Happy Birthday Terry Virgo!

Terry Virgo is 70 today, so an appropriate time for an appreciation of the great man – one of the finest leaders I know.

I first met Terry when I was ten years old and he came to the church my father was leading at the time, and to our house for lunch. So I have known him for three-quarters of my life and he has had a profound influence on me, both from a distance as a platform speaker and leader of a movement, and more close up as someone I know personally and have had the privilege of spending time with.

When I was 16 my family moved to Brighton and I was a regular caller at the Virgo house, visiting Terry’s oldest sons, Ben and Joel. When Grace and I were first married and visiting Brighton to see my parents we would sometimes drop round to see Terry and Wendy at their home. In more recent years I have had evenings with Terry, talking about the church and theology, stayed overnight at his house, and then prayed with him in the morning. And there have been other days when with a group of other pastors I have been at Terry’s to pray.

What these experiences demonstrate are some of the qualities that make Terry the man he is, and a man that so many of us are happy to follow…

Terry is hospitable. The Virgo house is usually full and the door normally open. Terry does not stand aloof, but is welcoming and embracing of all kinds of people.

Terry is prayerful. No-one has taught me so much about prayer as Terry. He is a genuinely spiritual man. He is more passionate about Jesus than anyone else I know and he loves to pray. To pray with Terry is an educating experience! He goes straight for it, and is enthusiastic, persistent, and joyful. I first learnt to pray by being at prayer meetings Terry led at Church of Christ the King, and I have continued to learn to pray by being led by Terry at our leaders Prayer & Fasting days, and by being in his home.

Terry loves to encourage other leaders. Terry is generous and wants others to succeed. He loves to see younger men pushing forward in their calling and is always encouraging of this.

Terry is humble. There is no arrogance about Terry. He doesn’t expect special treatment.

Terry is determined. He has an incredible focus and drive and a great confidence in what he has been called to do.

Terry loves the church. In a day when so many Christian leaders are disparaging and cynical about the local church, Terry has never wavered in his passion for it and belief in what God can accomplish through it. Terry expects great things from local congregations.

Terry has global vision. When you pray with Terry, you pray for the world. Just as he is passionate about the local church, so he is passionate about the advance of the kingdom of God throughout the nations of the world.

Terry commands respect. Because of what he has done, but more because of who he is as a man of God, Terry is someone who I would never want to offend or embarrass or get on the wrong side of. He is a man of incredible stature.

Terry keeps on learning. Terry is always reading a new book, always looking for fresh expressions of God’s blessing, always open to being used by God in new ways. This is deeply impressive, as so many people get lazy or complacent with advancing age or success. Terry may be 70, but he is still hungry, still curious, still wanting more.

Happy Birthday Terry! You are an inspiration.