The House of Prayer welcomes The Spencers July 19

The Spencers are coming to Hillsboro on Sunday, July 19 at 6 p.m. Hosted by The House of Prayer, 230 N. East St., the well-known gospel singing group will perform a collection of the songs they sang as they traveled to spread the gospel in song for more than four decades.

Fourteen of The Spencers songs placed on gospel radio charts. Three reached No. 1: "Let's Meet by the River," "Coming Soon" and "It'll Be Worth It After All."

Although retired from extensive travel in 1998, The Spencers recorded their last album in 2011.

"They still like to sing now and then," said House of Prayer pastor, the Rev. Fred J. Lamb, who is also Mrs. Spencer's brother. He says, J.B. and Barbara Spencer continue to sing and travel about 30 dates a year, and their CDs and DVDs are still available at performances, online and in area music retailers. 　

"They enjoy coming to southern Ohio," Pastor Lamb said.

The Spencers, of Mansfield, recorded their first album in 1972. The Spencer family performing group contained various members at times, as their children joined and then moved on into their individual careers. It began and is now again made up of only husband and wife.

Barbara began singing in church when she was 5 and learned to play guitar at 11. J.B. was learning to play guitar when the two met. She taught him to sing harmony and they began singing together in their home church shortly after they were married, according to The Spencers' website, spencermusic.com. 　
Each of their three children, Wade, Kevin and Geneice, have had successful music careers of their own, after learning to sing and play instruments at a very early age. All traveled and performed as a part of The Spencers into early adulthood. Wade plays mandolin, lead and rhythm guitar. Geniece plays piano and rhythm guitar. Kevin plays base and rhythm guitar.

Kevin Spencer's songs have also reached No. 1 on radio charts, including, "The Blood is Still There," "Twelve Gates" and "I Heard About A Stone."

Wade Spencer recorded his first solo album in 1998 and has had his compositions nominated for a Dove Award.

As have his siblings, Wade has traveled across America and to several foreign countries spreading the gospel in song. He also stars in "Life's Highway" a wild game hunting and fishing show, which airs on Blue Highways TV Networks in the US and on the Miracle Channel in Canada.

The Spencers, JB and Barbara, still enjoy meeting with old acquaintances on the road and making new friends. When they are not traveling, they enjoy their home church and time with family, Pastor Lamb says.

Additional information on their July 19 performance in Hillsboro is available at 937-588-3602 or 937-892-6234.