Who is Terry Porter?
I grew up in the Midwest (South Bend, Indiana), I was a typical latchkey kid who was into skateboards and bikes, and I learned how to be street-smart in an urban environment. After high school, I went to a small Bible school in Iowa, where I learned to study the Bible for myself and teach it in a way that makes it relevant to others. During my summers off from college, I served in Northern Michigan at a youth camp. This is where I began to learn in greater detail about leadership, management, and the healing power of healthy relationships.
After college, I moved east to Maryland and took a position as a pastor and high school social studies teacher. I loved it! Allow, I didn’t make much money, I wouldn’t trade that time of my life for anything. I made lifelong friends, impacted students that I still connect with today, and lived in a beautiful part of the country, just a few miles from the Appalachian Trail. While in Maryland, I did a lot of hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. After four years in Maryland, my wife Jen and I moved back to the midwest to be closer to our families. A church in Traverse City was looking for a pastor, and we jumped at the opportunity. We spent the next eighteen years at that church, where I developed my skills in counseling, group dynamics & processing, and leading groups on 18 national and foreign mission trips.
Struggles Through Terry Porter’s Life
Growing up as a latchkey kid put me behind the eight ball in my understanding of intimate relationships. Through both trial and error and counseling, I have learned how to connect in healthy ways to God and others. Growing healthy relationships are hard work, but it is so worth it. Through some dark times in my life, I struggled with addictions, but God’s principles in the Bible are clear and can help anyone recover, just as I was able to.
Trained and Licensed Life Coach
I have my Master’s degree from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University (Irvine) in Executive Coaching and Consulting, I have a minor in counseling, I’m certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors for treating sexual addictions. I am a member of the Full Strength Network. The Full Strength Network is a program for pastors and ministry leaders to get the coaching, counseling and resources they need and want, insured by Brotherhood Mutual.
I continue to advance and grow my education each year with supplemental seminary courses and leadership intensives and meet regularly with a group of professionals who push me to be better every day.
Building Family Relationships
It is so important to continue building my own relationships with those around me. During my “free time” I enjoy spending quality time with my family and mountain biking along different trails. As a family, we like to go to any of the countless Northern Michigan beaches in the summer, hike the beautiful backwoods trails, or travel. My passion for mountain biking has evolved over the years, from being a casual rider back in the 1990s to competing in endurance races and hosting a weekly men’s group ride.
What is a life coach?
“While there are many definitions, a life coach is a person trained to help people improve their lives in specific ways. A coach knows how to help you improve your business, become a better leader, or meet personal goals. In its purest form, coaching is a means of receiving truth to help you grow wiser, or more skilled in living: “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life (Proverbs 19:20).” Dr. John Townsend
Speaking And Consulting
Terry is frequently asked to speak at churches, church events, companies, conferences, and other private events. If you are interested in having Terry speak at your event, please send him a message to start the conversation. Email Terry Porter at: [email protected]
