On September, 1999, Lindenwood began a new worship service call Wide Open Worship, or as we like to call it WOW. The WOW service is everything its name implies – you never know what to expect and rarely are any two services the same. Not only is there the WOW factor in each service, there’s the anticipation of what will they do this week. Will there be a meaningful but usually humorous skit, will there be a timely video, where there be a guest speaker, and what new song or songs might we hear from the WOW band. One of the most unique and exciting part of the WOW service is the upbeat and heart touching music brought to us each week by Kevin and Beth Paige. Kevin is a well known and respected musician in the music community. As a featured performer in a local night spot on Beale Street, as well as many other local and outside events Kevin is well known throughout the Memphis community. But playing at church was a road untraveled until now.
The popular singer, songwriter Kevin Paige took a group of seasoned musicians and formed Lindenwood’s first Christian band know as Kevin and Beth Paige and the W.O.W. Band. Kevin’s family has grown as well as his new success as a Christian artist and performer. Kevin married Beth, who also sings in the WOW band and they have a daughter, Stevie.
Kevin’s style of high energy, upbeat music is a different style for many church regulars. There were skeptics who didn't believe their type of music or their secular background was appropriate for church. When Kevin was asked why he would even consider playing for the WOW service he replied, "So I can be a witness for Jesus Christ." Many people seem to readily identify with Kevin’s music which ranges from rock, gospel, soul, and sacred.
The band soon found out what a powerful element their music was to this new form of worship at Lindenwood. They started hearing comments on how the music had helped people grow closer to God. And how their songs were connecting new comers coming to church, some for the first since they were children. One 30 year old women said after coming to a W.O.W. service, "I've only been to church a few times in my life but I use to hate the hymns they made me sing. When I came and heard the music here, I loved it, I could relate to it. It was what made me come back." Another person who has become very involved in the Church since coming to W.O.W. said, "It was the first time I ever had fun at church!” People have not only grown spiritually from the message in the sermons but from the message in the music. One of the popular praise songs sung at the W.O.W service is "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and the music has certainly done just that for many worshipers.
It’s been almost 10 years now since the WOW service was started. The Sunday morning service is still going strong. The WOW congregation includes people from all ages from the very young to our most senior members. Our church has truly grown because of the WOW service and the music of the Kevin and Beth WOW band. While accepting The Best Memphis Male Vocalist Award from N.A.R.A.S., Kevin told some 1,000 people at the Memphis Pyramid, "Singing never got cool until I started singing at church."