Terry Prayed for God to Heal his Church. God Answered with an Invitation to Heal his Heart.

Have you ever prayed for something in your life and God answers in a completely different way? Pastor Terry Bone was praying for all the problems of the church when God answered with a vision that pointed to all the problems in his heart!

Our show today is about the unexpected journey God takes us on when we begin listening for the Spirit’s voice. This was the experience of our guest, Terry Bone. His God-conversations led to him to receive healing for some of the painful experiences from his childhood to a place of freedom.

This has to be one of my favourite God conversations on our show – partly because Terry shares so honestly and openly from his own experience! Terry is from Ontario, Canada and after 20 years pastoring, now has a ministry as a “transition pastor” and consultant for churches across the country. He has authored two books and is involved in overseas missions. He has a passion for the Holy Spirit and even gives a plug for my book!

You are going to love this conversation and I know it’s going to challenge you to allow God to speak into your own heart.

In our conversation, you’ll hear about:

• Terry’s God story, coming from a nominal church background and the party scene, to the days of the Jesus Revolution where Terry was drawn to God by the idea of a personal relationship with God rather than the empty religion he had previously known.
• How the Holy Spirit spoke to Terry to lead him on a journey of emotional healing. Terry realised that hearing God’s voice was not just about trying to find direction and guidance:

“I was driven, focussed on performance – a Type A personality. So for me, hearing God was always about trying to find direction rather than the “search me O God and know my anxious thoughts” prayer. I didn’t want to go there but I got cornered.”

• Terry’s testimony of praying for his church that was fraught with problems – a huge debt, dwindling numbers, an empty building and a board in conflict, and the vision God gave me in response. 

“I saw the roof of a church replaced by a stain glass dome. One of the panels had my name in it. As the picture zoomed in, I heard the words, ‘that’s the church you’re trying to build.’”

• Terry’s experience with the Holy Spirit as counsellor, setting him free from fear and how his ministry completely changed as a result. Terry’s journey to freedom effectively led to healing of many others in his church! Today his ministry involves guiding others through the same process as they open their hearts to God.

How could I live and teach without seeing this? It’s like a conversion experience. The Holy Spirit is a genius. God knows exactly what path to take us on!

• Terry’s reflections on our the nature of our relationship with God and the reward that comes as we continue to listen and respond to God’s voice.

To just want God’s voice for guidance, that’s not friendship. When God becomes our friend, the guidance is easy.

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About Terry Bone

Terry was radically saved as a teenager during the ‘The Jesus Revolution’ of the 19070’s in North America. For 18 years he served two churches in various pastoral roles. Since 2003, Terry transitioned to full time itinerant ministry helping leaders succeed in their calling with a focus upon spiritual and emotional health. Terry’s ministry extends beyond Canada to several countries overseas. Terry has also served as a Transition Pastor and consultant for many churches. Terry has authored two books, The Family Blessing Guidebook and The Great Exchange. www.exchangezone.ca

Terry and his wife Melissa have lived in the Niagara region of Ontario for more than thirty years. They have three children and eight grandchildren (so far).