I’m Steph’s dad. I started playing piano for church in 1971 - I was 12 - feel free to do the math. I’ve had many musical experiences that have been enriching and rewarding, but that’s not what I want to talk about.
My wife, Donna, and I had six children by the time we were 25. We raised them in the church . . . for a while. There came a time when I became disillusioned with the church and God and walked away from both, taking my family with me. I was a college professor who, for the most part, was antagonistic toward Christians and the Christian faith. Apart from God, my children’s lives began to fall apart.
A decade or so later. . .
Steph was on the brink of suicide. We had picked up her oldest daughter and moved her to Texas with us. Steph had lost custody of her second daughter. We were basically waiting for Steph to kill herself. There was an overwhelming sense of helplessness and hopelessness. This was only Steph’s story - she is one of 6 children. Each of the others had a story as well.
I’ll never forget the night I was laying in bed alone (my wife had to sleep with the grand daughter to keep her calm). I remember crying out to God. Telling Him I needed His help. I thought I could do this without Him. I was wrong. It was as if I heard Him say that He loved my kids more than I ever could and that I needed to turn loose of them and hand them over to Him. I remember, in my mind, taking each of them by the hand and walking them to the Throne and handing them over to their Creator.
That was a definitive moment. Steph entered Teen Challenge and gave her life to Christ. Within several months all 4 girls had made a profession of faith.
I’ve watched as God has restored my family. I continue to pray, but with a different assurance. He loves my kids and wants to have a relationship with them. I need to turn loose of them everyday and let God do what He wishes with them.
I love the fact that I get to worship God in a band with my daughter and my closest brothers in Christ. I pray that we can bring a message of hope to individuals and to families that have gotten off-track and need God’s miracle of restoration in their lives.
God’s Richest Blessings to you and your families
Will Baily
Keyboard
2. Faster
DEMO TRACKS