Blessed is the man... whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
                                        — Psalm 1:1-3











Terry was fourteen when he began working at a local Christian radio station. It was there that he was introduced to the ministry of Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California through his radio program The Word for Today. Although Terry had spent several years in church and had been affected in a positive way by his parents, pastor and others, he had never come to know Jesus personally, he had never heard the Bible taught like Pastor Chuck taught it.

After listening for two years, the Holy Spirit had drawn him to a place where he was ready to submit his life to Jesus. Terry gave his life to the Lord under the guidance of a local Calvary Chapel pastor, who had moved to the area from Costa Mesa, and began to be discipled by a young couple from another local Calvary. His initial curiosity of the Bible grew into a love for God's Word. Terry grew up spiritually in the Calvary Chapels of southern Oregon — Ashland, Trail and Applegate Christian Fellowships.

Sensing the Lord calling him to serve Him in full-time ministry, he has since served in a variety of ministries including more than a decade as a disc jockey and Christian radio program director. Terry has been in the pastoral ministry in one form or another since 1982, serving in both denominational and non-denominational churches. Terry and his family moved to the Eugene area and started what is now Countryside in 1996.

Terry presents a study from the Scriptures that is both deeply Jesus-centered and down-to-earth. Terry's obvious love and focus on Jesus will challenge and bless you. Information for Pastor Terry's teaching ministry at Countryside, as well as MP3 audio of the studies can be found at ThingsAbove.com.

Married in 1988, Terry and his wife Cherylee have four children — Jessica, Jared, Jacob and John-Mark. The Dawsons reside in Coburg, Oregon.