Paul Gardener
Paul was born and raised in Calgary Alberta, the second eldest in a family of five children. A direct descendant of the original Black Pioneers that immigrated to Canada in 1905, his family settled in the northern Alberta community of Amber Valley. He had many positive influences growing up. In addition to Godly parents, he was strongly influenced by his first Sunday school teacher, a wonderful lady by the name of Irene Ingram.
Raised in the Standard Church of America, a Methodist Holiness Church, he sat under the ministry and influence of Reverend Andrew Rigsby and grew in his faith. He started singing Gospel music in his church at the tender age of 4 and has never really stopped. From weddings to funerals, solo's to quartets, from specials to arranging concerts and everything in between, Gospel music has been his life.
Paul is married to his biggest fan, Tammy Gardener and they have 3 children together (Niquole 4 yrs. old, and Janai and Jakob (twins) 2 ½ yrs. old). He also has 2 older boys (Preston 23 and Spencer 20), which makes him a busy Father to 5 wonderful children.
In addition to his ministry with Lost & Found, he also leads and directs Divine Soul, a Black Gospel Choir. He also sings with the Black Pioneer Heritage Singers of Alberta, a group founded by Junetta Jamerson.
As a youth, Paul was always interested in the Southern Gospel sound. His first experience with this kind of music was hearing the Blackwood Brothers back in the early 70's. He particularly wanted to be a bass singer after hearing J.D.Sumner & The Stamps at a concert. It never worked out but it's still a dream.
Paul was introduced to the group "Lost & Found" during a Saturday morning choir rehearsal at the church that his choir and Lost & Found, each practiced at. Even though they practiced on different days, on this particular day, Lost & Found was there to minister to the seniors at a luncheon. Paul's wife Tammy, heard the group rehearsing and asked them if they would be willing to perform at a concert to help raise funds for their group. They willingly agreed.
One of the guys from the group mentioned that they were in need of a Baritone singer and that they wanted prayer in order to find someone to replace, Doug Schroeder, the original baritone, who had felt the call of God on his life, to enter the ministry. He was therefore leaving and the quartet was having difficulty finding a replacement. Paul agreed to pray for them and they all went their separate ways. He told his wife about the conversation and without missing a beat, she got on the phone that same day and told Lost & Found that they had just been talking to their newest member and they need look no further.
Paul auditioned the very next day, a Monday in February 2003. He was immediately hired as the new baritone singer for Lost & Found and had the entire repertoire learned in 10 days. Since then, with the numerous other changes in the group, he has moved to lead singer, then back to baritone and now back to lead singer. (He still has not been given the opportunity to sing bass).
We are all grateful for Tammy's enthusiasm and her confidence to move in God's will and make this happen. We sincerely believe it was God who prompted her to give Paul a push. Tammy has been and continues to be a great supporter of Lost & Found Ministries; in fact, for a short time she was the sound technician, that is until their children came along.
When not singing, and he has some extra time, Paul enjoys watching sports such as Football, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing etc... He enjoyed playing these sports until an unfortunate car accident in 2002 changed his active life and made it impossible to get around with out the help of a cane or a wheel chair. He now enjoys singing, playing Piano and Guitar, and taking care of his younger children full time...although we're not really sure who takes care of who.
In spite of his physical limitations and the incumbent difficulties, he has maintained a great attitude, praying for a miracle in his body, for it to be restored 100%. We believe that God is able to do just that! Paul feels truly blessed to be part of such a viable ministry and thanks God for the opportunity to be able to witness to others in such a powerful way.
