hen I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t.” Sir William Temple had it right and one movement that has been embodying this quote as of late is The Whosoevers, a prayer and support movement led by Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D., former skater Ryan Ries and Brian “Head” Welch. The name itself comes from the most famous passage of scripture, John 3:16, one we all know but rarely ponder. We spoke with Welch recently about the power of prayer and what we should all be doing daily as believers.
Initially, whose idea was the Whosoevers and how did you get involved? (Because John 3:16 is such a well known verse yet we don’t really ever break it down and really think about what that means)
Brian “Head” Welch: The idea came from Sonny from POD and he just liked that name for some reason. He was initially thinking of doing a side project with a reggae band and call it The Whosoevers but then he hooked up with Ryan Ries and they came up trying to do a big concert and do some cool things with kids making awareness for Christ in a new modern way so Sonny grabbed that name and used it for this movement. Ryan Ries was hooked on heroin and coke, he used to run skate demos and tour with bands like Limp Bizkit and Deftones and partied for years. He got cleaned and found God and he was just coming off of drugs and began to wonder about this Christian life and why he ran for it for so long, his dad is a pastor actually. He went to a bookstore and he saw my book and thought “Who’s this freaky guy?” He looked at it closer and read how it said how I left Korn and found God and all that. He was like I have to read this! It really inspired him to go deeper and telling himself that if this dude could do it then I know I can do it. he was really affected by my book so when him and Sonny got together and started this Whosoevers thing he told Sonny to get in contact with me, it seems like he’s like us and maybe he wants to hook up with this thing.
In your opinion, what is the greatest opposition or fear that today’s youth face?
BHW: One of the biggest things is probably seeing people who think you say a prayer and then you’re going to heaven but the thing is that there is a whole new intimate relationship that God is doing in people right now. He’s pouring out like never before I think. If you’re just saying a prayer and thinking you’re going to heaven then you’re missing out on the full, rich, true step. That’s what I’m all about. The spiritual life is the most fun thing I’ve experienced in my whole life. It’s like the whole believing but not believing, that holds people back. I don’t judge anyone and everyone has their own level of faith but its great to go into the deepness of it.
When you first gave your life to Christ after all your years in Korn, what was the first memory you have of really seeing the power of prayer?
BHW: I’d say when I was still on drugs and I was praying “Are you real? Show me if you’re real.” This verse kept coming into my life, Matthew 11:28 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” I went to a church and that scripture was up on the screen, another guy sent me an email that he said he felt God was telling him to give me that scripture, another lady gave me a card with that scripture on it. It was just following me and that was my answer to prayer. He was saying “Come to me, I have everything for you”. That was the first but I can think of countless other times of signs. “Signs, wonders and miracles follow those who believe” He says so you have to communicate with him and if you’re looking you’ll find Him.
I’ve had a chance to skim through Fieldy’s book a few times and I really enjoy both your stories. He decided to stay with the band after finding God but you chose to leave, was there ever any thought in your mind of staying?
BHW: To be really honest, I wanted to be done. It was hard because they were my friends and the money was good and you’re a rock star but what overpowered that more was me wanting to be done. I didn’t want to keep playing the same songs and just kind of drift away. You keep trying to reinvent yourself but you’re just playing those old songs hits for years and years and its just meaningless to me. A lot of fans like it and they (Korn) still packs places but for me I just wanted to do something new and I still do. Even if its playing small places I feel more fulfilled.
Tell us a bit about the One Love for Chi project?
BHW: Chi from The Deftones got in an accident like a year and a half ago. We heard about it, we heard Fieldy from Korn went and visited with him so Sonny called me up and it worked out in the timing for him and me to go together. We visited him and it just broke our hearts because we see this guy who is the nicest guy in the music industry and the metal community and really one of the nicest people I’ve met in my whole life. He’s just laid out and can’t even function, his mouth just hangs open and his eyes open and look around. Me and Sonny were just praying for him and his family, they lost their health insurance to cover his bills because he was recuperating fast enough so they’re allowed to drop him.
His family is fighting for finances to just keep him. We just want to do something to raise awareness and money and just gather a bunch of people and do something positive for him. Ryan and Sonny really put these events together. We’re just trying to do something for our brother, you know? He’s really slowly and surely improving, he’s saying more words but he’s really laid out. There’s a doctor that is working with him and he’s raised people back to a normal life after things like this. He has a great percentage rate with stuff like this. Sonny has been talking to him a lot and we’re just hoping he can do some cool stuff with Chi of course believing that prayers are pushing that to happen because God is the one doing it.
What advice would you offer to believers to improve their prayer life?
BHW: I struggle with that too. One thing that you have to do is develop a lifestyle to give time to God and yourself ALONE. Somewhere in the Bible it says to go in your closet and shut the door and pray to your Father and He’ll reward you. You really have to force yourself because your mind and your flesh will just try and tell you it’s a waste of time or your mind will go blank. I read books from the 1700’s, like all these Catholic saints who were really strong and they’ve used to scripture as a springboard for prayer and to get their faith to rise up so they’d read their Bible and when something would pop up they’d talk to God about that. You just have to search, you know? There are a lot of different ways but it’s a struggle.
What would you like to see the Whosoevers doing in the years to come?
BHW: We got the Chi event coming up August 14th. We got all these motorcycle guys like Metal Mulisha doing flips and stuff and just all kinds of skate stuff. It’s just a big festival deal for Chi. After that we want to take it on the road and do a Whosoever tour and I know its going to happen because we all want to do it and we can feel it.
What do you think that would look like?
BHW: I think it’d be awesome to get to the level of doing extreme sports and stuff but I think it’ll start small like doing a few bands and some skate stuff but we’ll work up to the big old full on festival.
Lastly, how is your new album coming along? When can we expect to hear that?
BHW: We’re just touring so much its been put on hold so probably next spring or summer, we’re hoping.
Please visit www.thewhosoevers.com for more info on the One Love for Chi event and what else The Whosoevers have coming up soon!
(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)