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Terry Dirks
(1944-1999)

The Rev. Terry Dirks died while on an International Renewal Ministries prayer summit consultation trip to Nagano, Japan on the morning of Sept. 24, 1999 The Rev. Dirks was a vice president for Multnomah Bible College and Multnomah Biblical Seminary, overseeing International Renewal Ministries, Mission Portland and public relations.

The Rev. Dirks graduated from MBC in 1966 and then attended Northwest Nazarene College where he met his wife, Judy. The Rev. Dirks and his wife have two daughters, Dana and Debbie, and three grandchildren.

The following memorial was submitted by Mike Paolicelli, alumnus of Multnomah Biblical Seminary and an intern and former staff member of International Renewel Ministries.

Of all the people I've every met, in all the ministries I've been involved in, from all the 17 countries I've visited and in which I ministered, Terry Dirks stands out as a man set apart for God. I imagine that if God ever struggled with patience, he might have struggled with giving Terry to us for so long. The time may have been short to us, but I think the time might have seemed an eternity to God.

Terry was like a father to me. We shared many meals and belly laughs together. We ministered and prayed together. We talked for hours about God, friendship, life and ministry. Since the day I met Terry, more than eight years ago, I've tried to learn why and how God used him so powerfully. I think I have a few basic answers.

Terry Dirks was a man surrendered to God. If God wants anything from a man, he wants his unconditional surrender -- more than education, talent, eloquence, popularity, money or possessions. He was one of the most surrendered men alive. Yes, he was eloquent and popular, but the primary reason for Terry's popularity was his surrendered availability to God and to people.

Terry Dirks was a humble man. He was approachable, teachable, respectful and gentle. We would often talk about James 4:7, I Peter 5:5, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Terry understood that those scriptures were not written to the unsaved but the saved. He wanted the glory of God more than the attention of men.

He could have become a famous and wealthy man from his ministry endeavors. But he would always remind us of the words of the John the Baptist regarding Jesus: "He must increase, I must decrease." When you saw Terry, you saw Jesus, plain and simple. He prayed that God would humble him, and God used him as a result.

Terry Dirks had a deep, consistent, and biblical fear of the Lord. We don't see or hear about that very much these days, but I certainly heard it from Terry's lips and saw it in his life. He often prayed that the Lord would keep him pure, free from accusation, so that one day he could stand before Him, spotless and faithful. Terry understood the importance of a life that feared the Lord.

Terry Dirks was dependent on God through prayer. He understood the importance of prayer as an expression of dependence on God, but he never worshipped prayer. He walked the fine line between praying and understanding that God, not he, was the reason for every spiritual breakthrough.

Terry Dirks had an undying love for God. I am convinced that there was nothing Terry would not happily do for the Lord if he knew God was asking him to do something. The man loved God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, and that love was contagious. When you were around Terry, you were gently persuaded to examine your own life in regard to loving God. The love of Terry's life was his savior.

Terry Dirks had an undying love for people. Second only to his love for God was his love for his family. Terry would often remind me, in his prayers and words, the importance of relationships, and he would speak of his deep, indescribable love for his family. He would often remind us of the importance of 1 Peter 3:7 -- that a husband's prayers could actually be hindered if he didn't treat his wife appropriately. Terry loved his family deeply.

Terry Dirks understood and emphasized the importance of biblical unity. The ministry of International Renewal Ministries is founded on Psalm 133, John 17:20-23, and Ephesians 4:3, and Terry knew it well. He reminded us that "unity attracts and maintains the blessing of God." God's evangelistic strategy begins and ends with unity.

He was a team player. Terry was grieved over a breakdown in communication or a rumor of a church split. He reflected the Lord's heart for unity in the church. God can use a man with that kind of heart, and he found that heart in Terry.

Terry's life was like a pebble being tossed into a pond. The ripples of his life will continue far beyond his homegoing. He left a legacy that will span beyond his years into eternity. Terry's life was an inspiration to us all, but that inspiration has just begun.

Though I deeply and painfully miss my friend Terry, I take comfort in the fact that His Savior no longer misses him. "To be absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord" II Cor. 5:8. Congratulations, Terry, and welcome home!