We were lucky to catch up with Clayton Savage recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Clayton thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

Spiritual Therapy is comprised of three original members to date from day one, June 2013 Jeanetta Carr, my wife D’Anna Savage and yours truly Clayton Savage. Of course there were others however, things happen, circumstances arise, situations occur causing a shift in the plans of evolving. Nonetheless Jeanetta Carr and my wife have always been there.

Any business despite how insightful the owner, manager, or president no man is an island. Meaning, they couldn’t develop success on their own. Now when starting this group, Spiritual Therapy, I had some help finding the right fit from one who I consider a great piano player, Terrence Reed. We both believed in commitment, good study habits, good talent, and of course a good clean spirit. Hence therefore “spiritual therapy.” This was and is the criteria to be a part.

This vetting not only caused good singing, but it also causes an anointing. Now on this particular road like others; dark days, doubt, controversy, apprehensiveness, loneliness, and a few ticks from despair! Regardless to the valley however, Jeanetta would step up to the plate and if not get a base hit she would hit a home run during hardship seasons my wife D’Anna Savage is relentless despite these dry seasons, she kept her nose to the grind stone producing whatever needed in the administrative arena.

Now I would be remiss not to mention three other members added in 2014 and 2015: Ronald Stacy Hill, Vickie Neal, Joshua Davis. These three, although weren’t there from the start they came in and instantly became load-bearing members. Each member not only carried their own weight, but they also supported and stood in where needed.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born unto a family of preachers, pastors, evangelists, and a bishop. This sounds like the start of a joke, right? But no joke. There were musicians in the mix as well, which inspired me to get involved, hence the bass guitar. I picked up the bass at the age of 15 then put it down at 19. Although my desire was to play music in Jesus’ name, I started a family at an early age, and my mom said to see them through. “Get a job because a man who does not take care of his family is worse than an infidel.” Anxious but obedient, the only way I could quench the thirst for music was to work toward the promise that I made to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. That if it’s in the Father’s will, I would play again lifting up his holy name.

Twenty-five years later I began to play again for churches and choirs. Never being satisfied with the effort or lack thereof, I felt I should give more to Jesus. To strive for excellence. Then unto my life the Lord installed Terrence Reed. The man with the magic touch on keys “gold finger.” Then the Lord told me to unite as one and to give him all the glory. Terrance and I started Spiritual Therapy in June 2013. With the diligence, hard work and commitment and talent of Jeanetta Carr we have been giving Satan a run for his money to date.

Now here I stand before you saints, Christians, and friends 36 years in fellowship praising his Holy name knowing he is with us all because he inhabits the praises of his people.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Although I’m still standing, there are war wounds and scars. Nonetheless I refuse to give into the ways of this world. I refuse to become a fast food, drive thru, processed servant giving half-baked gospel. In other words, despite any pain or obstacle I’m going to give my service to the people my all. God said to seek him diligently (Hebrews 11:6). Diligence is defined as: steady, earnest, and energetic work. Jesus said, “when you have done unto the least of these you have done unto me” (Matthew 25:40). Therefore, I will keep on keeping on developing and creating music to touch souls to lift somebody’s head, by putting all the ingredients of God’s love, joy, and peace into the lives of all who are in need. This would make my mother smile. Even though she’s not here on this earth, her smile from heaven is just as warm. So, all in all I’m one who loves people, and I see no end to my giving because this is who I am

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As for myself, my lane was and is to make the difficult decisions. The who, what, when, where, and how. However, I’ve learned it is the “who” is vital to this equation. Because the “who” could also be that proverbial thorn in your side and if not careful will cause a domino effect to your visions demise.

This is not an easy journey, but it is an enjoyable journey. The big payback is when we know, feel, and see the improvements in other lives. Just because of a song and/or songs we performed. Just because we contribute to worthy causes to enforce our mission to heal. Just because we were able to send out a call to action which brought friends family and strangers together alike, to share with them then they share with one another the pleasant experience that God poured out through “Spiritual Therapy” having a spiritual therapy moment.

Spiritual Therapy’s mission is “We sing to massage the ailing souls” When you conflate, compress, and solidify this journey “All of my good days outweigh my bad days, so I won’t complain.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://spiritualtherapyfoundation.com
• Instagram: @SpiritualTherapyMusic
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/spiritualtherapymusic