MEET JOHNBOY

We asked all the boys a few questions about life, here are John's answers!
QUESTION: Tells us about your hometown and family
ANSWER:
I was born in the Beaches area of Toronto during WW II. Dad was a Baptist pastor while Mom stayed home to raise me, my sister and brother. There was little money but we had the love of God, parents, family and church to raise and nurture us in His ways.
QUESTION: What would you consider your greatest gift that God has given you?
ANSWER:
Next to salvation, I have been blessed with an amazing wife of 52 years and great children and grand children.
QUESTION: Hobbies?
ANSWER:
In my earlier years, I did a lot of running, played golf and enjoyed other sports such as hockey. I learned to play the trumpet and piano. I have always been actively involved in my local church.
QUESTION: When did you accept Jesus into your heart?
ANSWER:
I clearly remember sitting in the front row of church at a very early age listening and watching as a chalk artist drew sheep and a shepherd and challenged us to be like sheep and follow the great Shepherd. I went home after the service and asked my Mom about following Jesus and she led me to Him in our kitchen.
QUESTION:Favorite Bible Verse? Do you incorporate that into your daily life and how?
ANSWER:
One of my favorite verses is Col 1:16b “All things were created by Him and for Him.” The thought that I was made to honor and magnify the Lord in every area of my life humbles and challenges me to live for Him.
QUESTION: What about these Springvale Boys?
ANSWER:
About six years ago four of us got together after church one morning. We agreed to practice and sing a quartet song in church…talk about a humble beginning. Our Worship Leader dubbed us The Springvale Boys and the name stuck. Since then we have been pleased and honored to have sung in scores of venues (churches, seniors’ homes, community events) and have been amazed at how much people appreciate our music and the extent to which it has impacted their lives. Being able to write original songs that we have incorporated into our repertoire has added to our blessing. We look forward to continuing to be of service to Him as long as He allows.

GOD LOVES YOU

Meet Herb - we always say he is always behind bars searching for a key.

Before we start blogging our heart, we thought you might like to meet all the boys first. So today meet Herb! (and don't forget to check out the video of him below, but SHHH don't tell hime we posted it! )

Herb and his wife Alene have lived in the Stouffville/Markham area all their lives. They have two daughters and four grand children. Herb is recently semi retired and they presently operate Welcome Homecare Services, an in home care service for seniors.

Herb will always be in awe of Gods plan of salvation. Born and raised in a a Mennonite home, he was in church whenever the doors were open. However, at the age of 17 decided that was not for him and for the next 10 years traveled in life’s “left “ lane at a rather high rate of speed! One Sunday morning (when he was usually golfing) he got saved at an old fashioned alter in a little church in Altona just east of Stouffville. Nothing has been the same since.

God’s greatest gift of His Son is at the top of Herb’s list of things to be grateful for. Close family ties are a priority and much time is spent keeping in close contact with his grand kids who he says keep him young.

Herb has been known to keep many golf course attendants busy replacing divots. He has also been known to fly the odd aircraft although not as much as he would like. At one time he was an instructor and did spend time flying for a living for a few years. Spends his winters at the hockey rink watching the grand sons play hockey

His favorite verse is Psalm 46:10…Be still and know that I am God….(for someone who finds standing still a problem that verse is a real challenge.)

Singing with “the boys” is the realization of a dream he has had for many years. The rewards are endless and he is in constant amazement that God has let him be part of a ministry that lets him stay close to home and still fulfill his desire to serve through singing.

To any one who would like to sing in a group he gives this advise…..don’t make any plans…..let God do that….just be available to His leading and know that where ever He leads is where you need to follow.

Where There's His Will, There's a Way.

I had been mulling this phrase over for some time. Like most of us, I had known the common phrase where there’s a will there’s a way for years. I could even relate it to scripture verses on perseverance, faith and finishing the race.

 

After a while I began to see that if I changed the little “a” in the middle of the phrase to “His” it took on a much deeper meaning for the Christ follower. Who hasn’t faced a choice or decision, perhaps one with profound life-changing implications that seemingly had no good answer or solution? Yet didn’t He promise to never leave us nor forsake us if we followed Him? At just the time I was pondering these matters something amazing happened.

I had been involved in a dedication service for our new church addition that featured a well-known preacher from our area. As such I had to sit on the front row with an honored guest. During the message given so eloquently by the preacher I was aware that a friend had brought a man with him who was going through huge family and business issues that were taking him to the end of his rope financially and personally. I was praying for that stressed man throughout the sermon.

When the meeting ended the preacher came down off the platform right in front of where I was sitting. It seemed that as his foot touched the auditorium floor the troubled man was facing him with a grim look on his face. Because it all happened so fast, I could not help but overhear the ensuing conversation.

 “Pastor, thank you for your wonderful message,” said the man. “I am in terrible trouble. I am about to lose my business and my wife and I don’t know where to turn.” Without hesitation, the preacher looked him in the eye and said in a very direct manner and tone, “Have you invited God into your situation?” “No,” said the man.

 At that point, I was too close for comfort to a God-moment that I felt I should not be a part of and I stood up and left the area so the two men could do spiritual business right there at the front of the church.

“Have you brought God into your situation?” What a question! Why? Because WHERE THERE’S HIS WILL THERE’S A WAY. Think about it. Then and there a song was born that has, even in its infancy, ministered to many.