Participants: Shelley Quinn (Host), Dennis F. Turner
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY015007A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:23 Lord, let my words 00:29 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:45 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:08 Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn, 01:09 and we welcome you again to 3ABN Today. 01:12 You know, I'm very excited about 01:15 the interview you're about to hear 01:16 and I'm about to hear with a young man 01:19 that I've just met who is really an exceptional person 01:23 and he has an exceptional story 01:26 and he comes from a background that is very interesting, 01:31 but how God led him to become a college professor, 01:36 to become an administrator, to become a motivational 01:39 and inspirational speaker and an author. 01:42 God has just done amazing things in his life 01:45 and he has some wonderful things to share with us, 01:48 but just before I introduce him, 01:50 let me read a scripture to you 01:52 that is absolutely on target for what was going on here 01:56 and it comes from Psalms 37, 01:58 I'm gonna read verses 5 through part of 7 02:03 and the Bible says "Commit your way to the Lord, 02:06 trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." 02:11 Yon know Proverb says "Commit your plans to the Lord 02:14 and He will cause them to succeed." 02:16 Verse 6 says, "He shall bring forth 02:19 your righteousness as the light, 02:21 and your justice as the noonday. 02:23 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." 02:26 Now resting and waiting patiently 02:28 doesn't mean you're working hard, 02:30 it means that you're waiting 02:32 for the Lord to open those doors, 02:34 but you're preparing yourself. 02:35 And let me introduce you now to our very special guest, 02:39 Dennis F. Turner. 02:40 And, Dennis, we're so grateful that you're here today. 02:44 Well, I'm excited to be here, very excited. 02:47 Is this your first trip to 3ABN? 02:48 Oh, yes it is. 02:50 Well, we're gonna have to make certain you get a tour 02:52 and get to see everything that the Lord is doing here now. 02:55 Awesome. 02:57 Now you're living in Olive Branch, Mississippi. 02:59 Where is that? 03:00 That is actually about 2 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. 03:04 Okay, and, and you didn't start there though 03:07 and that's the great part of his story, 03:09 as Dennis began in Sugar Ditch Alley. 03:13 And as soon as we have a song we're gonna come back 03:16 and we're gonna unpack the story. 03:18 And I believe that God is going to bless you, 03:21 and God is going to inspire you. 03:24 So we're very excited to hear this testimony, 03:27 but first you like music? 03:29 Oh, I love music. 03:31 And I love the person 03:32 who's going to be singing to us right now. 03:34 This is, we've got a song, 03:36 Rudi Micelli, has an incredible voice, 03:40 but he sings as worship, not as performance. 03:44 And right now what he is going to sing for us 03:46 is one of my favorites "Oh, I want to Know You More." 04:15 Just the time I feel 04:19 That I've been caught 04:22 In the mire of self 04:27 Just the time I feel 04:31 My mind's been bought 04:33 By worldly wealth 04:39 That's when the breeze begins to blow 04:45 I know the Spirit's call 04:51 And all my worldly wanderings 04:57 Just melt into His love 05:05 Oh, I want to know You more 05:09 Deep within my soul 05:12 I want to know You 05:14 Oh, I want to know You 05:17 To feel Your heart and know Your mind 05:22 Looking in Your eyes 05:24 Stirs up within me 05:27 Cries that say I want to know You 05:34 Oh, I want to know You more 05:47 And when my daily deeds 05:50 Ordinarily lose life and song 05:59 My heart begins to bleed 06:04 Sensitivity to Him is gone 06:13 I've run the race 06:15 But set my own pace 06:18 And face a shattered soul 06:26 But the gentle arms of Jesus 06:31 Warm my hunger to behold 06:39 Oh, I want to know You more 06:44 Deep within my soul 06:46 I want to know You 06:48 Oh, I want to know You 06:52 To feel Your heart and know Your mind 06:56 Looking in Your eyes 06:58 Stirs up within me 07:01 Cries that say I want to know You 07:08 Oh, I want to know You 07:11 Oh, I want to know You 07:15 And I won't give my final breath 07:20 To Know You in Your death and resurrection 07:25 Oh, I want to know You more 07:32 Oh, I want to know You 07:36 To know You more 07:43 Oh, I want to know You 07:50 More 08:10 That was beautiful, and I hope that 08:12 that is your heart cry, certainly is mine. 08:15 You know, it seems that 08:17 the more we know Him the more we love Him 08:20 and that's what it's all about. 08:22 Well, if you're just joining us today our special guest 08:25 is Dennis F. Turner, and Dennis, comes to us 08:29 from Olive Branch, Mississippi. 08:32 But Dennis, you didn't start in Olive Branch. 08:35 As a matter of fact 08:37 I think the most amazing part of your story is the start. 08:41 You began life in Sugar Ditch Alley, Mississippi. 08:46 Yes, I did. 08:47 Tell us that's Tunica, Mississippi, 08:49 why is it called Sugar Ditch Alley? 08:54 Well, it was called Sugar Ditch, 08:56 I think it was acronym or a, you know, 09:00 a, I guess what they would say, 09:03 you know, a backwards twist or something, 09:07 because there was no sugar. 09:09 There was, matter of fact there was an open sewer running. 