About Us

Duane Heil
I was raised in a Minister's home and gave my heart to the Lord at the young age of 7. My parents were Church of God ministers / missionaries. I lived in Haiti from 9-12 years of age, as an M K (Missionary's Kid). I have been singing since childhood and also have played the organ and piano for church camp meetings and worship services.. My musical background also includes singing in church choirs, ensembles, and a musical missions choir.
I went into the ministry at age 19 and have served in various capacities -- music director, pastor, evangelist, and State youth director. These ministerial positions were with the Church of God and included the states of Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana, and others.

My wife, Sandy and I sing as a duet, and we also were part of the Celebration of Praise Trio. The trio was actively involved in prison ministry for over 5 years. In 2001, I joined the Blessed Truth Quartet. The Celebration of Praise Trio and Blessed Truth Quartet merged in January 2002 to form Blessed Truth. In December 2004, we restructured our ministry to return to a trio, called By Grace. We are delighted to go wherever we are asked to sing for the Glory of God and I consider it a privilege to be able to share the Word whenever I have the opportunity.
There was a time in my life that I strayed from the Lord; but when I returned to him, seeking forgiveness and restoration in my life, I asked Him to make me a new vessel. I realized then that, "He Didn't Throw The Clay Away!" I am so thankful for that.
My prayer is that God will continue to use us for His glory. Every door He opens to us is an opportunity for us to once again experience how the love of Jesus can change lives, heal broken hearts, and encourage His people through gospel music. I praise Him for his faithfulness and His grace.

Sandy Heil
Gospel music has been a large part of my life since I was a young child. I asked Jesus into my heart as a little girl at the age of 6. I was raised in a loving, Christian family and we attended a very music-loving church. I love to sing for the Lord and believe He gave me a talent to use for His glory. I sang my first solo at my home church - West Side Gospel Tabernacle (now Lakeview Christian Center) when I was about 8 or 9 years old. But, even before that, one morning in Sunday School Class when I was about 5, the teacher asked if I would like to sing a song for Jesus. So, I sang a song that my brothers had taught me, "I Didn't Know The Gun Was Loaded!" Of course, I don't remember that at all; but that's what my mom told me. You'll be happy to know that I've learned several church songs since that time. Over the years, I have continuously been involved in music in one way or another. I have sung in church choirs, acappella and other ensembles, trios, musical missions choir, etc. I have also directed adult and junior choirs.

I traveled with the Promise Land Singers for a short time, before my marriage to Duane Heil in 1982. After Duane and I married, we sang as a duet and then organized the Celebration of Praise Trio. The trio was actively involved in prison ministry for over 5 years, and we traveled and sang with the trio until joining Blessed Truth in January 2002. Actually, we merged the Celebration of Praise Trio and the Blessed Truth Quartet to form Blessed Truth.

My prayer is to be used as an instrument in His hands for the up building of His Kingdom, sharing the message of His grace wherever there’s an open door for ministry.

Click Here to > duane@bygrace.info < Schedule Concert