Kelly Rowland, BeyoncÈ Knowles and Michelle Williams—collectively known as Destiny’s Child—have rocked the world with sizzling music, energetic dancing and attention-grabbing clothing ensembles often characterized by the phrase, "less is more."

  Chart-topping singles, sold-out concerts and television appearances are commonplace activities for these ladies. Their hair, clothes and jewelry determine fashion trends. Their musical themes sway moral attitudes.

    All three say that they are Christians andthat they pray and read their Bibles together on tour, often opting not to attend various parties. For many young girls, they are role models. For many Christian mothers, they bring mixed emotions.

    Attempting to reconcile the imaging of Destiny’s Child with Christian beliefs makes many people uncomfortable. While God judges the heart, man can only judge appearances and actions.

    This has been a busy year for Destiny's Child. "Say My Name" earned them two Grammys last February. Their third album, Survivor, topped the charts when it was released in May and spawned the hits "Survivor" and "Bootylicious." 
    Their Yule-themed 8 Days of Christmas came out in October and they also contributed vocals to the all-star charity remake of the Marvin Gaye classic "What's Going On?" and participated in the United We Stand: What More Can I Give? concert in Washington, D.C., both of which benefited September 11 relief efforts.

    The group was just nominated for 2 more Grammy Awards for this month's ceremony for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - "Survivor" and Best R&B Album - "Survivor."

    At the Stellar Awards, held in Atlanta on January 17, Michelle joined gospel music legend Pastor Shirley Caesar performing their tradition meets contemporary rendition of the old Negro Spiritual " Still Away Jesus" a selection from Shirley Caesar's current CD, Hymns. 
    Michelle Williams joined her girl pals, Destiny's Child and performed a medley of spiritual songs from their triple platinum Survivor CD. The medley included Total Praise, Jesus Loves Me, You've Been So Good; and Now Behold the Lamb, co-written by Kirk Franklin, Richard Smallwood and Beyonce Knowles.

    Recently, when the group members announced that they would each produce solo projects, Michelle Williams chose to record a Gospel album. She explains, "Gospel has always been in me."

    Q: Did you grow up attending church?

    Williams: Yes. I grew up in Rockford, IL and went to St. Paul Church Of God in Christ. I live in Houston now and I attend Williams Temple Church Of God in Christ.

    Q: How did you find your way to Destiny’s Child?

    Williams: I was 17, a sophomore in my second semester in college. A friend of mine who I hadn’t talked to in years was playing for Monica. He just happened to call out of the blue and was like, "You know, I’m playing for Monica? So what are you doing?" 
    I told him, "Nothing. But if Monica needs a background vocal, give me a call!" I was just playing around but he called me like a week later and said she was having auditions in Atlanta and to get there. I got there and I auditioned and got the part.

    I met Destiny’s Child when they did a show with us—opening for Monica. I stopped singing with Monica when her tour ended and when Destiny’s Child was looking for a new member. My choreographer (who danced for Monica and is now Destiny’s Child choreographer) told the girls that he knew of someone who could sing. I went to the audition and sang for the girls and that’s how I got in Destiny’s Child.

    Q: The Church Of God in Christ denomination is very different from the imaging of Destiny’s Child. How do you handle that? Did you talk to your pastor about being in Destiny’s Child?

    Williams: I talked to my pastor. He is supportive and keeps me in prayer. I know we sing R&B, but we don’t promote premarital sex, drugs and alcohol or do those things. I’m here to help change the world—not have the world change me.

    Q: Why you are doing a Gospel project?    

    Williams: I’ve been singing in church all my life. When I got in Destiny’s Child I was still singing in church. Gospel has always been in me. I’m known as the "church girl" in the group. A lot of people know I come from church. I guess my personality and style of singing is very churchy. A Gospel record wasn’t a question. It was something I wanted to do.

    Q: What do you hope to achieve with this Gospel CD?

    Williams: I would love to just let God truly have his way. If I sell a lot of copies I’m happy but I just want to reach somebody.

    Q: What do you believe is your purpose?

