The Itzels
The Itzels are uniquely talented individuals whom God has gifted with the creative ability to write and then minister music that is rooted in their Christian faith and experience.
Bill Itzel was born on September 4, 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland, grew up in a Christian family, and received the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior when he was five years of age. Karen was born on March 6, 1969 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and also accepted the Lord at the age of 5. Karen’s Father is a Pastor in Oklahoma, and Bill’s Father is a worship leader in Maryland.
After attending Christian School and Bible College, God placed Bill in Nashville, Tennessee in a music school where "The First Family of Gospel Music", the Speers, heard him sing. That was all it took; in less than a month, Bill was living in Nashville and touring nationally with the Speers.
During his tenure with the group, Bill was featured on two radio singles: "Saved To The Uttermost" and "He's Still In The Fire", both of which soared to the number one spot on the Singing News, Cash Box, and Gospel Voice charts, leading to 2 Dove and 2 Grammy award nominations.
During the summer of 1989, God brought Bill and Karen (who was a music major in college) together, and in August of 1990 they were married. After much prayer, Bill resigned from the Speers, and in December of 1990, began his own family ministry.
From 1992 to 1998, Bill and Karen added Bill's brother Adam and mother Pat to the in-concert line-up on special occasions and became known as "Simply Faith". In 1999 Bill and Karen officially sat down and totally re-worked the vision for their ministry. With a philosophy that was focused on how the local church operates and ministers, they were ready to become a one-of-a-kind ministry that churches could count on in the 21st century.
In 2012 Bill and Karen formed the non-profit ministry “Bill and Karen Itzel Ministries Inc.” for the purpose of spreading the gospel through biblically based, yet culturally relative songs.
A lot of Christian bands and singers have come and gone over the past 20 years, but the Itzels have stood the test of time. Bill and Karen, along with their three children, Jessica, Ryan, and Shannon Bailey have now been touring full-time for over 20 years, and yet, after over 50 recordings, Over 300 original songs and 3000 concerts, they are more relevant than ever. Bill has appeared on the Gaither Homecoming videos, has been nominated for 2 Grammy and 2 Dove awards, and has headlined concerts for over 40,000 people, but the Itzels still feel led to minister in local church settings. The Itzels are singers/songwriters who are committed to Christ, committed to truth, and committed to excellence.
Bill Itzel was born on September 4, 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland, grew up in a Christian family, and received the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior when he was five years of age. Karen was born on March 6, 1969 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and also accepted the Lord at the age of 5. Karen’s Father is a Pastor in Oklahoma, and Bill’s Father is a worship leader in Maryland.
After attending Christian School and Bible College, God placed Bill in Nashville, Tennessee in a music school where "The First Family of Gospel Music", the Speers, heard him sing. That was all it took; in less than a month, Bill was living in Nashville and touring nationally with the Speers.
During his tenure with the group, Bill was featured on two radio singles: "Saved To The Uttermost" and "He's Still In The Fire", both of which soared to the number one spot on the Singing News, Cash Box, and Gospel Voice charts, leading to 2 Dove and 2 Grammy award nominations.
During the summer of 1989, God brought Bill and Karen (who was a music major in college) together, and in August of 1990 they were married. After much prayer, Bill resigned from the Speers, and in December of 1990, began his own family ministry.
From 1992 to 1998, Bill and Karen added Bill's brother Adam and mother Pat to the in-concert line-up on special occasions and became known as "Simply Faith". In 1999 Bill and Karen officially sat down and totally re-worked the vision for their ministry. With a philosophy that was focused on how the local church operates and ministers, they were ready to become a one-of-a-kind ministry that churches could count on in the 21st century.
In 2012 Bill and Karen formed the non-profit ministry “Bill and Karen Itzel Ministries Inc.” for the purpose of spreading the gospel through biblically based, yet culturally relative songs.
A lot of Christian bands and singers have come and gone over the past 20 years, but the Itzels have stood the test of time. Bill and Karen, along with their three children, Jessica, Ryan, and Shannon Bailey have now been touring full-time for over 20 years, and yet, after over 50 recordings, Over 300 original songs and 3000 concerts, they are more relevant than ever. Bill has appeared on the Gaither Homecoming videos, has been nominated for 2 Grammy and 2 Dove awards, and has headlined concerts for over 40,000 people, but the Itzels still feel led to minister in local church settings. The Itzels are singers/songwriters who are committed to Christ, committed to truth, and committed to excellence.