09:11 That was an open sewer ditch, that's what it was. 09:15 And it was right behind the downtown area 09:18 of Tunica, Mississippi, and it was a place 09:22 that was just had a bunch 09:24 of broken down shacks that people lived in. 09:27 And they had no inside plumbing, 09:29 no inside bathrooms, 09:31 and it was right alongside at a ditch 09:33 where all the sewer and all the waste was thrown. 09:37 In fact, wasn't Tunica, I think until late 1990's, 09:41 it was one of the poorest 09:43 or known to be the poorest area in United States. 09:46 Yes, it was, It was the poorest place in America. 09:51 I think if I'm quoting correctly 09:53 Jesse Jackson referred to it as "America's Ethiopia." 09:56 Back in 1985 is where national attention came to Tunica, 10:01 and that's when it was exposed to America 10:03 that the place exists. 10:05 Well, so you grew up in this impoverished area. 10:11 How many children were in your family? 10:13 Well, I'm the youngest of 12. 10:16 Oh my goodness, Lord blessed your mama's heart. 10:20 And you're the baby boy. 10:21 Yes, I'm the youngest. 10:23 Okay, so were your parents Christian? 10:27 Did you grow up in a Christian environment? 10:29 Did you realize how poor you were, 10:31 or were you just a happy guy that didn't realize 10:34 just how poverty stricken your family was? 10:37 Well, to be honest I did, 10:39 I did realize that we were poor, 10:43 mainly because of the attention that 10:45 I, I paid attention to details with my parents. 10:49 But, you know my parents were very, very, 10:53 they were Christian parents. 10:55 Very spiritual and had a praying mother. 11:00 Praise the Lord. 11:01 Yes, yes, yes, she, you know, my start really began 11:05 right before actually being born on Sugar Ditch, 11:08 my start began with my mother, 11:11 my mother was 42 and my dad was 69 years of age. 11:15 Oh my goodness. 11:16 Yes, and my mother sat me down 11:19 one day to tell me the miracle with me being born 11:23 and she said son "I want to let you know 11:25 that I was a diabetic and doctor told me 11:29 after so many children 11:31 that when I was pregnant with you 11:33 that I would no go full term, I will miscarriage." 11:37 And she said "I prayed over you in my womb." 11:41 And she said "I want you to know that 11:43 when you were born, he looked at me and said 11:46 I do believe this is your healthiest child 11:48 you've ever head." 11:49 Praise the Lord. 11:51 And so that has always stuck with me. 11:54 It's always, you know, resonated in me 11:56 and it gave me purpose. 11:57 Amen, amen. 12:00 So you're growing up and I think you told me earlier 12:04 when we met that your family were traditional Baptists, 12:07 but you had a family, 12:09 wonderful Christian parents, who were praying parents. 12:14 When did you make a change from the Baptist Church 12:20 to the Adventist Church? 12:23 The way it happened around, excuse me, 12:24 it happened around 10, 10 or 11. 12:27 I start to visit a small Adventist Church 12:30 that was just planted in the small town of Tunica 12:34 with my sisters. 12:36 I have 2 sisters that became Adventist 12:39 right before me and you know there was 12:43 something peculiar about that church, 12:45 something peculiar about the people, 12:47 they were different. 12:49 It was something I've never experienced before. 12:52 Man the joy that I saw and the energy that they had. 12:56 It was, it was, and I wanted to go back to see more and more 13:02 and then I was introduced 13:03 to a different type of eating habit. 13:08 You know, it was so vibrant 13:10 and, and I just knew that there was something different 13:14 and so as a young child I start to read 13:17 and study for myself as I went and visited that church. 13:21 Praise the Lord. 13:22 And as a young child at the age of 14, 13:25 I heard God voice saying "this is the place" 13:29 and that's when I became Seventh-day Adventist. 13:31 Wonderful. 13:32 So God was really leading you all the way the through it. 13:36 So go ahead 13:38 and unfold this picture for us a little bit more. 13:41 Now, you're a young 13:43 Adventist Christian on fire for God. 13:46 But you're still living in a poverty stricken area 13:50 where you wouldn't think that there would be opportunity 13:53 to go on and get your master's degree. 13:55 You hold 2 masters, don't you? 13:57 You know, I have a master's degree 13:59 and I'm half way done with educational doctorate degree. 14:01 And with, okay, well that's praise God. 14:05 How did the Lord put these things in motion? 14:10 Well, I would, I would definitely have to say 14:13 it was a process. 14:16 We didn't stay on Sugar Ditch that long 14:18 after I was born. 14:19 My dad was able to move us off 14:22 and to a low income house in the town of Tunica. 14:26 But my dad died shortly afterwards. 14:29 I was 3 when he passed away 14:31 and it seems like things got worse at that moment, 14:37 but I had a praying mother. 14:38 She held her family together with prayer and hard work 14:42 and, and so as I grew up, I had to grow up a lot faster, 14:48 because I wanted to help my mom and my family 14:52 and so, you know, 14:54 I always tried to make the right decisions. 14:57 Praise God. 14:58 But you know, the one thing that got me is, 15:01 you know, my mom would wake up in the mornings 15:05 and she would kneel by her bedside 15:08 and she will pray and every morning 15:11 when she finished praying, 15:13 she gave this handclap of praise 15:15 and she would lift her hands towards the ceiling. 