"Sing Over Me" Video of Dennis Jernigan's Life Story

Dennis Jernigan is a well known Christian song writer and worship leader. He has written more than 2,000 songs, has released over 30 CDs and written several books. But there is a story behind it all.

Jernigan first felt “different” at five years old, when a man in a public bathroom asked to be touched. Jernigan eventually began sexually experimenting with other boys. He shares his struggle in this movie. He was haunted with shame. He thought God hated him, hearing of God's hatred of homosexuality from the pulpit. He learned to play the piano at his grandmother's and it became a refuge for him.

He struggled in high school and then at Oklahoma Baptist University. He shares how the music of Keith Green kept him from committing suicide. He thought he had a Christian mentor, a man who would help him mature. He was devastated when this man propositioned him.

The turning point in his life came in 1981 when he attended a Second Chapter of Acts concert. He became a new creation. Yet, like Lazarus, he was still wrapped in grave clothes. It has been a process of God working in his life, fulfilling Jernigan's declaration, “I am going to let the Father in heaven tell me who I am.”

Sing Over Me tells this story. It includes footage of Jernigan visiting his childhood home, church, and college. It even includes Jernigan's own recording of the moment he was set free. (Yes, he did sneak a recorder into the concert.)

This is a very moving video. It is touching to see how Jernigan struggled with shame and despair. What a joy to hear of his being set free and his commitment to be the man God had created him to be. He shares about his fear of entering into marriage and God's faithfulness, how he came to write praise and worship songs and now knows that God wants him to share his story.

Dennis Jernigan has been married to his wife Melinda for 31 years and they have 9 children together. Dennis and Melinda live on a farm in rural Oklahoma where they serve as pastors in a home church in Muskogee. Jernigan is the author of well-known songs like We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory, You are My All in All, Who Can Satisfy, and hundreds more. You can find out more about him and his ministry at http://www.dennisjernigan.com.

The DVD of Sing Over Me is available for purchase or download at VisionVideo.

Sing Over Me is also available as a book and can be purchased here.

I am reviewing this video in response to an invitation to do so from Glass Road Media.