159: The Roots of TeachBeyond (with George and Beverley Durance)
This year, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of TeachBeyond! TeachBeyond was actually formerly known as Janz Team Ministries for over 50 years, changing its name to TeachBeyond in 2009. Listen in to hear more of the story of how TeachBeyond came about as we talk with George and Beverley Durance - well known for their family ties to the original Janz Team and their roles as former TeachBeyond President and Donor Services.
- “Being part of the Janz family played a huge, positive role in my life.” - Bev Durance
- “We said, ‘Wow, we would really like to do something for God, and we don’t want to get old and wonder what it would have been like to do that.’” - George Durance
- “The biggest motivator [..] was just strictly a deep desire to say the same thing in the 21st century that our forefathers had said in the 20th century, and if we were going to do that, we had to change how we said that.” - George Durance
- “We started by praying. I think this has become a real hallmark of TeachBeyond – that we pray.” - George Durance
- “When you have faith, you always act. Faith is never sitting on your backside. You ask and then you act.” - George Durance
- “When you put your foot on the accelerator, don’t take it off because you’ll never find it again.” - George Durance
- “If you’re going to cast a vision, you have to actually have a vision.” - George Durance
- “We see transformed lives, we see people changed across the globe, based on an educational initiative that the Holy Spirit has empowered and used.” - George Durance
- “Who would have guessed that I would follow in my mother’s footsteps to process the donations to support this work?” - Bev Durance
- “We determined that we would take every opportunity to develop relationships with the donors […] Our job was to give the organization face for the many people who wanted to support the work.” - Bev Durance
- “I just love seeing God's hand of provision at work every day, and that transforms a person.” - Bev Durance
- “So how does one keep going? How does one persevere in doing good? As we know, we will reap the harvest if we keep persevering, and one of the ways is to remember right from the beginning that God has gone before and prepared hearts and that you’re in the center of His will, no matter how hard or discouraged you feel.” - George Durance
- “Our missionaries are doing this – communicating the Gospel and discipling students in educational settings around the world – and I think my uncles would be so pleased to see the work they started continuing in this way.” - Bev Durance
Learn more about TeachBeyond’s annual Day of Giving here!
What’s changing our lives:
- Keane: Scheduled phone calls with his brother
- Heather: Visiting her mentor from a past season
- Beverley: Entering retirement and more time with family
- George: Keeping busy in this season of life
We’d love to hear from you! [email protected]
Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast
Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/