Early life
John P. Kee was born the 15th out of 16 children in Durham, North Carolina. At an early age he began to develop his musical talent both instrumentally and vocally. He attended the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and at 14, he and his brothers Wayne and Al moved to California where he began attending the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in Marysville, CA. During this time, he began playing with various groups such as Cameo and Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds. After having a hard time adjusting in California, he left and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina only to find himself living in a part of the city known for it's violence and drug activities. After watching one of his friends being murdered in a drug deal gone bad, he rededicate his life back to God during a visitation to a revival meeting.
Ministry
Kee say's that it was during a trip to Michigan with his choir that he received a calling from God to be a preacher. Kee was in his mid-twenties when he was ordained as a minister. In 1995, while ministering in Ohio, he received a prophetic vision and went forward with the building of a Fellowship Center in Charlotte which could minister to the people in the community. He officially founded the New Life Fellowship Center where he became and remains the senior pastor. Ironically, the church is located in the same area where he once lead a life of crime and drugs. It is rumored that Pastor Kee does not accept a salary from the church, but is merely satisfied in knowing that the preached word of God has been brought forth.
Musical career
In the mid 1980's, Kee formed a community choir in Charlotte known as the New Life Community Choir or "NLCC". Over time the choir grew in popularity and has continued to travel throughout the area. The choir also includes some of Kee's own children.
In 1990, Kee founded the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir, or "V.I.P." in order to fellowship with various ministries, song writers, musicians and choir directors from all over the country.
Kee has been active for more than 15 years in the music field. Primarily known for mixing traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel and for having a soulful husky voice. His current cd entitled "The Reunion", released on December 5, 2005, features some of the old members of New Life Community Choir.
In 2007 Kee was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame. [1] He also has an album,Nothing But Worship, which features the smash hit Right Now Praise.
Favor
VIP Mass Choir featuring John P. Kee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't really understand it.
They don't know your story.
You don’t know my story
You don’t know the things that I’ve come through
You cannot imagine
The pain, the trials I’ve had to endure
You don’t know the day you set me free
You cannot imagine
The strongholds and the walls that severed me
In all God has been faithful to me
He promised he would never leave me
My story proves that God can use me
Deliverance is my testimony
You don’t know, my story
It would blow your mind
You don’t know, my story
Say it LaJune
You don’t know my story
The anguish and the guilt that consumed me
Grateful I can tell it
For no more shall the shackles condemn me
You don’t know my story
For if you did you would lift up your hands
So just let me tell you and faith you may as well break out and dance
In all God has been faithful to me
He promised he would never leave me
My story proves that God can use me
And deliverance is my testimony
You don’t know…my story
It would blow your mind
You don’t know…my story
Through my testimony and the blood of the Lamb
Delivered I am, now I have a testimony…Favor’s upon me
Grace and mercy, love and peace abound
Oh in you I’ve found a God that will not ever leave me
He won’t forsake me
You don’t know, my story
I’m delivered, here’s my story
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
You don’t know it, let me tell it
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
God of mercy, he who loves me
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Oh, how wondrous is my story
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Can’t imagine, what I’ve gone through
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Can’t imagine, what I’ve gone through
Can’t imagine
I’m delivered, here’s my story
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
You don’t know it, let me tell it
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
God of mercy, he who loves me
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Oh how wondrous is my story
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Can’t imagine, what I’ve gone through
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
I’m delivered, here’s my story
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Can’t imagine, what I’ve gone through
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
God of mercy, he who loves me
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Oh how wondrous is my story
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Can’t imagine, what I’ve gone through
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
Life and favor upon me
Life and favor upon me
The lyrics of VIP Mass Choir featuring John P. Kee's song "Favor" speaks about how people often judge or underestimate our capabilities without knowing the struggles we've faced in the past. The song starts with the lines"Some people have seen where God has brought you from, They don't really understand it, They don't know your story." These lines convey the message that even though people have seen the progress we've made, they have no idea about the struggles and pain we've had to face to reach where we are today.
The chorus of the song says "You don't know my story, You don't know the things that I've come through" and goes on to talk about the trials that the singer has faced and how God has always been faithful and promised never to leave them. The song is about the power of faith in God and how it can help us overcome any struggle we may face in life. It is also about not judging others and being empathetic towards their struggles, as we never know what someone has gone through to reach where they are today. The song ends with the line "Life and favor upon me" which can be interpreted as a message of gratitude for the blessings and strength that God has bestowed upon the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people have seen where God has brought you from.
There are some who have observed how far you have come by the grace of God.
They don't really understand it.
These people lack an understanding of your journey.
They don't know your story.
They are not aware of the experiences that you have been through.
You don’t know my story
You are not familiar with the details of my life, my struggles and triumphs.
You don’t know the things that I’ve come through
The trials and hardships I have faced are unknown to you.
You cannot imagine
It is beyond your scope of comprehension.
The pain, the trials I’ve had to endure
The difficulties and suffering that have been a part of my journey.
You don’t know the day you set me free
The day when I was delivered from the things that held me bound is unknown to you.
You cannot imagine
It is beyond the limits of your imagination.
The strongholds and the walls that severed me
The addictions and negative behaviors that kept me in bondage.
In all God has been faithful to me
Through it all, God has been constant and true to His word.
He promised he would never leave me
God gave His word that He would always be with me.
My story proves that God can use me
My testimony is evidence that God can use anyone for His purpose.
Deliverance is my testimony
The fact that I am free is a testament to God's power and grace.
It would blow your mind
My story is so incredible and awe-inspiring that it would amaze you.
The anguish and the guilt that consumed me
The pain and shame that weighed heavily on me.
Grateful I can tell it
I am thankful that I can share my story.
For no more shall the shackles condemn me
I am no longer held captive by my past.
For if you did you would lift up your hands
If you knew my full story, you would rejoice and celebrate with me.
So just let me tell you and faith you may as well break out and dance
Allow me to share my story, and it may ignite faith and inspire you to celebrate.
Through my testimony and the blood of the Lamb
Through sharing my story and the sacrifice of Jesus.
Delivered I am, now I have a testimony…Favor’s upon me
I am free, and now I have a powerful story to tell that demonstrates God's favor and blessings.
Grace and mercy, love and peace abound
God's grace, mercy, love, and peace are abundant in my life.
Oh in you I’ve found a God that will not ever leave me
I have discovered a God who is faithful and will never abandon me.
He won’t forsake me
God will never leave or desert me.
Life and favor upon me, he brought me out
God has blessed me with a better life and has delivered me from my struggles.
Oh how wondrous is my story
My story is remarkable and inspiring.
Can’t imagine, what I’ve gone through
It is hard to fathom the depth of pain and struggle that I have endured.
Life and favor upon me
God has bestowed His blessings and favor upon me.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: John P. Kee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind