Annie offering Week of Prayer features sculptor

PAVILLION, Wyo. (NAMB)—With the deft skill of a trained artisan, Terrell O'Brien selects a sculpting tool and places it on the subject.

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As he cuts here, smoothes there, adds clay or takes it away, the design he has in mind begins to take shape.

When he has completed the sculpture in this small version, he is ready to begin work on what will become a larger-than-life version. O'Brien is an artist who produces monumental sculptures for clients across North America. His subjects may include historical figures, children, Western themes, biblical characters or wildlife—his favorite.

“After completing the clay models, I make the molds which a foundry will use to cast these works in bronze,” he says as he takes a breakfrom his work.

When the phone rings and he begins talking with one of his church members, however, his real love comes into play. His calling to bivocational ministry is what drives his life, and his love of art is what provides his income. Without Terrell's studio it would be difficult to support his wife, Vickie, and family in a state where jobs are hard to come by.

The couple, Mission Service Corps missionaries with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), are being featured during the 2005 Week of Prayer for North American Missions, March 6-13. The theme for this year is “Answer His Call.”

He and Vickie were married in 1976 and participated in several mission trips as members of their Texas church. He began sculpting in the early 80s and eventually decided to leave farming to see where his art career would go.

During the summer of 1995 the couple applied for Mission Service Corps status as they refined their calling through lay-ministry. That's when they discovered the role Tentmakers play in missions—those who provide their own funding in order to pursue their calling.

At first their four children were reluctant to consider such a move, but they trusted their parents as they, in turn, trusted God. That's how the family came to live and minister in the small town of Pavillion, and opened O'Brien Studio in nearby Lander.

From that base he has been able to minister in several churches as supply pastor, interim and full-time pastor—with the bulk of his income provided by his sculpting profession. Without that job his ministry would be severely curtailed, he stresses.

Wyoming is a beautiful, but harsh land, he says. It's a hard place to minister because it is big, wide-open country with a lot of distance between places. The people are difficult to reach because they come from so many different backgrounds and share a common western independent mindset.

“They feel that they don't need anything or anyone—including God—to help them survive,” he says.

The barrier between the Native American and the Anglo culture is also very real and is complicated by the religious differences. In addition, the type of welfare system in place on the reservation also offers little in the way of motivation and often fosters an attitude of hopelessness.

The family joined a Native American congregation, the Wind River Baptist Church on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The couple served as Mission Service Corps church strengtheners for two years before Terrell was called as interim pastor of Warm Valley Baptist Church, a struggling congregation with only five members about 30 miles away in Pavillion.

“I had never pastored before, so it was a real step of faith. But our whole journey in Wyoming had been about God showing us where to step and confirming those steps along the way. I have learned a great deal about hearing God speak to me in whatever way He wants, and then to follow that direction,” he says.

He eventually served at Lander Valley Baptist Church as interim for 18 months before returning to Warm Valley on a full-time basis. The family celebrated its third anniversary with the church in January 2005. During these last few years the congregation has grown, added a small fellowship hall that doubles as Sunday School space, and many have come to faith in Christ.

Now, as nine-year residents in Wyoming, the family feels they are home and have put down roots. The church is averaging 40 in attendance, and is reaching out into the community with a variety of outreach programs.

“I believe God is going to do a great work in this place,” says O'Brien.