Sandy Creek
           Gospel Jamboree

July 23 - 25, 2010

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This Year's MC's are once again: Our Sunday Morning Speaker is:

John Duerksen

 & Ken Overcast

Sam Berg
Before coming to Briercrest College and Seminary in 1995, Sam served as a pastor for 20 years and later had a private counselling practice in Ottawa. Prior to that, he has also served as a youth pastor and camp manager in Kelowna, British Columbia. Sam holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.Div., and a D.Min. in Marriage and Family Ministry. He serves as a counsellor at The Caring Place, a Christian counselling centre in Regina, Sask.. He and his wife, Erika, have two children and three grandchildren.

 

Performers for the 2010 Jamboree

These and all your favorite artists can heard at Sunday Side Up radio.

High Valley
There’s always been a strong connection between country and Christian music, and few acts better exemplify that unique bond than High Valley. With a fresh, engaging sound that combines the best of contemporary country with compelling faith-based lyrics, High Valley is truly the best of both musical worlds. This Canadian trio has opened shows for Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire, earning a solid reputation as a must-see live act. High Valley's last album, "Broken Borders," was named Album of the Year at the 2007 GMA Canada Covenant Awards in the country category while their hit "Back to You" was honoured as Country Song of the Year.
 

The Rawling Brothers

Doug and Bruce Rawling have been playing music since their childhood, when they travelled and sang with their family. Since then they have been involved in several musical ventures – sometimes together, sometimes apart – and during that time have sold over 50,000 albums. They have enjoyed radio air play in Canada, United States and Europe., and their album “Hand Me Downs, Volume 1” was the 2004 Vibe Award winner for the best Country Bluegrass Album in Canada. “Back in the 80’s, when we had more hair, we actually had one of our songs go to number two on a New York radio station”, recalls Doug.“ We were getting quite a bit of U.S. air play, and my sister who was living in Florida at the time could hear her brothers singing on the radio, so that was pretty cool." Being singer-songwriters, the Rawling Brothers are often asked to describe their sound, a question they don’t find real easy to answer. “Our music is a blend of a lot of different styles”, says Bruce, the younger of the two brothers. “We’ve been influenced by old time country, gospel music, bluegrass, folk and even rock music. We’ve come up the phrase ‘Rocky Mountain Country’ and we think that works pretty good for describing our sound”. Whatever you call it, their grassroots, close to the earth sound, featuring close harmonies and acoustic instruments, seems to strike a chord with a lot of people. They’ve built up a loyal fan base through the prairie provinces and the Midwestern states. The Rawlings share a deep love of music and feel blessed by God to be able to do what they love to do.

 

Bryan Suderman

Bryan Moyer Suderman has a gift for writing songs that are at once simple, catchy, profound, and fun for all ages. With 4 studio albums since 2002, Bryan’s “songs of faith for small and tall” have become favourites of families and congregations throughout North America and beyond. Audiences large and small respond to the warmth of his voice, the contagious nature of his songs, and his signature interactive style of singing and song leading. Bryan lives in Stouffville, Ontario with his wife and son.

 

Freedom Singers

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 apropriate 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.

 

Claire Schira

Claire Schira is the 10th child in a family of 12 children. Music has always been a huge part of Claire's life. Claire started learning to play guitar at 10 years of age, and also played the french horn in the St. Peter's Band in Muenster, SK. for six years. In 1990 Claire taught herself to play bass guitar; which she still plays in her band "Cherokee Rose" along with her husband, Charles. Singing has always been her first love, and Claire has sung as often as possible at programs in her area. For the last 20 years Claire has been very involved in the Music Ministry in her church.

Claire has taken Vocal lessons from Lisa Hornung and in 2005 received her Grade 9 Royal Conservatory Vocal. Now that Claire and her husband have raised their 5 children, Claire is anxious to begin a new phase in her life. Claire joined the CGMA in 2006 and is extremely excited about all the new friends she is getting to know, the opportunities to learn more about writing music and the chance to learn about peoples experience, strength and faith.

Claire has recorded a CD which features 2 songs that she wrote. Her song “Just the Same” is a song about falling away from faith and how God put people into her life to bring her back to the family of God. Claire learned that lesson some years ago after having an experience which caused her to lose all hope. Through the Grace of God the right kind of people came into her life and helped her gain strength and hope.

“Timeless Love” was written in a matter of minutes and is a message of hope for us all; God is always there to guide and help us if we only humble ourselves enough to ask for his help. The Lord is a gentleman and will not push his way in. . . .all we need to do is invite him in and he will be there.

 

Kenny Overcast

Born into a ranching family, a third generation Montanan, he was raised on a section of the Milk River known as "Paradise Valley". He literally grew up on a horse, and attended a rural school with three classmates. He and his wife Dawn were childhood sweethearts, and run a commercial cow/calf operation on Lodge Creek, as well as entertaining audiences all over the West. Their ranch is located within fifteen miles of where 100 years of both sides of their family have made their homes. Dawn's only complaint is that, "He's always running off somewhere to play that darned guitar, and leaving me home to do all the work".

