Conversation with Denise
1. Lets
start off with having you introduce yourself to our readers? Who would you say
Denise is?
I am a wife, a mother, a sister, the
daughter of a Pastor, a teacher, a preacher, an intercessor, an advocate, and a
friend. But at the very core of my soul,
I am a worshipper.
(Dr Strothers leading worship)
(Dr Strothers preaching)
2. Going back to the
beginning of things, I remember when you were taking a jazz class because you
wanted to expand your musicality. What makes music so integral to who are?
Growing up in the church, gospel music
has always been my favorite music. Even
as a little girl I remember singing a gospel song in the talent contest. I think I was in the second grade. I taught two of my friends the background so
that they could sing with me. The song
was Lord, Plant My Feet On Higher Ground.
Today, I love contemporary praise and worship music. I had a cassette tape with all of Aretha
Franklin’s song both gospel and R&B.
I would grab a brush for my microphone and practice almost every
day. I still know every lyric to every
one of those songs. I played that
cassette tape until it popped.
Hmm. It would be interesting hearing you perform an Aretha song. lol.
3.
As
a younger version of yourself, when you had your musical dreams, is it what you’re
doing now, or was it completely different?
It was
completely different. I wanted to be the
next CeCe Winans. At the time I didn’t
understand the press and the drive it would take to produce on that level. If I did it today it would be totally
different because I know who I am, and I have a better understanding of how to
work productively.
4.
You
made your debut CD years ago. I’m sure it was hard work with finding/writing
the songs, the studio time, the launch and all. In hindsight, do you think you
would do anything different with the process?
Song title: Psalm 19 (A jazzy ballad)
Yes, I
would do things differently with the process.
The majority of the songs were written for me. I only wrote two of the songs and they were
the ones that I feel I executed well.
The ones written for me did not fit my style. I think that is very important.
Song title: Never been loved like this (written by Dr Strothers)
5.
Would
you say you have had Sophomore Slump? Hahaha. I’m sure you intend to release
more music. What would you say has been the one hold up to it?
I
wouldn’t necessarily call it a Sophomore slump.
I just hadn’t focused on it yet.
My focus was on completing my bachelors and my life took off in a
different direction. The entire
recording process is tedious, life consuming, and requires the support of others. I didn’t think that I could successfully
manage both. Now, I can focus on music
with my whole heart. I’m ready for what
it takes to press it through in prayer and in my spirit. I’m taking voice lessons, writing new songs,
and studying what my favorite artists are producing. I’m really amazed what today’s praise and
worship leaders have been able to produce.
6.
How
do you view the current music industry landscape? Make a CD vs make a single?
And digital streaming, and music videos not generating revenue if the account
isn’t monetized? So much new digital age issues.
I
think it’s awesome especially for the Indie Artist. I can’t remember the last time I bought a
CD. When I was distributing my CD to
radio stations it was an enormous amount of work. Today, all I would need to do is Dropbox
it. There are so many platforms out
there that will allow you to receive payments for your music and videos.
7.
What
do you see your future new music being? What genre would you go with, and would
it be artistically driven or ministry driven? Are the 2 mutually exclusive or
not, in your opinion.
I
would definitely do contemporary praise and worship. I want to sing songs that would bring people
into the presence of God. But, it has to
be artistically as well as ministry-driven.
You have to be yourself though, and not try to imitate or compare
yourself to anyone else.
8.
Dr.
Denise! Congratulations again on completing the journey. How does it feel when
you see that title to your name? I know it has to be more than just being proud
of the work invested.
Of
course, it feels great! I really enjoyed
the journey. I discovered things about
myself that I didn’t know prior to going back to school. I discovered that I could write well, and it
was important to me that anything that I turned in was done well. I finished my doctorate with a 4.0. If anyone told me before going back to school
that I could do that, I wouldn’t have believed them. All of the Biblical principles that I learned
over the years, God graced me to implement them. Principles like excellence, timeliness,
consistency, work, etc. When I first
started at Howard University in 1982, I had no clue how to operate in these
principles. Needless to say, I didn’t do
well then. I majored in Electrical
Engineering as a freshman. I struggled
for three years until it became clear to me that I didn’t want to be an
electrical engineer. If I had to do it
all over again, I would have switched my major to music. I just didn’t have the
counsel or support needed to steer me in the right direction.