    Williams: Right now there are so many things going on, and young people don’t have a lot of people to look up to. I want to be an encouragement to people and let them know that their dreams can come true. I’ve always been prayerful. Every move that I’ve made, God has been there. I guess it’s to encourage people because God is soon to come. It’s my purpose to tell people that don’t know Him to get to know Him and that He can change people’s life.

    Q: People look at a lot of the revealing outfits that Destiny’s Child wears. A lot of people ask, ‘How are you as Christians going to witness with these tiny little outfits on?’

    Williams: Lots of times, as far as the outfits of the group are concerned, I’ve been kind of covered up. That’s been by choice. Even when I was in the church I hardly ever wore a pair of shorts. In the blazing summer I always wanted to put on some jeans and cover my legs. When I got in the group my manager knew our style was sort of uncomfortable for me. He knows that and he does try to abide by that. I’m still saved and there’s nobody in this world who can judge me and tell me anything otherwise.

    Q: How do you keep the balance in your spiritual life?

    Williams: BeyoncÈ, Kelly and I go to church every Sunday that we can. We read our Bibles lots of times instead of going to a party. We get on our tour bus and have church in the back of the bus. We surround ourselves with Christians and people who are Spirit-filled.

    We trust God and He still speaks to us. We know that He does. I can’t let anybody tell me that because I’m in Destiny’s Child I’m not saved. We never know why we’re placed in this area or why I was placed in this group.

    I do know that I probably will get some negative feedback from people, but I can’t let them discourage me and try to tell me I’m not a Christian and I’m not saved because they’re not God. I know what God has done in my life and I know that God is still with me and He still loves me. I’m here to testify about that. We feel God’s presence. I still feel His spirit and His anointing on my life. I can’t go far from that.

    Q: Do you get to listen to much Gospel music? Who are your favorite artists?

    Williams: I love the Clark Sisters, The Winans, Commissioned, Men of Standard. Yolanda Adams has truly been a blessing. I love Kurt Carr and Kim Burrell.

    Q: Tell me about your family?

    Williams: My family are basically my best friends. I have an older brother Darren, who’s in Chicago. My older sister Tamara is 24 and my younger sister, Danielle is 10. My family is very musical. My uncle is my pastor and my cousin was a choir director.

    Q: Are you excited or are you like ‘This is hard work and I need a break?’

    Williams: I’m still excited, and it is a lot of hard work! The thing is, you have to love it because if you don’t love your job, no matter what it is you do, you won’t be happy and you’ll quit.

    Q: Do you get a chance to talk to other people your age and encourage them?

    Williams: Yes. I take time out to go speak to youth organizations because I haven’t forgotten where I’ve come from. I know there was a time when I needed it—and I still need it. There was a time when I was growing up and wanted a peer or maybe someone a little older who was still hip.

    Q: Did you go to college?

    Williams: Yes. I went to college for two years at Illinois State University. I majored in criminal justice and my minor was sociology. I wanted to go into forensic psychology, or maybe be a detective or in the FBI or the Secret Service.

    Q: If you had a chance to take a month off what would you do?

    Williams: I would go home to Rockford and spend time with my family.

    Q: How would you describe your personality?

    Williams: I’m an outgoing and funny person. I’m a good friend and listener. I’m always praying—but people don’t know I’m praying—and I’m praying for them. People may think I’m just patting them on the back but I’m like just saying a little prayer for them. I don’t need a lot of things or ask for much. I’m happy with God and what He’s blessed me with right now.

    Q: After Destiny’s Child, what are your career goals?

    Williams: I would like to have my own multi-million dollar gospel label and studio for gospel artists.

    Q: Do you have a boyfriend?``

   Williams: No. Not right now. A career driven man will get his career going, go to school, make his money, and then he’ll get a woman. Sisters [should] do the same.

    Q: So what kind of man would be the ideal guy for you?

    Williams: He’s gotta know who he is and be successful in his own way. To me success is nothing if you’re not happy. I’m not saying I need to marry a multi- millionaire...I mean that will be nice (laughs), but that’s not everything that I’m looking for.