Trigger Warning: This article contains references to suicidal ideation, which may be distressing to some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support 24/7. Please take care while reading and prioritize your well-being.
Imagine yourself 14 years old, having grown up in volatile environments; cycling through unstable housing, including shelters, cars, and friends’ homes. You finally – finally – found a generous person allowing you to stay in their home temporarily … only to get home from church on a Sunday to find the locks of the house where you’re staying changed and all your belongings given away. This is the reality that Lilly Goyah, CEO & Founder of ANP Streaming, experienced.
“I was raised by a strong, immigrant single mother who was doing her best to provide for me and my siblings in an unfamiliar country. For a brief time, we caught a break when a generous man let us live in his house. But one Sunday, we came home from church and discovered the locks had been changed. We were evicted, and our belongings were given away. All we had was the car and a bag of white laundry we hadn’t brought inside. We returned to Mary’s Place, a shelter for women and children, but something was different for me this time. My thoughts grew darker, more hopeless — I believed I was worthless, fatherless, homeless, and destined to fail. It was at that point that I quietly made the decision to end my life.”
“Then, as if divinely prompted, my mother insisted we attend a youth retreat in D.C. It was there that I encountered something that changed everything. During one night of the retreat, the dance team performed an interpretative piece to Kirk Franklin’s song “My World Needs You.” The music broke through my despair. Every note felt like a hug, like light shining into the dark corners of my heart. It was the first time I felt seen, loved, and held by something greater.”
“While life didn’t magically get easier after that, I carried that experience with me. Later, when I transferred to CSB and joined the E-Scholars program, I was encouraged by my mentors and professors to create something meaningful. After many brainstorming sessions and pivots, I landed on ANP Streaming — a platform inspired by my story, designed to offer healing and hope through the power of diverse Christian music,” Lilly shared.
“I’ve lived all over Minnesota, but what brought me here was my decision to transfer from Augsburg University to Saint Ben’s. I wanted to chase my dreams and better myself, and Saint Ben’s offered me the right environment to grow personally, spiritually, and professionally. I started ANP Streaming after joining the Entrepreneurial Scholars (E-Scholars) program at Saint Ben’s, which is a two-year, three-course sequence that gives selected students the opportunity to design and launch a business venture. The program connects students with mentors and successful entrepreneurs, providing invaluable guidance. For me, it was the perfect space to reflect on my own mental health journey and the role Christian music played in my healing. That reflection led me to create a tool to help others.”
“As I studied Christian music more deeply, I also recognized how many talented artists don’t fit the typical 'contemporary Christian’ mold and struggle to find a platform. That’s why I started my business — to create a space that celebrates the diversity of Christian music and unites a global community of Jesus lovers. My inspiration for this work comes directly from my personal story.”
ANP Streaming combines Lilly’s unique combination of her personal journey, passion for music, and lived experience. “I’m not just a founder who saw a market opportunity — I’m someone who has lived the struggles my platform addresses. I’ve been through deep mental health battles, homelessness, and overwhelming life challenges, and I’ve experienced firsthand how Christian music can offer real healing and hope. That personal connection fuels everything I do. I’m also a musician myself, trained in Christian music, and I understand both the emotional and artistic sides of this space. I believe this gives me a unique lens to create something authentic, meaningful, and deeply connected to the needs of both listeners and artists.”
ANP Streaming is the only Christian streaming platform fully dedicated not just to music, but to helping people improve both mentally and spiritually. “While there are other Christian platforms, none focus as intentionally on integrating mental health and spiritual well-being into the music experience,” explained Lilly. “We’re not just a place to listen — we’re a place to heal, reflect, and connect. We also highlight a diverse range of Christian artists, going beyond the narrow mold of contemporary Christian music to showcase voices and styles from all over the world. This diversity, combined with our focus on emotional and spiritual growth, makes us stand out in a crowded space.”
Lilly recently graduated in May from the College of Saint Benedict and is continuing to pursue ANP Streaming. “While I’ve been balancing getting this business off the ground alongside my studies up to this point, I’ve made the decision to fully commit because I believe so strongly in the mission and the impact it can have. This isn’t just a side project or hobby for me — it’s my passion and my calling, and I’m excited to pour all my time and energy into bringing it to life now that I’ve graduated.”
“I wouldn’t be where I am without the love and support from the Central Minnesota community,” said Lilly. “Starting with my education at CSB|SJU, and the incredible mentors and friendships I’ve built along the way. Paul Marsnik, Troy Fritz, Erin Utke, and so many other staff members have helped shape me into who I am today. Beyond campus, I’ve been blessed with amazing mentors from the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC) and the Initiative Foundation. NeTia Bauman, Jeff Wig, and Annie Deckert have all guided me through their programs, helping me refine my ideas and straighten out my business operations. I was also part of the ILT Academy accelerator program, where Nick Tietz and his team played a huge role in helping me strengthen the core concept of my business. Honestly, I’ve been molded in some way by nearly every person I’ve met in Greater St. Cloud — they’ve each reinforced and polished my ideas. Coming to Central MN has truly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!”
There are ups and downs to any business venture, and the experience has been no different for Lilly. “All of this has been very exciting. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel across the country, travel to Vietnam, meet with music business executives, win (and lose) pitch competitions, and connect with so many amazing people who have helped me along the way. The most thrilling part is not knowing what’s coming next or who I’ll meet — but I’m trusting God that it will all work out exactly as it’s meant to.”
“The most challenging part is something I’m reflecting on more. To be honest, I feel very privileged to have the support of so many people who have made my journey much easier than it might have been otherwise. If I had to name one challenge, I’d say it’s learning to stay humble when I’m being taught or critiqued in ways that are meant to help me grow. I have to remind myself that when someone offers feedback, they’re trying to help, and there’s no need to let ego get in the way,” explained Lily.
“I wouldn’t be where I am or have the idea I have if it weren’t for my past struggles, and I wouldn’t have been able to turn that idea into reality without the support of the Central Minnesota community. So I guess what I want to say is: be proud of your story, and don’t be afraid to lean on your community — they can help make you great!”
“Outside of the incredible help and support I’ve already received, following me on social media and spreading the word through word of mouth would mean the world to me! We also just released the first version of our app for testing, so if you’re interested, I would love for you to download it and try it out. Your support, whether through sharing, following, or giving feedback, makes a huge difference as we keep growing.” You can learn more about ANP Streaming at anpstreaminginfo.com.
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