15:18 And sometimes she'll have tears running down her face 15:22 and I've watched her 15:24 in every morning do this for years 15:29 and I finally asked mom why, 15:34 why is it you do the same routine everyday? 15:37 And she began to tell me about the goodness of God. 15:42 And how He has brought her, 15:44 and how she nearly died numerous of times 15:47 and how He has protected the family 15:50 and how, you know, He has brought us 15:53 from where we, from whence we came in, 15:56 it was just, it was so empowering listening to her. 16:01 Amen. 16:03 And so you know as the time went on, 16:06 things didn't get better overnight. 16:08 Not even a year later, we had struggles. 16:11 My mom became very ill when I was about 14, 16:14 right after joining the Adventist Church, 16:17 where we had to move to Memphis 16:19 for medical treatment for her. 16:21 And in that transition I drew closer 16:25 and closer to God because I needed Him, 16:28 because now one parent was sick and one was gone 16:32 and I was the youngest of the family, 16:34 but my older siblings was, 16:36 you know, we were not a close knit family. 16:39 You were not? 16:41 That's kind of a surprise when you think about 16:44 the environment in which you grew up. 16:46 Yes, yes, it was interesting, 16:51 but once again the prayers of our mother. 16:54 She would do this sick, healthy, 16:59 every morning and you know. 17:01 Well, this is a woman who knew God. 17:03 She had a personal relationship with Him. 17:05 And she knew upon whom she dependent on. 17:08 Oh, yes. Oh, yes. 17:11 My sister that's next to me was the-- 17:14 she became an Adventist before I did. 17:17 She stepped out first and went to Oakwood College 17:22 in back, back in 1988 17:24 and when I listened to the things 17:27 that she talked about 17:29 and I listened to her experience 17:32 and then being able to visit the campus one, 17:35 one year during camp meeting. 17:37 I felt the call 17:40 that was the place that I needed to be 17:43 and so upon graduating from high school, 17:46 God led me to Oakwood College. 17:49 But, how did the Lord, I mean college is expensive? 17:54 And here you're coming 17:55 from, really you have no resources, 17:59 how did all of that worked together? 18:02 God. Amen. 18:05 Praise, mercy God. Of course, you know. 18:09 And determination. 18:10 And determination. 18:12 We, you know, of course, 18:13 you know, we have to use student loans 18:15 when you don't have any other resources, 18:18 but God just used different people to pour into my life. 18:22 One day I was in college and I had no money. 18:28 Loans was not enough, you know grants was not enough. 18:32 Oakwood was expensive, but I had a professor, 18:38 a coach, his name was James Ridey 18:42 and we were very close and I play basketball for him 18:48 and we used to witness as we went 18:49 and play sports to. 18:51 You're not a tiny guy, how tall are you? 18:54 About 6'3-1/2". 18:55 Okay. 18:57 Yes, definitely about 100 pounds lighter, 18:59 but you know one thing he did 19:02 when I was in college that just blew me away. 19:06 I was sitting there and I was almost in tear, 19:10 how was I going to complete school, 19:13 you know, if I can't clear, 19:16 and so he said "don't you worry about school, 19:19 that's our problem, you worry about your books 19:22 and getting your education the other part 19:26 it will handle itself, God will make a way." 19:29 He picked up the phone 19:31 and on the other end of the phone 19:33 I just hear him say "hey, Cliff" you know 19:36 and he tells this guy my story this guy named Cliff 19:39 and I'm just sitting in the office listening 19:41 and he says "I need him in school, 19:44 this is a good young man" and I'm just sitting there 19:48 and I hear the guy say to Mr. Ridey, "how much? 19:53 And he told him exactly how much money I'd need 19:55 and he said "no problem check is in the mail." 19:58 Glory to the God. 20:00 I was blown away, and as he hung up the phone 20:04 and looked at me and said "I told you don't worry." 20:06 Now, let me ask you, did you do what your mama did 20:08 to give the Lord hand clap. 20:11 I did more, I was up, I was spinning, 20:14 and I was jumping, I was shouting. 20:15 Imagine. 20:17 And he told me then he said 20:18 "you know, that guy who was on the pone 20:21 with that was Clifton Davis, he is an alumni of Oakwood." 20:25 Praise God. 20:26 And I just said "wow, praise God." 20:29 And that changed my life to see someone 20:32 that didn't know me, could do that for me, 20:37 it gave me even more purpose and determination. 20:43 Let's see, I'm thinking that 20:45 you were a person of great purpose and determination 20:49 because number one your mother let you know immediately. 20:52 I just--I want to talk to you mamas out there 20:55 and to you daddies 20:57 "please when you're speaking to your children's life, 20:59 speak words of life, 21:01 speak, speak the word of God into their life, 21:05 and don't ever tell your child they're worthless, 21:07 you tell them just how much they are worth to God 21:10 and give them that sense of purpose 21:11 because that's so important." 21:14 And you were a determined young man, 21:18 because you said you know 21:20 "I always tried to make the right choices." 