The Gallis Family Ministries started locally in Zanesville Ohio about 16 years ago. Ed was a lay speaker with the United Methodist Church district there, and Becky was singing at area churches and with other local choirs. She was also a lead singer with a local Gospel quartet for several years.
Then eleven years ago Ed was diagnosed with a neurological disease that ended his truck driving career. The family was praying about how to provide for their two sons and the Lord answered and said, "Work for me!" Of course this is the short version, but life for The Gallis Family has been anything but boring ever since.
They started their touring in 1995 with an old 1964 GMC 4106 Bus (Think old Greyhound), two young sons, two dogs, and two very scared parents. Often referred to as the "Ark" since they always loaded two of everything, they set off to spread the Hope and Love of following a risen savior.
Three years, 350 concerts and about 100,000 miles later they moved up in the world when the Lord provided a new mode of transportation, a 1983 MC9 coach shell (Think Newer Greyhound ) which they converted into a tour bus.
They continued to tour every state "East of the Rockies" until 2004 when their special needs grand daughter Ellayna Gallis was born. Up to that point they were averaging about 110 concerts and programs a year. Everything from the Contemporary Christian Music Concerts, Saturday and Sunday worship service special music guests, Revivals, and Youth lock-in overnights. If the Lord called, they went.
One of the most amazing things people find out is that for all this travel and spending weeks at a time on the road, The Gallis Family Ministries has NEVER set a given price for coming to share. Meaning, no money up front, never asking for a minimum offering. For each program the only support came by means of "Freewill Offerings" by those in attendance.
In 2004 the ministry changed gears, but hasn't stopped. Since the birth of Ellayna Gallis there has been a strong call on their lives to reach out to others in their shoes for a time of witness. You see, Ellayna has a very rare disease called "CMTC" for short. With less than 300 cases world wide she is in a very special category as far as medical support is concerned. The disease itself is not life threatening, but the complications that come with it are. So for the time being The Gallis Family is only touring on a short term basis and only for weekend trips.
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