 

Potter's Clay Quartet

Potter's Clay is a Southern Gospel group that began in the late sixties by two teenage boys.  The group went through many phases over time, and in 1986 began singing regularly as a trio named "Potter's Clay".   Soon after, a bass singer joined and Potter’s Clay became a quartet.

Based in Red Deer, Alberta, Potter's Clay performs in and out of the province periodically as personal business, jobs, and family time allows.  They represent various Christian denominations, and sing in almost any setting.

Potter’s Clay always looks forward to meeting new friends as well as renewing old acquaintances.

 

Kevin and Kim Elias

Kevin and Kim Elias have both been a part of gospel music in Canada for many years. Kimberli was an integral part of her family group, the Singing Hills, while her husband was one of the founding members of the Dry River Boys bluegrass band. They got married in 2004 and started performing as a duo, and in 2007 their debut CD “Little Bit of Heaven” was nominated at the Covenant Awards for Country/Bluegrass album of the year.

After living in Alberta’s Peace Country for a few years, the couple recently moved back to Three Hills where they now reside with their two boys.

 

Engrace

God has put together a group of guys to lift his name through music, song and the word. Engrace was founded in 2008 in Clinton SC by Arnie Shipp & Pastor Bob Tate. God gave them the vision to build his kingdom through music, song and his word. Arnie and Pastor Bob prayed that God would lead them in the vision he had given them. They prayed that God would send them the right people to put this group together.  God send them one by one, men to join the group. They have a Soul stirring Gospel sound that will get you up and moving. Members of the group are: Guitar(lead vocals : Pastor Bob Tate , Drums and Percussion: Arnie Shipp , Bass Guitar : John Ledford , Guitar, Piano, Key board, Lead Guitar & Vocals : Gerald Douglas, Steel Guitar: Bill Tate, Bass & Vocals : Tommy Ficklin all these members have one goal in mind and that is to win souls for the Kingdom of God. Every one in the group has a long history in music we thank God every day that he has brought us together to serve him.

 

Mystery Men Quartet

The Mystery Men Quartet is one of the newest and most exciting gospel quartets in America today. The group began its journey in April of 2002. Ed Crawford states, "Throughout my career in Southern Gospel music, I have traveled nearly every place you can imagine, but I believe it was all in preparation for what you see now.”
The intricate harmonies, detailed arrangements, and versatility, place this group in a league of their own. In one concert you will feel the nostalgia of their predecessors as they perform the classics; be moved as you experience the freshness of timely, original material; and thrilled with the unsurpassed sound of their A Cappella numbers.

 

The Willie Sons

The Willie Sons are Reed Willison, Brendan Varcoe, Alf Epp, and Tyler Bergen.  All Members hail from the Saskatoon area, each bringing a wide variety of professional experience.

Willison (guitar/lead vocals), a singer/songwriter who contributes the bulk of material to the group, together with Varcoe (upright bass/5 string banjo), a veteran musician of the 80’s rock era, balance their styles with the more contemporary leanings of Bergen (guitar/vocals) and the well established folk and bluegrass playing of Epp (mandolin/vocals).  The result is a category-stretching blend of country, bluegrass, and gospel intended to entertain, embrace, and uplift.

The Willie Sons’ live performances are dynamic, energetic, and highly entertaining, as brotherly relationships on stage create a warm, inviting atmosphere for audience members.  In addition to the songs by Willison and other members, The Willie Sons perform several covers, plus new arrangements of familiar gospel and bluegrass songs.

Families and jobs have kept the group to a small touring schedule – mostly throughout southern and central Saskatchewan – but with the release of their debut CD, the Willie Sons are eager to see what the future holds.

 

The Duerksens

John and Sara Duerksen live in the Hamlet of Caron, SK. John is the Pastor of the church in Caron, and has enjoyed music since his childhood.  Singing has given him many opportunities to share God’s love at church, music festivals, Legion meetings, funerals, and wherever God opens the doors. Sara joins him on the keyboard. They are thrilled to have their sons Everett and Nelson and son-in-law Brent Hook join them whenever they can (and sometimes their Grandchildren join them on stage).
 

Aaron Ruston

From singing in the backyard with his mom at the age of 2, music festivals throughout his public school years to singing in front of crowds of over 20,000 Aaron has performed throughout   North America . The love for gospel music runs deep and God has allowed many life dreams to become a reality as the purposes for the gifts we have become ever clearer to him. The joy and comfort brought about through music is the reason Aaron sings and the greatest joy Aaron has is to see people dream the dreams of the Creator of the Dream. Aaron is married to a very understanding wife, has two incredible children and two dogs totaling 10 pounds named Grizz and Bear.