21:23 You're influenced heavily by your mother 21:26 and you had developed 21:27 that personal relationship with the Lord. 21:29 Which is why this professor 21:32 was able to pick up this phone call 21:34 and I imagine this man on the other end of the phone 21:37 that wrote the check, he knew the professor 21:38 wouldn't be calling him unless you were a special young man. 21:41 And had that determination to follow God's plan. 21:46 That's right. 21:47 Amen. That's exciting. 21:49 So you went, you got your degree from Oakwood 21:54 and I wish we had time to talk about 21:56 all your experiences at Oakwood 21:58 because there were good ones there. 22:02 But you went on then to get your master's 22:05 at Mississippi A&M. 22:07 Alabama A&M. 22:09 Alabama A&M. 22:10 Excuse me, Alabama A&M. 22:12 Tell us why you chose the field that you're in? 22:18 Wow, that's a great question, 22:23 because it seem like it's changing, 22:25 but as I looked with the hind side view 22:29 it prepared me for what I am doing now. 22:32 Education and physical education was one, 22:35 physical education was very important for me 22:37 because it taught me something about the body. 22:40 It taught me a lot of things that 22:42 we should've known already and you know 22:45 and a lot of this is in the message 22:48 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 22:50 But, then moving on to education, 22:52 it prepared me for the things that 22:54 I'm doing now with ministry 22:57 and, you know, the one thing I can say to people 23:02 because where I'm from is people do perish 23:05 because of the lack of knowledge. 23:06 Amen. 23:08 And the one thing I want to do 23:10 is give people at least that knowledge 23:13 where they can make a cognize decision 23:17 to do the right thing. 23:19 And that, that is one of the reason 23:21 why I'm into the field that I'm in. 23:23 And so when you're talking about knowledge, 23:24 you're talking more than just book learning. 23:26 Oh, yes. 23:28 You're talking about knowing God. 23:29 Yes, you see God is, God is the center of everything. 23:33 Amen. 23:34 God, God, He is where everything starts 23:38 and where everything will finish. 23:40 You know, He is the answer to every question that we have. 23:44 You know what the Bible said 23:46 "In all yours ways we should acknowledge Him." 23:48 So you're working on your PhD, is in what? 23:53 Education. Education. 23:54 Yes, yes, yes, education and leadership. 23:58 I felt early that I was called to be a leader. 24:03 Not necessarily wanted that job, 24:05 because that's a lot of pressure 24:07 and you know I was, I thought I was great follower, 24:11 but that wasn't God's plan, you know. 24:15 And so I want to be prepared in leading others, 24:19 so I want to make sure that I've all the things that 24:22 that would aide me into being a great leader. 24:25 And, you know, that's what I admire 24:27 about you, Dennis, is that 24:29 it's one thing just to know the Lord 24:32 and accept His call, but we have to 24:35 when God call us, He will equip us, 24:38 and we've got to work hard 24:40 to be equipped sometimes though. 24:41 You know, sometimes we say that 24:43 that oh, God equips the call, that's true, 24:45 but it doesn't mean that there is not hard work. 24:48 As a matter of fact it's Proverbs 14:23 says, 24:52 "All hard work brings a profit, 24:55 but mere talk brings only poverty." 24:59 And So you were a determined person, 25:02 and I know God gave you that determination. 25:04 But you worked hard. 25:05 Oh, yes. 25:07 And you're still working hard, I love it. 25:08 Now let's back up a little bit 25:10 because we followed your education trail. 25:12 But tell me about, where did you meet your wife? 25:15 Oh, well, my wife, 25:18 I actually met my wife at a wedding. 25:20 Okay. 25:22 Yes, I really didn't want to go to be honest with you. 25:26 Men don't seem delighted, they just don't seem to really, 25:29 that's not high on their priority. 25:30 My friends dragged me there, it's like "no you got to go" 25:33 I said "no, I'll wait here until you get back." 25:35 But no, I went to the wedding 25:37 and I saw her she was coordinating a wedding 25:40 and I just cannot take my eyes off her 25:44 and so I was introduced to her 25:46 and it was just, it was, it's history after that. 25:50 We really talked for hours, 25:56 I mean, and just, but you know, 25:59 that was just God that was just God. 26:01 She is such a beautiful person. 26:03 So you married a good Christian woman 26:05 and you have three beautiful children that are how old? 26:08 They are 8, 4, and 1. 26:11 Okay. 26:12 And I'm gonna telling you, she is a praying woman. 26:16 Praise God. Praise God. 26:18 So let's talk about now what God is doing, 26:23 how He's leading you in ministry. 26:27 Oh, man, where do I begin? 26:30 You know, He's given me something unique, 26:34 you know, He's given me my story for one. 26:37 And that's, that's where I wanted to start. 26:40 Everywhere I go, I want to make sure 26:41 people understand I exist because of what God did for me 26:45 and what He is continuing to do for me, 26:47 and I want people to know that it's only God that I exist 26:52 and then two, I want people to know that 26:54 it's not a, He's not a, you know, He's, He's, 26:58 He's not someone that I'm keeping to myself, 27:01 but I want to give to others. 