John Wagner Music Director
My Christian Testimony: I was born into a family of 10 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 how 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. 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 my life to please Him. 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. 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 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 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 describes God's faithfulness even when we are unfaithful. 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.