DISTRICT ELDER WILLIAM TERRY
Virginia State Council Vice Chairman
District Elder William Thomas Terry was born on March 9, 1962, in Halifax County, Virginia, to Gene and Arnitha Terry, the eldest of five children. He was educated in the Halifax County School System and graduated in 1980. Immediately following graduation, William enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was ultimately stationed in Jacksonville, North Carolina, for four and a half years. During this four year journey, William was privileged with the opportunity to travel over three- fourths of the globe. By the age of twenty, William had already visited countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Somalia, Kenya, and Israel. In 1983, the Lord was with William as he was a survivor of a terrorist attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in which over 275 of his fellow Marines perished.
Upon leaving the Marine Corps in 1984, District Elder Terry returned to the Halifax Virginia, area. Although, he was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit at the age of twelve, he resisted the call which God had placed on his life for as long as he could. Finally, after seven years, he yielded to the voice of God and re-dedicated his life to Christ. He received his call to ministry in 1989.
The study of the Word of God has always been of great importance to District Elder Terry. In 1987, he enrolled in the Virginia Institute of Biblical Studies, where he studied Old and New Testament Survey. Between 1990 and 1992, William completed both his Ministerial Introduction course and the Ordination course offered by Aenon Bible College. He was ordained by the Virginia State Council of the Pentecostal of the World (PAW) in July, 1995.District Elder Terry furthered his studies by receiving his Associate of Arts from Piedmont Theological Seminary in May, 1997, and then his Bachelor of Theology in 1999. He still continues to sharpen his tools by enrolling in various courses and classes.
District Elder Terry served and continues to serve in various positions both in his local assembly, and on the state and national levels. In 1986, he was appointed as the Youth President for New Mt. Olive. One year later, he was appointed as a Deacon of New Mt. Olive. In 1989,District Elder Terry served as the Vice President of the Virginia State Council Young People Union for three years and was then elected President of that same union for seven years. He served as Asst. Treasurer of the Virginia State Council for seven years, and then as Treasurer for eight years. He currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Va. State Council. He was appointed Assistant Pastor of the new Mt. Olive in 1996, a position he still currently holds. District Elder Terry also served on the Finance Committee of the Young People Department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, and currently serves as Asst. Treasurer of the ICEA
William takes great pride in his family and his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. On June 18, 1988, he was joined in marriage to Debra Palmer. They have three children: Claudia, Christopher, and Christina. They have two grandchildren, Aniyanna and Aaliyah.
The most important thing District Elder Terry wants everyone to know is that he loves the Lord, and feels blessed to be able to serve in His kingdom.