27:02 I want to introduce people to the King that I know. 27:06 And so what we're doing is, I've taken my story 27:10 and I've done some clever, in my opinion, things with it, 27:15 you know, I feel that there should be 27:18 different ways of ministry. 27:20 You know, I love singing, and I love you know the word, 27:23 but I think there should be different ways 27:24 and so we've even-- we've transposed 27:28 my story into a stage play. 27:31 Well, now first, you wrote book first, right? 27:33 Oh, yes. 27:35 I did, I wrote a book entitled "The Boy From The Ditch" 27:39 which gives my story and background 27:40 from Sugar Ditch to where I'm today. 27:44 And you know, I feel that that story was placed in me 27:50 because God was gonna use that 27:54 to speak to other kids in impoverished areas 27:56 and inner cities, and kids that just feel unloved 28:01 and lonely to minister to them. 28:04 And it's not always just for the people 28:07 who are impoverished, 28:08 because there are a lot of people 28:10 who have grown up, not with a lot of lack or want, 28:16 but accepting the area of emotional. 28:20 You know, they're emotionally bankrupt 28:22 because no one's deposited into them. 28:24 That's right. 28:25 But it's also a story of great inspiration, 28:27 because if you think you're trying 28:29 to overcome anything you can read this book, 28:31 filled with miracles from God and how the Lord leads 28:35 and how when we just put our hand in His hand 28:39 and we follow. 28:41 You know, you have to follow to be a good leader. 28:42 Oh, yes. 28:44 And that's what the Lord has taught you. 28:45 Yes, yes. 28:47 So go ahead and tell us about the stage play? 28:50 Oh, well the stage play is actually, 28:52 we took about the first 3 or 4 chapters of the book 28:56 and transposed it into a stage play. 28:58 Okay. 29:00 Trying to be innovative in reaching a great, 29:03 vast people with inspiration. 29:06 Letting them know that you know they too have purpose 29:10 and that they're fearfully and wonderfully made. 29:13 And God has something special for you. 29:16 And all you have to do is just reach out 29:19 and just submit yourself 29:21 to the God of universe, God of heaven. 29:24 Amen, now where do you stage play, 29:27 where would it be showing? 29:30 We're doing a HBCU tour and then we're gonna to start. 29:33 What is HB's? 29:35 Oh, I'm sorry, it's Historical Black College Tour. 29:38 Yes, and we're gonna start 29:39 at Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. 29:41 Okay, all right, wonderful 29:43 so you've already played in a number of places 29:47 and now you've done some churches and some colleges. 29:51 Tell me what is people's reaction? 29:56 How do they react to this stage play? 29:58 Oh man. 29:59 We're getting mixed emotion of joy and just over joy. 30:05 They're tearful, they feel it is so inspiring to them. 30:11 Most people are telling me 30:13 "is there a way, I can get DVD or something 30:16 or where you're gonna be next 30:17 because I want my teenager to see this play. 30:20 I want my college son to see this play" 30:24 and so they're very excited about it. 30:26 We've done a play at Oakwood University, 30:32 we've done a play, I am sorry, we did a play in Houston 30:36 at World Harvest Outreach Church 30:38 and we've-- the most recent place 30:41 was in Memphis, Tennessee. 30:43 Why are people reacting like this, 30:45 what is the message of the play? 30:49 I'm glad you asked. 30:50 The message of the play is never quit, never give up 30:57 because no matter how long it takes, 31:01 in the end God has a purpose for you. 31:05 And so it takes me to the slogan that we have, 31:09 you know, we have a slogan, 31:11 that is not about the speed but the mentality. 31:14 I was doing a motivational speech at a high school 31:18 and it was really, I remembered this like it was yesterday 31:22 because one of the young ladies from the high school came 31:26 and said "wow, I really liked the story you gave" 31:28 and the story was basically the children story the turtle 31:32 and the rabbit and I talked about that. 31:34 We talked about how the rabbit 31:37 got full of himself basically he went off and took a nap 31:41 and how the turtle just never stopped, never quit, 31:44 and he kept pounded and he won the race. 31:47 Now we all know that the rabbit is faster 31:49 than the turtle, but it was the turtle 31:51 determination of never giving up. 31:54 My husband always will say that 31:57 "the Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon." 32:00 Oh, yes. 32:02 And so it's a matter of continually going forward, 32:05 and that's kind of, but why are people, 32:09 I mean, okay we've heard these stories before, 32:11 but what is it do you think, 32:13 what is the and, why are emotions 32:17 so intense when they see this? 32:20 Because, mainly because they see the loss, 32:25 we expose it. 32:26 The loss. 32:28 The loss, it's not only where I was born. 32:31 It's not only the fact that I was born, 32:34 but it's the loss. 32:36 I lost my dad when I was 3. My mom became very ill. 32:39 By the time I was 15 32:40 she could not do anything for herself. 32:44 My older siblings had to care for her 32:46 and she was in and out of the hospital for years. 