In the summer of 2000, five La Sierra University (LSU) students began a group to sing church praise music. They performed for one year at the La Sierra University Church and then its LSU recruitment department asked them to perform. They brainstormed and came up with the name “With Praise.”

Four years later, “With Praise” released their first self-titled CD of 11 songs. Featured on the CD are three LSU students and two alumni, Randy Bills, tenor; Amanda Escalante, soprano; DeAnne Knipschild, alto; Kevin Straine, baritone; and Joshua Turban, pianist/songwriter.

“I hate songs done the same way,” says Bills, 2001 LSU graduate from Fresno, Calif., currently pursuing a DMA (doctorate of musical arts) from the University of Southern California in vocal performance. Bills arranges the worship programs and makes sure the group always has original music to perform. “I try to change the songs to make them fresh and new.”

Each member of “With Praise” has specific roles in the group’s ministry. Tuburan, 2001 music graduate and piano teacher in Loma Linda, Calif., is in charge of the business and finance. Knipschild, senior elementary education major from LaVerne, Calif., coordinates the public relations. Escalante, junior religious studies major from Riverside, Calif., is the group’s secretary, handling appointments and mailings. Straine, senior communications major from Colton, Calif., organizes the group’s schedule and plays guitar.

“We are blessed every Sabbath that ‘With Praise’ performs. It is a high Sabbath,” says Dan Smith, senior pastor of the LSU Church. “They have been the primary praise team at La Sierra University Church for over three years. I even gave their CD as gifts to my family for Christmas.”

Being closely associated with the LSU Church, “With Praise” has had the opportunity to participate in mission trips, including Partners for Evangelism in the Philippines in 2000 and the LSU Church Thailand Mission Trip in 2002. This past New Year’s Eve, “With Praise” was also on 3ABN. They have performed in about 30 churches and once each month can be found in the LSU or Loma Linda University churches.

“The Philippines group asks me to bring the La Sierra group back to perform,” says Smith. “They had young people lined up singing the American praise songs night after night.”

“We are funded by the Lord,” says Tuburan. “The CD sales help a lot. We also receive donations and take up offerings at concerts.”

“We are a faith-based ministry,” adds Escalante. “God provides what we need.”

The group carefully tailors its music to each audience and appeals to a range of ages from eight to 80. “With Praise” has a distinctive vocal style and strong piano-driven melodies that bring life to original songs, traditional hymns and modern music for a truly uplifting worship experience. “We perform a blended worship—hymns with contemporary music. We cross generations with praise for youth in schools and church groups,” adds Tuburan.

“Music is not an issue,” says Escalante. "There is power in the music that unites people."

“Each of us brings a different aspect or quality that is separate from the other,” says Knipschild.

“The thing I remember most when Randy picked us and we started to practice in Hole Memorial Auditorium was how well the sounds blended,” says Straine. “We all complemented each other and it amazed me. This is something good.”

For more information on “With Praise,” call them at 909-317-0643 or visit their website at www.withpraise.com.