March 19, 2025
MOULTRIE, Ga. — To pianist Cindy Tyus at First Baptist Church of Moultrie, playing a piano is more than just notes on a page, it’s a way to serve the Lord and lead people to Jesus. And, she has been doing so for 40 years.
“That’s a big responsibility to lead people to Jesus. That’s what our call is as worship leaders.”
Since Oct. 1, 1984, she has pointed people to Jesus because that is her heart. “My relationship with Jesus is the most important thing I have. I have no doubt in my mind that God put me here.”
It’s God’s strength that has allowed her to serve so long on the worship team. “We are up there up front every week, and I’m not by nature a person that likes to be up front. I can’t stand to stand up there at the pulpit. If God calls you, he equips you," she affirms. "I can look back and see he was preparing me to do what I am doing. There’s no way I could have done it as long as I have done it if it was not God’s hand on me. I’m not capable.”
Her dedication and willingness to serve is what FBC Moultrie Senior Pastor Matt Peek, who is also her son-in-law, said is her greatest strength.
“The greatest strength Mrs. Cindy brings to our church is not her piano skills, although those are incredible. She is an incredible pianist. The greatest thing she brings to our church is a heart for ministry. She loves people. She loves to share the gospel. She is quick to reach out to those that are in need. She has the gift of service and the gift of evangelism. She uses those well.”
Lee Hill, FBC Moultrie minister of music from 2014 to 2022, said her humility is also a strength.“She never wanted to be the center of attention. She’s just so humble.”
Hill said being talented helps. “A lot of pianists are afraid of certain keys. Cindy just took it and did it very well. She can play anything you put in front of her.”
Sam Stephens, who served with Tyus for 28 years between 1980 and 2012 as FBC Moultrie minister of music, said she was always helpful, hard working, made suggestions, and supported the ministry. “I could always count on her. She was just a fine support team person for me.”
Hill said a good accompanist can either make or break a service or a choir practice. And Tyus was always exactly what they needed. “It was like she knew exactly what to do at the right time. She was the make or the break there for the music ministry.”
Having studied piano since age eight, she began playing at FBC Moultrie in 1979 as a teenager. After a four-year hiatus for college, she returned to the church piano in 1984.
She did not study music in college. She planned on being a music major, but a piano camp trip to Alabama as a teenager changed her mind. She studied education.
Although she studied traditional piano music as a child and teenager, she loves hymns the most.
“I love just about all hymn arrangements. I play bigger and bolder stuff, but I really like more the soft meditative type pieces.”
She and the organist, Debby Whitley, play together in each service and she loves this. She has played with Whitley for 30 years.
As a soloist, she said her favorite song to play is “I Stand Amazed In The Presence,” the arrangement by composer and Christian music educator Benjamin Harlin.
Tyus is part time at FBC Moultrie. She works part-time with Cook and Berrien counties working with visually impaired kids. Since 1984, she has been married to Steve and has three children: Leigh Anna, who is married to pastor Peek, Steven, and Julie.
She says her confidence comes from God. “That pretty much sums it up.”
Her advice to aspiring pianists is to practice and don’t take it lightly. “Take opportunities that are available to play whether it is for a children’s choir or a school choir. Take opportunities.”
Peek said she’s a Godly woman and loves the Lord, loves her church, and she’s more than a fixture. “She’s a foundational piece of who we are,” he said, and her impact echoes across the church.