32:50 In essence at 15, 32:52 I was raising myself and we portray that on stage 32:57 where people see, see it live right before them. 33:02 But they see the decisions 33:04 and the thought pattern that I made 33:08 and it was because of God 33:10 and we, we, we try to be very strategic in portraying it 33:15 because we want people to understand that 33:18 without God we're not anything, but with God we're everything. 33:23 Yeah. 33:24 And so, you know, we, when you portray that 33:27 it become very emotional. 33:30 When people see the triumph at the end 33:32 and it becomes so moving. 33:34 You know, that reminds me of Isaiah 48:17-18 33:38 I think what the Lord say's, "I'm the Lord your God 33:41 who leads you in the way you should go." 33:44 That's right. 33:45 And He teaches us to profit he says 33:46 so it it's just amazing I think, 33:51 I think what's so exciting about your story, Dennis, 33:55 is that you connected at such an early age 34:00 on a level of I will say like Christian maturity 34:04 if you will at such an early age. 34:07 That's what kept your hand in God's hand, 34:10 because you could certainly have gone off, 34:12 you've been in a game, 34:14 you could've done chosen life of crime, 34:16 you could've done many things that people do 34:19 when they're, you know, lose your father 34:22 at an early age then lose basically your mama too is. 34:26 How long did your mama live? 34:27 My mom passed away when I was 24. 34:30 When you were 24. 34:31 oh, I wish, she could see you today. 34:33 Oh, I know she was excited even back then, 34:35 but she will on the seat like, 34:37 she'll get to hear your whole story, 34:40 but it's exciting to meet someone 34:46 and it's inspiring that it's just that 34:50 when you're so connected to God, 34:51 it's like there was an umbilical cord 34:53 between you and the Lord at such an early age. 34:56 And then you just were connected 34:58 and you put your head down and you just went forward. 35:01 Just day by day, plodding along, 35:06 and the Lord kept opening the doors 35:09 and you've walked through them. 35:11 You know, you couldn't have said it better. 35:14 What I'd like to tell young people, 35:16 you know or just remind them that is-- 35:21 some days you're not gonna always do the right things. 35:25 Yeah. Amen. 35:26 But the Bible says that the race is not given 35:30 to the swift or the strong, but to the one that endure it. 35:34 If you fall, just get up, you have to keep at it. 35:40 Someone once told me and he said, 35:41 you know, "if you knock on the door 35:44 and no one answer, move on and keep knocking, 35:48 if you knock on the door and they turn you away, 35:51 move on and keep knocking, 35:53 eventually someone's gonna let you in." 35:56 That's beautiful. 35:58 That resonates with me because it tells me that 36:02 no matter what you experience in life 36:05 or what you maybe going through, 36:07 you know in the end you shall prevail, 36:11 God will deliver. 36:13 And we've to sometime look at our situation 36:17 and look at the process as a learning experience 36:19 because He may be trying to teach us something. 36:21 Amen, amen. 36:24 I'm trying to remember the scripture in Micah 36:26 it says "Do not rejoice over me, 36:28 over me, my enemy for when I fall I will arise 36:30 when I fall seven times the Lord will lift me up" 36:33 I think that's Micah and that's what you're saying. 36:38 And that's a powerful message to tell young people. 36:41 Because sometimes we do, 36:43 we can make them feel so guilty for a wrong decision 36:47 that they're ready to give up and go in the other way 36:49 because they feel there's no hope for them. 36:51 But, what your ministry is doing 36:54 is teaching young people. 36:57 How to continue on with God 37:01 and when they fall flat on their face 37:03 to turn to God, let Him pick them up, 37:05 dust them off, and keep going. 37:07 Keep going. Amen. 37:09 Keep going, it's not over. 37:11 Amen. Yes. 37:12 So when you have, from time to time at least, 37:17 I know in ministry there's times that 37:19 when you're ministering, 37:21 you hear certain stories and things that standout. 37:26 And as I am sure you've learned already, 37:29 it doesn't necessarily mean 37:31 whatever the economic situation is for people, 37:35 some of those grandparents were saying, 37:37 "Oh, I want my grandchild to see this, 37:39 you know, where can I get a copy of it." 37:41 They may come from homes that are quite well off. 37:46 But, they just need the direction. 37:48 Have you heard testimonies as you're out, 37:51 you've been an, you're an inspirational speaker, 37:53 motivational speaker, where do you speak? 37:56 Oh, man, I speak everywhere to be honest. 37:58 I do churches, schools, banquets, universities. 38:05 I've been called to do, 38:09 I'm trying to think of the next one I have 38:11 it's a, I think it's a banquet for young people 38:16 that a service organization in the community is doing 38:20 for the community kids and so. 38:22 So this is beyond just the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 38:25 You're speaking in. 38:26 Yes, yes it's beyond the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 38:30 you know, we, I accept calls 38:33 pretty much wherever God leads me. 38:35 Because everyone needs to hear the good news. 38:38 Absolutely. 