John W. Peterson

Short Name: John W. Peterson
Full Name: Peterson, John W., 1921–2006
Birth Year: 1921
Death Year: 2006

Biography:
Peterson, John W. (John Willard Peterson) was born on 1 November 1921 in Lindsborg, Kansas, United States. He served as an Army Air Forces transport pilot during World War II, flying the “China Hump” route over the Himalayas. After the war he studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in 1953. He began his career in sacred music as a songwriter, composer, and music editor, notably serving as President and Editor-in-Chief of the sacred music publishing company Singspiration in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Later he co-founded Good Life Productions and established the John W. Peterson Music Company in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Peterson was a prolific writer of gospel music, composing over 1,000 songs, including many beloved gospel hymns and sacred songs. He also wrote 35 cantatas and musicals, which have sold millions of copies worldwide. His work had a major influence on mid-20th century American evangelical music. In 1986 he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and received awards such as the Sacred Music Award. He died of prostate cancer on 20 September 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona at age 84.

Hymns and Songs in Common Use:

• It Took a Miracle
• Over the Sunset Mountains
• Heaven Came Down
• Springs of Living Water
• Surely Goodness and Mercy
• So Send I You

(These and many other texts have been widely sung in churches and gospel contexts.)

Publications:
His compositions have been included in collections such as Miracle Melodies, John Peterson’s Folio of Favorites, Great Hymns of the Faith, and his autobiography The Miracle Goes On