By Teino EvansStaff Reporter
Carlene Wilson
"GOD HAS a great purpose for my life," says Carlene 'Joan' Wilson, an evangelist who has devoted herself to a life of singing and witnessing for the Lord.
Wilson, who had an interest in singing from 13, says it was not until her mother (who was not a Christian) took her to church that she started to take her music ministry seriously.
"My mother had a dream that she should take me to the New Testament Church of God in Hanover, where we were living at the time," Wilson said. When she attended church that day, Wilson said the preacher prophesied that someone needed prayer and led her from her seat to the altar.
"In 2001 I started going to music school, to learn the art of music," Wilson said, as she was inspired and determined to excel in her area of calling.
Wilson feels that from that day on God has been looking out for her as she has managed to survive a number of near-death experiences. Among them are a near drowning, a poisoning plot and spells.
Her trials continued when she divorced her husband. Wilson also served a few months in prison when their business was run into bankruptcy. "I had to sell my house in order to repay some of my debts," she said.
After the storm there is always a rainbow, as Wilson says her trials and experiences have made her a stronger Christian. Now, Wilson is well on her way, as she released her debut album in December of last year and her first single from it has been doing well so far. "That song is entitled I'm Going to Go On The Edges And The Byways, and it was my very first inspirational song," she said.
According to Wilson, most of her songs were written from personal experiences. For example, one entitled My Life Has Been So Empty resulted from straying from God and feeling empty as a result.
Not only does Wilson write songs to tell of her life experiences, but she has also written a book giving details of her experiences and how she managed to overcome them. "I want to share my life experiences with the world through my book," Wilson said. Her objective is that others who are in or have been through similar situations can be inspired and encouraged.
In the meantime, Wilson and her two daughters (Priscilla and Sandy Peters) continue to perform across the island, mainly in New Testament churches (Church of God) and gospel shows in St. Elizabeth, where she now resides.
Wilson says that "no matter what, God's work must go on", reaffirming that her faith in God has been strengthened by many trials and tribulations.
