Dominque Jackson
Interview conducted by Jillian Blackwell

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Dominique Jackson

You’ve been away at school for four years attending Azusa Pacific University in California and just gotten back from school in December, how was that? What was it like being away for so long – away from your parents? Not having supervision, what was that like?

It was really fun, but it had its challenges because it was up to me, to stay out of the clubs, up to me to live holy by myself without my parents forcing me to go to church. I mean, they don’t force me, but it is highly recommended that I attend church while in their home. It was really fun because I got to experience life on my own and got to know more of God for myself in that environment. It was a Christian environment so that really helped also.

Tell me about that Christian environment?

Well I had a circle of friends of guys and girls that had a heart for God. They wanted to live for God. Me and the girls would get together and bring potlucks, cook and talk about guys, how to be godly in a relationship, and how to be a Proverbs 31 women. The quality of people that I had out there was so good because it helped strengthen my Christian walk. I think that if we can create youth groups or a network of friends this will help us be stronger in the Lord.

You went to school as a Business Administration major with an emphasizes of marketing, but you have some fashion, jazzy stuff going on, telling me about that.

Well, God has blessed me to have a gift for design. My heart is to glorify Him. It has been prophesied to me, more than once that I would have this gift. To make a long story short, He blessed me tremendously while I was in California and I had a fashion show at my University. Betsy Johnson was also included as well as White House Black Market sold at Summerset Mall. I see designs in my head. 

My design is for professional young women who don’t want necessary the strictness of corporate America but still have their fashion flare. Style and sophistication mixed together you have Domij. It’s Dominique Jackson mixed. That is the front part of my name and J for Jackson.

I was featured in the paper at my school in the business section. It had the verse that I live by, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your life.” I’m serving God and worshipping Him through fashion. 

I was also quoted in the style section of another magazine.

You have a web site also, what is that?

Yes, it's http://domij.com

What are you doing with Domij here?

I’m just getting started here. I have a business trip scheduled going to California. I’m establishing things in Michigan because doing business in California is different from Michigan, so I’m in the middle of relocating my business here. I’m also getting settled in the ministry.

Yes, you are getting settled helping in the ministry at Great Faith assisting your Dad. Your Dad is your pastor and your boss, what is that like? 

Well it’s was kind or hard because I so used to being Daddy’s girl. But I now understand the business side. I understand the responsibility of building the kingdom of God and our part and our place in building that kingdom. I can’t expect to be dependent on my dad for everything in this arena because if things don't get done and you're not efficient, my Dad won't be able to minister and do what he has to do in His calling. I'm learning how to be more stern and management skills, everything to do with running the business side of the church.

We talked about fashion for a minute and how you want to honor God in fashion through this gift that He has given you. But we see in the secular world how people use their talent in other ways and young people are patterning themselves after these artist. How was your experience as a teenager? What was it like for you growing up ?

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Well, I was one those girls that if Jennifer Lopez had it, I had to have it -- as far as clothing and accessories go. I remember call retail stores like, "Do you have this?". Granted I would be persistent, I would get them before anybody else.

But the point is, I looked up to those people, they were becoming Gods to me. I didn't see the plan of the enemy of getting me to worship other things other than God and it caused me not to be able to have a relationship with God.

I see it in hindsight. It's more than just clothes, it's more than just admiring someone's gift, but if that thing or that type of music or anything, gets your attention and adoration more than God, you need to be careful with that.

You said you look at this hind sight, but what about those that are in the midst of it now. They are looking at the 50 Cents who have the bling bling and he has all the ladies. How do you speak into a young man or young ladies life.

Well, I would tell him or her that God is our source and He can give us anything. It seems like that life is glorified because that's all we are seeing. But just like what happened with hurricane Katrina, none of those stars could save them. The only that can save you is God.

The bible says, don't look at the reward of the wicked, they will get theirs. It's eternal verses temporal things. If you just think about, "I have women, I have cars, money", but those things don't fulfill you. The only thing that can fulfil you totally spirit, soul and body and can save you -- if a hurricane Katrina comes -- God forbid -- is Jesus Christ.

And to really really know Him is more than riches. You won't do certain things because you don't want to lose your relationship with God. I would say to that person, get to know God and you will see that other stuff is foolishness.

God blessed me to be on a movie video set before and all that is fake anyway. You go to wardrobe and they give you stuff - jewelry and clothes to wear. You have to give that stuff back. It's all a show anyway.

Well, let's talk a little more personal. Are you dating?

(giggling) Yes!

You are? Well you keep your relationship pure?

Oh Lord, I will be real. You know what, what keeps me on track is the thought of losing Jesus. I'm not trying to be too deep, I'm just trying to tell you the truth. I try to be disciplined in prayer, having a Godly man -- is a must. You have to have someone in agreement with you, because if one is trying to pull you somewhere else, you aren't equally yoked.

So having a stern mind and commitment to God first is what keeps me on track. Making sure that man loves God enough to respect you enough to say, "I'm not going to go there." Spending time building up a prayer relationship with him.

Work on purposeful things when you are together, not just sitting up in a car somewhere and "talking" -- yeah right. Work on future things, your dreams, your purpose, help him with his purpose. Go to the library, stay in groups.

These are some of the things you do? Stay in groups, etc. You mentioned prayer, prayer is very intimate. When you are under the anointing the glory comes on you. Do you find that safe ground?

Well, I think when you pray together, lust and the Spirit of God can't stay in the same building or house or in the car or where ever. I think praying builds a good foundation.

How would you know when that is the right person to date? Do you date to find out or do you date because this is the one?

Well, I've been on both sides. Actually, I've been engaged before and I know the difference between knowing if this is the right one. Again looking in hindsight.

