If you converge history, musical genius, steadfastness and the love of the Lord into one place, the location would be “Oh To Be Kept By Jesus”, the 50th anniversary recording project by Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. The first single on the project “I Believe” offers a merging of the past and the future with former minister of music Hanq Neal singing lead to the song written and arranged by new minister of music, Leon C. Lewis. Hanq Neal, the prolific composer, songwriter and singer, whose untimely death earlier this year left a void in the gospel music scene, gave this project all that he had.
A long-time friend of Hanq Neal, Lewis prophetically produced his friend and mentors’ last body of work. “I Believe” is a magnificent blending of Lewis and Neal’s passion to share the power of God with the Body of Christ. “Taking over for Hanq Neal was a bittersweet honor,” Lewis shares, “he prepared me for the journey.”
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church was started in 1962 by Pastor William A. Lawson with 13 dedicated saints. The church has grown to over 13,000 members with countless outreach ministries, so the 217 voice Mass Choir has a lot to sing about. The recording also commemorates the long, celebrated existence of the church including the passing of the baton from founding Pastor Emeritus William A. Lawson to Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby.
“Oh To Be Kept By Jesus” is 14 tracks of beautifully produced and arranged spiritual anthems. No special guests needed, other than the Holy Spirit, for this project to move every generation of the family.
Listen to: Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church – “I Believe”[jwplayer config=”Custom Player home” mediaid=”11410″]
It is fitting that, Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby and former Minister of Music Hanq Neal start the praise in track number one “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
“Oh To Be Kept By Jesus” delivers a huge musical production that effortlessly edifies Jesus. The project takes you from hand-clapping with songs like “He Steps In,” “Lift Him Up” and “It’s On The Way” to hand-waving with tracks like “You Are My Lord,” “Enter In” and “He Will Deliver.” In all of its musicality, the choir finds time to deliver a nod to a traditional spiritual hymn with the succinctly sang and beautifully delivered “I Open My Mouth To The Lord.” Goosebumps will surely follow.
Though this is the first musical project from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, their presence has long been felt in Houston, Texas and beyond. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is a local ministry with a global reach, offering a helping hand to all walks of life on multiple continents. “Oh To Be Kept By Jesus” is assured to be an intercontinental tool used to expand the footprint of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and the Kingdom of God.
