This story started 15 years ago when Wes and Karen first met while working together at a fast food restaurant. Within a year, they began dating and Karen soon after had their first son Wesley. They got married the following year against the wishes of their families. At the time of their marriage, Karen, who had become a Christian at the age of 11, had been in rebellion against the Lord for 2 years. Wes, who had come from NY 3 years before, had wanted to start a new life that did not include crime. Unfortunately, the marriage proved disastrous and all the conflict and turmoil sent Karen back to a relationship with the Lord. Wes was living like he was still single and continued committing crimes. They had Shaw, Julian and Cheyenne in those first 4 years of marriage.
In the spring of ‘00, they separated due to Karen discovering Wes’ other life. Three weeks later, Wes was arrested for robbery and other charges. The night of his arrest, defeated and disgusted, Wes gave his life to Jesus Christ. Though sentenced to 6 years, Wes, by the grace of God, served 3 1/2 years in prison. God led Karen to reconcile with Wes and they spent those years of Wes’ incarceration writing letters, talking on the phone and seeing each other on visits. In 2003, when the children were 9, 7, 6 and 4, Wes came home.
Not long after, there was a contest at church where the congregation was challenged to put one of the church’s memory verses to original music. Now Wes, though he had made music, performed and had been on the radio, wasn’t going to participate because one of the reasons he had made music was to bring glory to himself. Now, as a believer, he only wanted to glorify the Lord. So instead, it was suggested by one of Wes’ friends Mark, that Wes create a song for the children. They won the contest and the Praise Warriors were born.
That was 4 years ago and it has been a very long road. The 4 kids recorded all their songs in a little bathroom-turned-recording booth in their auntie’s basement where their cousin and producer Geoffrey built his studio. At one point in ‘06, the CD was finished, but the computer crashed and the entire CD was lost and had to re-recorded. With the Lord’s help, they went back to the drawing board , or studio, and completed the CD that is now for sale.
Since Wes has been home, the Lord has blessed the family with 3 more sons named Vaughn, Kade and Rafe and 1 more daughter, Brooklyn. The family’s dream is to have people all over the world learning God’s word accompanied by their music and coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.