According to a newsletter received from The Couriers this week, the group will be disbanding.
Wow, where to start...we've been telling you over the past several months about our new lead singer, Terry Smith
and how we're working hard on scheduling services for 2010. We've been selecting new material for a new recording.
We've been seeking God about the direction of this ministry and now, it seems He has answered in an unexpected way.
A little over a week ago, I told Larry and Terry that I felt it was time for me to get off the road. I've been traveling and
ministering in music and the Word for over 26 years and I am burned out...I need a break. Like the old preacher
says "I know that I know that I know" that this is exactly what I need to do. I'll still be involved in ministry in my
local church teaching Bible Study and preaching occassionally but at least for now, I have no plans of being involved in
an itinerant ministry.
Larry and Terry feel that it's time for The Couriers to stop traveling as a group. Larry is taking this opportunity to
launch out into solo ministry singing, playing and preaching. Terry will most likely re-organize "Witness" with his wife
Barb and travel locally on weekends.
The Couriers will continue to travel and sing until Memorial Day Weekend of this year. Hopefully, our travels will bring us to
your area. If not, please pray that God will use us for His Glory!
It would be impossible to list all of the reasons for our decisions of late; suffice to say it's getting harder and harder to
do this...we are not the only ministry faced with difficulties and we would encourage you to pray for all who beat the roads
bringing the Glorious Gospel Message. It's a tough life...lot's of work, very little pay...lot's of roadblocks and
frustrations. Larry, Terry and I are not quitting the ministry, we're just changing the way we do it. Please keep us in
prayer as we seek to be obedient to His call. God Bless you!
Tim Beitzel
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 02/03/2010
| 
Category: News & Scoops
Comments: 7
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I Wish you the best in all new ministries and different directions the Lord leads.
I think these men are fine men, and I pray the best for them as they continue in their lives of service for the Lord and His people.
It lasted a lot longer than I expcted. When you tell people you have been singing for over 50 years, and then can't deliever on your deception, you can expect to reach an end sooner or later, it just doesn't work. It helps if you can sing also.
Dear Readers: It was with sadness that Dave Duane and Neil, the original Couriers received the news that Tim Beitzel and Larry More the members of The Current Couriers are disbanding the group.
I know of no finer men than Larry More and Tim Beitzel of The Couriers. I have not met their newest member yet, Terry, but I am sure he is of the highest caliber - to have been selected to join Larry and Tim in their ministry.
I am sitting here shocked at the negative comment that was made. I have first-hand knowledge that, more than 40 years ago, it was the dream of the Original Couriers that someone woudld one day take their place and continue their ministry.
To that end, they brought 3 young men on the team 2 1/2 years before they retired (making The Couriers a 6 man team) and trained them to take their place and carry their name - introducing them to their friends across the country and paving the way for them. When they retired on December 31, 2000, never intending to once again travel, it was their desire for these young men to continue as The Couriers. I was involved heavily in the writing of the January 2001 Singing News article that told the story of the transition and the passing of the torch.
It does not matter if a skeptic here or there says they cannot sing. The Original Couriers - who sang 3 songs at this past year's NQC on the main stage and received 3 standing ovations for singing them - felt strongly that they could sing and sing well. Well enough to be proud to have them carry on their name and their legacy. And, sing well they have, as evidenced by the 9 year run they have had on their own, much to the delight of pastors and fans across the US and Canada.
Let's see. We accept that the Lord called The couriers back in the 50's to sing for Him. And, we accept that they also knew what they were doing when they followed what they believed to be the leading of the Lord in asking these young men to go with their name and mission. And, we acceopt that they were following the Lord's leading when tehy retired. And, we also have accepted their obedience to the Call the Lord put upon them, suddenly and unexpectantly, to re-enter traveling ministry several years ago. So, why do we not accept their feeling that the Lord did not want them to wrest away the name they had bequeathed to others, and that the Lord wanted them to operate under their present name Dave, Duane and Neil?
And why do we make callous remarks, ignoring the thousands that were won to the Lord these 9 years through The New Couriers' ministry - a ministry that preserved and extended the work of the original group.
Anyone cut from the same cloth spiritually as Dave, Duane, and Neil - and Phil Enloe who was so involved for so many years and so supportive of these young men - will be appreciative of the work these young men have done and will honor them for their service to the Lord - and to their mentors.
I have spoken to two of the Original Couriers since the announcement was made, and there is none of the negative comments or feelings expressed by others on this site in their language and comments.
And, they picked noble men with the same integrity and decency to follow them, and we should afford them the same respect.
Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com
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Dear Moderator,
Great article, John.
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