Our Tribute

Today, we pause to honor the life of a beloved partner and travel team member, Terri Clark. Terri transitioned to her heavenly home on August 19, 2020. She logged untold thousands of miles as a “sent one” on Firefall International missions to Myanmar, NE India, China, Vietnam and other nations. Terri taught in women’s conferences with transparency, humor and a deep desire to see women grow in their faith.

Terri loved the people and the food of the nations

Terri was a delightful ministry team member, up for any challenge. She never complained about cramped vans or busses, “strange” food, lumpy mattresses or thin, tiny towels. Each morning and evening, she checked in with her adoring husband, Harvey. They would share details of their respective days with great affection. Theirs was a real love story. Harvey encouraged her to follow God’s dream for her life and she cheered him on whole-heartedly.

Terri’s passion to see God’s love displayed in Jesus Christ change lives fueled her travel with Firefall International and our friendship. We will miss you, dear and faithful woman of God. Thank you for your example of faith, obedience and joy in the journey!

-Nancy

Minh’s Tribute

I met Terri over fifteen years ago for the first time when she joined with the Firefall team to speak at a women’s conference in Vietnam. Serving as her translator, I got to know her life, her stories and experiences and how God led her into intimacy with Himself. She touched the lives of many women leaders who are still touching other lives. Personally, I was invited to her home in Arkansas, where I rode on the back of her motorcycle to visit her house of prayer up on a hill. She welcomed me in with her joyful and bright face.

I will miss you, Terri, as a close friend of my spiritual Mom, Nancy! I heard about you through her and I got to know you as we worked together. May you rest in peace with our most loving Father in Heaven. See you there!

-Minh Van Thai

Pastor David’s Tribute

I first met this woman of God at the Myanmar conference conducted by Firefall International where she delivered a very anointed message from the Word of God. Many Myanmar lady church leaders were blessed by her ministry. We still hear testimonies today.

I was very challenged and encouraged by Terri’s burden and love for lost souls around the world, especially Africa and Asia. She shared this with me while I visited with her in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her heart made me want to serve more and to sacrifice more for the lost in my land, Myanmar!

I was both saddened and thrilled when I heard of Terri’s entry into her Heavenly Home. I am really proud of her life here on earth as she followed her Savior faithfully until the end and served Him. Her witness is still instructing and preaching to many people. Thanks for it! We love you and will see you one day in the presence of our loving Father.

-David Siang and House of Glory Family, Myanmar

Junia’s Tribute

I would like to honor and salute you, Aunty Terri Clark. You are a woman of faith, love, generosity and prayer. You have the lovely, humble heart of a servant of God.

I still remember you coming to my country and preaching about sweet lemon (lemonade) as an example. This encouraged me in my life and ministry.

Even though you are gone physically from this earth, you are still alive and preaching in my life. You will be in my heart always. I love you, Aunty.

I pray for your family, church and ministry. May the peace of our Lord be with you to strengthen and comfort all of you.

-Junia, Yangon, Myanmar

Elvis’ Tribute

Aunty Terri was filled with compassion for the harvest of souls. She always thought about how to communicate the love of Christ wherever she was. She lived what she preached. Reaching people with the gospel was her priority. She lived each day “on mission.”

I am so sad that I will no longer meet Aunty Terri in Myanmar or elsewhere on this earth. But I remain confident that the seed of faith Aunty Terri sowed in Myanmar, Uganda and many other places will blossom and bear much fruit. I will meet you again, Aunty, in heaven.

-Elvis Khamh, Yangon, Myanmar

Jim’s Memories of Terri

I first remember meeting Terri as her son’s youth pastor. Despite her taxing job schedule, she willingly volunteered to serve as a worker on youth outings, joyfully enduring the primitive accommodations of low-budget youth retreats.

Terri’s first venture into ministry in Uganda was in early September, 2001. I also happened to be in Uganda with a team training pastors. We were there when the attacks came on 9/11. I was called to the phone. Somehow, Terri had found out how to contact me and I could hear the devastation she felt being so far away from home trying to process this tragedy. It was a hard way to launch a ministry, but she did it.

I admired Terri’s compassion for others, her pioneering spirit and spiritual dedication to follow Jesus wherever He led her.

-Jim

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12: 1 & 2

Read more of Nancy’s thoughts on remembering Terri in her Cuppa post.

I get a kick from walking across a university campus.

Maybe it’s the historical architecture or maybe it's the atmosphere of optimism that learning can create a better world. I am a Learner, at least that’s what the StrengthsFinder assessment told me.

This year, I was asked to design and teach a doctoral level course on Missional Ministry in the School of Divinity of Regent University. It was an online course, so I was in front of my computer rather than in some historical building, but the results were still inspiring. My class of doctoral candidates were men and women, racially diverse, and from several denominations. Most were serving churches as the lead pastor.

For 15 weeks we read, prayed, discussed and learned together. I don’t know what you imagine goes on in a class like this, but in this one (PMIN 761), the Holy Spirit was at work to bring spiritual and missional transformation.

Eighty percent of the churches in America have reached a plateau or are in decline. One student said that 75% of the churches in his denomination have not seen a conversion in a decade. American church life must be radically transformed to once again obey Jesus’ commission to make disciples.

Several of the students in my class were able to reorient their ministry goals and methods because of the impact of the class, with a renewed commitment to making disciples.

After this experience, I envision an academic setting where, more than gaining knowledge, lives are transformed, godly vision is united with faith, and obedient men and women commit their lives to make disciples and glorify Jesus.

By God’s grace that is what we experienced. I believe that God has opened another door of ministry to fulfill his Great Commission by multiplying leaders who say “Yes” to the call of God.

A Tribute to Terri Clark, Friend of Firefall International