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Phyllis Terwilliger

terwilliger_phyllis.jpg“I believe that Dave’s and Ginger’s teaching, examples and honesty provided a foundation for my faith,” says Phyllis Terwilliger. “It gave me tools so that when I did graduate, my faith remained, and I got involved in my local church, married a Christian, raised my children as Christians and have a quiet time to this day. I make all of my decisions based on the integrated model that God cares about all aspects of life. From working on a burn barrel ordinance to starting a community garden, I see my involvement stemming from teachings I learned through Dave and Ginger and the fellowship of the other students.”

Phyllis connected with the CCO’s ministry at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania early in her freshman year. “I had just made a commitment to Christ the summer before entering college, so I looked for a Christian fellowship as soon as I arrived,” she remembers. “Throughout the rest of college life, I was very involved in CCO’s ministry. Most of my closest friends were involved in the fellowship group. I led Bible studies, attended a weekly discipleship class offered by Dave and Ginger and I spoke during my senior year at our weekly fellowship group. I also attended the Jubilee conference.”

Today, Phyllis and her husband, Mark, whom she met as a result of her involvement in the CCO’s ministry at Edinboro, live in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Mark is a pastor at Beach Lake United Methodist Church, and Phyllis serves as a gardener at a local resort. The couple are raising two teenaged sons.

Phyllis is actively involved in her community and her church. “I attend township meetings to change laws, especially in the environmental realm. I have been on the board of directors of our county’s literacy organization for 10 years. I am a volunteer for the Penn State Master Gardener program and help educate children regarding plants, insects, and gardening. I feel strongly that there is a direct correlation between children spending less time outdoors and its negative impact on children’s spirituality.” She has taught Sunday school for more than 25 years, and continues to build relationships with fellow church members, praying with and for them.

“When I sense God calling me to a mission in our church I pray about it then act,” says Phyllis. “Sometimes I say yes and sometimes no. Our church is currently going through a visioning process and I’m on that team, and I am also on the community garden committee. But my favorite part about attending church is worship!”

Phyllis continues to be grateful for the part that the CCO’s ministry at Edinboro played in directing her life. “My involvement in the CCO’s ministry kept me from the party scene. It helped me witness to non-Christians and see that my faith had to be integrated into my schoolwork, friends and family. I got involved in a political group of campus because of my faith. I saw my political views, the food I ate, and the way I cared for my body all connected to my faith. I especially liked the discipleship group because it was an accountability group, We really delved into Scripture and learned how to pray.”