John Willard Peterson (November 1, 1921 September 20, 2006) was a songwriter who had a

major influence on evangelical Christian music in the 1950s through the 1970s. He wrote over
1000 songs, and 35 cantatas.
Born in Lindsborg, Kansas, he served as an Army Air Force pilot flying the China Hump during
World War II. Later, he attended Moody Bible Institute and served on the radio staff there for a
number of years.
In 1953, he graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and shortly
thereafter settled in Pennsylvania to continue his songwriting career. He then moved to Grand
Rapids, Michigan, where for over ten years he was President and Editor-in-Chief of
Singspiration, a sacred music publishing company. While there, he compiled and edited a
hymnal called "Great Hymns of the Faith", (c) 1961. He also served on the board of Gospel
Films, Inc. of Muskegon, Michigan.
He also had direct contact with popular Christian musicians of the day such as Bill Pearce and
Dick Anthony. He resided in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continued to write music. Peterson
died September 20, 2006, aged 84, following a bout with prostate cancer.
Some of his more popular song titles include "It Took a Miracle", "Over the Sunset Mountains",
"Heaven Came Down", "So Send I You", "Springs of Living Water", "Jesus is Coming Again",
"Surely Goodness and Mercy" and "This is the day that the Lord hath made". His cantatas
include Night of Miracles and Down From His Glory.