MBP 2020-21 Book2 - Flipbook - Page 73
Memorial Tribute To...
By: Dr James Bumpus
Reverend Doctor Ronald Eugene Terry, Sr.
August 8, 1941 – March 20, 2020
Ronald Eugene Terry, Sr. was born to the parentage of the late Reverend E. H. and Rosetta M. Terry in Wheelwright, Kentucky. He graduated from Wheelwright High School and earned advanced degrees from Pikeville
College, Bethel Seminary and furthered his studies at the University of Minnesota. He was awarded the Doctor
of Divinity Degree from Emmanuel Bible College, July 1999.
Having preached the gospel for more than sixty years, Reverend Terry was known as a powerful preacher. Serving as Pastor of the Greater Sabathani Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota (1967-1976) and the New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Macon, Georgia (1976-1977). In September of 1978, under divine guidance, he organized the New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., Macon, Georgia. The esteemed Reverend Terry led the
congregation for more than forty-two years. During which time, many souls were led to Christ, people’s lives
were changed, and God was glorified. A pioneer in the Macon Christian community, he advanced the Kingdom
of God and the mission of the church through radio and television broadcast ministries, as well as, led the congregation in the construction a new modern sanctuary in 2009.
Reverend Terry’s ministry was a community-wide one. He served as the first African American Chaplain for the
city of Macon Police and Fire Departments, as well as, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Department. In December of
2005, Reverend Terry was promoted to Chief Chaplain for all Macon-Bibb County Public Safety Departments.
He also served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Cherry Blossom Festival. For his service to community, he was the recipient of numerous awards. Among the accolades were state and local proclamations, General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Georgia and National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., service awards
and service acknowledgements from various civic organizations.
Reverend Terry, who is also a renowned and gifted musician, is well known throughout the United States as an
accomplished organist and choir director. He served as the official musician for the NAACP for the past 22
years. In 1985, he had the distinct honor of directing a 3,000 plus voice choir for the Pre-Convention Musical for
the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., annual session when it convened in Atlanta, Georgia. In November
of 1994 he added to his musical credits the notable milestone of director of the Billy Graham Atlanta Crusade
Choir, consisting of more than 11,000 voices at the Georgia Dome. In addition to the aforementioned honors, in
1996 Reverend Terry was commissioned by the President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., to write
the convention’s theme song. The song Til Christ Shall Return Again premiered at the Mid-Winter Board Meeting
in Nashville, Tennessee. He served in various music and ministry leadership roles throughout the nation, state
of Georgia and locally. In the transition of Reverend Doctor Ronald Eugene Terry, Sr. from labor to reward, we
recognize that A Giant Oak Has Fallen.
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