Vernon Terrell
|
Well, I started this ministry a little before 1997 for one purpose...to share the truth of God's grace and our freedom in Christ. Of course, that doesn't answer the question! I accepted Christ as my Savior at age 15 and began preaching and teaching at 16 years old (I still remember my first time behind a pulpit). After high school I went to that well known Bible College in Georgia (UGA...that's a bit of humor) and finished my last 2 years at Georgia State University with a bachelors in business management. I longed to go to bible college and/or seminary but it never seemed to work out. God had different plans for me. He did allow me to be the youth pastor of a small church and run an exciting youth program for a number of years but full time ministry was not quite where God wanted me to practice.
After college, one of my first jobs was working at a department store loading dock in Atlanta, GA unloading trucks and picking up trash. I worked there (and yes, actually ministered there) for 3 years or so. My wife Brenda and I were married in 1986 and I soon moved on to my next ministry opportunity at AT&T in 1987...I now have over 30 years with AT&T, Lucent Technologies, Alcatel-Lucent and now, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. So, where's the ministry credentials? It does sound odd but my ministry has been in corporate America and working in and through various ministries and churches. Seminary degree? Nope...but I hope to one day (of course, once you're over 50 one day demands a lot of faith). God has simply chosen to use the "foolish" and I certainly qualify there. My wife and I were married 12 years before our first child Jonathan who was born with some special needs (primarily low tone or hypotonia, autism and other developmental issues). Our next child Kathryn followed 2 years later and then Lydia 2 1/2 years after Kathryn on Christmas day. In 2004 my wife was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer; after treatment, she had 8 years free of cancer but in 2013, the cancer returned with a vengence. About a year after treatment and surgery, we discovered the cancer had metastasized to the brain. My wife remained strong in her faith until that faith became sight...she went to be with her Lord on November 5, 2015. So that's my story in a nut shell...there so much more but you get the drift. Why listen to me? Please, don't listen to me! I hope you listen to the Lord as you read and listen to the materials we offer on this site. If you're in corporate America...I'm in it with you! If you've longed for kids but nothing is happening...we know where you are (took us 12 years). If you have a child a little out of step with the rest of the kids, we understand. If you or your spouse has heard the words "you have cancer", we can relate. If your marriage could be better, I understand. If you have lost someone close, I am there with you. God did not grant my request at age 21 to be in full time ministry, but He allowed me to minister right where I am and for the last 20 years or more all around the world through FreeNHim.org. Over the years I have received encouraging e-mails around the various materials as well as folks who understood for the first time how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My simple prayer is that we can encourage you in the grace and freedom found only in Him. |
