Phenomenal gospel music artist Darwin Hobbs, nicknamed the Luther Vandross of gospel, has had No. 1 albums, been a Stellar Award nominee, and led worship for the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” show.
Most recently God opened a door for him to sign to the Tyscot Record label. Yet behind all of the accolades, international appearances and musical recognition, there was a hurting child walking around in a grown man’s body.
“The anointing on my life definitely comes with a cost,” said Hobbs. “It’s not free. I suffered as a child at the hands of sexual molestation and abuse.”
Almost 1 in 6 American males under the age of 14 have been molested, and Hobbs, who is now 39, was one of this enemy’s prey during his youth. In addition to that, Hobbs witnessed spousal abuse in his Cincinnati home as a child.
For years he was hesitant to speak out about his pain. This year, he determined in his spirit to seek help.
“I didn’t sit at home and be deep and try to pray and speak in tongues about it,” he said. “Yeah, I prayed. And yes I sought the Lord; but God led me to seek out Christian counseling.”
It was in these sessions that Hobbs was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. “I got issues like everybody else,” said Hobbs.
The vocal genius received the natural and spiritual treatment he needed and encourages others who have been through traumatic experiences to do the same. “God has blessed us with doctors,” Hobbs said. “Some people are getting in the prayer lines and they really need a pill and water every morning.”
Hobbs says that it’s not just everyday people who suffer from abuse, but is the clergy as well. “A lot of the presbytery of our churches have walked through this stuff and they are just as unhealed as some of us are.”
Hobbs believes that there is a level of exposure coming to the body of Christ that is going to force ministries to deal with real issues. He wants to be one of the first to break the cycle of silence.
Hobbs is overcoming the enemy’s tactics by the blood of the Lamb and the word of his testimony.
Hobbs believes that God is practical and has given him sensible means to meet the needs of his people. His next album, “Free,” features a song by the same name, and is due to be released in 2008. While songwriting has been therapeutic for him, Hobbs is also pursuing other ministerial ventures. He has completed two chapters in a book called Free, which chronicles the devastating stories from his childhood.
Additionally, he is founding a non-profit organization called Breaking the Silence, where practical assistance will be available to persons who have suffered abuse. “At the end of the day, I want to offer healing and to set people free and cause people to break the silence, especially leaders,” said Hobbs.