I would think that the right person in my experience, would be a person that celebrates you, not trying to change you. If they suggest or strongly suggest things that they might want you to do. Then all of a sudden you find at the end of six month you are a different person, you are not who God made you to be.

Can I give you a high five on that? That is such an awesome statement and so true.

(Laughing) That's one big way that you can know this is not the right person.

That's a red flag.

Absolutely. All of a sudden, one day I'm fashion guru of America the next day I'm looking like (laughing) Mother Teresa with a cloak. You know that's not who God called you to be with.

Also, watch how your family, your brothers and sisters respond to them. Especially if you have a father in the home, see how he relates to him. See how he treats his mom.

In my opinion his relationship with God is so important. How does he build you up with his words and his mouth. He doesn't treat you like anybody on the street.

I know many people might not know their purpose, but God put something in all of us, some kind of passion. If somebody is tearing you down and not building you up -- that is definitely a red flag and you need to get out of that relationship.

Also, make sure that he is a person that is going the same place as you. Like, your ministry lines up for the future. Not just "he's fine". Make sure God is calling you to be with because where you are going, he might not be going.

Before you even go anywhere with a guy, I strongly suggest that you know yourself. How are you going to be a helpmate, how are you going to have an identity, and knowing who God has made you to be. You are going to be pulling on this guy all of your life, and never fulfilling what God has called you to do. Or even having him fulfill a need that only God can fill.

Be the same person when you are with him or without.

It sounds as though you have experienced some things and it's good to know that you are able to communicate that to others. As a married person, I can tell you that you have to be on one accord and have to have someone that can edify and build you up.

Okay, tell me how it is now living back home with your parents.

Well, it's always a pleasure living in my house, thank God. But it's different because I'm working now, so I'm not really home too much. It's different without my brothers there because they are still live in California.

My dad and mom worked hard to create that family structure, for example every Sunday we have family night, everyday we sit down at 5 pm to eat. No matter what they are doing, my mom cooks dinner and we sit down and eat together as a family. I really enjoy that value those times.

Sunday night, my brothers and sisters come over and we have pizza. At one time we would have UNO tournaments. It's just really pleasant.

In the future, when I do get married, I will miss home. But God willing my future home will just as phone.

How many brothers and sisters do you have?

Six. Wayne Timothy Jr., Chantel, then there's me, my brother Royal Wayne who is an awesome graphic designer -- he's a genius. Brandon Jackson, who is an actor in the movie Roll Bounce. Then there is Jubilee and Haven, who is eight and six.

Now I would like to read some statistic to you and get your thoughts and comments. The abortion rate is highest for women ages 18 to 19. Another statistic says that most people confess some type of religion by the age of 21. Based on these statistics, we know that ages 18-21 are very critical ages. Quite often these are the times when people leave the home and go off to college. What are you some things that you can say to someone who might be pregnant and considering an abortion or considering get into a sexual relationship?

Hmm. It's very disturbing because I have a heart for young women. I was thinking when I was that age, I thank God I didn't fall into those traps but the temptations were there.

I would say first of all that God loves them. I can't really blame them or blame their situation. I will let them know that Gods love kept me. If I had someone sitting here with me right now, I would say, "Girl please, God has so much planned for you. What ever void you have God can fulfil it." I might now know her whole story, but I try build her up. I tell her that still has a purpose for her and will help her with the baby. I would tell her that God has a purpose for the baby.

It's also very important to follow up, you can't just say, "God loves you", and don't hug them, don't spend time with them or give them other options, because they would go and fall back in bed with someone else.

Another question, we find that homosexuality is prevalent in the hit schools. It's really common now with girls and it's not just the girls basketball team. When I was in high school, I might have been faced with the question does "he" like me, but now a days, girls are asking the question, "Does she like me?". What are you thoughts on that.

First of all, the spirit of perversion is directly from the enemy to destroy the next generation of leaders, preachers, evangelist, the next generation period. He's trying to raise up a wicked and perverse generation. I think since studying the bible on this subject, specifically in Romans 1, I believe that because we have so many gods that are placed in front of us, we lose sight of what God is saying and we can become Gods to ourselves. Therefore we think, it's my thing I can do what I want to do.

This might not be the text book answer, but you really have to pray and let Jesus Christ of Nazareth -- so there won't be any discrepancies, to be your God. Go by His standard and believe what He says. Believe that there are no gray areas with God, there's God's way and there's the other way, the wrong way, the devils way.

We are constantly bombarded with messages, but we have to take some quite time and find out what God is saying before you go to school and hear from him.

For those who are dealing with this issue of homosexuality you have to take authority over that and come to know the love of Christ. God did not caste you out. He didn't create you this way. A prostitute was one of his main followers. So if he accepted her, he will also accept people who have problems with lust, perversion and immorality.

Well, we've talked about a lot of things. So I want to end this interviewing talking about your purpose. We've talked about fashion, but what do you think your purpose in life is and how God is going to have you leave your mark?

Three things that I believe God has called me to do. I believe he has called me to youth, preferrable young girls. Fashion in which - God willing by His grace, I will own some boutiques. That will be a platform for me to get in the door. I don't see no body calling the ministry for Dominique Jackson to say something to anybody. But maybe this fashion door a place where I can go and get into some of these schools or a fashion show where I can be a witness to young women. Third thing, I know that He has called me to be a leader and that's a lot of responsibility. I am going to rely on His strength and do the best that I can to do the what He has called me to do.

Well He's strenghting you now because you are in a leadership position now at the ministry. We see the talent that is being displayed on the fashion side, so he is actively working out your fashion gift. Talk about your desire to work with young women.

Oh. I have a strong desire to work with young women and sexuality. Even though I was a pastor's child, and my mom and dad everything they could do to be an excellent example in front of me. I've never seen them fight

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