38:40 But have you met anyone during your ministry so far 38:44 where there's a testimony that 38:47 you've heard someone it's touched their heart 38:48 and they've shared a story that you felt 38:51 could be similar to your somebody 38:54 that's really been disadvantaged, but. 38:59 There's a story that comes to mind. 39:01 It was a-- 39:03 she was actually not a young lady, 39:05 she was slightly older than myself. 39:10 She-- it was at a book signing 39:12 where I did a speaking engagement 39:14 and this young lady was in tears as I gave my story 39:20 and so I saw people consoling her 39:25 and so I somehow something just told me to address, 39:30 you know, I speak to her 39:32 and when I gave her some encouragement 39:36 and she stood up and she shared with me that 39:42 it was my story did something miraculous in her. 39:46 She said that "she had experienced 39:48 some hardships with her family, she want to write about it" 39:52 and then she said, "she felt, 39:55 but when she started writing that it was therapeutic for her 40:00 because she heard me say the same thing" 40:03 that was a lot of things, 40:05 you know, that I dealt with when writing my story. 40:09 I had no clue that there was some things 40:11 I was holding on to. 40:12 It's cathartic. 40:14 Yes, and so when I wrote the story, 40:17 it seemed like God was releasing it. 40:20 And so she was just in tears 40:24 and she said, "My mom told me that 40:28 if I published this book 40:30 that she would not going to speak to me ever again." 40:34 And she said, "She felt 40:37 like she was pressed against the wall" 40:41 because she felt something telling her to do this 40:45 and, and she was, she felt that it was God 40:47 leading her to do this, but her mom, 40:51 so she didn't know what to do 40:53 and she said "that day that after she heard my testimony 40:57 and heard the people's reaction 41:01 and just the story" she said, 41:05 "It was clear to what decision she will make." 41:09 And so I prayed for her right there on that spot 41:12 and for her family and her mother 41:15 and that story just it resonate 41:19 and it just-- it never leaves my mind 41:21 because I'm like "Wow, you know God, 41:25 you had, my story had this affect on someone." 41:30 That's right. 41:31 And you know that God gives us all a testimony. 41:33 You're testimony is greater sermon you'll ever preach. 41:37 So now that the Lord has led you out, 41:43 brought you out of Sugar Ditch Alley. 41:48 From poverty to where you're comfortable. 41:51 He's using you in a mighty way. 41:53 Do you ever find that 41:57 success sometimes gets in your way 42:02 of your relationship with God? 42:04 In other words, do you find that you have to, 42:07 you know, when you have a great need, 42:09 it's easy to stay on your knees 42:10 before the Lord recognizing your dependence. 42:13 But sometimes even success at ministry 42:17 can make you temporarily forget 42:21 how totally dependent you're upon God. 42:24 Do you find that you're really having 42:26 to focusing on that to maintain that 42:28 same intimacy of relationship? 42:33 I think, I'm built different. 42:35 I don't find that and I'm gonna tell you why, 42:39 I'm-- the person I'm 42:42 or the kind of person I'm, I should say, 42:45 I'm very hard on myself. 42:51 I believe in the more the more you get 42:56 the more responsibility you have. 42:59 And when I look at great big audience of people that, 43:06 you know, I'm ministering to or if I'm speaking to, 43:09 I feel a sense of responsibility that 43:12 they're here for a purpose and it is my job to give them 43:17 what I'm supposed to give them, 43:21 and that to me is a lot of responsibility. 43:26 It is. 43:28 You definitely want that every individual there 43:31 to leave with something that God can use in their lives 43:35 and so I guess for me 43:38 it's more like the more, you know. 43:42 Praise the Lord. 43:44 Yeah, with the more responsibility. 43:46 Oh, you know, that's an excellent response 43:48 because that's the way it is supposed to be. 43:50 That's the way God wants you to be. 43:52 So now let's talk about for just a moment. 43:57 You've got a book and the name of the book is? 44:00 The Boy From The Ditch. 44:02 The Boy From The Ditch. 44:03 When did you write the book? 44:04 I wrote the book about 2-1/2 years ago. 44:07 All right and this book is available how? 44:11 It is available on Amazon. 44:15 Okay. Amazon.com 44:16 Or Barnes & Noble Nooks or you can order it at. 44:20 You said that too fast-- 44:22 Oh, Amazon.com. 44:24 And Barnes & Noble Nooks. 44:26 Okay, Barnes & Noble. 44:28 Or you can go to the website www.theboyfromtheditch.com 44:35 Okay, www.theboyfromtheditch.com 44:40 I love the name 44:41 because you did come out of the ditch 44:44 didn't you, literally? 44:46 So this is something that-- 44:49 what is the name of the ministry 44:50 that the Lord has given you? 44:52 The name of the ministry is Turtle Nation Ministry. 44:56 Turtle Nation. 44:58 Nation Ministry. 44:59 I love it. Yes. 45:01 Now this is your logo. 45:03 Yes, that is my logo, and the slogan, 45:07 "It's not about the speed, but the mentality, 45:10 which is a, I think a modern trans... 45:18 Translation! 