Today we’d like to introduce you to Clifton Morgan Jr.
Clifton, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My love for music started as I watched my father (Apostle Clifton Morgan Sr. who was a deacon and musician at the time) play the drums on Sunday mornings at church. I started playing drums when I was four. I fell in love with the rhythm, sounds, and styles of music. Once he started his own church in the mid-90s, I became the church drummer and my mom (Dinah Morgan) played the keyboard. This went on Sunday after Sunday until high school, which I graduated from when I was 16. I was Drum Section Leader in the band at my high school.
My last year in high school, my best friend began playing the keyboard at the church. He played for about a year and decided it was time to move on to another church. This is when I took over the keyboard because we didn’t want to go back to my mom’s old style of playing.
I decided that I would go onto YouTube and teach myself how to play. My very first song was “Everybody Clap Your Hands” by Joshua Troop. I played that song to death. It was one of the fast songs that I learned so I played it for six months straight. This tortured my sisters Minister Verlina Rhodes and Shawna Morgan. I know it drove them insane.
After those six months of playing my favorite song (their torture device), I went through some personal things that caused me to hunger for a deeper relationship with God. It was at that moment where I started writing my own music. The very first song that I wrote was called “Just Praise”. The lyrics of the song came about because I felt like life was getting too hard and I could not see how things would pan out.
I was reminded of my relationship with God and the purpose that I was created for. That was to give God worship and praise. No matter what I was going through and no matter what things looked like. After this, I confessed my calling to the Ministry, preaching my first Sermon on May 15. 2015. At my dad’s church, New Life Ministries where I continue to preach today. I was so nervous that it felt like I was up there for only seven minutes.
Being up there made me realize that my calling was real and that I was anointed for Ministry. Which brings me to today. I am still standing strong and on fire for God which is sometimes called a Jesus Freak, The best part about it is that I am able to save many people and be that very thing that God called me to be, a help and a guidance for those that are lost, those that are without, and those that are seeking healing in different areas of life.
With all of my life experiences, I became a father and God has also blessed me with someone that I am happy to be spending the rest of my life with. My and my Fiancee Jalika Cherie just celebrated our first year together and I thank God for her for accepting me, my Daughters Journie, Kai, Aaliyah and blessing me with my Baby Girl Cherie Alayna and her Little Boy Orion Ramon.
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 definitely has not been easy. It has been one of the toughest roads that I have ever had to walk. It’s been said that once you take Ministry to the next level, Satan will try to attack you more. I have had my share of temptations from Sex, Drugs, and so many other crazy things that should have claimed my life but The Big Man Upstairs saw fit to keep me here.
God allowed the very things that could have destroyed my Ministry, be a testimony to those that are dealing with the same things that I was afraid to share. From dealing with things that stem from childhood such as being molested by my Godmother’s Husband to using sex to try and validate myself because I knew it was wrong of him to touch me in that way. At this point in my life, I have no ill feelings toward him and if I were to talk with him today I would tell him that I forgive him. I forgive him for myself because I am now releasing it.
I have had my share of ups and downs. No matter how tough it was and no matter how rough it was, I still used what I went through for God to get the glory out of my life.
I was afraid to tell people about my experiences because of the perception of Church Musicians and the things that happen in Ministries. So, a lot of the things that I speak about in this interview will be heard here first.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Minister of Music and a Youth Minister. I started a group called Minister CJ Morgan & Worship about eight years ago. I have had the opportunity to experience some traveling to various places and be able to Minister to various people.
We are known for allowing God to use us through song in a real way, in a way that gives back to taking perception off of others and placing them back on God.
I am most proud of the songs that God has given me, the lyrics that tell every struggle, every tear, and every time God has been there.
What sets me apart from the others is that I don’t do it to entertain but I do it to be a vessel for God!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I was lucky to meet the individuals that are in my group from friends to becoming a family. I am lucky to have these individuals and be a part of the things that God has given me that I cherish most.
There are also bad sides to every family. Some days we fight, some days we laugh, some days we have to say “I’m Sorry” and ask for forgiveness. It’s crazy how we use the cliche, “A family that prays together, stays together” but we all truly believe that as long as we stand on God’s word, he will take us to desired places that he has in store for us.
Contact Info:
- Address: New Life Ministries – Non-Denominational Church
Apostle Clifton Morgan Sr & Pastor Dinah Morgan – Sr Pastors
4401 McKinley, Houston, TX 77051 - Phone: 713-635-9990
- Email: Ministercjmorgan@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cj_thawriter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinCjMorgan
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/CJMORGANANDWORSHIP
Image Credit:
Jalika Cherie Photography
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
