Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Renay Patrick.
Hi Donna Renay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I love being a musician. Not because I know how, but because I’m called to it. It is part of my purpose given to me by God. I’m not sure why my Mother chose piano lessons for my sisters and I, but my teacher, Mrs. Bonnie Jacobs, told my Mother, “Donna has music all over her.” Although I was learning to play music by classical composers like Bach, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky, and in spite of being selected to participate in the National Piano Playing Auditions at Millikin University on multiple occasions, and yearly opportunities to take part in Mrs. Jacobs’ spring recitals, the gospel music bug had bit me – and it bit hard! One of my mentors at the church had begun taking me to rehearsals with him, and that did it for me. I loved everything about gospel music; listening, playing it, and eventually teaching it. I was drawn to it like nothing else. It was only after several years of teaching the various voice parts that I discovered one of my spiritual gifts is teaching; which is why teaching parts comes so easy to me. By the time I was 11 I had begun playing for the church. This experience afforded me access to mentors who were of course much older and wiser than I thought I would ever be in this profession. Being a church musician at such a young age also put me on the path to learning people skills, conflict resolution, and leadership. It also solidified in me the power of music to speak to people and change lives.
My Mother must have been a prophet because very often, when I didn’t want to practice, her response was, “That piano might be your bread and butter one day.” My chosen line of work was in the legal profession, and music ministry was always on a bi-vocational basis. When I may have been between 9-5 jobs, I was always playing somewhere – “somewhere” was usually in the church. True to my Mother’s words, my piano has indeed been my bread and butter. I thought nothing of it then, but she was right – aren’t Mothers always right?
The most interesting thing, though, is I did not earn my degrees in music – all of my musican training and experience has been acquired on the job. There have been so many mentors, role models, and trainers along the way who have shaped me into the musician, choir director, and worship leader I am. And I am so grateful for that. I stand on so many shoulders who poured their kindness, wisdom, and professionalism in me. When I had to admit to my piano teacher that I had been slack in practicing my classical music because I had an interest in gospel music, her response was to give me organ lessons as well. She said, “Well, if you like gospel music you will eventually be playing in the church.” Maybe she was a prophet too! She didn’t stop my classical piano lessons, but she split my sessions in half – part piano, and the other part organ. Much of what she taught me back then I still exercise now. I will always be indebted to her.
God is truly a multiplier of talents. For years I was only recognized as a musician, and no one knew I was also a choir director. It would aggravate me at times because I wanted the world to know I wasn’t just a musician. Those opportunities did come in God’s time. Now I do both just about every Sunday at the church where I am on staff. Add to that mix worship leader, and we have a full musical package. Today, I am known on some level in each of those circles. So, I am extremely thankful that God is using me in all these areas. The best part is, I know He’s not done. The best is yet to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been easy! There was a time when I wanted to hang up my piano, never to touch it again. Church musicians have to adapt to the different personalities of those with whom we work. I had a choir president once who was very controlling and rude – not just to me, but to others as well. Some of the things she and her cohorts would do or say were very hurtful, but I had to suck it up, keep smiling and continue to do what I had been brought there to do. Every choir has at least ONE member who will try you at every turn. I remember one female choir member with the smart mouth who thought everythng she said was right, and nobody corrected her; she was just allowed to try and “bulldoze” the musicians. Well, again, as a leader in that ministry I could not allow my real feelings to surface. I wanted to tell her exactly what I thought of her and her behavior. But that’s when my people skills had to kick in, and I treated her with the same respect that anyone deserves, although she made this difficult.
There was a time when I was just tired of all of it – choir members with attitudes, pastors who thought they knew more about music ministry than I did, and people who came to rehearsal for the sole purpose of trying the musicians’ patience. Around that time I was not on staff anywhere, and I was in visitor’s mode. I visited a church I had never been to before, so knew nothing about them. I kept going back because I loved the people there, the music was great, and the preaching was powerful. Little did I know one of my former choir members was there (one of the good ones). He introduced me to some key people, and the next thing I know I’m signing a W-4. This church restored my love for musicianship and the work involved. And I was ready to hang up my piano, but God had other plans. I was on staff at that church for 12 years. It was 12 of the best years of my musical career.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Infusion Worship Global is a training and development organization specific to worship ministry. We exist to shine the light on what God-honoring worship looks like, apart from the music. We do that through workshops, master classes, and short, live videos giving tips to worship leaders, ministers of music, pastors and ministry leaders on how they can lead their congregations to the next level in their understanding of the kind of worship that not only pleases God, but enhances their individual Christian experience, and leads to church growth.
What makes us different? Most often when you hear the phrase “praise and worship” we typically think of great music, and perhaps a “rock star” worship leader. But God is interested in niether of those; God is after “in spirit and in truth” worship. Infusion Worship Global does not focus on the great music; we focus on singing music during the praise and worship portion of the service that points to God and His character – not our problems. It’s not about the music for us – it’s about training our hearts to be in tune with His heart.
What are we most proud of brand wise? In terms of our brand I am most proud that we are laser-focused on the kind of worship that Jesus describes in John 4:23-24. Our brand represents authentic worship on a daily basis, and not just on Sundays. Worship is interwoven into all that we do. It isn’t something we DO; it’s who we are. Thus, the name INFUSION Worship Global because everything we do is a representation of worship; work, school, business, ministry, home life, the market place, etc. Every part of our lives is an expression of worship.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the most important quality or characteristic is knowing that this is what God has called me to do. It is part of my God-given purpose. In all of my successes, God is holding me accountable in that He has brought it all about. He is the reason for all of it. He gave me the vision and the courage to move forward in it. I take no glory for myself. I believe when we make ourselves available to God He can do far and above anything we could have imagined on our own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donnarenaypatrick.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnarpatrick/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donna.r.patrick/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-renay-patrick-m-a-b9746a29/
Image Credits
All images used here are used with the permission and consent of the photographer, David Gort, or are my own photos.
