Had the privilege back in March to talk with a guy I’ve respected for 20 years, P.O.D. frontman Sonny Sandoval, in Jackson, Miss. Such an open and inviting guy, honest and faith-driven. Finally getting around to posting more of our long conversation.

by brandon speck

bwspeck@gmail.com 

The Whosoevers movement is growing. The Rep and Ryan Ries are about to embark on the “War For Your Soul Tour.” Papa Roach lead man Jacoby Shaddix was wearing a W shirt at a recent show. Brian Welch and Love & Death are tearing it up in Germany for troops on the Fourth of July.

One founding member, Sonny Sadoval said it all started as a brotherhood.

“For me, it really is just getting back to the basics of loving Jesus and being broken,” the P.O.D. frontman said before a March show in Jackson, Miss., “just being in the presence of the Father and letting Him do what He wants to do in me.”

Kids have turned to the Christian group as a source of hope, some a source of reassurance, others a source of accountability. 

Sandoval, Welch, former Flyleaf lead Lacey Sturm, Ronnie Faisst and Ryan Ries played the major roles in getting The Whosoevers going.

It’s more than going now. It’s rolling.

But exposure isn’t the point. It’s about reaching kids for Christ – young kids and old kids alike.

Kids are drawn to the experiences of the group.

“We see so much and since I’ve been in this game so long, it really comes down to how much you want Jesus,” Sandoval said.

A lot of the draw is arguably to the star-factor of the group, but that may be the trigger some need to pay attention to their message.

Sandoval says he grew tired of defending churches that let kids down or simply aren’t doing enough to reach the sometimes-difficult to reach.

“It comes down to you having a one-one-one love affair with Jesus Christ. It’s not asking them, ‘Let me see your resume before God will ever speak to you or listen to you.’ It really is, come as you are. I know that churches preached that forever but I don’t think the world feels that way,” Sandoval said. 

“As the Whosoevers, I think God’s been doing so much in our own lives personally that kids can see that and it is honest. When you have guys that have been there, not that I’ve overcome everything in my life, but it’s a journey that I’m going through with the Lord and hey man, I still mess up and I struggle with things all the time, but I’m constantly at the throne of grace with God and these kids can relate to that.”