Gospel Sings Canada

As a Christian, one thing I know for sure is that there are no coincidences with God. His word is straight and true and all things were established by His word for His honor and glory. The important thing is to be available to God... to be place in the right place at His time.

Back in May of 2006 my wife Mary and I were watching a Bill Gaither Homecoming video and during a song that Ernie Haase & Signature Sound were singing, the Lord spoke to me. It has long been a desire of my heart to bring good Southern Gospel back to Ottawa, Ontario after almost 35 years, but I need the Lord’s help and Him in it. The Spirit of the Lord come over me and told me to bring Ernie Haase & Signature Sound to Ottawa. Wow! I told my wife about this and she said, “Go for it!”

My goal then was to talk to Ernie when they came to Toronto with the Gaithers in September (2006) to perform. It was now May so we ordered our tickets online with two motives; first, to receive a blessing from good gospel music; and second to speak to Ernie. Our seats were located on the isle where all the performers come out. I heard this voice beside me say, “Are we ready?.” When I looked to my left it was Bill Gaither. We felt our seats were the best in the house. We had an excellent view and accessibility was great. If we go up the stairs from rink level we come dead on with Signature Sound’s table. (not a coincidence)

Before the show I tried to find Ernie at the table. Tim, Ryan, and Doug were there, but not Ernie. I had to see the man because I truly felt the direction of the Lord. Mary and I took our seats for the start of the program and my plan was for us to go to the Signature Sound table at intermission and then I could talk to Ernie about them coming to Ottawa to perform a concert for us. I also know that it is hard for artists to stop and talk with just one person. My years travelling and living in Akron Ohio working with Rex Humbard and the Cathedral of Tomorrow and knowing most of the quartets and groups told me there is no way I can take up Ernie’s time. But… this is what God told me to do.

When intermission came we had to go up the stairs from rink level at the Air Canada Centre. This was a long process because everybody else had the same idea for close fellowship. Mary and I finally, after fighting the crowd got to the Signature Sound table but I couldn’t get to Ernie. I must admit discouragement entered my mind for a moment but then I said if this is what God truly wants me to do, He will make the way. Well, Mary and I fought our way back to the top of the stairs to go back down very slowly to our seats. We stood and couldn’t move at the top of the stairs because there were so many people. Probably 20,0000 were there for a blessing.

While standing at the top of the stairs, crunched up against others trying to get back to our seats, the person behind me bumped into me throwing me off balance. I looked around and saw the one who bumped me. I have never met this man before or talked to him. It was Ernie Haase. I introduced myself and told him how I knew the Cathedrals, George and Glen, and that I would like them to come to Ottawa and perform a concert. I told him that this is what I felt the Lord wanted me to do. Ernie’s response was for me to come to the table after the concert and get a business card so I could make contact. I agreed to do this knowing that we were going to fight the crowd again to get to the table.

We enjoyed the program and if you have never been to a Gaither Homecoming concert you are really missing out on a blessing. After the program we slowly made our way up the stairs to the walkway that goes around the centre and tried desperately to get to the Signature Sound table again. We couldn’t get though the crowd that was lined up at the table and the people trying to leave the centre… impossibility seemed to rule. Mary and I could not see Ernie so I thought it is not the right time or the right place but still the will of God. Out of nowhere, and right in my face appears Ernie with two business cards and hands them to me. How did he find me in that crowd let alone remember me. After all there are 20,000 people here and all asking for autographs pictures etc. The Lord was now taking me down the road and at the end of the road all things would come together, at the right place…at the right time. I go to a hockey game with half the crowd and never see anyone I know.

Thirteen months have passed from the Toronto concert until we went to Rochester in October of 2007 at the Blue Cross Arena to see the Gaithers and Signature Sound. We had a brief encounter with Ernie at the concert but too much is happening to these guys all at once so I admit I was a little discouraged. Mary and I still felt we were doing what the Lord had said. God’s Spirit just kept on confirming to me that He will put me in the right place… at the right time. My question was simple…when and where? Can you speed things up a little Lord?

It is now 2008 and Mary and I are returning to Rochester again this time for a Signature Sound concert. The first time we went to Rochester in 2007 we had a room at the Holiday Inn. We had supper at a Texan style restaurant, sat at the back next to the window.

This time we booked the same hotel, they gave us the same room. We had supper at the Texan restaurant, waited 20 minutes and they sat us at the same table and if my memory serves me right it was the same waitress. (not coincidence but confirmation) Both Mary and I knew God was doing something and this was His way of showing us that He is in control. I was thinking at the meal that I have to get to Ernie. The Lord spoke to me and told me, He would take care of Ernie. We knew we were at the right place.

We arrived at the concert hall early with the intention of talking to Ernie. There was no Ernie. We sat and enjoyed the first half of the concert and at half time went to the Signature Sound table. No Ernie. We went back and sat down waiting for the second half to begin and again I was telling Mary that God just wants us to be in the right place…and He will make it the right time.

What was the first song the guys sung to start the second half? You know. “ AtThe Right Place…At The Right Time” for the Lord. Tears started coming down my face and Mary grabbed my arm saying to me, “You just finished saying that.”

After the program we got to talk to Ernie briefly with crowds of people all around us. He asked me to wait so I did. After everyone left, Mary and I just talked one on one with Ernie. I knew the Lord was present because I could really feel His presence on me.

Gospel Sings Canada was born out of this story. This is how it all began. At this time we have done one concert with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound with 9 more planned. When we left Rochester we knew of God’s confirmation. We could only have been, ‘At The Right Place…At The Right Time’.

God bless,

Glenn