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The Sawatzkys moved from Saskatchewan to Enderby in 1966, where Harvey began a Medical Practice, from which he retired in 1995. In 1974 they moved to this present location and began raising Morgan horses. Harvey has sung tenor as a soloist and in numerous quartets, first as a student in Bible School, then University, and during his professional life. Since moving to Enderby, Harvey and June have continued to use their musical gifts. An instrumental recording of mostly older Hymns, called "Our Heritage," produced and recorded by June, debuted at “Singin’ Good News”, 2001. God has blessed us here at Birch Meadow Farms, with beautiful surroundings and facilities for raising our Morgan horses. In 1998, while part of the group “Servant Heart”, we decided to combine our love of Gospel music and our facilities, by sharing our music abilities, and inviting other musicians to share their talents also. Thus our first "Singin'" was born. We were amazed at the interest, and with the encouragement from those who attended to "do it again." The following two years saw the attendance double then triple. Christian friends and the surrounding community have been so supportive, giving of their time and energy, to make this a very successful event. We
welcome you to the eleventh
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Hockey, farming and music, along with the various personalities, abilities and dispositions make up who the Hunter Family are. The common thread that binds them together is the love, hope, joy and freedom they have experienced through Faith and the acceptance of Gods gift of Salvation to us through His Son, Jesus. . With music in the home from a young age, it was only natural that it infiltrated the boys lives as they grew. They all took piano and eventually branched out to different instruments as well. The family sang at home, at church and eventually at some local events. The boys continued to play hockey during the winter and sing and farm together in the summer while still training for hockey with their Uncle Jim. As the years progressed the family began getting asked to sing more frequently, and collectively they prayed that if the Lord opened venues to sing at and provided songs to sing, they would do their best to keep at it. In the summer of 2007, both individually and collectively, all the members of the family felt that God was calling them away from the hockey and toward the farming and singing on a more full-time basis. "Although we don’t ultimately know where this will all lead, we’re thankful that we serve a God who does."
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In today’s ever changing world where so much is not as it seems, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish the “real thing.” The Muddy River Quartet ministers with a personal message from a personal God, presented in a “real” and personal way. Upon meeting the Muddy River Quartet and hearing their message in song, you can’t doubt their integrity, commitment to Christ or their passion for lost souls. “We want people of all ages to know that becoming a Christian is the most wonderful, life-changing decision they’ll ever make."
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The Freedom
Singers began their
music ministry when two young men, Simon and Wesley, arrived in Canada
as stow-a-ways. In Romania, their native land, all young men, upon
completing High School, must join the army. Being conscientious
Christians, they could not join the army because freedom of worship was
totally restricted. Refusing to join would result in several years
of imprisonment. Determined to escape to freedom, Simon and Wesley faced
danger and hardship fleeing from Romania to Italy. But their nightmare began in earnest when they crawled into a container full of ceramic tiles that was headed across the ocean. Baking in the heat for days in a shipyard, surviving a tremendous storm at sea, suffering from lack of oxygen, and the agony of thirst, Simon and Wesley both came close to death. It is only by God's grace that Simon and Wesley are here today-alive After arriving in Kelowna, B.C., in July of 1999, it was soon learned that Simon and Wesley loved to sing. They blended their voices in duets in many Churches . The two other men joined the group a year later. The name "Freedom Singers" was most appropriate considering the backgrounds of Simon and Wesley and what they endured to be able to worship their God in Freedom and peace... "Freedom Singers" share their music and testimony in the hope that those who listen will be spiritually enriched. They give praise to God for His guidance and abundant Grace.
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Denise Kellerman was born and raised in Kelowna, B.C., with an older brother Rob (Tataryn) and a sister Jody (Manns). "I remember so many times the three of us would put on music and just sing as loud as we could.. for a long time. At the age of ten I recorded my first record "One day at a time". Some may ask what's a record? Well.. let's just say it was awhile ago. Throughout the years I've been truly blessed singing at church, weddings, etc. I had been praying that God would someday open the door for me to do a CD, but it just seemed that the time was never right. But this past year God opened up so many doors for me in ways that left no doubt in my mind that He was leading the way. I realized that it had to be His time, not mine. He lead me as far away as Texas to do the recording and what a blessing that was!" Denise ministers with personal conviction as she and her husband Todd have experienced God's grace in their lives when He gave them a "miracle" in the gift of their son and then his recovery from heart surgery at 6 months of age.
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In the spring
of 2001 some folks from the Broadview Evangelical Free Church in Salmon
Arm B.C., decided that they would like to get together once a month to
sing the old hymns. Steve
Grey took up the challenge to head this up and soon there were people
from many other churches who joined us.
One such evening that fall, four men attending this
“Songfest” decided they would like to sing together in a male
quartet. Thus the “Good
News Quartet” was
formed. It consisted of Reinhard Liebich as first tenor, Harvey
Sawatzky as second tenor, Steve Grey as baritone, and Randy Davidson as
bass. The last two winters
Randy has gone to work in northern BC. We welcome him back home
for Singin' 2008. Steve's commitment as Pastor of a church has
precipitated a change, and June Sawatzky has accepted the challenge and
is singing with the quartet. June also does some of the
music arrangements and sound tracks and accompanies the group at the
keyboard.
Our desire is to present the Good News of the Gospel in word and song, and just as the Holy Spirit is ministering to us as we sing, our prayer is that He will also minister to our audience. |
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Pete and Shirley Unrau (M.Sc.) have 48 years of pastoral and evangelistic ministry and as Family Life Conference speakers in Canada and the USA. Presently they are on staff with Campus Crusade, where in 5 day “Oasis Retreats”, they counsel and minister to small groups of professional Christian church or missions ministry workers. Here these workers can be refreshed, renewed, realigned and then return to ministry with skill and a plan. We welcome Pete & Shirley and pray they will also be refreshed, and blessed as they enjoy the music and fellowship and share with us this weekend. |
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Garry
Jespersen,
a retired businessman, is a talented saxophone and vocal musician.
He and his wife Nora live in With
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Garry has had three mission trips to central
and Each
year, Garry and Nora have given valuable, enthusiastic assistance to us
in planning and putting on this event. We are grateful to them for this,
and for Garry’s music, which leads us to once again experience the
blessings of God. |
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Tim, Laurelle
& Mahalia Lehmann
from Enderby, have been a part of our Singin’ from the very
beginning.
We have appreciated their assistance, particularly Tim as our
Treasurer and his expertise at the soundboard, and Laurelle managing the
door prizes, decorating and arranging billeting. We are also blessed by
Laurelle’s singing. In addition to these jobs, they have been there to
offer willing support in so many other ways.
Tim is an accountant, and Laurelle is a stay at home Mom, a
consultant with Mary Kay and she also home schools their soon to be 14
year-old daughter, Mahalia, (who has been the "go for" at
every Singin') and is now assisting June with the web page and her Dad
at the soundboard.
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The BMF Morgans have often been
heard adding their voices to Singin’ Good News.
Some times it has been with an encouraging “Neigh” from Garry.
Click on our "web page" for some humor. Then 'click' on each horse to get him to sing.
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, praying that
God will bless you. May you be spiritually uplifted, by the music and
your time with us this weekend.
