Mercy Cries is made up of J.a.n.e.e.n., Cory and Renee Sams, and John Cronin.  Renee, J.a.n.e.e.n., and John met while touring with The Continental Singers in 2000.  (The Continentals is a Christian music ministry that allows young people to participate in short-term mission trips around the world.) J.a.n.e.e.n. has been writing songs since 1999, and during the fall of 2000, she and Renee recorded the first Mercy Cries CD in Moline, Illinois.  The name "Mercy Cries" was originally Renee’s idea.  She took the phrase from Psalms 28-32 where David cries out for mercy.  These chapters summarize many common themes in the songs on the first CD.

After releasing the self-titled "Mercy Cries" CD in February 2001, J.a.n.e.e.n. and Renee moved to Nashville, where they met Cory Sams at the church they all were attending.  He joined Mercy Cries for one of their concerts in April of 2002 and became an official member of the group shortly after.  This was a great turning point in the sound and ministry of Mercy Cries.

The summer of 2002 was spent touring around the United States doing weekend concerts at churches.  After much prayer and encouragement from audiences at their concerts, the group committed to go on a full-time tour for the summer of 2003.  The second Mercy Cries CD: "Let It Rain!" was released in May of 2003, right before the group left for tour.  The title track, "Let It Rain", received radio play on various stations across the country.  The 10 week tour took Mercy Cries all over the United States, and was a life-changing time for Renee, Cory, and J.a.n.e.e.n..  God allowed them to touch people through the music and personal relationships that developed along the way.

After the first full-time Mercy Cries tour was completed, some changes were made to the group itself.  John Cronin officially joined the group in January 2004.  After touring together back in 2000, Renee and J.a.n.e.e.n. knew John would be a great addition to Mercy Cries with his strong bass playing, vocals, and performing experience.  Right before the 2005 tour began, Cory and Renee got married, and spent their first year of marriage on the road doing full time ministry.  The 2005 Tour was full of high energy songs and personal testimony from all four members and J.a.n.e.e.n., Renee, Cory and John were constantly amazed to see how God chose to use thi music ministry during the 2005 tour.

All of the members of this group feel strongly, based on the evidence in their lives, that God has led their paths up until this point, and is continuing to guide them as they follow His calling to lives of ministry.  They feel that there is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling than to give up their lives for the Lord to use.