by Billy Patterson
After more than 28 years of pastoring the local congregation and 35 years in the ministry, Calvary Fairfield’s Terry Skinner will deliver his final sermon as pastor this coming Sunday morning after announcing his retirement earlier this month. A special luncheon and retirement celebration will be held Sunday, January 30th immediately following the morning service in Calvary’s Life Center.
Terry David Skinner graduated from Forney High School along with his sweetheart Randi Sue Miller in 1973. He graduated from East Texas State University in December of 1977 and married Randie in 1978. He and his wife lived in McKinney, Texas and during their time there, he worked as a mortgage banker servicing the North Dallas area. He also became active in a local country church named ‘Foot Baptist’ where he taught youth Sunday school. He would eventually be asked to serve as deacon but declined due to plans to move to East Texas in the near future.
In 1982, he moved his family to Quitman, Texas where he built their home and ultimately opened a cabinet shop. He joined Calvary Baptist Church in the Alba-Golden area, taught Sunday school and would later be ordained as a deacon.
His call to the ministry came in August of 1986 at Calvary Baptist Church in Golden, Texas. At the time, the couple had three daughters and didn’t know their fourth child, a son, was on the way. He then enrolled and began commuting to the BMAA Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas.
His first call to pastor a church came on October 19, 1986 when he accepted the pastorate at Sheridan Terrace Baptist Church in Palestine, Texas. Brother Skinner was ordained as a pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Golden, Texas on November 15, 1986. He would continue his studies at the seminary while pastoring full time in Palestine.
His second church to pastor came on August 12, 1990 when he accepted a call at First Baptist Church in Blooming Grove, Texas. “Our hearts were broken to have to leave the wonderful folks at Sheridan Terrace but I certainly sensed the Lord’s leading”, stated Skinner. “We enjoyed our time in Blooming Grove and still love them dearly to this day.”
Brother Tommy Hall, who was Calvary’s pastor at that time, resigned in February of 1993. On May 2 of that year, Brother Terry preached a sermon at Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield in view of a call. One week later, he would accept that call on May 9th and delivered his first sermon as pastor on June 6, 1993. He stated again that it was difficult to leave the incredible church family in Blooming Grove, but “knew the Lord wanted me in Fairfield”, stated the pastor.
“Early in my ministry, I was encouraged to keep records of professions of faith, baptisms, weddings, revivals preached and funerals. I failed to follow that advice and regret now that I did not,” the pastor stated. “There have been many in all categories throughout the years and I have been blessed to see so many come to Christ and grow in their faith while at Calvary. There are several families that I have baptized mom or dad or both, married them and have baptized their children.”
“It has been my blessing to work and serve alongside Brother Shelby Race (Calvary’s Music and Education Minister), Brother Matthew Prather and Brother Devin DeGuilio (former youth ministers), and Brother David Skinner (current youth minister)”, Skinner added. “Mrs. Charlotte Mullen has been a wonderful church secretary and bookkeeper. In the latter years, we had Philip Winfrey and Donald Mullen to oversee the building and maintenance needs. I love all of these folks dearly for their service to the Lord and Calvary.”
Skinner continued “I have tremendously high praise and respect for the deacons of Calvary for their faithful service during difficult and trying times and their assistance to me while pastoring. The members of Calvary love the Lord and are ‘Can do all things through Christ’ obedient servants and I have always been impressed with their willingness to give and do their all for the Lord,” the pastor stated.
During all three pastorate positions, the pastor served the local BMA (Baptist Missionary Association) in many offices. He served as a trustee for several departments, served on various state committees, served as vice-president and president of the BMA of Texas. While serving in the BMA of America, Skinner also served on the missionary advisory board. His travels included participating in a group trip to Russia and Ukraine to establish mission opportunities when the Soviet Union was dissolved. He also traveled to Ghana, Africa on a medical mission trip and worked as an evangelist. Other mission trips included journeys to Honduras and Mexico.
“During my 28-1/2 years of pastoring at Calvary, more than 4000 sermons have been preached, dozens of revivals, guest speaker engagements and 24 years of teaching Sunday school. The folks of Calvary have been most gracious having heard all my stale jokes, funning sayings and often repeated stories. There will be a God-led man that will come as pastor for Calvary Fairfield and I am certain the people will continue to love the Lord, love people and faithfully proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ until he comes again”, Skinner stated in closing.
Brother Terry and Randie have four children: Kacie, Becca, Trisha and David and fourteen grandchildren. The Skinners will continue to reside in Fairfield with their four children and families.
