Terry Bright, a rock and a calling
From the very beginning of her life Terry Bright felt like God had called her to serve Him and to work with Him. Her commitment to that service has been a lifelong journey, being called to different things at different times. When she stepped into her role at Elizabeth House 30 years ago, Terry didn’t understand why he was placing her there, but God was leading her.
Terry says it was as if God said, “I know who you are, I know what I created you for, and I know the purpose I have for you.” When He calls you to something, you don’t always know why, but He chooses so carefully who He is going to place into different things. When God placed Terry at Elizabeth House, it was with such purpose and intention, and the lives of the women and children she has touched along the way are countless. But if you ask her about the lives she has changed, she credits letting go, surrendering, and allowing God to use her in the ways He saw fit.
Over 30 years ago, Terry accepted her first part-time position with Elizabeth House. It was while auditing an interview with one of Elizabeth House’s first residents, Tami, when Terry knew this role was her calling. As she sat there listening to a board member conduct the interview, she could tell the board member wasn’t really seeing Tami. While the board member was asking questions and going through the intake procedure, she was not seeing the realities of Tami’s experience. Terry asked if she could ask questions at the end of the interview. Tami opened up to Terry more than she had at any prior point during the interview. Afterwards, the board member asked Terry how she knew to ask those questions, and Terry told her that she just did. It was in that moment that Terry realized her life experiences had led her into the lifetime call of the ministry of Elizabeth House.
That call has been confirmed repeatedly throughout the years. God continues to tell her to let go and surrender it all.
But the way Terry walks alongside our women is a true testament to the legacy and life she has lived while part of Elizabeth House. She can be firm or soft, tough and kind, and absolutely truthful while fully loving. She can confront people where they are so that they have a chance to heal, restore and move forward from their life traumas and challenges. Terry being placed at Elizabeth House is beyond a shadow of a doubt God’s will, and she is still serving today because she knows that is what He wants. She is a cornerstone and a rock, a foundation for Elizabeth House now and into the future.
