Mark Spoelstra
Mark Spoelstra dreamt he was a guitar player at age seven. He was playing his first real guitar at age eleven. He was a professional musician, at age eighteen. Mark Spoelstra joined the stream of musicians, standing in Greenwich Village, singing on the street corners all night for a few dollars to buy the next days food.

Doors started opening for Mark. The first break came in 1961, when Mark recorded two albums for Folkways Records. Then while in alternative service, Mark signed a contract with Elektra Records, recorded two albums, and in 1965 sang at the Newport Folk Festival. After his military service he toured the Eastern United States, Canada, England and Holland and was listed in Who's Who in America. It seemed like success was just around the corner.

Mark's next album was recorded for Columbia Records while he was in San Francisco during the acid rock boom. Portions of his record were included in the sound track of the film "Elektraglide in Blue." His music spoke of the injustice and frustration he saw all around him. His recording years were full of promises that never came true. One record after another failed to gain national attention. His music was popular but something seemed to prevent him from reaching the security and success that he was struggling for.


Somehow I Always Knew Aslan 1977
Here It Is
The Tongue

As a last attempt to find success as a musician, he formed a band in San Francisco, but found only more bitterness, failures and a lifestyle running against all he really wanted to be. The pressure and competition finally forced Mark to move to the country, to escape and reflect on his life.

In 1969, Mark and his young family were almost starving. It was time for a change in Mark's life. The minister in the small town befriended Mark and his wife, Sherry. Eventually, he directed them toward recognizing their need of God. By genuine invitation, Mark and Sherry asked Jesus Christ to come into their lives.

In the meantime, Mark had given up his singing career. The pressure, competition and lifestyle had led him to a routine job, in order to provide more practically for his family. But now the Lord gave Mark back his music, this time with purpose and love. Mark was still willing to cook, to hammer nails and dig ditches, but he knew the Lord was preparing him for a ministry in music. In 1974 he met a recording artist, John Fischer, who encouraged him to enroll in the Two Year Discovery Art Guild Internship Program of Intensive Bible Study at Peninsula Bible Church, in Palo Alto, California. This teaching has prepared Mark for his career as a Minister of Music. Mark has spent the time necessary to really study the Bible and apply its truth and wisdom to his music.

In 1976, after five years of silence, Mark recorded his seventh album, Somehow, I Always Knew, for Aslan Records, but now his songs come from a heart filled with peace and satisfaction. Mark's music ministry is well established in California, and he is now ministering through his music all across America.
From a brochure on Mark's ministry in the 70's


Comin' Back to Town Inwood 1979
Jesus Comin' Back To Town
What A Friend We Have In Jesus