Shannon Savee, Praise Team Leader
Shannon Savee serves as the Praise Team Leader at Faith Rising Community Church, where she helps guide the congregation in worship with sincerity, humility, and a deep love for Christ. Her heart for music and ministry is rooted in a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness, healing, and grace. Through worship, Shannon seeks to create space for others to encounter Jesus, surrender fully, and be reminded of the hope found in Him.
Her Personal Journey and Testimony
Shannon grew up in a Southern Baptist church, where Sunday services, Wednesday gatherings, and youth trips were a regular part of her life. She learned Scripture, understood the gospel, and was saved and baptized at the age of 10. While she knew what it meant to be involved in church, her faith would continue to grow and mature through the seasons ahead.
During her teenage years, Shannon faced deep struggles with identity and self-worth. At 15, she experienced a painful season marked by unhealthy influences and overwhelming pressure. By God’s mercy, she survived a life-threatening moment, and although she did not fully understand it at the time, she now sees His protection and purpose at work in her life.
At 16, Shannon’s family moved across the state for a fresh start. Life began to feel hopeful again. She met the man who is now her husband and became involved in school, friendships, and activities. For a time, she believed she could manage life on her own, apart from church and God.
By 18, Shannon had welcomed her first child and was navigating the responsibilities of parenting, legal challenges, and providing for her family. Though she had stepped away from church, the truth she had learned as a child remained with her: life apart from God would always fall short. Still, she continued trying to carry everything in her own strength.
Years later, at age 29, Shannon’s family received devastating news: her father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In the midst of fear and grief, she knew she could not carry the burden alone. Her family returned to church, and Shannon began singing with the worship team, participating in Bible studies, and praying daily for God’s healing. After months of treatment and a season of hopeful recovery, her father passed away a year and a half later.
In her grief, Shannon struggled with anger toward God and withdrew from the people who cared for her. She stopped attending church, isolated herself, and moved through each day while feeling emotionally numb. She knew she did not want to remain in that place, but she did not yet know how to move forward.
After months of feeling stuck, God used a simple act of kindness to draw her back—a text message from someone at church saying, “Just want to see how you’re doing! We miss you.” That message reminded Shannon of the importance of her church family, especially in seasons of pain. Through His people, God helped her return when she felt tempted to disappear.
Today, Shannon has surrendered her life back to Jesus. While she continues to face life’s challenges, her faith is stronger than ever, and she has learned to thank God even in difficult seasons.
For Shannon, leading worship now carries a deeper meaning. She is not simply singing songs; she is declaring what God has carried her through. As Pastor Berry often says, the worship leader is the lead worshiper—helping fellow believers enter a place of surrender, honesty, and worship before Jesus.
Shannon is quick to acknowledge that she is not perfect, but she relies on the Lord daily. In her words, she is “just a nobody, trying to tell everybody all about Somebody who saved my soul.”
Psalm 104:33 — “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.”
Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”