The Couriers (3)

The history of the Couriers reaches further back than most are aware. The Couriers was one of many names used by student outreach ministry teams at Central Bible Institute, (C.B.I.) in Springfield, Missouri for many years. Most of the teams were musical groups; duets, trios, quartets, ensembles, etc. Though the outreach group names were never officially owned by the school; now an accredited college, each year students would assume one of these established names which had previously gained a quality reputation by other alumni. Because of this practice each recycled group name took on new life each year. The same group personnel usually didn't last more than a semester or at longest a full school term. With a constant flow of senior graduations and freshmen enrollments each group would either be reorganized or revitalized annually. "The Couriers" originally formed in 1953, consisted of Dick Malone, lead; Roger Kling, baritone; Nick Schubert, pianist; Lem Boyles, tenor and Cliff King, bass. They were the most sought after bible school group during their year and a half tenure. The group endured many personnel changes before turning full-time professional in 1958 and relocating to Pennsylvania. The group went though many changes during the next 22 years, including switching from a quartet to a trio, until Neil Enloe and Duane Nicholson decided to retire the group in 1980. In 1984, Duane and Neil decided to reorganize the group and the Couriers were reborn, with Neil's brother Phil rejoining the group. In 1998, Duane, Neil, and Phil decided it was time to take on new members and pave the way for others to take over the Couriers legacy. They hired Larry More, Scot Womble (Phil’s son-in-law) and Kris Walker (Duane’s son-in-law) and worked with them for two years. In 2000, Duane, Neil, and Phil retired from the Couriers.