Friday, May 1, 2020

Conversation with Dr Denise Strothers





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.

A big AMEN to that!!

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?

Denise Strothers on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Follow and Subscribe


22. Thank you for agreeing to being a guest

Thank you!

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