Today we’d like to introduce you to Clark Joseph.
Clark, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story begins in the city of Lafayette, LA! I’ve always had an affinity for music! I developed an interest in the piano! I taught myself to play by ear and later studied privately with several music teachers. Went on to study Piano Performance at the University of Louisiana@Lafayette, earning Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. While in Lafayette, I served several churches as Minister of Music and directed the University of Louisiana@Lafayette Gospel Choir. Upon graduating, I moved to New York City where I attended Fordham University, earning a Master of Science in Education and later receiving certification in Education Administration. I served several churches in New York in various capacities. I also worked with the Black Spectrum Theatre in Queens as Music Director for many musical productions. Additionally, I taught elementary school as a classroom teacher and music teacher. I also served as Assistant Principal in the New York City Board of Education.
I then moved to Grand Prairie, TX after being appointed as Minister of Music & Worship Arts at the St. John Church pastored by Dr. Denny D. Davis. At the St. John Church, I give leadership to the entire Music Ministry, serving locations in Grand Prairie and Southlake, TX. I also serve the musical community of the Dallas -FW Metroplex through several organizations including The Black Academy of Arts & Letters, Jubilee Theatre, State Fair of Texas Unity Choir, Dallas Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, One Dallas Metropolitan Choral Union of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a smooth road, but with some challenges. Finding balance with family and full-time ministry has been difficult but gets better with time. When you are working in your passion area, it is easy to become a work-a-holic, because you are doing what you love to do! The challenge has been to bring balance and do everything within reason
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the St. John Church Unleashed story. Tell us more about it.
St. John Church of Grand Prairie/Southlake, TX
Clark W. Joseph, a native of Lafayette, LA is a workshop clinician specializing in ministering the good news of Jesus Christ through the medium of music. He has earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Louisiana @ Lafayette. He also earned a Master of Science in Education from Fordham University/New York. He has done post-graduate work receiving certification in Education Administration from The City College/New York. He was awarded the Dean’s Honor Scholarship from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology/Dallas where he earned a Master of Theological Studies. He also received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Bell Grove Theological Seminary/Baton Rouge, LA. Presently, he is completing requirements for the Doctor of Worship Studies degree at Liberty University/Lynchburg, VA.
The ministry of music has taken him throughout the U.S., Africa and Europe conducting workshops and seminars. He has been a guest presenter at the Gospel Music Workshop of America and the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Conference. He has been a guest lecturer at Southern Methodist University (Perkins School of Theology) and the University of North Texas School of Music. His compositions have been recorded with the GMWA Mass Choir, Men of Promise, the Northern California Chapter of GMWA, Modern Day Music Ministry Conference and the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Austin, TX.
He is a member of the following organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Dallas Metroplex Musicians Association, Gospel Music Workshop of America and the National Association of Negro Musicians. Additionally, he is a member of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses and the Hampton University Ministers Conference and Organist Guild. Finally, he is a member of the Fort Worth Gospel Announcers Guild.
He has served as Minister of Music for the National Baptist Convention USA Musical in 2006 (Dallas, TX). Additionally, he served as Minister of Music for the National Baptist Convention of America Board Meeting Musical in 2007 (Dallas, TX). He was one of the featured Ministers of Music in June 2007 issue of the national publication, Gospel Today magazine and in January 2014 in By Design Magazine. In June of 2008 and 2014, he served as the Minister of Music for the National Baptist Congress Musical (Dallas, TX). Additionally, he has served as conductor for the Black Academy of Arts & Letters Black Music and Civil Rights Movement Concert at the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas since 2008 featuring recording artists CeCe Winans, Ledisi, Chisette Michele, Reuben Studdard, Karen Clark-Sheard and Fantasia, and Peabo Bryson. His church choir, The St. John Church Music Ministry, was the 2011 Dallas Regional Winner of the How Sweet The Sound Choir Competition, representing the Dallas Region in the National Finale Competition in Los Angeles, CA. In 2012, for the same competition, the St. John Church Music Ministry was the How Sweet The Sound Dallas Regional Runner-Up, as well as the People’s Choice Award Winner. In 2013, the St. John Music Ministry was the National Winner of the Hopeline Award from Verizon How Sweet The Sound. As a result of this award, Verizon presented $10,000.00 to Brighter Tomorrows, an organization that combats domestic violence. In 2016, he was inducted into the Dallas Metroplex Musicians Association Hall of Fame and awarded Choir Director of the Year by the Music and Ministry Awards. Additionally, he served as Choir Director of the Texas State Fair, A Night of Gospel. In 2017, he was awarded Choir Director of Year by Heaven 97 Home Grown Honors. In 2019, he conducted the Dallas Unity Choir for the Gospel Goes Classical Concert featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Marvin Winans.
Clark presently serves as full-time Minister of Music & Worship Arts at the St. John Church Unleashed of Grand Prairie/Southlake, TX, one church ministering in multiple locations. Prior to relocating to Grand Prairie, TX he worked for the New York City Board of Education as a School Administrator. He is the father of three sons, Wynton Lamaur, Karmell Micah and Ross Wayman.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Hearing the call of God and responding yes to call of God in my life has been the key to all of my success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1701 W. Jefferson. Grand Prairie, TX 75051
- Website: sjbcfamily.com
- Phone: 972.264.1483
- Email: cjoseph@sjbcfamily.com
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