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Dawn Fung talks to Terry Phillips, singer, pastor and missionary. Terry is based in Singapore with his wife, Rose. They are with FCF.org.
Dawn: Could you share how you came to the Lord?
Terry: As a child, I had grew up in a Christian family. However, as an only child my Father strayed from the Lord and left me without that important male figure during those crucial early teen years. My parents eventually separated and then reunited when I was about 16. During that time my Mother never stopped praying for her husband and her son.
In June 1962 I surrendered to the Lord at an old fashioned mourner’s bench, or an altar as we called it. I heard an audible voice say, “the fields are white unto harvest but the laborers are few.” No one was in audible voice range! What frightened me most was the perception that the calling meant I was to be a missionary to Africa. (That was my denomination’s projection of the epitome of Christianity!)
I ran from “the call” for years. I sang with a rock band and barely had the marks to graduate from High School. I did have someone that really went all out to get me into a Christian University. But, eventually I started hanging out with “beatniks” in a coffee house outside Boston, Massachusetts, singing protest songs and reciting poetry. I dropped out of classes because they interfered with my social schedule. One night after a 3-day binge celebrating New Years in 1965, I came out of my stupor to find my girlfriend gone, most of my clothes missing and myself being chased into the street by the apartment owner who didn’t know me.
Walking through the snow I managed to get back to the Christian University I had deserted and made my way to the room of a football team member. He took me in, put me in his bed and piled blankets and clothes onto my almost frozen body. Hours later he prayed for me until he wept. Then went and gathered guys from the dorm to join in prayer for me. At 5 a.m. on 5 January 1965 I pushed all the covers off and rolled onto the floor crying out for forgiveness. (With my life I guess it took triple grace, 5-5-5, for my salvation.)
Give us an idea of how you were involved in the arts.
I have always had a heart for music. I mentioned the rock band; plus I had recorded a couple of Christian albums back in the 70’s. I had exposure to radio and TV in that season as well. In fact, my first trip to Asia came as an invitation from Trinity Broadcasting Network to provide music for some crusades in Indonesia. (When I first heard the location I thought it sounded like Rhodesia and I was quite sure I was being asked to go to Africa so I really hesitated making a commitment to go.)
On my very first trip I fell in love with Indonesia! I was there with evangelist Mel Tari and former astronaut Jim Irwin. I took my wife, her pianist and the pianist’s husband, and two single fellows for a mission trip several months later. My wife also fell in love with the people and we moved there several months later with our children in 1980.
After those initial visits I took the Perspectives course at the US Center for World Missions. While there I was introduced to FACE (Fellowship of Artists for Cultural Evangelism. Working with Asia we created a new acronym that was a little more “PC” – Friends of the Arts for Cultural Exchange). I became an associate and applied for a visa in Indonesia with a government agency: LIPI ( Indonesian Institute of Arts & Science). I was considered to be working for the government as a research scholar. My thesis title was “Traditional Indonesia Theater as a Vehicle for Communication”; and, I might add, for evangelism!
My secondary sponsor was a Christian University in Central Java. We had a music evangelism team there and I assisted in the establishment of a communications department. Another hat I was wearing at the time was that of distributor for Maranatha Music and Word music. Being involved in the local music scene, my wife and I recorded a duet album while living in Indonesia.
How has your thinking changed about arts and worship through the years, and what are some significant developments?
I’m not sure my thinking has changed over the years. I have always believed that there is a BIG role for the arts in God’s scheme. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to see the role of instruments like the harp, Jubal’s flute, and the major impact of the Psalmist David. Why would it be any different today?
Music has always played a major role in our ministry. In fact, we began our music ministry together by singing for my sister-in-law’s wedding 45 years ago. We have been making beautiful music together ever since! I portrayed the hymn writer Charles Wesley in a church musical in a large church in Southern California. I even rode into the auditorium on horseback.
Let me bring this story right up to date. Currently, I serve on the International Board of International China Concern. This is a 15-year-old ministry that works with disabled and abandoned children. Their tag line is “Love, Hope and Opportunity for every disabled child in China.” That is a BIG vision. Today they have almost 300 children in three cities, many of whom have been snatched from the jaws of death. They are given love by the volunteer missionaries and Chinese carers, and receive love and hope from teams from around the world who visit frequently.
I also work closely with the China Operations Leadership Team. Recently, we had a presentation from one of our projects that brought goosebumps to my skin and tears to my eyes. They showed how they use the arts to let the disabled “experience” God in their own way, at their level of ability. They have managed to combine the therapy, physical care, education with a real heart for the spirits of the children. I cannot adequately describe the PowerPoint presentation, with music and powerful prose written by one of the therapist volunteer missionaries. These folks are my heroes!
To me I still remember the powerful transformation in my thinking during the Perspectives course so many years ago. The Word does simply ask us to “…preach the good news”. We are asked to communicate… and by whatever means will impact a given audience.
My prayer for the church today is that as they learn to worship the Lord, He will supply creative ideas for how to BE the church in the world and communicate His Love!
You can contact Terry at coach.terry.phillips@gmail.com
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