Dreds and Torpedo aim to teach children to worship

ROYSE CITY—Dawna Duke and Ashley Mensik—better known as Dreds and Torpedo—want to energize, equip and engage children’s ministries around Texas with high-energy praise songs.

This summer, they are leading worship for preteens at Sabine Creek Ranch in Royse City, Timberline Baptist Camp in Lindale and Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment in Cedar Hill.

Worship leaders Dawna Duke (left) and Ashley Mensik, better known as Dreds and Torpedo, want to energize, equip and engage children’s ministries around Texas with high-energy praise songs.Duke and Mensik both grew up in Texas and loved music since an early age.

As a college student, Duke directed an after-school program at Lake Highlands Baptist Church in Dallas. With a desire to lead children to faith in Christ, she served at Sabine Creek Ranch each summer during her college years, which led to meeting and teaming up with Mensik.

“In 2008, I was hired to help lead worship for the kids in the mornings and needed someone to do the motions,” Duke said. “One day, we were just doing typical camp work, such as painting a sign for one of the games, and we hit it off talking and have been friends ever since.

Origin of a name

“Sabine Creek staffers all receive a camp name, and I was called Dreds because I had dreadlocks at the time. Ashley received the name Torpedo because she was a diver in high school. When we started leading worship for the kids, everyone just called us by our camp names, and it just kind of stuck with us.”

After working two years as a special education teacher in Dallas, Duke accepted an opportunity to begin ministering to students at International Baptist Church in Brasilia, Brazil. She continues to work there throughout the school year but teams up with Mensik in the summer.

Mensik has participated in various mission trips and loves teaching children about their need for a Savior. After graduating from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene in 2010, she began working as an elementary-school teacher, as well as coaching gymnastics and cheerleading. She also sings on the praise team at South Side Baptist Church in Abilene.

Investing in children

As they lead worship for events, Duke and Mensik emphasize the importance of investing in the lives of children and instilling Scripture into their lives.

“We are passionate about kids learning Scripture and sharing God’s redemption story through songs—leading them to worship and glorify him because of who he is, what he has done and what he will do,” Duke said. “It’s such a privilege being able to watch kids learn about God, committing to follow him and worshipping him.”

Mensik agreed. “One of the sweetest sounds is when we can hear the children singing over the music—hands raised, heart engaged and singing at the top of their lungs. It melts my heart and brings me to tears every time,” she said.

“I am beyond encouraged by the kids we encounter and learn so much from their simple faith and honest questions. It is a beautiful example and reminder of Matthew 19:14 when Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”