9.
Speaking
of work invested, when you started your doctoral journey, what were the things
that you had to struggle and deal with?
I did not
score well in the English section of the ACT entrance exam. In my first semester, I was in a remedial
English class with young students who read on a Jr. High School level. But this was the best thing for me. My English Professor was a great teacher. She thought it was essential to have us focus
on the basics, and she drilled us over and over. By the time the semester was over, I was
assisting other students with their work and it increased my writing ability
tremendously.
10.
I
don’t want to assume, so I’ll ask – why did you decide to become a doctor? What
hope and expectation do you have of it?
I chose
the doctorate program at Howard University School of Divinity because of the
Church and Community track. I had done extensive
research in the area of sex trafficking while working on my B.S. and MDIV. The idea of the church operating outside of
its four walls appealed to me. Most
churches do excellent ministry, but the altar calls are empty. We can’t wait for the hurting, and
brokenhearted to come to us. The church
has to be involved in combatting this deadly enemy called Human
Trafficking. Children are being
brutalized every day, and it’s happening right here in every city in America. Honestly, I believe that the only way sex
trafficking can be eradicated is if the church is at the forefront of this
issue. God is a God of justice and it is
clear in the word of God that He absolutely hates injustice. He has already given to the church his
commission to go into all the world ministering to those that are bruised,
brokenhearted, and in captivity.
But,
truthfully, all of the work in sex trafficking could have been done without a
doctorate. Having these credentials is
crucial for a woman operating in leadership especially in the church. When I’m sitting at the table with community
leaders, my credentials give me an opportunity to voice my opinion. People want to know what I have to say or
really what does the church have to say about it. A woman in church leadership today has to
have thick skin because she is subject to being dishonored by her own brothers
and sisters. I have found that those outside
of the church are more accepting of women in leadership roles like Senior
Pastor or Elder. This is still a male
dominated society and most men prefer to hear from other men especially on a
subject like sex trafficking, pornography, and solicitation.
You raise an important point. Time and time again, we see pastors caught with their "pants down" - pornography and solicitation is indulged in by church members, so the church has to come out of the shadows to address sex trafficking. In regards to having the academic credentials so your voice has weight, you hit the nail on the head right there! There's a bunch of noisemakers around every corner these days. We need experts speaking.
11.
You’re
a wife, mother, minister, entrepreneur, etc. Yet you were able to create time to attend
school and get a doctorate degree. What
would you tell that “not so younger” professional toying with the idea of going
back to school, yet thinking it is not possible?
Of
course, it’s possible as long as they are willing to do the work. Most people will consult their bank accounts before
they consult God. I prayed about it and
heard God say yes. What God authorizes he
will make provision for it. There is
money out there through grants, scholarships, and loans but it will have to be
sought out. How bad do you want it will
always be the question on the table. One
will have to answer that question with a plan to get them to the finish line. God has already done his part. Today, there are many universities who have
created their curriculum for the working adult.
Classes are scheduled only one day a week, and credit is given for work
and life experience.
12.
Your
dissertation was about sex trafficking. Please do tell more about it.
My dissertation
was titled Christian Men Speak Up for Sexually Exploited Women and Children. I interviewed over 200 men in the Washington
DC Metro area asking them of their opinion on sex trafficking in their
city. The survey results showed that most men
are aware that the sexual exploitation of women and children is a major
problem.
The project’s
goal was to advise Christian men of their crucial role in changing cultural attitudes
surrounding the sexual exploitation of women and children by addressing those
who drive the demand for sex trafficking.
