Dr KJ recounts long walk to ministry and music

Dr Kevin J. Waite recalls the harrowing experience of dealing with his wife's illness in 2014.

The pastor and musical minister remembers walking through the streets of Georgia to collect medical scans for his wife Nicole. Penniless, without any family to lean on in an unfamiliar US state, the experience strengthened his faith.

"It was the worst time. You know when you read a fairytale storybook and you see the part that says 'and suddenly'? That was my 'and suddenly moment' only that it was not for the better but for the worse," said Dr KJ (his stage name). "I received the news that my wife was hospitalised right as I finished preaching in church about the character of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I remember clearly saying 'whatever happens don't complain' but I had no idea I was preaching to me."

What was meant to be a spontaneous trip to the US for his wife and children turned out to be a necessity, as Nicole was hospitalised for three months after being diagnosed with Cushing disease. The disease affects the pituitary gland and causes other issues like a breakdown of the body's tissues.

He said, "I had to return home and resign from the church and my job as a school guidance counsellor and then all hell break loose. The financial resources dwindled and we hit rock bottom. We were at the mercies of friends bouncing from house to house."

FIRST LOVE

Still, Dr KJ did not leave his wife's side. She is his first love; they have 26 years of history, 16 of which they have been married. He believes that because he weathered that storm and stayed the course with God, he was later rewarded for his faithfulness. He became involved in ministry in the US after his wife became fully healed. Together, they have written a book speaking about the experience titled Beautifully Scarred to be released soon.

"There was a time I had to walk with her on my back to the bus. During her recovery she could not walk," he said. "If it wasn't for our faith and love, I don't know what would have happened. I want people to know from our story that everyone is anointed in a different way and in order to exercise your anointing, you have to go through different things. It's not all that bad if you stay the course and hold on to your faith."

Thinking back on his upbringing, Dr KJ said that it served as a gentle reminder of his goals to succeed.

"I looked in my own family circle, me, being the last of 10 children. My siblings barely went to school and took different paths. When I got saved, nobody had known that I gave my life to God but in everything I was a determined boy," he said. "The music part of my life happened not long after I went to a church rally and sang my heart out. My pastor took me everywhere he was going after that and it helped to build my confidence and improve my vocals."

He went on to form several gospel singing groups, but is now working on an album with Prodigal Son and is expected to release a collaboration titled Anchor featuring Joan Flemmings.

"One thing I am very sure of is God is using me for greater," he said.