John Wagner   Music Director

My Christian Testimony: I was born into a family of ten children with German immigrant parents and grandparents who were Bible believers. They loved God and took me to church from the time I was a baby. Although I was raised in a Christian home, by the time I was seven years old, I realized that I was just as sinful as anyone and deserved God's punishment. I believed the Bible when it told me that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life." However, I didn't understand God's love until my second grade Sunday School teacher showed me to personalize John 3:16 by putting my name in place of "the world." When I read, "For God so loved (John) that He gave His only begotten son, that if (John) believes in Him, he shall not perish, but have everlasting life." Then I saw that God loved me and sent Jesus to die for my sins, and I gladly accepted His gift and promise of eternal life.

I grew in my relationship with Jesus Christ from an initial fear of being damned to hell to having a love for Him and what He did for me and wanting to serve Him. As I grew up, I did not feel called to preach or enter vocational Christian ministry, but I wanted to live my life pleasing to Him and do what He wanted me to do. I believe He enabled me and led me to study science and enter the field of physical therapy, which gives me a vocation that is very oriented toward service. However, along the way, I have always been involved in music for which I also felt God had given me a talent and love. I gained much experience in sacred music while in my pre-med studies at Bob Jones University where I met my wife, Karen, who was also very musical. We both enjoy singing and playing musical instruments together, and we feel that our talents should be used as a gift to God as He says in Hebrews 13:15, "let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." Therefore, I find great joy in being the choir director here at Greencastle Bible Church, helping others to also offer such sacrifices of praise to God.

My favorite Bible verse: I have always loved Psalm 37, especially verses 23 and 24. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds him in His hand." Even in the Christian life, we fall into sin and fail God, but He does not give up on us. If we have accepted His promise of eternal life, He will uphold us with His hand.

My favorite christian song or hymn: I love the old hymn, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," by Thomas Chisholm. It is based on Lamentation 3:22-23 which, much like my favorite Bible verse, describes God's faithfulness even when we are not. I especially like the chorus, "Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!" The last two words make His love and promises very personal.