Bryan Lee Belcher

Bryan Lee Belcher (57) of Avon Indiana, peacefully left his earthly home to go be with Jesus, on July 24^th, 2022, after a long, hard fight with many complications of diabetes. He closed his eyes here surrounded by his wife, daughters, and sister all singing together one last time. While we did not expect this at this time, God was not taken by surprise.

Bryan was born on February 6, 1965, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Emory Lee and Alma Opal (Sturgill) Belcher. To put into words the entirety of the “dash” that now stands between his beginning and end is an impossible task, but to hit the main points would be to say that Bryan loved and lived for God and his family.

Bryan graduated from Ben Davis High School as an Alumni of the Marching Giants, a Radio DJ, and most importantly someone ready to start their life with his soulmate. Bryan met Tammy in high school and to hear him tell it, he would share Proverbs 18:22 saying that he had “found his good thing.” There were many ways that Bryan expressed his love and devotion to his beloved wife, but his most reiterated was that she was simply his first, his last, his everything. The love he had for her was only surpassed by his love for God. With God and ministry as the cornerstone of their lives, Bryan and Tammy’s love expanded into 5 daughters, 37 years of marriage and ministry together, and the legacy of ministering and sharing Jesus until the very end. Some of his last breaths were used to tell of the goodness of his Savior.

In his nature, Bryan was an intellectual and a deep thinker. He used his skills to propel himself forward as a DJ in radio for 14 years. He was on air as Bryan Lee with WIRE, WXTZ, WQFE, and his most cherished time spent as Bryan Murphy with WNTS Southern Gospel Radio. Bryan eventually transitioned into a technical career first as a Communications Analyst for Methodist Hospital and ending his 20-year career as an e-Learning Management System Administrator. Although Bryan had a full-time career, it was well known that his true calling and life’s work was in Ministry.

Bryan was saved as a young man and began attending Mt. Calvary Evangelistic Center where he became actively involved in the church and the youth group that changed his life and provided great wisdom and insight which God would put to great use later in ministry.  He became an ordained minister after he was first called by God to preach in 1996 and Bryan served as an associate pastor, youth leader, worship leader, and Sunday school teacher for many years at Mars Hill General Baptist Church. Feeling God’s direction, he returned to Mt. Calvary and continued to work and serve in the church with his wife and children by his side. He loved our pastor and wife and our church family more than words could ever express.

Bryan was, at his essence, a truly creative and sentimental person. He wrote countless articles for a Christian publication known as the Midwest Southern Gospel Source; he wrote plays, songs, sermons, and many devotions. Bryan deeply cherished the time he had with every youth group member through all his years in youth ministry, and often recounted the endless laughs, bittersweet tears, toe-fencing, rock-a-thons, pizza making, Smoky Mountain drives, and all the sweet moments on the mountain top with a group of kids and the presence of God. Standing here today, he would tell each one of them how much he loves them and how much more Jesus does too.

Bryan and Tammy served most notably in ministry through singing. For 31 years, Bryan traveled and sang with Tammy and their partners in ministry to tell of God’s love. Traveling as both the Parables and, in the latter half, traveling as Dedication, Bryan’s love for God and his family made this the adventure of a lifetime. The memories of singings, concerts, and time on the road with friends leaves a wake of witnesses behind who could each tell their own story of the impact that this home-grown ministry and this man named Bryan had. Bryan was heavily involved in Southern Gospel Music Ministry, singing and worshipping with many nationally recognized artists who at the end of the day were simply his brothers and sisters in Christ. Bryan accomplished many things in southern gospel music but was especially fond of his time as a member on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Gospel Music Festival. He worked hard to promote Southern Gospel music in Indiana, and cherished moments serving with friends to bring the love of Jesus out in this major concert event. Bryan sang until his last day on earth and is likely getting a jump on the massive concert there will be when we all are together again.

Bryan leaves behind his precious wife of 37 years, Tammy (Wilson) Belcher, his 5 beautiful daughters, Brittany Belcher (Doug Witt) of Avon, Vanessa (Rob) Belcher-Ellis of Avon, Hannah (John) Ervin of French Lick, Madison Belcher, and Emma Belcher, also both of Avon, 3 beautiful granddaughters, Charlotte Ellis, Pressley Ervin, and Violet Ellis. He also leaves behind his 2 sisters, Judy (Dan) Sparks of Indianapolis, and Cheryl Pace of Spencer, one brother, Max Fuson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

Bryan was a loving husband, father, and Papoo as the grandbabies affectionately called him. He was witty, deeply intelligent, and LOVED making memories with his family.

Every day that goes by from here to eternity, we will remember you, cherish the love and memories made with you, and look forward to that great reunion in Heaven where we will see you again.

Until then, as you instructed us, we’ll keep telling everyone about Jesus!