes , hearing gospel music from that pov encouraged me to do it in that way and not like Auntie Cece .

Speaker 2 42:38

Cousin .

Speaker 1 42:38

Kiki , you know what I mean . It's a safe city girl , it's a safe city girl . It's not what I was going to say . Roman , it is what it is . Safe city girl is crazy . But we up Safe city girl , ain't it good ? Woo , that's good to me . I tried my best . Roman , you got to come back .

Speaker 2 42:55

Anytime .

Speaker 1 42:55

You got to come back because we could do this all day . Thank you so much for coming by the PK pod . I want you to give the people your social media handles for us to follow . You stay in contact For all things , Roman .

Speaker 2 43:08

Simple Roman Collins official . Roman Collins official , and guess what ? Roman Collins official .

Speaker 1 43:13

That's it . Thank you so much , Roman .

Speaker 2 43:16

Of course . Thank you for having me .

Speaker 1 43:17

Until next time , friends . Click , subscribe , follow and all those things . We'll see you next time , friends , if you enjoyed today's episode , we would love for you to stay connected with us on Instagram and TikTok by following us at the PK pod . We share clips and behind the scenes from episodes like today , where you can continue in the conversation . We would love for you guys to be a part of our community by following us at the PK pod . Until next time , family , have an amazing day .