John W. Peterson

In case you haven't heard, beloved writer and composer, John W. Peterson, has moved into his 'mansion, just over the hilltop.' He will be missed by thousands (or more) of us who grew up with his music. His music was of "our generation" in the realm of Christian music for so many of us.

His obituary was sent to me and is as follows: Gospel composer John W. Peterson went home to be with the Lord on September 20, 2006, at the age of 84. He passed into eternity very peacefully at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his family. He was born in Lindsborg, Kansas, on November 1, 1921, and began his musical career while still in his teens. During World War II, he served as an Army Air Force pilot flying the famed “China Hump” and received an Air Medal Award. After the war, he attended Moody Bible Institute and went on to graduate from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. While in Chicago, he was on staff at radio station WMBI and was responsible for several weekly programs. Shortly thereafter, John and his family settled in Montrose, Pennsylvania, where he continued his songwriting career while working as Music Editor at Singspiration, a sacred music publishing company. When the company was acquired by Zondervan Publishing House, he relocated his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was President and Editor-in-Chief of Singspiration for over ten years. Then after moving to Scottsdale, he co-founded Good Life Productions and a few years later established the John W. Peterson Music Company. He served on several boards, including Gospel Films (now Gospel Communications) and Family Life Radio Network. He was a member of Scottsdale Bible Church for the past 34 years and had been very active as a board member and Enrichment Class teacher.

His music has been loved and sung around the world. He has composed over 1,000 individual songs, including “It Took a Miracle,” “Over the Sunset Mountains,” and “Heaven Came Down.” In addition, he has written 35 cantatas and musicals, such as “Night of Miracles,” “No Greater Love,” “Carol of Christmas” and “Love Transcending.” As a composer, he was a long-time member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Throughout his life he received numerous honors and awards, some of which include: Sacred Music Award from the National Evangelical Film Foundation, International Composer of the Year from SESAC, The Music Achievement Award from Christian Artists, The Ray DeVries Church Music Award, Doctor of Sacred Music from John Brown University, Doctor of Divinity from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, and Doctor of Fine Arts from Grand Canyon University. In 1977, his autobiography, “The Miracle Goes On,” was published by Zondervan Publishing House, and a film by the same title was released by Gospel Films. In 1986, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.


There will be a Memorial Tribute service on Friday, October 6 at 2:00 pm, Scottsdale Bible Church; 7601 E. Shea Boulevard; Scottsdale, AZ.

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I am not usually that emotionally touched by people on the 'public stage of life.' But I did have a few encounters with John Peterson myself. His brother was my pastor for a while when I was a teenager. I was also one of many choir members he came to Birmingham, Alabama to direct in a cantata when he had an allergic reaction to aspirin, was rushed to a hospital and nearly died. Also his nephew married a High School classmate of mine.

My all time favorite cantata is still "Night of Miracles." I could probably sing it all from memory, but most people don't want to hear me sing... Phrases and storylines from the Christmas story still trigger to this day lines from the cantata. He will be greatly missed - especially by those over the age of 50, I suspect! My prayers and sympathy go to his wife and family. Our loss is definitely heaven's gain!