Narrative Summary
Interview of Debbie Bilyeu by Stacy Street
Debbie and I began the interview with discussing her family’s religious background. She came from two very devout Southern Baptist parents. She was born in Wichita Kansas in a Southern Baptist Indian church and accepted Christ as her savior as a six year old. She and her parents spoke outside of service then came forward with a statement of faith together. Her father toured with the Baldknobbers but was always sure to make it back in time for Sunday service and if they were in town they’d make it to every service offered. She regularly prayed and participated in Bible study together. As a teenager Debbie helped with Bible school and with children. As she continued to age she lead more and more music for her church group. Her family and she would often lead together with her singing and the family playing instruments.
She said her faith really began to strengthen after she was married. It was then that she realized how to lean upon Jesus because of the struggles she and her husband Hosea went through. She met Hosea when she was a 15 year old working at the Baldknobbers—he was a cleaner and valet and she a singer. Her father and his three brothers began the Baldknobbers over 50 years ago. They began singing at Silver Dollar City then got their own show in Branson. She said music has played a huge role in her life and her connection to religion in the Ozarks. When she and Hosea began their family, she and her daughters always sang on the busses and in church. Singing is how they first made connections, then Hosea was lead to preach.
Hosea studied in Kansas City while Debbie raised the kids for two years. She struggled through this time because she knew God had led him, but not her, and she didn’t take to the transition very easily. In seminary Hosea did music and youth at a church while she cared for the kids. The he was hired in Boaz Missouri atMt Sinai Baptist. It was upon his hiring that she had a pausing moment of struggle. She realized this was truly the direction they were heading and didn’t necessarily have peace. She didn’t like the idea of having to be this blameless figure that people depended on and knew all the answers. She admitted to being very afraid particularly of becoming the pastor’s wives she has seen that are sad and without purpose. She said she God told her that she is supposed to remain the feeling, joyous person she is, and that God would change her how He needed. She was to be herself as He would guide her.
Her role had changed in Boaz, and in Ridgecrest. Frist she was a supporter of her children. She followed them and led where they were. Hosea and Debbie spent 5 years in Boaz then started Ridgecrest Baptist in Springfield, MO. Before starting Ridgecrest, they had three offers all wanting them together. Ridgecrest was the smallest church offered and she was reluctant as usual. She was given a song by God called “step out in faith” and they accepted the offer in Springfield. The began leading a congregation of 20 and remain at Ridgecrest currently with a membership of around 2000.
After her children graduated high school, she began teaching adults. She very hesitantly walked into this new role. She and Hosea had to work as a team and he encouraged her. Before her first teaching session, there was a tornado in Battlefield and she had prayed that there was some sort of damage that people couldn’t come because her first lesson was teaching adults on sexual immorality. She said God continued to lead her and she became more and more comfortable stepping out into new roles. Her favorite passion was to begin new classes and lead then pass on the leadership. She loved bringing people into her church community and helping them find their place. She’s found she is not a great teacher but she is a great facilitator. She thinks we all learn from one another and that’s the opportunity she wants to bring to her community.
She now has found her purpose through focusing on giving people joy. She has taught singles and ran hospital care visits. She started the group wells of joy that focuses on relieving missionaries in service. For instance when missionaries return for conference, they care for the children and host VBS. They lead worship and sometimes Bible Study. She has really found her place in serving missionaries and doing everything to give them joy that they can give to others. She sees herself as an encourager.
I asked her what was a memory that has ripened with age and experience that has shaped her. One of her most moving experiences with God recently has been when her father passed away 7 years ago. She had always feared death in a way and her father had passed away in just one short months notice. It was Sunday morning before service that she didn’t want to get out of bed and was so overridden with sadness. The Lord reminded her that her earthly father was in heaven and that she still had her heavenly father. In that moment she said she said the Lord comforted her. The message that he would always be with her gave her courage despite her insecurities and fear. She doesn’t fear death anymore and now she quotes Psalm 91 saying that she shall abide under the shade of the Almighty and that He covers her.
We finished the interview with a reminder that Hosea is a huge part of her spiritual life. She and he have worked to encourage and strengthen one another for 41 years. Without Hosea she says she’d be a very different person. She thanks God that God has brought him to her to bring her confidence and security with the Lord. Now she says Hosea calls her ‘a pushy broad’ so it’s clear she is full of confidence and very satisfied.
Debbie began and ended our interview with prayer for me and our meetingmaking it clear that God and religion are her highest priorities in thought and in action.
Missouri State UniversityFall 2012Religious Lives of Ozark Women