About Hosea
“That they may know that this is your hand;
that you O Lord have done it.”
- Psalms 109:27
Hosea Bilyeu Family
The Hosea Bilyeu family has been called the Ozark’s first family of gospel music. With a strong heritage boasting nine generations in the Ozark mountains, Hosea Bilyeu is a self-professed hillbilly. A former math teacher, Hosea entered the ministry and has spent the last 23 years as pastor of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.
What started as a mission of 26 people, including Hosea, his wife Debbie and their 4 children, has grown into a 3800+ member congregation. In addition Ridgecrest has spawned several church plants in the southwest Missouri region.
Part of the ministry appeal of the Bilyeu family is the strong tie to music. Debbie Bilyeu’s parents, Bill & Joyce Mabe, along with Bill’s brothers and their wives, were pioneers in the Branson music industry, starting the first music show, The Baldknobbers, in 1959. Hosea actually fell in love with “pretty miss Debbie” while she was singing there.
From the outset Hosea and Debbie raised their children in the family tradition, and singing became a part of the culture and an active part of their ministry. Celebrating their Ozark roots, with a passion for southern gospel, bluegrass and mountain music, the Bilyeu Family are regional favorites.
Hosea and Debbie have three children that perform with them.
Joy Bilyeu-Steele is the eldest, red-headed daughter. Joy performs with the Baldknobbers as a feature vocalist and works at Remington’s, an event bridge facility owned by Ridgecrest, with her husband Geoff.
Robin Rees is Marketing Officer at Peoples Bank of the Ozarks, and is founder of the Lighthouse Ministry, working with AIDS patients. Robin is a singer/songwriter with a custom project to her credit.
Will Bilyeu is an office manager for MJ Kelly, an insurance broker. Will is a creative writer and the wit of the family.
The Bilyeu Family Concert is an annual event at Ridgecrest and attracts capacity crowds at three performances in August of each year. The Bilyeu’s have four studio albums to their credit; the “20th Anniversary Album”, “Heavenly Highways Volume One”, “I’ll Never Forget” and “A Place Called Hope”. Hosea and Debbie have created a ministry called “Wells of Joy” that is designed to enhance the joy of the servants of the Lord. In addition to domestic work, the Bilyeu’s have ministered in Peru, Guatemala and Mexico.
For more information on the Bilyeu Family and Wells of Joy, log online to www.wellsofjoy.com