Unknown Blog

Who says Preaching Women Can't be Enterprising Women?

Featured Preaching Woman, Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole

Written by Dianna Hobbs, Adjunct Staff Writer, PreachingWoman.com

Perhaps you have inadvertently bought into the notion that preaching women are one-dimensional in their ministry focus. You may have grown up believing that singleness of purpose meant singleness in your ministerial pursuits. Well, today we're helping you dispel that myth once and for all, by focusing on this month's featured preaching woman, Evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole. She graciously accepted our invitation to be featured on our site.

She is a singer, Evangelist, composer, entrepreneur, administrator, visionary, wife and mother; but most importantly, an anointed woman of God. She serves as a prime example of an enterprising preaching woman whose ministry is sweeping the nation, as she wins souls for Christ.

Now, you may be wondering, "What exactly is an enterprising preaching woman?" Well, for our purposes she represents: A forward-thinking visionary that integrates entrepreneurship into her overall strategy for fulfilling the ultimate purpose for which she was created. She is by no means narrow-minded in her approach to ministry. On the contrary, she recognizes that all of her God-given gifts, talents, and resources, have been entrusted to her so that she may contribute to the advancement and enhancement of the Kingdom of God. 

Is there an enterprising preaching woman inside of you just waiting to be unleashed? At PreachingWoman.com, we're helping you break free in your mentality, so you can break free in your reality. It's your season to begin uncovering and utilizing the gifts and resources God has given you to pursue your divine destiny for His glory; this is precisely what Evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole has done.

If, by chance, you are not surrounded by an abundance of examples of women who are thriving in both ministry and business, she serves as a great model.   

So, where did her ascent begin? Dorinda Clark Cole was raised in Detroit, Michigan and initially found fame as a member of the world renowned gospel singing group, The Clark Sisters. The late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark was her mother-one whose name was almost synonymous with Gospel music. As a result of the strong musical influences surrounding her, Dorinda and her sisters developed an unquenchable passion for music

Not only was she influenced by music; she was also groomed for ministry all throughout her life. Dorinda recollects, "My sisters and I were not only raised in church," she says, "We were trained by our parents to take responsibility for entire parts of the service if the situation required." She learned the ropes under the watchful eyes of her parents, which leads to a key point. Never grow frustrated with where you are. It's only preparing you for where you're going.

You have to be groomed and taught, before you're able to operate in excellence.

Thus, the level of responsibility Dorinda took on then, taught her how to gracefully balance the intense demands of ministry and business. Where would she be without the hands-on training she received earlier in her life? As you might imagine, she may not have been able to adapt to numerous roles, obligations, and expectations she must now fulfill.

Currently, Dorinda Clark Cole is Vice-President of the Music Department of the Church of God in Christ, the second largest African American religious organization in the world; Assistant Administrator to the North Central Jurisdictional Supervisor of Michigan; a dedicated member and Administrator of the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, under the pastorate of Dr. J. Drew Sheard. In September 2004, she received an honorary "Doctorate of Divinity' from Mt. Carmel Theological Seminary of Fresno, California. Dr. Cole attributes much of her success to her mother having steered her with Godly admonition by precept and example.

She is a highly sought-after Evangelist and motivational speaker, and her life inspires people from all over the world to passionately pursue their purpose. She has ministered across the US and as far away as England, Japan, Germany, France, Korea and South Africa. It was in South Africa that she made history as the first woman to ever minister in a pulpit as she boldly preached the word to a flock of over 4,000 people.

In 2002, she released her debut self-titled album Dorinda Clark Cole on GospoCentric Records.  This project debuted in Billboard's Top 5, garnered her two Stellar Awards, The Soul Train Lady of Soul Award, BMI Christian Music Award and a host of other awards and plaques. Dr. Cole's vocal ministries have even scored her recognition in the national sporting arena. In January 2004, she performed at the 38th Super Bowl.

She sang the National Anthem to open The Miami Heat and 76ers basketball game, and is the first black female gospel artist to perform at half time during the March 2004 Memphis Grizzlies Gospel Night Event. She has appeared on national television shows including: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Bobby Jones Gospel, Lift Every Voice, Gospel Superfest, Praise the Lord, The Stellar Awards and The Soul Train Lady of Soul.

In August 2005, her sophomore release The Rose of Gospel also debuted in Billboard's Top 5 and garnered a Grammy nomination for the best Traditional Soul Gospel Album and Stellar Award.

Although her accomplishments are formidable, that's not her core focus. Dr. Cole says, "When I'm gone, I want people to be able to say, 'She blessed my life in many ways.  She blessed me through ministry.  She blessed me through song.  She blessed me with encouragement, and speaking words into me that have changed my life.'"

That's the ultimate key to success as an enterprising preaching woman. Money, fame, and notoriety must not be the driving force behind your ministry or business. In the end, it must be about Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Dr. Cole's endeavor is to reach those that have never been inside of a church. Her ultimate mission is to continue spreading the message of Jesus Christ and to be pleasing in the sight of God.