The Many Faces of John Ecker

The Many Faces of .......

Pastor John Ecker

John & Amy Ecker

Worship Pastor,

South Valley Community Church

1. Were you classically trained in piano?

Nope … I was self- taught. I was classically trained in trumpet, though …... 2. Where are you from originally, and what sort of things were you into growing up?

I was born in Austin, Texas. My Dad was in the Air Force and we moved a few times. I spent kindergarten and first grade in Japan, then to Vandenburg AFB, and then we moved to Lompoc, CA. I was into basketball and trumpet. But I'm obviously not in the "Final Four", so .... 3. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?

"WONDERFUL!!" … I know I say that a LOT. And… I have a tendency to say things and give both sides … like for example … "Looks like it's going to be a nice day … then again; it COULD cloud up and rain later …." … like that!

4. What kind of musical influences would you say you have had that shaped your direction?

My Dad played the trumpet. I was actually playing drums in 4th grade; my Dad had said "you can't play my trumpet!" Billy Joel and others such as Elton John influenced me; and Michael W. Smith. He has such a heart for God! 5. Who is your favorite Christian Artist?

Michael W. Smith, first and foremost. Also Mark Schultz, Jeremy Camp….. 6. How has God been working in your life lately? What things has He been teaching you?

There have been a lot of hardships in my circle of ministry family lately, and in my own personal family. The Lord is teaching me how I can deal with these hardships and show faith and lean on God so that I can instill those qualities in others. He is stretching me, definitely as Pastor, when others have hardships through prayer, having the right attitude, and giving support. This is why I appreciate Michael W. Smith's music so much; his spirituality and how he implements that in his music. Oh, and … I'm becoming a really good driver!!!

7. Have you had a mentor in your life along the way?

Yes, at various times. In college it was my trumpet teacher, Dr. Clendenin. He was such a gentle man and a phenomenal musician. He was a trumpet soloist in the Marine Corp, and played several times for the President during the Johnson Administration during the 60's … like for family weddings, the inauguration, etc. Pastor Steve at Clovis Hills is another one; he's so intelligent, so talented. And he led me to making good decisions in my life, like making sure ministry works.

8. What is your favorite Bible verse?

Psalm 103 ~ "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. "

9. Do you feel at times you have difficulty getting out of God's way during worship?

10. Do you always feel worshipful when you are up front leading?

HA!! THAT'S a loaded question …. Obviously all of us have our own battles; like when I had mono the first six weeks I served here at SVCC!! But God makes up the difference. Not always at first; but God goes , "ok, I got ya!!" and the worshipful environment is truly created by Him. God blesses when you make a joyful noise. 11. How do you handle the situation where you have to choose between a talented musician with a not-so-into-it heart, and a not-so-talented one with a great heart?

I err on the side of the great heart… because God sees the heart, and if the heart is in the right place, God answers that. Sometimes a person can be very set in their ways if they are so talented, and it can impact the whole team. On the other hand, there may be a way to manage a person and change that heart into a true servant's heart; it's not ever black and white, it's truly on an individual basis. Now see, that goes back to that earlier answer, how I told you I often give two sides? There it is again …

12. What are 3 of your favorite TV shows?

Friends … Heroes …. House

13. What is your favorite ice cream?

Coffee … Haagen Dazs Coffee ice cream!!

14. What is the memory that makes you smile? The very first one that pops into your head….

Aidan's baptism…….. and seeing his smile on that day!!

15. What scares you?

Depends on the level of fear you mean; but my worst fear is something tragic happening to my kids. Also the unknown of what the future holds for them; we are raising them in the Word and pray that they will stay in it. But God gives us all free choice, and external pressures on their lives in the future concern me. That's why Aidan's baptism is so precious a memory for me; it demonstrates his will to always walk with the Lord.

16. Name the person you are friends with that lives the farthest away….

Probably Evan; he lives in Orange County. We did everything together growing up, like learning piano!

17. Do you like to dance?

I LIKE to … Not sure I dance WELL ….

