More about Lewies
Lewies (pronounced “La-Veese”) was born and raised in South Africa. Following school he joined Joyful Noise Ministry, a Worship Ministry team spreading the gospel through music in schools, hosting youth camps, and ministering at churches. After that he spent several years serving as a leader in both Youth ministry and Worship. From a young age he had a dream to relocate to the United States to do ministry and music. In 2002, God allowed that dream to become a reality. He moved to Bonita Springs, Florida, where he met his wife, Lana. Lewies served on staff at First Baptist Church of Bonita Springs until 2007 when he answered God’s call to Prattville. Get to know Lewies a bit better …
How did you get involved with music?
At age 5, I started copying my sister’s piano lessons by ear. My first day of school began 11 years of classical training. Growing up in a musical family (Pa sings, plays the piano and guitar, Ma sings and plays piano, and 2 brothers and 2 sisters singing and playing instruments), music became a driving force in my life. I started playing drums at age 7, guitar at age 11, and bass at age 12. I also sang in school choirs, city choirs, church praise teams, and played in youth bands and church bands since age 11.
Name your favorite...
Color: Green and/or Purple (depends on the day and the mood – sometimes one, sometimes both)
Book: Creative Leadership (Ed Young, Jr.) The Big Idea (Dave Furgeson), Get Motivated (Tamara Lowe)
Food: Tough one … I’m gonna say my mom’s cooking
Music: Anything with good melodies, harmonies, chord structures and acceptable lyrics. I do love country outside of the Christian category
Saying: Ek is lief vir jou (to my wife and kids)
What’s something that makes you laugh?
I speak another language—Afrikaans. Often I’ll post something on facebook in Afrikaans, and I’ll have my English friends try and translate it as they read it. My South African buddies will then comment on those in Afrikaans, which lead to more translation. It is absolutely hilarious to read. But I guess you gotta understand Afrikaans to really appreciate the humor in it all. Lana is actually doing very well, and gets it most of the time too.
What is the most interesting job you’ve had?
For 3 months I was a game ranger at Mabula Lodge, South Africa. It was amazing to be so close to nature and God, and spend 10 hours a day sharing nature with people, and making an impact in other ranger’s lives.
If money wasn’t an issue, what would you do?
Lana and I would love to one day to live bi-continental. We have a desire to minister in third world countries with other organizations and independently. I would love to show people how to take care of themselves and their families financially, work with musicians and build relationship that will have eternal value. I also would love to record a Country CD with some songs I wrote. (Okay… if you’re a friend and you’re reading this – now is the time to stop laughing! You ain’t heard my twang songs yet. Lol!)
What other kinds of songs have you written?
One of my favorite things to do is to write a song to express what I feel. I wrote a song for our wedding and sang it to Lana when she walked down the aisle. I wrote a few more songs for her – and she gets all embarrassed when I sing it to other people in front of her! Haha! I also wrote a song for Lehan when we found out we were expecting our first baby. I came up with the chorus and first verse in immediately, and the second verse and bridge came about 2 days after his birth. Makayle’s song came during his pregnancy, but only the chorus. And then, on March 29, 2010 – more than 3 years after his birth, I was taking a shower and the song hit me like a long lost memory. I got out and scribbled the verses and bridge down in about 4 minutes! It might not be any hits – but it’s special to see their faces when I tell them I wrote a song to them and have them listen to it.