Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bishop Durice “Dee” Wallace. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Durice, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

When God tells you to do something, you don’t question it, you don’t think about it, you just do it. Even if you have to do it afraid, your obedience to the Lord will push you through.

My husband and I were living in Champaign, IL when we were prophesied to . One thing about us, we trust God. When you read the bible, the Children of Israel always found themselves murmuring and complaining and it cost them several promises of God. The bible showed us how God used Moses, a prophet, a leader and a revolutionist to bring the Children of Israel from bondage to freedom. Oftentimes we miss our freedoms because we are not comfortable enough to trust God and move when He says move.

Well, we were afraid, had no family in Tennessee and no concrete plan, BUT we had a promise and a prophetic word from the Lord. 2 Chronicles tells us ” And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” We knew that if we believed the anointing that was on the life of the prophet and trusted in God’s word, we would be established and prosperous….and so it began!

We took the leap of faith and God responded in a mighty way. The jobs, the home, the schools, the opportunities, the promotions, the increases, the blessings just kept coming. The Lord blessed us so richly. Then came the call.
While under the leadership of Prophetess Lisa Joshua, Living a New Life in Christ Ministries, we grew, studied, prayed, then God spoke. Prophetess Lisa instructed me to get ready, because during the New Year Eve service, I would render my very first sermon. I’ll never forget it. It was a sermonette titled, “Get Ready for the Crossover!'” I was so nervous, sweat was pouring from everywhere. I thought my knees would knock louder than my voice could speak. Much to my surprise, the moment I opened my mouth, the Holy Spirit took over….so much so that I went over my time and was reprimanded, LOL.

Nevertheless, I was called upon to teach and preach more and more. I was ordained as Minister Durice. Well, in true fashion, the Lord, through the voice of Prophetess Lisa, instructed me to NOT get comfortable. Well, by August of 2020, I’d been released as Pastor Durice and instructed to start Peaceful Presence Ministries.

I’ve said all this to say, it was God’s idea, that became God’s plan, that birthed God’s business. Peaceful Presence Ministries’ online platform was birthed. God was truly in control and even though I obeyed, I did it afraid…that didn’t matter as long as I did it. Peaceful Presence Ministries was founded on the scriptures found in the book of John 14:27-28: (27) Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (28) You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m just a country gal who grew up in the city! I was born and partially raised on the Westside of Chicago. I actually lived in a neighborhood affectionately known as “KTown”….readers who are Chicagoans will completely understand that term. My childhood was normal…whatever that means. I lived in a 2-parent, 2-income home, both of my parents and my grandparents were very involved and instrumental to my life. If you ask my mom, she’d say my dad and her mom have both left their marks on me. Honestly, I agree! I’m so them.

My grandmother was the pillar of her neighborhood in the Tri-Taylor area. I’ve seen her feed hundreds, clothe more and protect even more. She literally stood in front of a “finger on trigger” confrontation. My dad was a force to be reckoned with. He was a hard worker, devout Christian and “tough as nails”….maybe a little too tough. I’m the poster-child for Daddy’s Little Girl.

My mom is where my zeal for education came from. She worked as a Circuit Designer & Engineer for decades until she finally retired. My mom and grandmother have many scars, wounds and battle marks, but one thing I can say, the Lord has ALWAYS had His hands on their lives. They pushed, they prayed and they pressed.

While my childhood and family life wasn’t perfect, it was perfected by the Hand of God.

My husband and I were/are childhood best friends. We met on a warm December day in 1986. I’m convinced the writers of “Love & Basketball” stole our story, LOL. We would play basketball in the alley behind my garage or in the street in front of my neighbors home. What’s even funnier is that after 40 plus years, our parents still live in our childhood homes across the street from each other.

We’ve been married for nearly 11 years now. We have three children, ages 10-26. We co-labor in ministry together and I firmly believe the Lord’s plan for our lives.

Growing up I struggled with self-esteem. I guess that’s why I used to hide and preferred the background. Let me encourage you….God will ALWAYS make your mess your ministry. The stronghold of rejection will cause you to feel unwanted, unneeded and unloved…..but remember my childhood was normal right, wrong!

Rejection in its worst form is to be refused or accepted; but wait, I was Daddy’s little girl right? Oftentimes, Dad’s want sons, someone to carry his name. This didn’t mean my dad loved me any less, he just preferred a son. Although I was his spitting image and aspired to be just like him, I still couldn’t give him the satisfaction of being a son. Rejection, just like waves can start with the smallest ripple.

