Jon Stemkoski and the Celebrant Singers

Al and I attended a wonderful concert given by the Celebrant Singers, under the direction of Jon Stemkoski, last Friday night. As the appointed time drew near, several musicians entered from a side door and took their seats. The orchestra was comprised of drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, trumpets, trombones, clarinet, flute, violin and two keyboards.

Mimi Stemkoski, Jon’s wife, greeted the audience and shared how she had come from France to be the first international member of the group, twenty-four years ago. Then Jon Stemkoski was introduced, the orchestra began playing and nine singers entered from the back of the church. Their energy level was high and their voices combined with the instruments to fill the little sanctuary to overflowing with beautiful music.

      The music was inspiring, with many of the gospel songs composed by Jon Stemkoski himself, who began the Celebrant Singer’s ministry in 1977. The outstanding voices of the singers, the graceful signing by a slender young woman in black and the accompaniment by the orchestra blended together to create a moving worship experience.

During a short interlude, Jon shared a bit of his background. A phone interview with him later helped fill in some of the missing details. He was adopted as an infant and grew up in Visalia, California. His father was the son of Polish immigrants who came to America in the 1920s; his mother was born in Ohio.

Although his parents weren’t involved in music, he had a natural gift and during his high school years joined a Baptist Youth Choir. His parents, who were members of a Catholic church, were somewhat worried about this; however their priest said, “Let him go! It will be the greatest thing that has ever happened to him!” Eventually he joined the Continental Singers and decided to attend Oral Roberts University, where he was involved in producing Christian musicals. He came to a crossroads while at ORU asking God to show him whether or not He could use Jon to make a difference in people’s lives through a music ministry. 

In 1975, he traveled to Poland, which was still under Communist rule, as the director of a Continental Singers group. He was still searching and asking God if this was His will for Jon’s life. At one concert alone over 1,800 people responded to the invitation to receive Jesus into their lives. “And that did it!” he recalls. “I dropped out of college and within two years organized the first Celebrant Singer’s team.”

One verse which has guided Jon through life is: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV) “If we do that then our hearts are always in the right spot and the rest is left up to Him.

The three main thrusts of the ministry are: preparing the team members to be followers of Christ, encouraging Christians and bringing people into a personal relationship with Him. These were in action Friday night through the music, the testimony of one of the Celebrants and through Jon’s sharing. Towards the end of the service, the team scattered throughout the church to pray individually with people. It was a powerful demonstration of God’s love in action.

As everyone began dispersing, the Celebrant Singers’ bus waited in the parking lot ready to begin their summer tour early the next morning. Our thoughts and prayers go with them, as well as our thanks to God for this group of talented and dedicated missionaries. May He use them in powerful ways to touch the lives of His children around the world.

To find out more about the Celebrant Singers go to: celebrants.org or call 1-800-321-2500.

Sharing the gift of music with the world...Jon Stemkoski

(Published in the Porterville Recorder 6-22-13)