Wheeler Ave. continues music legacy with power team, releases single

The music ministry of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church has existed for decades in Third Ward Houston, TX, serving infants, elders, and everyone in between. Keeping in the memory of former Minister of Music Hanq Neal, the church music department has been reinvigorated with the release of the single “I Believe,” new leadership and staff.

Before the death of Neal, he enlisted the help of Leon Lewis, a friend from his former church, Windsor Village, to lead the music department and choirs. Upon the death of Hanq, Leon became the minister of music, bringing in a new team to assist with worship services.

Lewis says,  “Taking over for Hanq Neal was a bittersweet honor, he prepared me for the journey.”

The new team consists of Leon Lewis (Min. of Music), Willie Mae Sharpe (Worship Leader, Director), “BK” Johnson (keys), Ken Thomas (bass), Latoya Mason (piano), Robert Gibson (Youth, Young Adult Director), Robert Nobles (percussion), with new additions, gospel legend Chester D.T. Baldwin (Worship Leader), Cory Gibson (Celestial Director) and Rayshod Caldwell (Music Director, organ).

Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church was founded in 1962 by Pastor William A. Lawson. The church has grown to over 13,000 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, now with a 217-voice Mass Choir.

The new single, I Believe, is from the church’s 50th Anniversary release Oh To Be Kept, which now celebrates the new beginning of the music ministry and memorializes beloved leader, Min. Hanq Neal.

It is available on Amazon.com, iTunes and CDBaby.

Listen and let us know what you think.

To get idea of the talent at the church, watch these videos.

Written by Leon Lewis.