Family footsteps: The Rev. Terry Wayne Eaves comes from a long line of preachers

The Rev. Terry Wayne Eaves of Cornerstone Assembly of God in Cape Girardeau comes from a long line of preachers. As he tells it, he has been involved in church in some capacity since his infancy and he followed the footsteps of his father, grandfather and father-in-law in becoming a pastor. Eaves hasn't been pastoring at Cornerstone long, but he said he enjoys the interesting congregation. Eaves said it is small at present but as people of like faith who really love the Lord and whom he believes are deserving of the best ministry possible.

What drew you to serve in a leadership role? I felt a call to the ministry at the age of 12 and was encouraged to follow that leading by my parents.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor? I attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo., for three years; then received a bachelor of science in pastoral studies from International Bible Seminary in Plymouth, Fla. I later attended Shawnee Junior College for further study in U.S. history, then received an associate of arts degree from Jordan College in Grand Rapids, Mich., where I graduated magna cum laude in microcomputer applications.

How many years have you served as a pastor? I began pastoral duties in 1968 as a teens and worship pastor in El Dorado Springs, Mo., but began senior pastoral work in 1972 in the Illinois District of the Assemblies of God where I was ordained in 1974. I also traveled extensively as an evangelist for about seven years and with several musical groups in the Southern Gospel genre.

When did you become the pastor at Cornerstone? The board asked me to assume the pastorate the first week of October 2010 after I had helped with occasional pulpit supply for approximately three months in the absence of a pastor.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to the Cape Girardeau/Jackson area? I was born in Donaldson, Ky., but my parents moved to St. Louis shortly thereafter. I attended elementary and high school there and relocated to Springfield to attend Bible College at the age of 19. I pastored the Assemblies of God Church in Mounds, Ill., in 1977 when I suffered some serious health problems and was advised by my doctor to move to a warmer, less humid climate. Barbara and I moved to Three Rivers, Mich., where we built a new church and was then invited by the Michigan District Council to pioneer a new church in Grand Rapids in 1982 where I remained the senior pastor until July 2010 when we moved back to this area because I felt my health would not allow me to properly function under the stress of that particular pastorate. We moved back to Missouri because this is where most of our surviving family members live.

Were you involved with your church before becoming the pastor? Yes. Barbara and I were attending another church in Cape Girardeau but felt we needed to be more involved in ministry than we were. We attended Cornerstone one Sunday morning and felt immediately that we had found the place God wanted us. We began to be involved almost immediately in music and pulpit supply and taking part in some of the classes offered.

What do you think makes this church special? Cornerstone is a unique congregation. It is quite small at the present but is comprised of people of like faith who really love the Lord and whom I believe are deserving of the best ministry possible. I hope to be able to communicate my feelings of their worth in some way in time to come. In the few short weeks we have been serving here, we have already come to love and appreciate this church family who have been so faithful to carry the load for many years.

What's your favorite verse and why? Being faced with a new assignment and some feelings of inadequacy I have of late latched on to Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? We are preparing for some special Christmas projects to needy situations in the area. I am very interested in being of assistance to Teen Challenge and the battered women's safe house. We also want to help a limited number of needy families this year as we are able.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? Tomorrow. It allows me to commit the failures of today to the Almighty and face new challenges with renewed vigor.

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? I am a people person. I just enjoy having meaningful input into the lives of people and seeing them respond with like consideration.

What hobbies do you have? Unfortunately not many. I used to be quite a fisherman but have not been able to get started up again since our move from Michigan. I also like to tinker with automobiles, but since of late it has become a necessity, some of the enjoyment has vanished. I still enjoy my computer. Most of the time it is just a tool, but I still enjoy mastering some of the challenges it offers -- especially since the Internet has become such a big part of our lives.

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? I have found new friends in the auto parts world, have learned to enjoy watching my brother-in-law teach martial arts (especially to challenged children) and seeing my wife excel in her hobby as a seamstress and homemaker.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? I read today from Hebrews 10:35-37 NKJV "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry."

And 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."