Dr. Mark Williams is a board-certified otolaryngologist and founder of the Voice Care Center of Nashville. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine's Physician-Scientist Training Program with a combined Medical Doctorate and Doctorate of Philosophy in Pharmacology & Cell Biophysics (M.D., Ph.D.). Dr. Mark, as he's affectionately called, is an award-winning Gospel music recording artist and public speaker. He frequently conducts workshops on worship, voice care and the use of the voice in worship. A prolific writer, he is able to keenly decipher complicated biblical truths and present them in an easy-to-understand manner. His unique training and talent allows him to seamlessly merge music, medicine and ministry.

Charles Clark: Thank you for taking the time for this interview sir!

Mark Williams: Thank you for asking?

Charles Clark: Who is Mark A. Williams? 

Mark Williams: Mark Williams is first and foremost worshiper. I am deeply committed to God and my family. These are my highest priorities. Of course, I'm an Ear, Nose & Throat - Head & Neck Surgeon and Gospel recording artist. But personally, I am a thinker. I contemplate a lot. I'm very inquisitive about why people think and act the way they do. This is probably what inspires my interest in politics, especially as it intersects with and often contradicts Christianity. I love dialogue with people who think or believe differently than I do. Through these often-difficult discussions, I learn how to reach them for the Kingdom of God.

Charles Clark: What was the inspiration for you becoming a doctor specializing in ear, nose and throat?

I initially didn't want to be an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. I thought I'd be a neurosurgeon or cardiothoracic surgeon. While I was doing my research for my Ph.D. I worked with a female who was doing her surgery residency. She knew I was a singer and how much I valued family and suggested that I consider Otolaryngology. My first reaction was that I didn’t want to be an "ear tube & tonsillectomy" doctor. I later learned about just how diverse the field of Otolaryngology is and how I could treat singers with voice issues. For the first time, I clearly saw how God intended for me to merge music, medicine and ministry and Otolaryngology would permit that.

Charles Clark: Not only are you a physician, you're an award-winning recording artist.  How do you find time to do both?  

Mark Williams: I am fortunate that my profession rarely requires me to go to the hospital for emergency calls. I'm even more fortunate that I have a group of other specialists who can cover for me when I'm out of town. Because I'm a Gospel artist, most of my engagements occur on the weekends which allow great flexibility to participate. But mostly I do these things by the grace of God and the grace of my wife. My family is very supportive of the ministry to which God called me and don't seem to have been adversely impacted by the demands of both... At least not that I know of.  They and God know that I would not allow either my career or music ministry to interfere with or cause harm to my family. I think that is key. 

Charles Clark: A few years ago, you released "When a Man Worships", which is now the title of your book new book.  How did that happen? 

Mark Williams: As you mentioned, a few years ago I released a music CD entitled When A Man Worships because I saw a huge deficiency in most people's understanding of what worship truly is. There seemed to be an even bigger deficiency in men who have mastered worship. Consequently, our families, communities and even nation suffered. After hearing the CD, a dear friend of mine suggested that I translate the message of the CD into a book that could inform and instruct men on worship. I immediately knew this was a God mandate. It would take almost two years before I started writing it but the lull that the COVID-19 pandemic caused in my business afforded time for me to finish.

Charles Clark: There are a lot of books on worship, what makes yours different? 

Mark Williams: Most books on worship, that I'm familiar with, deal with the expressions of worship. Most people wrongly define worship by its expressions. Behaviors like raising the hands, bowing on the knees, singing a song or even gathering in a sanctuary are not worship, but they are instead motivated by worship. When A Man Worships goes beyond defining worship or instructing on the expressions of worship to provide insight into how true worship is incorporated into daily life. We explore the impediments of worship and provide suggestions on how these obstacles can be overcome. The book approaches worship from the perspective of a man, which is another key difference with this book. There are surprisingly very few books available that deals with men and worship and none affords the perspective offered in When A Man Worships. While we focus on a man's perspective, the principles in the book certainly also apply to women.

Charles Clark: Why are there so many different definitions of worship? 

Mark Williams: Plain and simple, I think people just misunderstand the purpose of worship. Besides, it's a lot easier to be distracted by the expressions of worship, which are much easier to recognize but also much easier to feign. As I define it in the book, worship mandates a much higher standard.

Charles Clark: The definition is your book is perfect, how did you come across it? 

Mark Williams: There is essentially one word for worship of God in the Old Testament. In Hebrew it is Shachah which means to do obeisance or to willingly yield to the instructions of an authority. It can also be defined as obedience or subservience to the sovereign God. While shachah also means to bow or depress oneself, it most accurately qualifies the motive as being reflexive in homage to royalty or a deity as opposed to a rote action. The concept of worship being equivalent to obedience is explored using and supported by biblical examples that make the definition relevant and clear. 