So, since I embraced the “tomboy” life, I had other family members who felt I wasn’t “girlie” enough. I didn’t fit their mold because I preferred basketball, baseball and football over Barbie. Remember that small pebble that was cast into the sea, well now, the waves are starting to form. albeit small, they’ve formed.

Fast forward to the awkward teen years, I’m transitioning, my body is changing, that awful thing called puberty hits and now, I’m too dark to be around some of my lighter-skinned cousins. Let me remind you, the pebble has been cast, the water is moving, the waves have been formed and now momentum has ensured the next few decades would be full of waves.

Don’t feel bad for me though, remember, coal has to be under the hottest and highest pressure to produce an invaluable product. My life was beginning to show me that I was set apart for His glory. God was setting the stage to turn my mess into His ministry.

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

Have you ever seen the process of opening a church or ministry? It can be tedious ESPECIALLY when you are trying to figure out why God chose you!

Ministry is not for the faint at heart. When Jesus preached the sermon on the mount, which is found in Matthew, Chapter 5, He spoke to those of us who would face challenges and endure hardships. Whether it was to follow Him with your whole heart or to simply understand that we’ve been set apart for His glory, the Beatitudes will help you understand the blessing behind the storm.

Matthew 5:10-12 says, “10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

When you make a choice to be different and walk in obedience unto the Lord, it won’t always make sense and you will NOT always be applauded. On the contrary, persecution arises quicker.

Can you imagine doing something out of obedience while being afraid (not fearful)? People, family, supposedly close family, once they found out we were starting a ministry talked about me and wanted to remind me of my brokenness. I almost listened. I almost succumbed to their words.

I asked the Lord to separate me from negativity so He could finish in me what He started. I changed my phone number, distanced myself and set my heart, like a flint, on the things of God. We started the online platform. The Lord connected us with other leaders, in multiple states very quickly. Then, in a very audible voice, the Lord said, find a building. What I didn’t realize was, most people didn’t want to rent to a church. Either they saw no profitable benefits or they found no interest in having a church in their space. Heartbreakingly enough, when we asked other churches if we could rent their spaces during their off times, they only saw us as competition and were unwilling to help. Obedience will prepare the place and the space. I knew that if God told me to do this, it would be done. Hey Readers, if it’s God’s will, it’s God’s bill!

You thought my knees were shaking during my first sermon, boy oh boy, they were loudly clanking now. Hey Readers, hear me when I say this….do it afraid! Do it whether or not they support you! Do it, sometimes, in silence! Just DO it!

The Lord moved us from a small classroom in the upstairs of another church to our own location. We were obedient. Be ok with those who don’t support; they’re just showing you what you didn’t know about them. Some will support, some will come, some will leave, some will encourage, some will gossip. Keep on going. Your success is not predicated on their opinion and I pray God will send you those who give you an abundance of support.

If you want to know, by the time some people found out we’d launched a full-fledge ministry, it was because they saw the online recording of our first of many services in our new location. After a year in our start-up location, which remember, was a classroom in another church, the Lord LITERALLY planted us in a bigger building, which is our current location.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

When God tells you to do something, don’t think — just do! Nike got it right with their motto; Just do it!

I needed to unlearn seeing myself through the words of others. People, at times, only want to allow you to see what they think of you. Cut the fat and get rid of the white noise, it can be a harmful nuisance.

We must see ourselves through the heart, eyes and mind of Christ. When we see ourselves the way He sees us, we can walk the way He tells us.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God intends for us to prosper. When John was writing his 3rd epistle, his letter was to encourage Gauis a Roman soldier, but also us and give us assurance in Christ. He said, 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

God desires to see us doing His will, fulfilling His purpose, and in His timing. Far too many people have died with unfulfilled dreams and unspoken aspirations.

Unlearn the status quo and let God have His way!

Contact Info:

• Website: PeacefulPresenceMinistries.com
• Instagram: PeacefulPresenceMinistries
• Facebook: @PeacefulPresenceMinistries
• Twitter: @PPMClarksville
• Youtube: Peaceful Presence Ministries
• Other: Peaceful Presence Ministries 110 Red River Street Clarksville, TN 37040

Image Credits
Image Credits: Perfect Zone Productions Image Credits: Media Dept of Peaceful Presence Ministries