Songstress Carlene Davis in a reflective mood during an interview with The Gleaner. - Carlington Wilmot /Freelance Photographer Christ
"IT IS not God's plan for us to be sick. He does not bring about evil. He said: 'The plans that I have for you are not evil. The plans that I have for you give will you a hope and a future.' So based on that word, I allowed it (cancer) through disobedience," says Gospel songstress Carlene Davis.
In 1996 she was diagnosed with the 'Big C' and it became a turning point in her life. She explained: "I knew that God was saying 'It is time.' He wants all of me, not just a part of me. The time has come. I have called you long enough-I never said God, 'Why me?' I felt so bad that I brought God to that level that He had to use sickness to get my attention."
Carlene did a range of treatment for the cancer including chemotherapy. But she kept her illness close to herself and continued to show up for gigs even though she had not completed the programme of treatment. She proclaims triumphantly that the cancer is gone. Her doctors are baffled, but she attributes her healing to the work of the Great Physician. When her step children were in their teens, Carlene began attending their church, Family Church on the Rock, St. Andrew But she had one foot in and one foot out. In 1996 she, however, rededicated her life to the Lord and became a member of Family Church on the Rock.
After rededicating her life, she shifted focus from secular artiste to gospel singer. She warns people not to be like her who turned to God after her circumstances had deteriorated. Though she had accepted Christ in her heart as a small child, she did not take her Christianity seriously until this life-threatening ailment came upon her. She developed then, and still exudes today, a huge spiritual hunger, and with much grace, she punctuates conversation with "Praise God," "Thank you Jesus," in ways that give new life to old clichés.
But as one of Jamaica's premier secular artistes, she felt as if God was tugging at her heart. She knew all along while at the top of her trade that God was calling her to rededicate her life to Him.
The singer of such hits as Like Old Friends Do, Stealing Love; Dial My Number; It Must Be Love; Going Down to Paradise; Winnie Mandela; and Santa Claus, Do You Ever Come to the Ghetto, Miss Davis is now working on an upcoming album, Author and Finisher. Carlene along with Papa San, have both been accredited by Family Church on the Rock, St. Andrew as Ministers of the Gospel.
She and husband, Tommy Cowan, sing in a high scale the praises of Apostle David Keane, pastor of Family Church on the Rock, and his late wife, Denver, who did much to mentor the couple as they made
the transition from the secular world to Kingdom business. Also, she and Tommy cited the encouragement of preachers such as Jackie McCulloch, Myles Munroe and step-son Che Cowan ( at present pastor of a newly established Ocho Rios branch of Family Church on the Rock ) who have all taken a special interest in their spiritual nurture and have mentored them. Miss Davis and her husband also have certification from the Ron Kenoly Academy of Praise where they did intensive studies which has served to complement their work as music ministers. Alluding to St. Luke 4:18 she stressed: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach We can go into places without hesitation. We don't have to fall into temptation."
Carlene was among the first in the batch of secular artistes to have publicly embraced Christianity. Part of her mission is to reach secular artistes with the Christian gospel. She exclaims that the secular Dee-Jays are her friends and are often quite accommodating and want to have her and the other Christian artistes who formerly plied their craft in the secular world, share the gospel with them and pray with them.
Like so many other secular-cum-Christian artistes, Carlene's experienced a mixed reception from the church community when she announced that she had decided to embrace Christ. Some were more welcoming than others. But it was non-Christians, she said, who demonstrated greater excitement with her following the Lord.
Carlene is sold out to Gospel. She does not normally perform songs from her secular repertoire, except perhaps by special request. And gospel music, she acknowledged, has been kind to her. She is getting more work as a gospel artiste than she did as a secular singer. But she stressed her prime motivation was not money but to proclaim Christ. She is keen to serve the small churches, as she believes there is a special blessing for those who are faithful in the 'little things.' But like several musicians, her work is being affected by CD piracy. "I pray that when the Christian plays the pirated CD that they will be convicted of their wrong. I pray also that when the unsaved plays the pirated CD that they will come to know the Lord."
If she were to relive her Christian life, Miss Davis, a mother and step-mother, said she would strive for greater balance between the time she gives to her career and the time she spends with her children. She has the next generation on her radar. "My vision is to pour into the youth of this nation." She explained that she and husband Tommy are grappling with ways to do ministry to favourably influence the nation's youth to become a generation that will praise the Lord.
- Mark Dawes
