From his childhood days in a big family, to his life-altering period overseas in the military, to his current duties as music minister for a thriving multicultural church, David Brinson has only grown in his dedication for fulfilling the Lord’s plan on his life.  Perhaps, this has something to do with why Minister Brinson entitled his debut album - Forever Yours.

BLACKGOSPEL spoke with David about his lifelong ministry that’s constantly evolving into something bigger, brighter and better with the Lord.

Christopher Heron: You grew up as the youngest child among eight brothers and sisters, in which both parents loved and feared God.  Explain to our readers how being a part of a big, church-going, God-loving family shaped your love for music and your thirst for serving the Lord.

David Brinson: Both my mom and dad are ministers of the Gospel.  They taught the whole family the word of God.  That was my foundation for understanding the importance of the word in music.  All of us were involved in music in some way, whether it was singing or playing an instrument.  My mom played a little bit of the piano, while my dad sang.  We always had music around us, ever since I was born, that’s all I can remember.  But the foundation was always there, which was teaching us the word, making us learn the scriptures, making us go to church, even if we didn’t want to go to church.

CH:  Usually, the youngest child has the easiest time with the parents.  Did you feel as much pressure as your older brothers and sisters to learn scriptures and play an instrument?

DB:  Oh, there was definitely some pressure as a child!  My mom actually made me sing.  I hated singing as a child.  But I guess she could see something in me.  I grew up in a Pentecostal church.  She would teach us something they called, “lining a hymn.”  Back in my childhood days, you had to be involved in church as a child.  So we were always expected to be involved.  It didn’t feel that good then, but looking back, it was a good experience. 

CH:  You would eventually go on to serve your country in the Armed Forces.  I can only imagine how that puts life and death in perspective and adds to your spiritual growth as a mortal man.  Tell us how that experience weighed in on your relationship with God.

DB:  The military certainly made me more disciplined and organized, on a whole.  As far as my spiritual walk, it certainly helped me to grow.  Before I joined the military, I was tossed to and fro.  But the military helped me to be more disciplined with my spiritual walk as well, because I was pulled right out of my home and country on my very first assignment, spending a year in Korea and four more years in Italy.  That experience away from America just helped me to grow up spiritually. 

CH:  Your growth did not stop there.  You would eventually meet your soulmate in the military.  How has your wife helped you as a minister?

DB:  I actually met my wife in Korea.  But we didn’t get married until we both were transferred to Italy.  That’s a long story.  But meeting my wife and her joining me in the ministry I serve has been such a blessing.  She’s a woman of the Word.  She’s involved in the ministry I serve, through her involvement in the choir and also by keeping me in line with our family.  I have two beautiful children and a wonderful wife that keeps everything in perspective.

CH:  You’re now serving in the capacity of Minister of Music for Bishop Jeff Poole and the multicultural, non-denominational church in the outskirts of Atlanta.  What has that experience shaped your life since leaving the Armed Forces? 

DB:  My duties under Bishop Jeff Poole and the New Hope International, as the Minister of Music, have been a God-sent assignment.  I was supposed to relocate to Texas, after my term finished in the Armed Forces in Italy.  But two weeks before it was time to leave Europe, my wife and I were diverted to Georgia.  It’s been life-changing for us.  God has shown us that it’s about the Word and about being in your right assignment.  When we first arrived, there were maybe five Black families. But since fulfilling our assignment, the church’s congregation has steadily grown into a multicultural church, with maybe 60% being Black families and the rest of the church consisting of Hispanics, Indians and other cultures.  It’s not as though we set out to make the church multicultural.  It’s just that God has allowed us to do it and do it successfully in a small town in Georgia, not big-city, Georgia.

CH:  I would imagine that the task of bringing a multicultural church together in song would be all the more challenging.  How do you apply your experience and gift to bringing the body of Christ together as one through music to worship the same God?

DB:  It’s pretty easy.  It was difficult at first.  I thank God for our father in the ministry – Bishop Clint Brown – who is an awesome songwriter and worship leader.  He’s really helped me to keep the music ministry balanced.  I haven’t made too many changes.  I’ve always loved worship.  It’s easy when you understand the scriptures which speak about praise and worship, not just coming to church.  Our pastor also teaches the people about the importance of worship as well.

CH:  The duties of the church are always calling.  So, where did you find the time to divorce yourself from the ongoing duties of the church, so that you could record your debut album, Forever Yours?

DB:  Well, the album was birthed from our worship time here at the New Hope International.  I didn’t realize it at first but the title track – Forever Yours – was the prayer our bishop prays every service, when individuals come and give their life to God.  At the end of his prayer, he would say, “Yours, I’m forever yours oh Lord.”

CH:  With the album now completed, what would you say are your greatest ambitions for 2005?  Do you want to move your artistry to another level?  Or are you even more inspired to serve your church through song?

DB:   My heart is to serve my congregation.  If doors should open up as a result of this album, so be it.  But, I’m not trying to break doors down.  I believe the album is a tool that could be used around the world for those who really want praise and worship.  The album wasn’t created to foster a new travel itinerary for myself.  I know my assignment is to be here and help with this ministry.

CH:  And finally, as a seasoned music minister for New Hope International, what do you believe are important characteristics to possess to be an effective and purposed music minister for a successful church?

DB:   First of all, a music minister must have more than talent.  A music minister must have a prayer life.  I believe that if you don’t know Jesus, you won’t thrive as a music minister.  You may be an entertainer but you won’t be a music pastor or worship leader.  Also, you must have the heart of your pastor and serve as a music minister in that capacity.  You must know what is your pastor’s desire and vision for the house of the Lord.  And then, the rest of your job is easy.  If you know the heart of God and the heart of your pastor, you won’t have to want for anything.  I’ve learned that.  A music minister has to understand that just because they have the gift for music, they’re not there to run the church and run with their hidden agendas.  But instead, our duty is to serve the pastor and prepare the way for the Word of God.

CH:  As we roll into 2005, have you set any New Year resolutions or any specific goals you want to fulfill, either as a music minister or as an Independent artist?

DB:   Oh definitely!  I want to be more sensitive to the voice of God.  I want to challenge those around me with responsibilities for the choir, band and different departments within the church, to better themselves as well and perfect the gift that God has given them.  I read in the scripture the other day which said that “…David was skilled and anointed.”  I don’t want to be just anointed and not possess skills or apply some excellence in my assignment.  So, I’m getting ready to turn up the heat on me and others in my circle, whether it’s learning or practicing my craft at home or doing whatever it takes to better myself as someone appointed to fulfill a work for the Lord.

For more information on David Brinson, visit www.davidbrinson.com or email him at davidbrinson@newhope-intl.com.