18. Are you generally organized or messy?

Although I can always improve, I am generally organized.

19. What do you have in your pockets right now?

Absolutely nothing!

20. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?

Going on impact; the adoption of my kids. What God did; delivered them from their earlier life that would have been a very different life. The miracle is God's hand in their lives!

21. Are you serious-minded, or a jokester?

(yes, he spelled it out…)

22. What song do you keep hearing over and over again?

23. If you found a $50 bill on the street and had to spend it immediately, what would you buy?

Dinner for my family! (then he smiles and says ... ) That was good, huh?

24. What is your favorite candy bar?

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup … or Twix. That's not really a BAR, it's a candy CUP, but…

25. What 3 words best describe your personality?

Fun …. Energetic ….. and caring. 26. What 3 words would others probably use to describe you?

Affirming, I've been told …. Musical, HOPEFULLY …. And happy. 27. Are you more similar to your mom or your Dad?

My Dad. My Dad is a very compassionate, caring guy. I developed my faith from him. My father is slow to speak, but when he does it is always very poignant.

28. Who is the funniest person ever?

Bill Cosby; just because I listened to him so much when he was real popular … and … although I don't agree with her lifestyle, Ellen DeGeneres really makes me laugh!! 29. If you wanted to test the limits how many slices of pizza could you eat?

I could … probably ummmm …. Eat a whole large pizza. Isn't that about 10 slices? Oh yeah, I can put it away …. That's why I jump around so much on Sunday mornings!!!! So I can work it off ….. 30. What was your favorite vacation ever?

Hawaii - the last trip which was the 2nd time, because the boys got to go, and we went swimming, snorkeling, and all kinds of things, in Kauai, Maui; it was great….

31. What latest trend simply baffles you?

It doesn't exactly baffle me, but the trend in clothing scares me!! I see the fads in how people dress and I think, "Oh boy, where are we heading?" And technology is cool; everything is getting smaller and smaller!! And going wireless …. How they do all that baffles me …. 32. Is there something you've always wanted to learn?

To be more proficient in the Bible. I really admire Frank (Pastor Frank Caudell) for having the entire Bible in his head.

My story began with being born two months premature with spinal meningitis, and I needed an incubator for a long period of time. My parents prayed nonstop during that time and said that if God delivered me through that illness they would make every effort to raise me in His Word. God doesn’t make deals, but God knew the plans He has for me. I grew up in church and was involved musically there as well as elementary on up and throughout college. I loved music, and I decided in college to major in music performance. I quickly found that it was not conducive if I planned on having a family in the future. I changed my major to Music Education. I went into teaching; God does things throughout our lives that shape us into what He desires for us. I had kids around me that allowed me to share my faith, and I felt I made a difference in their lives. There are those who are now young men and women, believers in Christ, and they now share that faith with others. Upon my departure from teaching High School I toured with the “Celebrant Singers” in Europe and Ukraine as Assistant Director. I came back on fire and torn between music ministry and teaching music. I was offered and took an internship position at Clovis Hills as Music Director, which turned into a part time position. I was still teaching in Lemoore Elementary School District, but I felt a calling to be in full time ministry, and impact lives spiritually, and so I became licensed as a pastor and confirmed my calling. God made the timeline to where the opportunity at Clovis Hills didn’t work out; I was not feeling called to that church. He was still tugging on my heart and I felt a need to pull back and teach more.

Then one day I saw Pastor Frank outside his house and decided to stop in and talk with him about what was on my heart. I was very blessed by him, and that was the first of many events that led up to my coming here to SVCC. You think you know where your life is going and then everything changes. It’s like a giant puzzle, and you don’t see how it fits until after God puts it all together.

Sometimes I look back and ask things like “Why I was at Clovis Hills for such a long time, and then my calling was not to stay there?” My wife and I looked back and realized that even though we had been at Clovis for nearly ten years, the actual time I was on staff had been 40 months. God often prepares lives in increments of “40”. You can really see why things took place after the fact.