Answer: Yes
Disclaimer: It is not our role to determine whether or not somebody is a Christian. We just use our discernment based on the evidence we have found on the internet to come to a likely or best-guess answer. Our answers do not actually determine who is or is not a Christian and it is ultimately between the person and God. Not us.
Lead vocalist of the defunct “The Judds” and American country music artist, Wynonna Judd is an American entertainer born in May 1964 to Charles Jordan and Noami Judd formerly known as Diana. After her mom’s separation from her biological Dad Charles Jordan and marriage to Michael Ciminella, she was named Christiana Ciminella and was blessed with a half-sister, Ashley from the union between her mom and Mr. Ciminella. However, this didn’t last long as the couple got divorced and Wynonna and her sister were raised by their single mom, and the family name was changed to “Judds.”
Wynonna rose to fame in the 1980s as a part of the country music duo “The Judds” which she formed with her late mom Naomi. They were signed to RCA Records in 1983 and released many chart-topping albums and singles. The Judds were the biggest selling artist in the 80s after being able to sell over 20 million records globally and bagging over 60 music awards.
Wynonna’s solo career began in 1992 after Naomi Judd was diagnosed with Chronic Hepatitis C and was forced to retire. Wynonna is one of the most globally recognized and awarded country music artists and has released an impressive number of hit albums and singles as a solo artiste with the most recent “Wynonna and the Big Noise ” being released in 2016.
Wynonna has also been featured in several television series and films. She lent her voice to the cartoon “The Magic School Bus” as the rock star “Molly Cule” in the cartoon, she starred as a guest singer in “Touched by an Angel” and many more. The country music star has a well-decorated award shelf as she has received numerous accolades as a member of “The Judds” and as a solo artist. Her awards include but are not limited to; a total of nine Grammy Awards, GMA Dove Awards, Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
Wynonna has also been in the headlines for religious reasons because of her public expression of faith and beliefs. This article will address the question of Wynonna Judd’s status as a Christian.
Is Wynonna Judd Religious?
Wynonna has been very outspoken about her faith and upholds Christian religious beliefs. However, what we can’t say is if the country music star is religious or not. Before we go further let’s briefly look at what it means to be a religious person.
Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems often related to the worship of a supernatural being. A religious person is someone that fulfills these beliefs and practices. Religious people are devoted to public worship and are conscious of every detail of their religious practices.
We’re not certain if Wynonna Judd considers herself religious but the music star believes in Christianity and upholds the principles of the religion. She has publicly declared that she is a believer and most of her songs contain religious influences.
Does Wynonna Judd believe in God?
As someone that upholds Christian beliefs, Judd believes in God and has shown it severally. She has stated that her belief in God and faith is what keeps her going through the dark days. While previewing her song “Jesus and the Jukebox” in a 2015 interview with Jubilee Cast she made some revelations about her faith and belief. In her words:
“I am a child of God, not just a chick singer. I’m just a believer in being authentic. I’m humble, I’m broken and God uses the broken-hearted. I have a newfound passion for what it is God gave me the gift to do, and it’s all because of my husband,”
In a 2022 star-studded show, “Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration” in tribute to her late mum, when asked what her next step will be after the unexpected death of her mother whom they were supposed to have a music tour together with, Wynonna said:
“I just want to keep going and make them sweat. No, I want to be spontaneous, because the God I believe in is Pentecostal! I will continue to sing. I made a decision, and I decided to share it on national television. After a lot of thought, I am gonna have to honor her and do this tour, because that is what you would want”
Apart from publicly talking about her faith in God, Wynonna also incorporates these beliefs in her songs. She has musically expressed her faith and belief in God. In one of her songs “Things that I Lean On” the country musician shares the things she leaned on in various phases and situations of her life and it included the grace of God. Below are some lines from the song:
“Psalm 23 When I’m scared to death
A sleeping pill and my mind won’t rest
A little BB King when the thrill is gone
These are the things that I lean on
God’s grace when I’m looking at a dangerous path
12 steps when I need to find my way back
My nana’s voice on the telephone
These are the things that I lean on”
Is Wynonna Judd a Christian?
The Grammy-winning country music singer has always been proud of her Christian faith and outrightly expresses them in her songs and interviews. Her mum Noami, before her death had told a fan that she is a super believer and a proud member of the Pentecostal faith. Wynonna recently said that her “God is Pentecostal” which implies that she could be a member of the Pentecostal Church.
Wynonna values her faith as much as she values her career. Apart from the fact that she embeds Christian imagery in some of her songs, Wynonna is also very vocal about the Christian faith. She told the media that before her mom passed on last year, Noami had called her and her sister Ashley together to discuss and pray and they said Psalm 23 together. The well-known Bible chapter says;
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…….”
While previewing one of her songs in an interview with Jubilee Cast, she made some revelations about her Christian faith. Wynonna said, “I am a child of God, not just a chick singer.”
In an old Youtube video uploaded by “romabriere,” Wynonna was seen in a church in Venice, Italy with a small group of backup singers making a powerful rendition of a popular and loved Christian hymn “How Great Thou Art.” Modestly dressed Judd portrayed a high level of spirituality backed with hard-hitting vocals, emotions, and passion.
Wynonna dedicated one of her albums to Christmas songs and has released songs with deep Christian messages. An example is “I Know Where I’m Going” by The Judds. Below are some lines from the song:
“I know where I’m goin’
Don’t you wanna come too?
I know my destination
It’s a-waiting for me
I got no hesitation
That’s where I want to be
And by the time the sun comes up
I’ll be drinking’ from a lovin’ cup
I know where I’m goin’
Don’t you wanna come too?
Don’t you wanna come?
Don’t you wanna ride?
Don’t you wanna be there by my side?
Hand in hand holding on to
Sweet salvation that is waiting for me and you”
Is Wynonna Judd Baptized?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, baptism is simply a Christian religious rite of sprinkling water on the forehead or completely immersing a person in water. This act symbolizes the end of an old life, the purification of sin, and the beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus.
For some Christian denominations, baptism is sacrosanct and must be adhered to before full acceptance into the Christian fold. Wynonna has subtly revealed she is a Pentecostal Christian which means that she might be baptized into the Pentecostal Church.
What did Wynonna Judd say about Jesus Christ?
As someone who upholds Christian principles, Wynonna Judd believes in Jesus Christ and has reverenced him severally in her songs and speeches. An instance was at her late mum’s tribute show while discussing how life has been since her mum’s death, she said,
“It’s the Holy Spirit thing for me, I feel the Lord, and I feel joy and I feel sorrow all at the same time.”
Conclusion
The Judds have always been outspoken about their faith and Wynonna has not been an exception. The country music artist has not been ashamed of showing up as a Christian and expressing herself and is currently married to Scoty Moser. Wynonna describes her singing talent as a gift from God and some of her songs are usually incorporated with Christian symbolism. Judd has been identified as a Pentecostal Christian and after a close analysis, we consider the music star a Christian.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!