His world was characterized by violence, alcoholism, and abuse, but young Donnie McClurkin found a safe haven in his church, Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, Assemblies of God. It was there, at the age of nine, when he made a commitment to Christ. Throughout his troubled youth, amidst the strife of daily life, he learned to stand on the promises in the scripture. “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” (Prov 18:16) “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Rev. 3:8). Donnie was born, and raised in Amityville, New York. Because of a God-given gift of music that ran in his family, Donnie formed the McClurkin Singers with his siblings, and a few close friends in 1979. It wasn’t long after that when Donnie began to feel a calling to preach. He went on to meet gospel-legend Andrae Crouch, who became a mentor to him. Through that relationship, grew a friendship that would shape the entire course of Donnie’s future.
Donnie went on to form the New York Restoration Choir, who recorded the album I Feel Well in 1989. The song Speak to My Heart forged a strong following in the gospel community that continued to build the groups reputation. “God just got behind it, just like He got behind that rock David threw at Goliath!” Donnie, says, chuckling, “It’s been nothing else but Him.”
In 1996, Donnie released his self-titled, debut project on Warner-Alliance Records. This album featured the hit song Stand, as well as a re-recorded Speak to My Heart, which garnered him two stellar awards, as well as Grammy , and Dove award nominations.
Live in London and More was recorded in 1999 at the historic Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England. Released August 2001, the album quickly became a best seller with it’s Dove award winning song We Fall Down and held the number one spot on all of the gospel charts. In six months time, it achieved gold status with 500,000 records sold and by nine months was platinum (1,000,000). This project, recorded on the Verity Label, has opened doors around the world including The U.K., and The Carribean.
After being an associate Pastor to Marvin L. Winans for nearly a decade, Donnie became ordained and is Senior Pastor at Perfecting Faith, Located in Freeport, NY.
In 2001, Donnie had his first book published by Pneuma Life Publishing. Eternal Victim/Eternal Victor reflects on Donnie’s past and parallels his family circumstances with biblical families. “Victims and victors have one thing in common-suffering -it is how one handles those events that classifies whether they are one or the other,” says McClurkin.
In September of 2002, Donnie recorded his sophomore Verity album at West Angeles Church of God In Christ. Donnie McClurkin...Again, released March of 2003, has already captured critics and fans alike with the sure to-be-classic song “The Prayer” with Yolanda Adams.
Donnie McClurkin feels his purpose in life is to worship God, and to minister to people. He frequently ministers at some of America’s great gatherings such as Promise Keepers, Carlton Pearson’s Azusa Conferences, Benny Hinn crusades, TD Jakes Ministry events, as well as Rod Parsley’s Dominion Camp Meetings. Some interesting highlights of Donnie’s ministry are performing at the White House before United States Presidents Bush, and Clinton. He has made appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and has an award winning song on the soundtrack of the animated film, The Prince of Egypt.
McClurkin’s message is clear, as real today as the day he committed his life to Christ at nine years old: “I want to introduce Jesus Christ to the world, not as a religious leader, but as an intimate Friend who wants to radically change our lives,”he explains. “I want the world to know that we can sit down and embrace Him, He can embrace us, and He can handle any problem we are going through. He loves each of us individually, one by one.”
His Television Appearances include Good Morning America, CBS Saturday's Early Show, and the View, which support why he has crossed over and expanded upon his Gospel core to be widely considered also a Mainstream Urban brand.
He has also been featured in Movies like "The Gospel" and Paramount Studios award-winning film "The Temptation" and on Television shows like UPN's "Girlfriends, and "the Parker's".
He is best known for his hit songs "Stand" and "We Fall Down" which are still played in rotation on both Gospel and Urban Radio. Indeed, Donnie has quickly become a core artist in both formats.
His three solo albums have all topped the Billboard charts including both the Gospel and secular R and B playlists.