Charles Clark: What do you want the reader to come away with after reading "When a Man Worships"?

Mark Williams: I want people to realize that there are various expressions of worship but they are all meaningless if they're not underwritten by a heart and will that is truly subservient to God. Especially in this pandemic and during restrictions on mass gatherings, it is important for us to have a keen understanding of worship to avoid feeling that our worship is somehow hampered in the absence of corporate gathering. To the contrary, our worship should remain as effective and fervent if not more during these times.

Charles Clark: What's next for Dr. Mark Williams?

Mark Williams: More worship! I will continue to obey the instructions of God. I am excited about the opportunity to speak into the lives of men on this topic of worship. In so doing, I am hopeful to show them how through worship they will advance their careers and ministry, strengthen their families, extend the Kingdom of God and unleash the hidden greatness of a man. 

Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, gospel singer Gene Hoskins is making notable waves in the music industry. In 2019, he had 1 single chart in the top 10, and another in the top 20 on Gospel billboard charts from his debut entitled “The Undefeated”. Gene has served as a Praise and Worship leader for various churches, and currently at The River Church in Durham, N.C. for 7 years. Gene keeps GOD at the center of all his musical ministry endeavors. Gene’s main objective in ministering through song is that God be glorified, and that people be encouraged in knowing that is STILL able!

He has traveled and tour as a background vocalist for Jonathan Nelson, and with Maranda Curtis. He was featured on Jonathan Nelson’s single “I Agree”, and featured on Maranda Curtis “Nobody Like You Lord Reprise”. He has also served for Todd Dulaney, Micah Stampley, and Pastor John P. Kee. He is currently being featured in a movie written by Pastor John P. Kee entitled “The Lost Song”. Gene Hoskins counts it a blessing, and privilege to minster on and off the stage to God’s people.

In his professional life, he owns his own psychology practice called Peace of Mind Psychological Services, PLLC located in Durham, as he is a psychologist in the state of NC. He realizes that even on his best day and in his best strength is still unworthy of the favor that God has granted.

Charles Clark: Thank you for taking to the time for this interview!

Gene Hoskins: Thank you for asking?

Charles Clark: Who is Gene Hoskins?

Gene Hoskins: GH: I am a therapist, singer, friend, servant and lover of people. Most importantly I really love God.

Charles Clark: Your "day job" is a counselor?

Gene Hoskins: My date typically involves therapy, diagnosing, testing, supervising and planning. I currently have the wonderful opportunity of supervising over 50 people as a clinical director. I also get to run my own private practice; Piece of Mind psychological services.

Charles Clark: How did a talented singer/songwriter get interested in counseling?

Gene Hoskins: The funny thing is that therapy found me! I took a class in high school and I fell in love with it. However, I deviated in college but eventually realized that my heart was still with the practice and science of psychology.

Charles Clark: Has it influenced your songwriting?

Gene Hoskins: Most recently it has! It has caused me to write from a practical approach to healing through therapy and the spiritual approach through prayer, worship, and relationship.

Charles Clark: How do you incorporate your music ministry with you counseling?

Gene Hoskins: I don’t incorporate my music into therapy, however most of my clients end up finding videos of me that they end up listening to in their personal time.

Charles Clark: Has it made you more sensitive in ministry?

Gene Hoskins: It actually has! I now have a passion to go to different churches and educate them on mental health, spirituality and the church. It’s called GENE THERAPY.

Charles Clark: Why is there such a sigma with mental health in our community?

Gene Hoskins: The stigma associated with mental health in the black community is rooted in systematic inequities and history of unfair treatment that we have faced by medical professionals, historically. It is justified, but it is debilitating for our overall health and wellness. There is also another idea that seeking mental health treatment is a form of weakness.

Charles Clark: How are you helping to change it?

Gene Hoskins: I am helping to change it by establishing rapport with my clients and community, mixing my education with my lived experience for the clients, and combating negative viewpoints about mental health treatment being labeled as weak.

Charles Clark: Tell me about your new single "Perform Again"?

Gene Hoskins: This song was completely ordained by God to come out when it came out. It was not originally set to be a single, however after I contracted COVID and was healed, I felt the release to make this song the single for this season. It has truly been a blessing!

Charles Clark: How have you grown from The Undefeated?

Gene Hoskins: ”Undefeated” was the first song I recorded from this upcoming album. I actually released it as part of an EP last year. Since then, I have recorded a lot more music for my album, and I’ve learned so much about my writing process, and what works and what doesn’t for me as an artist.

Charles Clark: What's next for Gene Hoskins?

Gene Hoskins: What’s next? I plan to release my debut album at the end of the summer. I am also working on writing my book. I have already completed writing for my live album. And just focusing on my current private practice.