| This Year's MC's are once again: | Our Sunday Morning Speaker is: |
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& 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.
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Performers for the 2010 Jamboree |
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| 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. |
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 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. |
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Bryan Moyer Suderman has a gift for writing songs that are at once simply, 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. |
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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. 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... |
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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. |
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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". |
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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. |
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Kevin and Kim Elias |
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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. |
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Engrace |
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 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. |
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The Willie Sons |
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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. |
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John Duerksen
Kevin
and Kim Elias have both been a part of gospel music in Canada for many
years.
The
Willie Sons are Reed Willison, Brendan Varcoe, Alf Epp, and Tyler
Bergen.