45:19 Translation, I'm sorry, of the verse 45:23 that we just talked about 45:25 which is "The race is not given to the swift nor the strong, 45:28 but to the one that endure it to the end." 45:32 You know, I was-- the story we were talking about 45:34 when I spoke at the high school, 45:36 the young lady came to me and said, 45:38 you know, I really like the story 45:40 and the way you used it. 45:41 You guys have a mascot, logo, or something 45:46 and I said "wow, you know no, but thank you for the idea." 45:51 She said, oh, she was all excited, 45:53 it was a high school student. 45:54 And so we came up with the slogan and the mascot 45:59 and we got with the publishing-- 46:01 Have you already named it Turtle Nations? 46:04 No. So all of this--- 46:06 All of this came from that conversation. 46:08 And you know it was really interesting 46:10 because that young lady was just, she was so gifted 46:15 and she made such an impression on me that 2 years later 46:19 she is now one of the actress in my stage play. 46:22 Praise God, praise God. 46:25 So this then on your website that you offered that. 46:30 Now do you offer other things 46:31 on your website or like a little... 46:33 Yeah, well you can, my website offer me 46:37 of course as a motivational and inspirational speaker 46:40 and also the stage play. 46:43 You can contact us through that website 46:46 theboyfromtheditch.com to book the stage play. 46:50 Or to find out where it might be showing. 46:52 Yes, or find out where it might be showing. 46:56 We're also, you know, I do a lot, 47:02 I also mention music. 47:04 I wrote the music, all the music for the play, 47:10 so it's really my testimony and story, 47:14 but everything that God has given me 47:17 and you know I want to use it. 47:19 Amen. 47:21 To further His cause, 47:22 and to have an impression on young people, 47:24 and people all around the world. 47:27 You know the thing about a stage play 47:31 is that you can book a community sooner or something 47:35 and this does draw people in where they might not come 47:39 just to hear your sermon, 47:41 they'll come watch a stage play. 47:43 And where some teenagers might come to church 47:47 just sit on their iPad or their iPhone 47:49 the whole time texting, 47:51 they'll really pay attention to this. 47:52 So it is, it's a way to reach out 47:55 and it is your testimony, it's God's story. 47:59 Yes, definitely. 48:00 Of how He worked in your mind. 48:04 What about your children? 48:06 Are they developing 48:07 that same personal relationship with the Lord 48:10 you're showing, you're modeling to them? 48:13 You became what you beheld 48:15 and you're modeling that to them now. 48:17 Yes, it's funny you said acts, 48:20 because my wife and I, we were just having this conversation 48:23 just a few moments ago, few days ago I'm sorry, 48:27 and we observed our children trying to figure out 48:31 you know, who is the kinesthetic leaner, 48:33 who is the cognitive learner, 48:35 you know, and we're just 48:36 trying to figure out things about them, 48:38 but the one thing we agreed on 48:41 and one thing that we have vowed to do 48:44 and that is be an example for our children. 48:48 The biggest thing is a lot of kids doesn't-- 48:51 they grow up and they do not have that example. 48:54 Now, I lost my father at 3. 48:56 I really know what it's like to lose a father figure. 49:01 You have no one to model yourself or your behavior. 49:05 Or how you go about making decisions. 49:09 And so we-- I have 2 boys 49:11 and 1, my youngest is a girl. 49:13 My wife and I, we've vowed that the one thing we would do, 49:16 we would not allow the world or their environment 49:22 to raise our children that we would do it and. 49:25 Glory to God. 49:27 The saying says you know, 49:29 "It's not what you say, but what you do." 49:33 That's what kids are watching. 49:35 Amen, like I said you okay, 49:37 greatest sermon you'll preach is your testimony 49:40 and your lifestyle in front of your children. 49:42 That is true, what you do. 49:44 Yes, they're watching you. 49:45 Well, we want to give people an opportunity 49:48 to get in touch with you Dennis, 49:49 if you want to ask Dennis to come 49:52 and be a speaker at an event, or at your church, 49:55 or if perhaps you could like to book the stage play 50:01 or I guess again, just to know again 50:03 how to get hold of his book and purchase that book, 50:06 here's his contact information. 50:11 If you'd like to contact Dennis, 50:13 then you can email him at coachd92@gmail.com. 50:18 That's coachd92@gmail.com. 50:21 Or if you'd like to learn how you can get his book 50:24 Boy From The Ditch or find out more about the stage play, 50:28 then you can go online at theboyfromtheditch.com. 50:33 It's all one word theboyfromtheditch.com. 50:42 We're gonna be coming back 50:43 in just a moment with a closing thought from Dennis, 50:45 but right now we have Rudi Micelli again, 50:47 and Rudi is gonna be singing for us "Always." 51:01 Always 51:04 When I seek my Jesus 51:08 When I need his favor 51:13 I know he'll be there 51:19 Always 51:21 If I am afflicted 51:26 Feeling hurt or saddened 51:30 I know that He cares 51:36 Jesus rescued me from danger 51:43 With His hand of mercy 51:47 Brought me to His light 51:53 He's more than I've ever needed 52:00 He's my king, my Savior 52:04 Now I have new life 52:10 Always I will go on singing 52:17 Knowing that someday soon 52:22 He will come for me 52:28 Jesus rescued me from danger 52:35 With His loving arms He 52:39 Brought me to His light 52:46 He's more than I've ever needed 52:52 He's my king, my Savior 52:57 Now I have new life |
Revised 2021-08-30