I first met Terry at the age of 10. His missionary parents took their four musical children on a tour of large churches throughout England. Their group, ‘Los Picaflores’ appeared regularly on the Sunday TV Godslot, ‘Stars on Sunday. Many years later during my Sabbatical to South America in 2001 organised by SAMS (South American Missionary Society) I met him in Vina Del Mar, Chile. Terry was head of SEAN (Study by Extension for All Nations). This remarkable organisation trains thousands of church leaders every year in remote places around the globe. Terry was also the pastor of a church in Vina Del Mar, and this had twelve mission churches in shanty towns around the city.
Terry encouraged me to return in 2003 with a group from St John’s. We gave £17,000 to help build a new church/community centre for his mission church in Glorias Navalas, and 23 of us went along. During the trip he introduced us to the Bishop of Paraguay, and for many years after that we sent money and people for summer building projects in the Chaco, led by David Orritt.
In 2006 I returned with Dave and Richard Gedge. Terry took us to visit some Pehuenche Indians, high in the Andes. Their Church had just been condemned. In the end we gave them £20,000 to build a new Church and lent them another £10,000 so they could build 20 houses through a scheme run by Habitat for Humanity.
Some of you will remember Terry and Pancha visiting St John’s. Lara Williams gave up her house so they could stay there, Terry preached and Lynn Aspinall helped organise a memorable South American night at the Stanley.
St John’s have a great deal to thank God for Terry. It was his enthusiasm which got us started on mission trips. Chile, Paraguay, Belarus and Uganda have all flowed from that first visit. We thank God for Terry, for his life, his ministry and his love for Jesus.
Neil Short