Nicole C. Mullen: Choosing What’s Right in Every Season
BROKENESS AND PAIN
Growing up, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nicole remembers her life being drama free until she married at the age of 20. After she graduated from Bible school in Dallas, Texas she met a man who she found charming but ignored the red flags. Before their wedding day, the physical violence had already started in their relationship. She forgave him and disregarded her mom’s discernment about this man. After they married, the abuse continued, and there would come a time that she would pray that she would die. When she realized that she could end up in an early grave, she knew it was time to face her fear and make a change. The marriage lasted three years and ended with a late-night escape where she slept in her car and hid in the home of loved ones. She is thankful that God sent her godly sisters during this time to encourage her through such a difficult time. The internal wounds from the abuse left her vulnerable. She committed to love again, and God blessed her with three children, but the marriage ended after two decades due to betrayal. “The more unfaithfulness I experienced, the more I witnessed the faithfulness of God during my night season,” reveals Nicole. She is thankful God has redeemed her poor choices and brought glory to Himself and goodness to her through even some of life’s most difficult situations.
FAITHFUL MENTORS
Nicole shares lessons she has learned from some heroes and sheroes in the faith whose godly decisions gave her the strength to do the right thing during difficult seasons of her life. These heroes and sheroes are biblical, historical, and contemporary mentors who have shaped her character over the past few decades. They include:
• Abigail –In the Bible, Nabal was very wealthy and could afford anything he wanted. David had volunteered to protect his sheep and shepherds. One day, David sent ten of his men to Nabal to ask for provisions because they were hungry. Nabal harshly dismissed the request with a definite, “No!” David was planning to seek retribution against Nabal (Abigail’s husband) and his household for his wicked actions. Upset with her husband’s response Abigail quickly gathered two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, a hundred cakes of raisins and more. Then loaded it all on donkeys and went with the supplies to see David. When she confronted David, she bowed before him and acknowledged the wrong actions of her husband. She also prophesied to David about God’s plans for his future. David accepted her offerings and sent her home in peace. Ten days later, Nabal died and David soon after married Abigail. Her clearheaded decisions affected her finances and resources. Nicole shares, “The way Abigail handled a tough relationship with wisdom and urgency gave me strength during my domestic violence season. Her example of grace under pressure, fed my heart and imagination and gave me insight that helps me to this day.” She chose to forgive her abusive ex-husband and like Abigail, she desired God’s justice over revenge. Years later, her ex-husband passed away and Nicole was able to pray for comfort and peace for his new wife and family.
• Nicole’s mom – “Some of my favorite heroes and sheroes have never worn a cape, but they deserve one. One of those people is certainly my mom,” shares Nicole. She married at 16 and by the time she was 21 she had two small children and one on the way. She loved Jesus and taught her children to do the same. Her grocery budget was tight, but she could stretch a dime and make it feel like ten dollars. She set the tone for their home. Each morning, she made her kids a hot breakfast, but before they ate their family gathered in the living room to study the Word and talk to the Lord. Before they would leave the house, her mom would pray protection and God’s favor over each one of her kids. After Nicole and her siblings became teenagers, her mom went back to work and her earnings allowed Nicole to attend Bible school in Texas. Her mom eventually became a chaplain and currently ministers to younger women and widows. When Nicole became a mom, she tried to be intentional with a similar morning routine for her kids. In the morning, she would play praise music, share passages of scripture, and pray blessings over her kids as her parents had done for her.
• Elizabeth “Bett” Freeman – Bett was born into slavery during the American revolution. At thirty-six years old, she became the first African American woman to be set free from slavery under the Massachusetts State Constitution. “Sometimes we must be the catalyst for change. Freedom for us can lead to freedom for many others whom we have never met,” shares Nicole. In her own life she admits, “There are some things and opportunities that probably had my name on them, but I was either out of place, or I was too afraid to assert myself or even petition.” Thankfully, God still worked those things together for His good because Nicole loved Him. She credits her successes to coming into agreement with God’s divine plan. Nicole played Elizabeth “Bett” Freeman in a docudrama called The American Miracle which released earlier this year.
As you seek to make godly decisions for yourself, Nicole encourages you to (1) develop a relationship with Christ and (2) be obedient to His Word.
GROWING UP
When Nicole was twelve her dad prayed a blessing over her. He asked the Lord to, “Bless Nicole in her musical pursuits, including songwriting, and that God would take her around the world singing to Him.” Her dad’s words served as an inspiration and a guide. Another lady in her church, Sister Dottie, also prayed over her. She said, “God is going to take you around the world singing for Him and He will give you songs in the night.” Nicole realized later in life that “songs in the night” referred to the dark valleys of her life. Twenty-one years later Nicole’s first songs of the night were released to the public which included: Redeemer, Call on Jesus, On My Knees and more.
NICOLE’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nicole has been recognized with two Grammy® Award nominations and nine Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including two Female Vocalist of the Year honors, Song of Year for Redeemer, and On My Knees, the Urban Album of the Year for Everyday People, Contemporary Song of the Year for Call on Jesus, and the first African American female to win Songwriter of the Year for Redeemer. The song Redeemer was released to the public in the year 2000. Nicole started as a background singer for Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Cece Winans, and The Newsboys. In the past, she frequented the stages of Dr. Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, and Women of Faith events. Nicole is a sought-after speaker who travels the world, proclaiming the truth of Scripture and the power of God to bring healing and wholeness to our lives. “I want people to be healed, released, empowered, and encouraged. I want them to see the power of redemption and the relevancy of the Scriptures in our everyday living. I want to explore every avenue available to express this truth.” Nicole was featured in a 2025 film titled The American Miracle based on the best seller written by Michael Medved.
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CREDITS
Singer/Songwriter; Two Grammy Award nominations; Nine Dove Award winner including two Female Vocalist of the Year honors, Song of the Year (Redeemer and On My Knees), Urban Album of the Year (Everyday People), Contemporary Song of the Year (Call on Jesus); First African American to win Songwriter of the Year (Redeemer); featured in a 2025 film released earlier this year titled The American Miracle; Sought-after speaker and singer; Three grown children, one daughter in love and one grandson
