Feature Articles
31 Aug 2002
Mencer, White and Cheney
Steve Cheney and Sheldon Mencer have been writing and publishing songs now for 12 years. Many of which you would probably recognize. They first met at a Shoney's Restaurant in Zanesville, OH, and thus began a friendship that would last for a long time. Steve recognized Sheldon from his performances on TV with Nancy Harmon and the Victory Voices. He had once heard Sheldon perform a particular song, "Oh How Jesus Loves You", and turned to his wife and told her that he wanted to write songs like that. A little while later he heard the song "Only God Knows" by Gold City and again turned to his wife and said, "I would love to write songs with the guy who wrote that."
When Steve and Sheldon began to talk, they both realized that God had placed them in each others path for a specific reason. Shortly after their meeting, they wrote their first song together, "When He Calls My Name" which Steve had been working on for quite some time, but just hadn't finished it. This began the start of Cheney Mencer Music, which is now administered by ICG (Integrated Copyright Group) as of July 2002. Many of the songs Steve and Sheldon have penned, either together or individually, are: "Mercy River" as made popular by the Singing Americans, "Sweet Peace" as made popular by the Kingsmen, "Walking My Very Last Mile" - Ivan Parker, "The Tomb is Empty" - Danny Funderburk, "Mercies Are New" - Eason Trio, "Lead Me To The Rock" - Janet Paschal, and the popular song "I'm a Whosoever" - Mencer White and Cheney. Between the two of them, Steve and Sheldon have written some 600 songs.
While Steve and Sheldon were busy writing songs, seems God had the plan to fulfill one more desire. Seems they had the desire to form a trio, but little did they know that God was going to allow that to happen. About two years ago, a Pastor friend of Sheldon's invited him to a concert where Jonathan White was performing. While sitting in the concert, Sheldon's wife, Tammy, leaned over and said, "Imagine what a trio would sound like with him." She was right, because once Sheldon heard Jonathan sing, there was no doubt that God was going to fulfill this dream.
In March of 2002, Mencer, White, and Cheney released their first project, "Great Are You Lord". Currently they are with DJ Man Promotions. Their latest single is "I'm a Whosoever". Paul Heil recently featured them on Father's Day Weekend. This group is seeing God move in many ways, and are enjoying watching Him open the doors for their ministry to continue on. "I'm a Whosoever" has climbed the charts, debuting at #8 on SoGospelNews.com Weekly Top 20 Chart.
While Mencer, White, and Cheney move on up in this industry, they still have their own individual ministries. Steve and his wife, Diane, reside in Zanesville, OH along with their daughter Lauren. "He's considered the oldest and wisest of the group," Sheldon says, laughing. Steve is the minister of music at Westwood Baptist Church there in Zanesville. Great influences in his life have been the Imperials.
Sheldon and his wife, Tammy, reside in Coshocton, OH along with his two children, Aaron and Cortney. He is currently doing solo dates as well as working with the group. Of course, he is still writing those songs too.
Jonathan and his wife, Sheila, and his two children, Austin and Brittany reside in Canton, OH. Brittany was born with Downs Syndrome and Jonathan has written a song about her. He also spends some of his spare time writing songs.
"We aren't in any way trying to knock doors down. We are waiting on God to open them," states Jonathan. "Our calling is to reach the lost. We also have a desire for missions, overseas as well as in the church. We desire ministry. We're not hung up on popularity. We just want to encourage the body of Christ."
"I believe God is teaching us patience," states Steve. "I wanted to do this 10 years ago. Don't pursue or press. If God's called you to it, He'll bring it to you. If you have a song in our heart, God will put you in the right place. Real happiness begins with being content with where you are."
Mencer, White, and Cheney are true examples of what they believe. "The very things we say are the things God writes down and later gives us." Mencer, White, and Cheney no doubt have had God's hand involved in their making and ministry.
Read more about Mencer, White, and Cheney at their website: www.mencerwhiteandcheney.com
Or visit them at NQC: Booth #920 & #1019
Amy Marie
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Written: 08/31/2002 
Author: Amy Marie Unthank
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