MIXTURE OF PRIDE AND HUMILITY … Betty stood watching proudly as Bruce played and sang, before she joined in on the chorus. Then he would play and proudly watch her as she sang during some of the songs they performed. But pride and all, a spirit of humility and joy in serving Jesus was over the whole concert. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
There are still some people in this world, in whom others can actually see that the Spirit of Christ lives. Many of those people are in their 80’s and 90’s and sadly for us, (gladly for them!) they are moving on to their heavenly home, to which they have looked forward for decades.
It is wonderful that we still have some of them here, to encourage and inspire the rest of us, and Bruce and Betty Moses are two of those people, from that “Greatest Generation.”
Down to earth and yet heavenly minded, these two who are 83 and 80 years old, sang their way into the hearts of about 20 people at a concert held at Madison Church of God, just south of Pioneer, Ohio, on Tuesday evening, May 25, 2021.
They now hale from Buckeye, Arizona, which made the Ohio State fans at the concert happy. Bruce shared stories of how they met and experiences they have had during their 62 ½ years together.
“If we make it to December this year, it will be 63 years,” Bruce said with a chuckle. “63 years…and we have had 10 good ones!” It was obvious that they have had more than ten good ones, as they flowed together during their time with the Madison Church of God family and friends.
The Moses couple, who were known for many years as “The Ozarks”, have been a traveling music group since 1980, but have been singing together since 1973.
They began with two sisters, an aunt, a cousin and their sons. Over the years it got smaller and smaller and now they tour alone, happily enjoying their Golden Years, and still doing 140 to 1150 concerts a year.
As Bruce put it, “We have the best job in the world. We get to see people get encouraged and many get saved.” They made one think of a couple verses in the Bible, one in the Old Testament and one in the New…I Samuel 16:17 says, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.”
And John 17:16, where Jesus said, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
With voices that are still clear, sweet, on key and strong, they sang with peace, joy and gusto. Bruce’s “geetar” playing was incredible for a young man, let alone someone in their 80’s!
The songs that they had written were based in their Missouri/Ozark Mountains style, which is where they had their roots, and brought smiles, nods and amens from the audience.
They also sang some well known songs, such as ‘Where No One Stands Alone’. Reminiscences of experiences shared by Bruce sometimes made Betty roll her eyes and smile, or punch him lovingly in the arm, as she stepped back and let him have fun.
She also shared, but her words were a strong admonition to stand for Jesus during this time when the world is going crazier than it was when they were young.
A generous offering was taken at the end of the concert after Pastor Mike Wilder shared a funny anecdote. While talking with another singer/performer, John Michael Talbot, years ago, Talbot told Wilder the difference between Ticket concerts and non-ticket concerts. “For one you pay to get in. For the other you pay to get out.”
Following a good laugh, the audience cheerfully paid to get out and wished the musical couple the Lord’s blessings as they continue their tour.
They do have some cd’s with their music and a short book about their history that Betty wrote. If interested, in getting their items or in having them come to an event, they can be contacted at betty.moses7138@gmail.com.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com