Long before releasing his new single "Yes Lord, Yes," Marcus McFarlin - widely known as "Elder Mac" - had already built a reputation as one of Gospel music's most passionate and multifaceted voices. Whether preaching behind the pulpit, leading worship from the drum set, writing songs for some of Gospel's biggest artists, or overcoming a devastating vocal cord condition that once threatened his ability to sing permanently, McFarlin's ministry has consistently been marked by resilience, surrender, and unwavering faith. But his latest season has been among the most difficult and transformative of his life.
Following the unexpected passing of his father, Pastor Samuel McFarlin, the award-winning worship leader found himself navigating grief, isolation, and the weight of stepping into greater ministry responsibility - a journey that ultimately inspired the deeply personal declaration behind "Yes Lord, Yes." In this conversation, Marcus opens up about obedience in painful seasons, the lessons he learned through loss, how God restored both his voice and calling, and why saying "yes" to God can sometimes come at the greatest personal cost.
Q: Your new single "Yes Lord, Yes" comes from an intensely personal season following the passing of your father, Pastor Samuel McFarlin. How did grief, obedience, and stepping into greater ministry responsibility shape both the message and emotional delivery of this song?
Interestingly, this season of my life actually felt very familiar. Like many other times when we're faced with life's obstacles, if we really think about it, everything before that moment in some way or another prepared us. One thing that my parents always taught my brother and me, above all else, was to do the will of God and to seek His voice in EVERYTHING that we do. Furthermore, they'd add, "Even if WE (the parents) don't fully understand. You have to hear God for yourself, regardless of what others may think or say." As much wisdom as my father shared with me over my lifetime, I'll never forget what he said in his last days. He told me, "Son, this life (leading in the body of Christ) is one of the loneliest roads you can be on. But it's also the most rewarding." That resonated with me on a different level. The heart-filled emotional delivery you hear in this song is a direct reflection of the confidence that I had in God's instruction to me, despite the chilling loneliness I felt as I tried my best to navigate every decision with boldness and integrity.
Q: You've shared that you initially did not want to accept the role of Assistant Pastor, yet you felt God calling you to say "yes" anyway. What did that process teach you about surrendering your own plans to God's direction?
Experience has taught me that every time I've obeyed God against my own desires, sooner or later He ALWAYS proves that His plan is flawless. Like, Wow! He had THIS outcome in mind the whole time (smh)! Saying "yes" to God, even against my own plans, has increased my faith.
There's a comfort in knowing that even though nothing is making sense right now, my "yes" to God brings a peace that keeps me centered. Don't get it twisted...every "yes" ain't a fun one to give to the Lord (lol). So when I'm faced with a situation that's not pleasing, I'll frequently ask God, "Ok...what am I supposed to be learning from this? What are you trying to prepare me for?" Those are the times that really show me if I truly trust God's plan or if I'm just in a hurry to execute mine.
Q: In 2014, you faced a serious vocal cord condition that threatened your ability to sing permanently. Looking back now, how has that experience changed the way you approach worship, ministry, and your calling as an artist?
It changed everything. I had to undergo a total of 21 days of silence. My doctor's prescription was no singing, speaking, whispering, laughing, or coughing. Just SILENCE! That was a whole lesson in itself. Not being dependent on my gift to be vocal to God, but to exercise other ways to show God how I love him. It changed the way I appreciated my instrument. I wasn't nearly drinking the amount of water and resting my voice the way that I should've been. It even changed the way I laughed, cleared my throat, and even my speaking volume.
Not in a negative way. Just in a way that was more beneficial for vocal longevity and performance. As an artist, I place much greater importance on vocal load management and live audio mixing. I make sure that I warm up before singing and rest my voice as needed. Looking back, I realized that even in that experience, God had to teach me how to manage my gift in secret so that I could sustain when He used it in the forefront.
Q: Many people know you not only as a vocalist but also as a preacher, drummer, songwriter, and worship leader. How do those different gifts influence the way you create and lead worship music today?
As a musician, I often hear in my head where I want to go musically before I get there. Leading worship is always exciting for me because I'm not locked into a production that limits the move of God. As a songwriter, I value lyrics that say things we've heard 100 times but delivered creatively in different ways. I get most excited when I hear scriptures creatively woven into ad-libs. Hence, why it's the preacher in me that's most challenging to manage (LOL). Depending on the assignment or request for ministry, the "preacher" always wants to stand up and start exhorting, encouraging, and teaching little "sermonettes", as my father would call them (LOL). Overall, my top priority is to make sure that, regardless of the genre or venue, whatever I'm doing is a good representation of Christ.
Q: "Yes Lord, Yes" speaks about trusting God even when His instructions may not make sense to others. What encouragement would you give listeners who are currently struggling to obey God during difficult or uncertain seasons?
In my kitchen, I have a chalkboard that I walk by every day. On that board I've written,
"Don't forget about what I've already done. - God"
It's a simple reminder that forces me to testify to myself and reflect on how consistent He is. Even though things felt hopeless before, here I am today...I made it! I'd challenge them to do the same in their own life.
Lastly, my encouragement to them would be sealed by my favorite scripture that says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Prov 3:5-6)
Q: As you begin this new chapter of ministry and music, what can listeners expect next from Marcus "Elder Mac" McFarlin? Are there future songs, projects, or ministry initiatives already in the works?
First and foremost, they can expect to see a man who radically expresses his love for God in various ways. From singing, dancing, acting to playing instruments, I made up in my mind that I will exhaust every gift that God has given me before I leave this earth.
I'd love for everyone to check out my channel on YouTube.com/eldermactv and watch my show, Sing & Play Sessions w/ Marcus McFarlin, where I record the live reaction of some of the biggest recording artists, songwriters, and producers as they watch me cover their most popular songs while singing and playing the drums. My latest episodes include an interview with the original performing artist discussing how the song was born.
I can also be seen in Fred Hammond's latest theatrical film, Hood Book (2025), currently streaming on Patreon. The theatrical play is slated to book theaters in late 2026, where I hope to continue my role as Lambo (the lamb).
As far as music, merch, and ministry, all things "Marcus McFarlin" can be found on my website MARCUSELDERMAC.COM; a one-stop shop for all my social media platforms, music, and videos.
"Yes Lord, Yes" is available now on all digital music platforms. You can find more information about Marcus, his music, and his ministry at https://www.marcuseldermac.com/
