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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 twelfth praying that God will bless you. May you be spiritually uplifted, by the music and your time with us this weekend.
 

 

                             

For the last twelve years, the Allens have had the privilege of traveling across the United States (and recently Canada) in full-time Christian ministry. Industry professionals awarded Todd, Michelle, and their oldest son, Caleb, a first place finish at the 2000 National Quartet Convention Talent Search in Louisville, Kentucky. In the years to follow, the other Allen children joined their ministry and they quickly became a favorite family group of thousands across this continent. Todd, Michelle, Caleb, Gabrielle, Joshua, Jared, Danielle, Abigail, Zachariah, and Christian live in their bus 365 days a year and fill over 275 engagements each year. Their harmony and humor are sure to thrill your heart!

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been directly and indirectly influenced by this ministry. Many have trusted and confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and countless others have been encouraged in their Christian living. This ministry is faithful to sow the good seeds of the gospel. God is faithful to produce the desired results. All who support this ministry through prayers and financial giving enter into this fruitful harvest. It is “fruit that may abound to your account.” Phillipians 4:17

We were blessed to have the Allen Family with us in 2007, and welcome them back this year.

 
 

   

 

Sweet Presence  is a full time family based group located in the Pacific Northwest. Made up of Ernie, Dolly, Greg, and Corey, Sweet Presence travels in both the United States and Canada sharing their message through southern gospel music.

You may have seen this group at various southern gospel events, at one of the National Quartet Convention venues, or on stage with the likes of Poet Voices, Carolina Boys, the Dixie Melody Boys, and many others. No matter where you have seen them, you're sure to have heard some of the finest harmony and spirit filled ministry that music has to offer.

With over 35 years of traveling in southern gospel music, Sweet Presence offers a concert experience that appeals to both young and old with songs like "He Keeps On Blessing Me" to "God Walks The Dark Hills" and "Ring The Bells Of Heaven".

 We welcome them for the first time to Singin' Good News.

 

 

   

 

Based out of the greater Seattle area- Evergreen State Quartet enjoy singing the traditional Southern Gospel songs in many places. They have traveled to California , Oregon , Washington , Idaho , and Western Canada , and are thankful that the Lord has blessed them with talents and abilities to be able to touch many hearts with this great music. These four men all have fulltime jobs but believe they are called on weekends to serve God and bless the saints with wonderful gospel songs!  Evergreen State Quartet consists of : Tom McCracken (tenor), Brian Welk ( Lead), Dave Holley (Baritone), and Gary Van Ry (Bass). They are thrilled to be part of "Singin' Good News 2009," and pray that you will be blessed this weekend! 

 

 

 

 
 

                 

 

 

Karen Ritchey…sharing a music ministry of comfort, hope and peace.                   First and foremost… Karen is her kids Mom!                                                           Karen and Landon have been married for 20 years!  The parents of Kayla, Adam, and Garrison they are proud to say that two of their children joined their family through adoption.  Their first son, Kyle, was born still in 1988, and thus began a long journey to find comfort, hope and peace after loss. 

Karen’s desire and efforts to minister to people who are discouraged, bereaved or ill, has been a lifelong commitment, and only in the past 8 years or so, since the release of her first recording project, has her ministry involved music. Prior to that, it had been a ministry of letter writing, emails, phone calls and personal visits to fellow bereaved parents. Instead of just flowers or a card, she can now send music of comfort and peace along with her letters. Karen believes that God has blessed her personal commitment. It is not a showy or public ministry as much as it is a personal and quiet mission.                          

Karen’s ministry motto is found in 2nd Corinthians 1:4                                                  “He comforts us in all our troubles so we in turn can comfort others in their troubles, as we share with them the comfort we receive from God.”

 Karen has three recordings available:

'I'll Meet you in the Morning',                                                                        'Because He Promised  (Kyle’s Song)' and 'Going Home'

 
 

 

 

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 for a Hymn sing.  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.  Reinhard Liebich as first tenor, and Harvey Sawatzky as second tenor, have been in the quartet from the beginning and last fall two new members joined. They are Drew Bryant singing baritone and Abe Stobbe singing bass.   June Sawatzky 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.

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

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.     
 

 

Garry Jespersen, a retired businessman, is a talented saxophone and vocal musician.  He and his wife Nora live in Kelowna , B.C.   His seven recordings “Musical Moments” are available on CD and tape.  Six of these are easy listening Gospel music favorites, one of classic love songs, and a Christmas CD.  Presently Garry is working on the production of his ninth recording.  

With Wycliffe Bible Translators, Garry has had three mission trips to central and  South America in the 80's.  While in Quito , Ecuador , he met the head engineer for HCJB World Radio.  HCJB is now affiliated with over 200 Christian radio stations around the world.  After hearing Garry’s recordings, HCJB requested that stations receive and play these recordings, and most of them are doing just that.  Praise God!  “My wife and I thank God for the opportunity to travel and minister in word and music in B.C., Alberta , Washington , and Arizona .  It  has been a real blessing.”  

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.

 

                                                                

 

               

            

 

 

 

 

 

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 15 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Photo Coming

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.