Dora Pop Bio

dora@dorapop.com
www.dorapop.com
www.myspace.com/dorapopmusic
www.brentwoodbaptist.com
www.brentwoodmissions.com

Authenticity is a rare commodity in this world. To Dora Pop, authenticity is the root of her character.  Born in Oradea, Romania during the Communist regime, her parents decided early in their marriage that they were going to find a way to raise their family in America.  "My parents were always very active in the church," stated Dora.  "They were desperate to escape the legalism of a Communist government." Dora was two years old when her family arrived in America.
 
"My father's passions are God and music. That is his driving force, everyday." The Pop family settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where her dad continued his work in the Romanian church as both the Choir director and Orchestra conductor.   His love of music eventually led the family to move to Houston, TX where the family settled in and have lived the life that they dreamed about while in Romania.
 
Dora has shared her father’s passion for music from an early age. "My parents always listened to Southern Gospel music. I didn’t know about genres of music, I just knew that I wanted to sing." Her older sister Emilia often sang solos in the church Children's Choir.  "I would beg the director to give me a solo too, but he thought that I was too young."  The director finally gave in and gave Dora her first solo at age five, and she’s been center stage ever since.
 
As an elementary school student, Dora was enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) class. ESL happened to fall in the same time slot as music class.  "One day, when my teacher told me it was time to walk to my ESL class room I told her that class had been cancelled, so she sent me to the music class instead." The ESL teacher showed up at the choir room looking for Dora. "I remember telling her, 'I'm not coming to ESL anymore, I don't need it.  Unless you change the time, I'm never coming again.' I’ve always known that singing is what I was called to do and I certainly wasn’t going to miss music class for an English lesson."
 
That same determination led Dora to Nashville in 2003. "I knew that God was calling me to pursue Gospel music full time. I wasn't quite sure what that was going to look like for me, but I knew I needed to come to Nashville to find out. It was truly a leap of faith for my entire family" she recalls.  She was accepted into the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University and graduated in 2006.  Dora went to work as the publicist for a Gospel Music label. "My experience in the music industry is what truly validated that God was calling me to sing."
 
In late 2007, God opened the door for Dora to finally record her first solo project.  “God made it evident that it was time as every detail of this project fell easily in to place.” Who Am I is a unique collaboration with some of Gospel music's favorite and most talented musicians.  Each song reflects a different characteristic of who God is: Creator, Savior, Provider, and The Rock.  "Who God is, is a personal reflection of who I am as His child.  I am His creation, in need of His salvation and provision.  He is my Rock!"  Who Am I has a bonus track featuring the traditional Southern Gospel title song, penned by Rick Goodman, in Romanian. “I couldn’t do this project without recognizing where I come from. The Romanian church is so much a part of who I am.”
 
“Who Am I” is the question most asked by people seeking direction for their life.  "I am blessed to know that I am who I am because of who Christ is, and that is the message of hope that I pray this project conveys."

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Hong Kong, China: Take 2
“Every tribe, every tongue, every nation will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!”

It’s been a year since my trip to Hong Kong.  My, my how much has happened since then!  The Lord has been faithful and has opened a door of opportunity for a team to return to Hong Kong and work alongside the Inner City Ministries again this year.  They will lead children in an afternoon Vacation Bible School.  The following five biblical truths will be taught: follow Him, worship Him, confess Him, serve Him and obey Him.

I will not be returning to Hong Kong this year.  The Lord has other plans for me this summer, and I get to lead children in music at my home church VBS, Brentwood Baptist Church.  We generally average 1500 children each year, and I’m SO thrilled to be a small part in what the Lord is doing in their lives. 

The primary focus of this year’s Hong Kong trip will be to conduct a VBS in the Jordan Community of Hong Kong. This community is home to many refugees from all over Southeast Asia including countries such as Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and several others.

Check out some of these facts on Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong’s population is over 7 million people 
• Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997
• The major languages in Hong Kong are Cantonese, Mandarin, and (British) English
• Hong Kong is one of the busiest ports in the world, second only to Singapore
• Buddhism is the predominant religion in Hong Kong
• Unlike mainland China, the Church is free and open in Hong Kong

Pray for this team as they lead this month, and pray for me as I lead in my home church.  I’m honored to be able to do the work of the Lord, each day.  Tell someone the story of Jesus.  Lives will be changed and yours will be one of them…