“Tell Your Story” Faith and Work, Mr. W Fireworks
Mr. W Fireworks was founded by
my grandfather, W.A Wildman and
his friend Jerry Watson. We know
that God really founded the company.
The first stand was opened just
outside of San Antonio, Texas in 1963
on US Highway 90. This was the sole
location for about two years before
they decided to open additional
locations in small surrounding towns
around San Antonio. In 1966, the two
men divided the locations between
themselves and Mr. W was created.
My grandfather incorporated Mr. W
in 1972.
My grandfather passed the
company down to my parents. My
parents were youth pastors at First
Baptist Church of Lytle for 14 years
while they were growing the company.
First Baptist Church of Lytle is where I
grew up in the Lord. I was 7 years old
when I gave my life to Christ and was
baptized during this same time.
My parents continue to be involved
in the business as owners as well as
leaders in their present church, FBC
Kerrville. I am the Vice-President. Mr.
W is still a family owned and operated
company with the third generation
becoming active.
In 2011, the drought brought
circumstances that were beyond our
control. This could not only negatively
impact us but could potentially put us
out of business. I started a prayer event
at Trader’s Village called, “Work as a
Family, Pray as a Family.” This prayer
event was meant to encourage employees
and their family members to come
together, pray for the business and for
God to help us get through this trial.
We also prayed for each other as well
as for rain (which always helps
fireworks).
The following fireworks season we
Employees joined together in prayer.
were expecting the worse, but it
actually turned out to be one of our
best. I continued to host our prayer
event because if you only pray when
you are in trouble…then you are in
trouble. We have had three events
and we have had about 150 people
attend each time. This is the max
capacity, so I have to limit my invites.
I have seen how powerful prayer is.
How we should trust and include God,
not just in our daily lives, but in our
work as well. We open our event with,
“Where two or more come together;
He is there with us.” The feeling we get
when we pray is amazing. The Holy
Spirit is so present. All of our twentyfive
plus employees and their families
attend, along with some of the churches,
other organizations and stands we
work with. We gave everyone a shirt
that says, “Work as a family, pray as a
family.”
God has blessed us! Today, we have
about 400 stands and approximately
100 indoor stores. The majority of our
stores are run by churches and Christian
Organizations. God gave us this
business, so we keep Him in it and we
give back to our community every
chance we get.
We love to hear the testimonies
from the churches and ministries on
how we were able to help send them
on youth trips,
mission trips,
buying new land, or
needed repairs, etc.
I believe that as
a direct result of
putting God first
The Martinez Family
and integrating our
faith and our work, we have continued
to grow. Mr. W Fireworks may be
family run, but we know that God
owns our business.
Kelley Martinez, Vice President of Mr. W’s Fireworks
Celebrate New Beginnings and the New Year
with Mr W Fireworks.
Visit: www.mrwfireworks.com
S TOR Y MADE POS S I B L E B Y:
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