Rev John Peter Overholt

I am an author, musician and painter, but most of all a follower of Jesus, husband and father.

After emigrating from Norway, I started grade one with a very limited grasp of the English language, but with the help of a wonderful and caring teacher, I learned quickly. During this first year of school, I developed a stuttering problem that I still live with today. I got to a place where I resigned myself to a life of silence rather than continually face the embarrassment of stumbling over the words I spoke.

I will never forget the day when my grade eleven teacher announced his next English assignment. Everyone in the class was required to do an oral report. As my stomach knotted up over the news, my inside displeasure, I am sure, became evident by the absolute look of dread on my face. The teacher was not even aware of my speech impediment, until I started into one of the most agonizing few minutes of my life. I had a three-minute talk that took me ten minutes and felt like an hour.

It still amazes me that I am able to stand before a church congregation to give a sermon. I have discovered that the Lord truly likes to show Himself strong in our weaknesses.

I ended up graduating from the University of Victoria BC, Canada with a BA in Psychology. My life journey next took me down several roads: Child Care Counselor, Trick and Joke Shop owner, Magician, School Principal, Pastor, Missionary and Church supervisor. My book “Come Follow Go” gives a more detailed picture of my rather unorthodox story.

Over the years, I learned that my lack of speaking skills did not stunt my ability to communicate. I do so via music, painting and now writing. My art work can be seen on my website at Fine Art America https://1-john-overholt.pixels.com/ and some of my music on my YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWpOsI2XVZ31bOQOQapvxnw?view_as=subscriber