There is a lot of information on how to help young women and men to
prevent themselves from being trafficked.
There is a lot of information on the characteristics of a trafficker or
pimp. However, there is almost no
information on those who purchase the sex.
These are the real culprits of sex trafficking. They are driving the demand for it and go
through great lengths to remain anonymous.
Those that create the demand for sex traffickers to supply them with
children and young girls for sex is the root cause of the issue.
Sex
Trafficking is a morality issue as well as a justice issue. Our culture today is inundated with
immorality. I believe this is why the
church and specifically Christian men have to be involved. The church in past times have remained silent
but we cannot afford to do so in this hour.
Although more and more churches are responding to the issues of sexual
exploitation, the response must be one that is making a difference. The task will be
mobilizing men from going from awareness to action. When one gentleman was approached on taking
the Christian Men Speak Up survey, his response was that his wife was well
informed about sex trafficking and should be the one responding since she is a woman implying that
he did not need to be informed since he is male. This is not an uncommon response since most
men would typically think this is an issue better handled by women. Since research shows that it is mostly men
creating the demand for the trafficking of women and children, this has further
been additionally challenging because the anti-sex trafficking movement has
been primarily driven by female feminists, when most men prefer to listen to
other men. Solicitation is a crime in
every State in the US except Nevada. There
are advocates who are fighting for the focus of the law to be on “the demand”
or the behavior of the sex buyers and not on the women who are being forced or
coerced into prostitution. The Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) is the originating and foundational
text of the United States anti-trafficking legislation that established
trafficking in persons as a federal crime.
Christian
Men Speak Up for Sexually Exploited Women and Children explores
why
Christian men in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area should promote justice by
equipping other men to protect rather than sexually exploit women and
children. It also explores Biblical
truth about Christian men being involved in justice for the sexually exploited. Principles exemplified in the Bible declares
that God hates injustice and raises up prophets to speak to crimes such as
contemporary sex trafficking.
Wow! You broke that down! You definitely are an authority in this area to inform and educate us. I applaud you.
13.
What
does the Average Joe need to know to not stay stuck in the mindset that sex
trafficking is a problem out there that “those people” in that distant place
deal with?
It is an
issue that is right here in our country.
Atlanta is the number one city with the highest rate of sex trafficking
victims. Two major
cities on the East Coast, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore City, have adjacent affluent
suburban counties within miles of Baltimore and Montgomery Counties. These are popular routes for sex
trafficking. Although there is little
statistical data to produce the number of sex trafficking cases in the
Baltimore and Montgomery Counties, domestic minor sex trafficking has been
charged in nearly every county along the DC-Baltimore Corridor. There is a significant amount of trafficking
that occurs in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore City jurisdictions. Both counties have substantial amounts of
trafficking of domestic minors and adults through business operations such as
Asian massage parlors.
14.
You
are very involved in your activist and support work on this. Is there a link
you can share for people to support? And in what ways would you appreciate
support from willing supporters?
There
is one organization that I highly recommend.
They are out on the streets everyday searching for trafficking
victims. Courtney’s House was founded in
2008 by Tina Frundt. A survivor of
domestic sex trafficking herself, Tina is relentless in her fight to protect
children from sexual exploitation and the devastation that comes from it. Courtney’s House is the only anti-trafficking
organization that is led by an African American.
I would
appreciate support by being invited to come in and train congregations, institutions and organizations on the
awareness of sex trafficking.
15.
Would
it be fair to say I see a book being birthed out of you some time, and
hopefully soon?
Yes, I am
turning my dissertation into a training manual for churches to become Hope
Centers for men who exploit women and children.
16.
Lets
segue to your family life. Who is your family made of?
My
husband and I have been married for 27 years.
