William Terry was born on March 9, 1962, in Halifax County, Virginia, to Gene and Arnitha Terry, the eldest of five children. He was educated in the Halifax County School System and graduated in 1980. Immediately following graduation, William enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was ultimately stationed in Jacksonville, North Carolina, for four and a half years. During this four year journey, William was privileged with the opportunity to travel over three- fourths of the globe. By the age of twenty, William had already visited countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Somalia, Kenya, and Israel. In 1983, the Lord was with William as he was a survivor of a terrorist attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in which over 275 of his fellow Marines perished.

 

Upon leaving the Marine Corps in 1984, William returned to the Halifax Virginia, area. Although, he was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit at the age of twelve, he resisted the call which God had placed on his life for as long as he could. Finally, after seven years, he yielded to the voice of God and re-dedicated his life to Christ. He received his call to ministry in 1989.

 

The study of the Word of God has always been of great importance to William. In 1987, he enrolled in the Virginia Institute of Biblical Studies, where he studied Old and New Testament Survey. Between 1990 and 1992, William completed both his Ministerial Introduction course and the Ordination course offered by Aenon Bible College. He was ordained by the Virginia State Council of the Pentecostal of the World (PAW) in July, 1995. William furthered his studies by receiving his Associate of Arts from Piedmont Theological Seminary in May, 1997, and then his Bachelor of Theology in 1999. He still continues to sharpen his tools by enrolling in various courses and classes.

 

William has served and continues to serve in various positions both in his local assembly, on a state, and national level. In 1986, he was appointed as the Youth President for New Mt. Olive. One year later, he was appointed as a Deacon of New Mt. Olive. In 1989, William served as the Vice President of the Virginia State Council Young People Union for three years and was then elected President of that same union for seven years. William served as interim pastor of the Lilly of the Valley Apostolic Church briefly in 1995, and was appointed Assistant Pastor of the new Mt. Olive in 1996, a position he still currently holds. William has also served on the Finance Committee of the Young People Department of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. He currently serves as the Assistant Treasurer of the Virginia State Council. Although, William has been considered for many pastoral appointments in various churches in the area, his heart still remains committed to the growth and development of New Mt. Olive.

​