Well...

My passion is music, but music is more than just the obvious...

I was saved right after graduating from college. After dedicating five years of my life to earn a music degree, I began to feel I had done the wrong thing. I found out that the saxophone was noted for being a nightclub instrument and was definitely not popular in the church. My school training had birthed within me a love of classical music, and although classical music was acceptable in the church, it didn't really give that 'soul stirring' impact we're all used to. There I was, a fairly new Christian with classical music training and an instrument dubbed for the nightclub scene...what a dilemma. The lack of direction caused me to just lay my instrument down for quite a while. I wanted to serve God with all my heart, I didn't want to vacillate.

Some time later, my pastor began to encourage me to play again. I learned the song "Sweet Hour of Prayer". The day I finally played it at a church nothing special happened. Nothing except an enormous sense of relief that I was finished. As I walked off the stage toward my seat the pastor said, "One day she's going to make music that will be heard all over the world". The words he spoke caused me to remember the vision I had always seen as a child while practicing in the mirror...'one day I will stand before thousands...'

At a Christian conference later that year I heard worship music for the very first time. I remember the awesome feeling of God's presence and the tranquility that seemed to flow with each note. After some growth and plenty of prayer, I had another opportunity to perform "Sweet Hour of Prayer", this time at a talent show. i played this simple little song stayng very close to the original melody and with very little improv. As I finished, people stood to their feet in thunderous applause. Something had changed in me and in my music. I noticed something that related back to that day I first heard worship music, except this time, it was through me that the worship was brought, and through me that the presence of God came in. It was at that moment that I clearly heard the LORD say, "I have a mighty work for you to do, and yes, it does include your horn". It was a pivotal moment for the journey that lie ahead.

The following year I moved to California to attend Dick Grove School of Music. Periodically I played music for a bible study at a local juvenile facility. It was during that time that the Lord began to give me a heart of compassion for inmates. I wanted my music to go deep within, like a pipeline straight from God's heart to theirs. I wanted to help them understand the joy of knowing Christ and that they could hope again. I wanted to be very effective, yet I felt very limited in my abilities and my songs were so simple. I realized though that they didn't need just good music, they needed music that was penetrating. They needed to hear songs that were birthed out of a deep place of worship, a place to which they may have never journeyed, to worship a God they may have never met. For that purpose, God showed me my songs NEEDED to be simple and the confidence in my own abilities limited.

Music is more to me than just a pretty melody or a cool rhythm. Over the years God has given me a heart to minister at numerous convalescent homes, hospitals, homeless shelters, juvenile facilities, jails and prisons throughout the United States. These heartfelt experiences definitely help to enhance my ministry at churches, conferences, concerts and other special events. As Miss Black America I traveled to numerous countries performing music that was fun and entertaining. But having the opportunity to travel throughout the world playing music that gives life is of much greater significance and honor.

God has taught me that music is more than just the obvious, more than just what is heard by the ear. Music is medicine and mastery and freedom. It is a universal language sent from the heart of God as a key to open the hearts of men.




Blessings!


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