Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff

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Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff
Background information
Birth name	Cindy Cruse
Genre(s)	Gospel, Christian
Occupation(s)	Lakewood Church Director of Music and Worship, Singer, Songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Label(s)	Lakewood Music
Website	www.lakewood.cc

Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff is a singer-songwriter who serves as Director of Music and Worship at the largest and fastest growing church in the United States, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas ^[1].

[edit] Biography

Cruse began ministering at the age of six alongside her family, The Cruse Family, a well-known evangelistic musical group ^[2]. The group, popular throughout much of the 1970s and early 1980s, traveled and ministered all across the world ^[3]. They released 25 albums and received two Dove Awards ^[4].

While Cruse said she always had a heart for music ministry, she would not become involved with worship music herself until later in life ^[5].

At the age of nine, she became the youngest licensed ASCAP songwriter ^[6]. Since that time, she has written for and produced more than 100 album recordings ^[7].

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Cruse recorded two Christian album-oriented rock/melodic rock albums entitled "The Edge" and "Small Town Girl." Fellow Christian Contemporary Music artist and former husband Tim Miner served as executive producer for "Small Town Girl." Cruse has since remarried.

From 1997 to 1998, she traveled with Revival Ministries International leading worship for evangelistic crusades in the United States and abroad^[8]. In late 1998, she moved to Covenant Church in Carrollton, Texas , serving as one of three worship leaders^[9].

In January 2000, she received a phone call from Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen, who offered her the opportunity to become the church's worship director ^[10]. She was Osteen's first hire when he became the new pastor of Lakewood ^[11]. While Cruse said she and her husband did not initially feel drawn to the church, they quickly fell in love with the people and moved to Houston ^[12].

Nearly nine months after her arrival, Lakewood added an additional service on Saturday nights to keep up with the church's rapid growth ^[13].

Today, Cruse leads weekend worship services at Lakewood Church alongside Steve Crawford and Da'dra Crawford Greathouse, former members of the Contemporary Christian music duo Anointed. They are also frequently joined by Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Israel Houghton, who also serves as one of the church's worship leaders.

Cruse is married to Marcus Ratcliff, whom she met while working at Covenant Church ^[14]. The two have a son named Windsor.

Cruse is the daughter of Joe and Nancy Cruse^[15], who have been pastors for more than 50 years^[16], and is one of five children ^[17]. Her siblings, Jane Cruse Bearden, Dr. John Cruse, Joe Cruse III and Karen Cruse Adams^[18] are all involved in full-time ministry^[19].

[edit] Discography

Compilations

• "Agnus Dei" from When Women Worship (Miami Life Sounds, 2007)
• "Always Welcome" from When Women Worship (Miami Life Sounds, 2007)
• "Great Grace" from When Women Worship (Miami Life Sounds, 2007)
• "I Open My Heart" from When Women Worship (Miami Life Sounds, 2007)
• "Thirst For You" from When Women Worship (Miami Life Sounds, 2007)
• "When I Find Him" from When Women Worship (Miami Life Sounds, 2007)
• "I Will Sing of Your Love" from Amazing God (Maranatha, 2003)
• "Lord I Seek You" from Amazing God (Maranatha, 2003)
• "I Lift Up My Hands" from New Season (Integrity, 2001)
• "Even Now" from John Jacobs and the Power Team (Frontline, 1990)

[edit] Notes