Today we’d like to introduce you to Donoven Rice.
Hi Donoven, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m just someone who used to be really (and still have to give to God daily) selfish. I was only out here for me. Even when I disguised it to “look” like service, the end game was self-edification. I wanted the world to know my name. When I truly allowed Jesus Christ to become the Lord of my life things changed. Suddenly it wasn’t about me. It was all about Him. Making his name famous. I felt this way because what happened in my life had to happen in the lives of others. I in a way wanted to “Save People” by helping them get saved. This looked like a lot of different things. At first, it was a Career in public safety. I knew I wanted to help people and I wasn’t old enough to be a Police Officer so straight out of high school I joined The Number One Volunteer Fire Department. It was incredible. I was 18 years old fighting active housefires. You couldn’t tell me a thing. I was on top. Lights and Sirens saving lives was my thing. Something felt off though. I wasn’t walking in my true purpose. In comes the carousel of jobs. Restaurants, Security, Flagger, more restaurants, some I’m probably forgetting, I could not figure out what it was I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to help people. I’ve been fortune enough to walk in my God-given calling of ministry. Specifically, to youth. My heart breaks daily for the state of this nation, especially for the children that have to endure our decision-making and the many who do not know Jesus. That’s what I made my mission. Screwing up as much as I did when I was a teenager were lessons, I could help the students Gods entrusted to me -to avoid. While knowing the foundational, biblical truths that they need to know today. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to teach and Pastor students in California, Mississippi, and my home of Tennessee. I’m currently the Student Pastor at Carthage Church of God in Smith County Tennessee. I love it, It’s the most I’ve grown as a person ever in my life. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, it was the perfect place to walk out my calling and serve a community. Pastors Seth and Tammy London and the whole church have turned into a family. It was the first time in a long time I had allowed myself to be truly loved the right way despite past traumas. My really good friends have helped me more than words can describe too. Derek and Leslie Smith, Carter Gregory, Christian, Flipp, and Yvette Gregory, Kim and Shawn Thompson, Alec and Matt, my mother and brother, and so many more I’m forgetting have been instrumental in giving me the support, love, and resources that I’ve needed to be able to do what I can to be a positive influence in the lives of others. I also have the opportunity to work at the Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition as the Youth Prevention Coordinator and it has put me right in the middle of being able to help people and make Jesus famous for it all. It’s a blessing to the community as much as it is me. Inspiring and motivating people to not only believe and trust in Jesus but to also believe and trust in themselves gets me excited. Now I know some people will say “You shouldn’t believe in yourself, that’s what Jesus is” but the fact of the matter is believing in ourselves shows our faith and trust in Jesus and what he can and will do for us, and through us. That’s faith.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Others have had it worse. I can’t help but to look back at the road and think “How many of those potholes and speedbumps did I create myself? How many detours did I take that I shouldn’t have?” Now hardships will come, and they did. I’ve had to learn how to process the emotions of those things and not let the emotions have me. Taking responsibility for how I felt and not playing victim. Learning to forgive. More importantly, learning to ask for forgiveness. That’s the one I struggled with. Both fortunately and unfortunately time has taught me lessons my ego wouldn’t allow me to learn. Also having the maturity to know that what happens to me doesn’t have to define me since I find my identity in Jesus.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I go to bat for the people who can’t. The youth, the sick, the ones that can’t or won’t speak up. God gave me the gift of gab and though I continue to learn how to reign it in from time to time I will be the one to fight for what is right. I love the opportunities I have to work and serve my community through the church and the coalition. It brings my heart joy to be able to lead people in the direction of a better life through sober living and Savior loving. I’ve always had an interest in politics so I may make a run one day, who knows. If God don’t do it, it just won’t get done! I love being in service to others. That’s what I was called to. Just like anyone else I struggle with it. I’m still to this day learning to give it all to Him. In the meantime, I’m serving the people of Smith and sometimes Sumner County and doing what I can to make the next person’s life a little easier.
What do you think about happiness?
That feeling of helping other people just because it’s the right thing to do. I’ve done a bunch of different drugs and that is the best rush of endorphins you could ever give me. Making someone else laugh or smile is incredible. There isn’t too much I won’t do for a good joke, that brings me joy. Another thing is watching people not only come to know Jesus but walk in their calling and begin to bring OTHER people to know Jesus? That is grade A exciting right there. Nothing like it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://smithcodrugprevention.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donovenrice/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donovenrice
- Other: https://carthagechurchofgod.com/
Image Credits
STARS Nashville
