Alan & Ellen Ives

Alan James Ives, born 18 May 1950, Madison, Wisconsin. Grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Methodist background. Baseball, math, genealogy and music have always been interests. (I thought that music was the answer to life's questions.)

Alan led to salvation in Christ Jesus by Jackie (Nelson) Clayton, May 1969. She used verses from the book of Romans. (I remember suddenly realizing that Jesus died FOR ME!) Baptized Dec. 1969 at Southside Baptist Church in Oshkosh.

Fall 1971. The Word of God and Pastor's preaching (Rev. Howard Nelson) convicted Alan about playing pop music. (I was in a rock band Dec. 1962 - Aug. 1971). The Scriptures gave him strength to quit the band, and leave that business! (Mt 6:19-21,24 / Lk 6:46 / I Cor 6:19-20 / II Cor 5:17; 6:14-18 / Eph 5:11 / I Thess 5:22).

Ellen Jane Mathe born 23 September 1954, was born again 27 February 1973. Alan visited her home and quoted Scripture to her, but the verse that the Lord impressed upon her was I John 5:13. She began trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ that night, and knew that she had eternal life. She was raised Roman Catholic and spent her time bowling. (She now spends much time sewing.) She was baptized in March or April of 1973 at Southside Baptist Church, Oshkosh WI.

May 1973. Alan began working as paid staff at Southside Baptist Church: music, visitation, errands, youth group worker and as bus driver and captain, assistant to treasurer, rest home services.

Alan and Ellen married - 8 September, 1973. (Pr 18:22; 19:14b)
(P.S. We are still married! Glory to God! Pr 5:18)

Spring 1975. Moved to new church building (name changed to Wyldewood Baptist Church). Added responsibilities included: some Sunday school teaching, some jail ministry preaching, teaching in the Christian school, becoming assistant treasurer. Our Sunday morning services were aired "live" over a local radio station.

Ellen taught Sunday school for four years and in the Christian school (Learning to Read) two years. She became, unofficially, my music secretary.

Later responsibilities added: music lessons, School of Scriptures instruction (college level courses in English, music, and Bible), and some janitorial work.

We have five children: Stephanie Jane Smith (7-3-74), married to Jeremy and working with him at Cedar River Baptist Camp in Letts, Iowa; Stephen James (7-29-75), married to Sarah Kay and living in Oshkosh WI. He is employed locally and takes care of our home, mail, etc. as we travel; Susan Elisabeth Randall (11-9-77), married and living in Stony Brook, NY where her husband, John, is part of the music staff at International Baptist College; Sarah Joy Randall (11-11-78) married to Paul Randall (John's brother), and is a pastor's wife at the Standing Stone Baptist Church in Monterey, TN; and Seth Alan (10-28-81), who is ministering at Greater Point Baptist Church in central Wisconsin. All have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and have been baptized. (Ps 127:3-5!) We presently have seven grandchildren.

We preach against rock and gospel-rock, and teach God's music according to the Bible. We also teach music history from a Biblical perspective: A quick overview of the subject would last about 1« hours; a complete in-depth study would be about 20 hours of teaching. This covers all the major portions of Scripture concerning music, and will make plain God's music and His purpose in it, as well as the devil's music and his plan for it. Principles of good music within the context of the material will help others develop the proper attitudes about music and its place in the kingdom of God and heaven. We love the Lord Jesus (because he first loved us - I Jn 4:19). We seek ever to do His will, to bring honor and glory and praise to Him.

Wyldewood Baptist Church of Oshkosh, Wisconsin is our sending church.

Alan & Ellen (May 2004)