 |
| Carlene Davis Cowan |
Carlene Davis-Cowan is recognized as one of the most dynamic and powerful music ministers coming out of the Caribbean. Along with her music ministry, Carlene is being used by the Lord to share the miracles God did and continues to do in her life which has touched many people in countless places. Anyone who has experienced her in ministry can attest to the fact that whenever she testifies in song, the anointed melodies bring hope and healing to the heart of the listener. It is without a doubt that God has anointed and appointed her for such a time as this.
Born in Jamaica, West Indies, Carlene spent her early childhood with her grand-parents who instilled the importance of God in her life. At the age of fourteen she migrated to England with the rest of her siblings to join her parents. From England she moved to Canada and then to Jamaica during which time she pursued a career in music and became known as Jamaica’s song bird singing the ‘songs of freedom.’ Carlene has recorded and released several albums, with number one singles such as ‘Winnie Mandela’ ‘It Must Be Love’, ‘Going Down To Paradise’ ‘Santa Claus Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto,’ ‘No Bias,’ and ‘Like Old Friends Do.’ She has also had major recording contracts with Gee Street, Island and PolyGram Records of the United States of America and Avex Trax out of Japan which led her to extensive tours of North and South America, Canada, Japan and Europe.
In 1996 she was diagnosed with cancer and out of that experience, with fervent prayer, fasting and the laying on of hands by the pastors and elders of her church received healing and recommitted her life to Jesus Christ. Today she sees this as God’s way of taking her through the fire of endurance and having stood the test is empowered to fulfil God’s purpose. ‘I can now stand as a living testimony,’ she says, with renewed faith and His healing power, knowing that he answers prayers and is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
An active member of Family Church on the Rock, Kingston, Jamaica, under the leadership of Apostle David and Dr. Richard Keane, she was ordained as minister in music in August, 2000 and in December 2004 she received a Master’s Degree in pastoral counselling from Trinity Theological Seminary of South Florida, USA.
Carlene is married to Tommy Cowan, himself a recommitted Christian with many years in the music business is her personal manager. Together they have produced two children Nathan and Naomi and she has also helped to raise three of Tommy’s older children, Che, Sara and Shikisha. Tommy and Carlene are owners of Judah Recording Studio and manage an event planning and production company, Glory Music Ltd. The premier event of this company is ‘Fun In The Son’, a Christian Spring Festival that invites young people and their families from around the world to come to Jamaica and have fun and fellowship with ‘the Son who made the sun.’ As full time ministers they also sow into the lives of the youths of Jamaica, such organisations as Maxfield Park Children’s Homes, a home for homeless children and a feeding programme in the inner city of Kingston.
Blessed with a voice to sing, write, produce and minister the gospel with her unique styling of the rhythms of Jamaica, brings her testimonies to the world. Empowered with a readiness to ‘go’ to the places and people she once entertained, witnessing through songs such as ‘Vessel,’ ‘Wish I Knew Then,’ ‘My Forever Friend,’ ‘This Island Needs Jesus,’ ‘I’m Redeemed,’ ‘The Author And Finisher,’ ‘By Any Means Necessary.’ ‘God Is.’ Presently, she is working on her seventh independent album.
As an ambassador for Kingdom building she seeks to live by the message she sings and speaks. Minister Davis-Cowan says … ‘I am thankful because the God I serve gives me more than I could ever ask for. Every moment of my life is another opportunity to glorify Him. I believe it is truly a privilege to be a carrier of His glory and it is my prayer as I walk in obedience to His Word that my contribution through the ministry of music will bring a change to the hearts of the believer and non-believer, starting in every home, street and lane of all nations.’
‘Let this be recorded for future generations, that a nation yet to be created will praise the Lord.’
(Psalm 102:18. NLT)