With that type of Gospel and Mainstream popularity, it should come as no surprise that Donnie's list of awards and accolades includes two Grammy Awards, ten Stellar Awards, two BET Awards, two Soul Train Awards, one Dove Award and an NAACP Image Award.
Dovetailing off the success of his near-double platinum selling "Live in London" album, Donnie will be producing another Live Album in 2008 which he will be recording all over the world. Truly an international Superstar, Donnie performed tracks on his last live album in Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Dutch.
To support the new album and reconnect with his huge fan-base, he will be back on tour in 08. His most recent tour with CeCe Winans was so well-received that Donnie is eager to get back on the road to reconnect with his fans, especially the ones that listen to his radio show every day. "As much as I love music and singing, I really love doing radio and the direct feedback I get from my listeners all over the country. I never thought I would be having this much fun doing radio and I could touch and impact so many people. Trust me, I read every single e-mail and respond both in writing and on the radio to all my listeners", says Pastor McClurkin.
More important than being one of the premiere figures in Gospel Music, Donnie is first and foremost a humanitarian, teacher, and man of God.
In February 2004, 20-25 Pastors joined me to begin praying together for God to unite our hearts and spirits as one, as well as wait on Him for His timing in the things He had spoken.
In preparation for the large evangelism outreach that later took place at Eisenhower Park on Saturday, August 28, 2004, we began having “Ancillary Meetings” (Rallies) in each of the boroughs of New York. The first Ancillary Meeting convened June 4th in the Bronx, then Brooklyn, Nassau County and Queens.
Ancillary Meetings (Rallies) are times where all of the participating Pastors and their congregations unite together in “one place” for a strong time of praise/worship, prayer and preaching of the Word of God.
We welcome you and your church to:
Unite and fellowship with us at one of the upcoming Ancillary Meetings (Rallies) or Special Events;
Partner with us as we advance the Kingdom of God throughout New York and the Tri-State areas through “The New York Call”;
July 18, 2008 7:30 PM
Queens Rally
Merrick Park Baptist Church
120-02 Marsden Street
Jamaica, New York 10035
August 8, 2008 7:30 PM
Brooklyn Rally
Coney Island Gospel Assembly
2828 Neptune Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11224
August 23, 2008 12:00-3:00 PM
The NEW YORK CALL
Family Activities
Location: Lakeside Theater, Eisenhower Park East Meadow, New York
August 23, 2008 3:00-8:00 PM
The NEW YORK CALL
Main Stage Event
Location: Lakeside Theater, Eisenhower Park East Meadow, New York
A powerful, riveting, uplifting version of "Stand" by Donnie McClurkin, BeBe Winans, and CeCe Winans
Wednesday 08-06-2008 4:25pm CT
This video is made even more poignant by the fact that it was taped shortly after the 9/11 tragedy for a special program to help begin the healing process.
McClurkin Background Singer Passes
Wednesday 07-30-2008 10:39am CT
Gospel artist Rosalyn Brunswick-McDuffie, a former background singer for Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin – turned solo artist, died Saturday, July 26, 2008 of cancer.
Brunswick-McDuffie died while at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, according to officials with the McDuffie Funeral Home, a family-owned business she and husband Pastor Efrem McDuffin of Palace of Praise in Houston, owns.
Rosalyn started her solo career over four years ago and released her debut CD, “Just Roz,” in 2001, according to the church website. One of her most popular songs was “Speak of Me.”
She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy husband Pastor Ephrem McDuffie, daughter Charisma(9),Charity(7) and Sir William(2) and her loving parents, a host of family and friends and long time friend and manager Ivy Taylor (The It Entertainment).
A celebration of her life will take place Friday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., followed by a funeral on Saturday at 11 a.m., both held at Fountain of Praise 13535 S. Post Oak Road, Houston.
For more information call the church at 713-433-1824. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Rosalyn B. McDuffie scholarship fund and mail to Sterling Bank at 855 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77090 Account #5000347714.
© 2008