We love worshipping with Anthony at the Going Beyond Live events that his sister, Priscilla Shirer, teaches at, so we asked him some fun behind-the-scenes questions about the event. Keep reading to learn more!
Anthony, you lead worship at the Going Beyond events that your sister, Priscilla Shirer, teaches at. How has this been a special ministry for the two of you to get to do together?
Leading worship is a privilege in and of itself, but leading worship alongside your sibling is a whole different thing. As those of us who have siblings know, there’s an intangible connection you have with your sibling, and to be able to utilize that with our different skill sets in the same room with a group of people is just a privilege to be able to do.
And on another level, it’s been a special experience for us in watching God be faithful not only to us but also to our parents and to our grandparents because this started with our grandparents praying that their kids would serve the Lord and our parents praying that their kids would serve the Lord. So I’ve been able to watch the faithfulness of God in our family. It’s really a beautiful thing that I don’t take for granted at all. I love being able to do Going Beyond events with my sister. What a privilege.
What do you do to prepare for each Going Beyond event?
There are a lot of nuances and details, obviously, on the logistics side of making sure the songs are good, the band is good, the singers are good—all those things so that we present excellence because I’m really big into excellence. But obviously, I’m just as big or bigger into the ministry side of things being good—my heart being right and not being so much about the minutia and that it’s a technically great experience rather than a heart experience.
I want to make sure that on my heart side, I’m preparing for excellence in my heart. I try to quiet myself before the Lord and ask Him to move in the way He would see fit. I ask the Lord to really move as I quiet myself, and then I kind of go into autopilot as it relates to the logistics and the technical side of things so I am focusing more on connecting and experiencing the Lord in the room. That is what I do to prepare for Going Beyond events.
Do you have a memorable moment from a Going Beyond event, and/or a memorable conversation/interaction with an attendee?
Oh, I have many memorable moments from Going Beyond events. I think in general, hearing stories of what a song or a worship experience did or what God did in somebody’s life at a Going Beyond or how a specific calling started at a Going Beyond are particularly memorable moments because to be in any part of God moving in somebody’s life is so special—that He would see fit to make me or my sister a part of that because He doesn’t have to. He can do what he wants without us.
What is your main hope for people who attend a Going Beyond event?
My main hope for people who come to Going Beyond is that they know that when they leave the room, there is a ripple effect that happens outside of the room. Going Beyond is not an event for just “event’s sake.” I know my sister would say that we’re not just doing an event to make people feel good and then being like, OK bye! It is, What are you taking from this room to implement into your life outside of this room? There is an effect not only on you but everybody who’s in your direct sphere of influence. That is my hope—that there is an impact felt long beyond the Going Beyond event concluding. That’s my desire.
Join Anthony at a Going Beyond Live Event this year or join from right where you are with the Going Beyond Simulcast on August 26, 2023.
Growing up in a family of accomplished speakers and authors: father, Dr. Tony Evans, and siblings, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, and Jonathan Evans; Anthony chose to be a worship leader, singer and producer. In a music industry with pre-defined sounds, Anthony decided to make his own path with his unique genre crossing, one-of-a-kind style. As the son of a world-renowned pastor, Anthony left the comforts of Dallas, Texas, (and the Bible-belt) and took his talent and entrepreneurial abilities to Los Angeles. For more than two decades, his career has been about breaking down walls and taking unexpected routes to bring his faith and influence and impact outside of the church walls.
This impact includes 10 solo records, two of which hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album charts, Vocal production for TV/Film, record production, acting, songwriting, talent production, a starring role in Disney’s Hollywood Bowl Production of Beauty and the Beast, and a spot on the hit TV show, The Voice. In addition to all of these endeavors, Anthony has written or co-written three books, the latest—When Faith Meets Therapy, with psychotherapist Stacy Kaiser. This project addresses the intersection of his faith with the practicality of psychotherapy.
In whatever he accomplishes, Anthony’s desire is to share his life and authentic faith with transparency and honesty: “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