We were friends for 10 years before we got married. I can really say that I married my best
friend. We have two biological children (Kristian
and Andrew) and several children that we have opened our home and hearts to
live with us. There are always kids in
our house. My son’s goddaughter has
become the light of our house. Kyla is
three years old and we love her as if she were our very own. She is funny and bossy. She and her mother both live with us and have
become our family. Each of us is involved in music. Kristian graduated
from Howard with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She is a phenomenal vocalist and praise
leader. Andrew plays several instruments
and has an ear for producing music. He
now runs his own studio. My husband is
also a musician and a studio engineer. Prayer
is a significant foundation of our family.
God has blessed us tremendously and we believe the reason is so that we
can help others. I am blessed to support
an orphanage in India which one day soon I plan to visit to meet Pastor Sanke Kumar
and all the children he ministers to on a daily basis. (To support Pastor Sanke, here's his PayPal email - saicharentenalin@hotmail.com)
Kristian Lauren leading worship
(Andrew is a producer - Beats by Snow on YouTube)
17.
How
have you guys been maintaining, and carrying on with a semblance of normalcy
with this whole pandemic mandatory stay-at-home?
We are
keeping ourselves busy. Keith and
Kristian are working from home. I’m busy
creating music videos with the praise team.
Since we are unable to meet weekly, we still want praise and worship to
go forth. I’m also teaching the Adult
Sunday school class online. The
Leadership Team meets via Zoom every Wednesday night. We have the prayer calls and all other
meetings that we attend online. We might
be busier than we were before the pandemic.
Dr Strothers teaching Adult Sunday School
18.
We
all seem to be discovering new project ventures because we’ve been forced to
heavily rely on all the benefits of new media transmission. What new passion
project, or passion indulgence have you discovered?
Since we
are producing music videos of the praise team, I have been learning Final Cut
Pro X which is a video editing software.
I want to make sure our videos are done excellently. I am doing voice lessons one day a week. I am also recording songs to get myself back
in the habit.
That's awesome. That means you are going to come out of this quarantine with some new skills, content and material to launch you out in making an IMPACT!
19.
Without
getting political or even controversial (hahaha) what is your perspective on
what we dealing with, and what encouragement and hope do you have for people
overwhelmed with it all?
I can’t
say COVID 19 is a plague from God as many tend to do when it’s something that
can’t be explained. I do believe that
through this pandemic God is speaking to His church. I think that God wants his people to wake up,
get back to foundational behaviors like prayer and fasting, and intensify
them! When we come through this pandemic,
I believe the church will not be the same.
We will not go back to being slack, and so busy with activities that are
nonproductive towards the fulfillment of his purpose and mission. I think that there has been a changing of the
guards during this season. God is
raising up new leaders that will keep his commandments and not forsake his ways. These will be leaders who will not care about
one’s color, pedigree, or sexual orientation.
They will stand in the marketplace next to the Muslim and Buddhist and
represent Jesus Christ well. They will
minister to those in prison, the prostitute, the beggars, and the homeless
inviting them to come and sit with them at the King’s table. We must be about our Father’s business because
time is winding up. There will be many
families that will need the church like never before. All of those who have lost loved ones and
have experienced the trauma of this virus will need hope that only God can
give.
Right
now, all we can do is obey the laws of the land and fervently pray for a
solution and end to come soon.
20.
As
an accomplished Reverend Doctor, it would only be appropriate for you to share
some sage parting words for the readers.
I want
people to know how much God loves them.
He is a present help even during this time of suffering. Jesus taught us how to suffer and how to
overcome difficult situations. Weeping
may endure for a night, but joy is coming.
He told us to count it all joy even while we are weeping. I know that this is not easy when so many
around us are mourning. But joy is
different from being happy. I can be sad
but still have the joy of the Lord. Joy
comes from God and is based upon what I know and believe about what God has
promised. I choose to believe in God’s
faithfulness to do what He has promised.
We cannot lose our Joy or what we believe about God. This time of suffering is temporary and not
worthy to be compared to the glory of God that will be seen in us and through
those of us who will endure to the end.
21.
How
do we connect with you on social media?
Follow and Subscribe
22.
Thank
you for agreeing to being a guest
Thank you!
