Meet Terry Hartley

Meet Terry Hartley
By John Shore

Terry Hartley is known as “the wind under his wings,” “the glue that holds the Hartley family together,” the “real strength” behind the man and a devoted “woman of prayer.” Others who know Terry Hartley quietly agree that she should be known as a “saint.” If you know this very special woman, you would agree that she truly is a gift from God. So many know her husband Bob Hartley, but few are as familiar with Bob’s wife of 24 years, a quiet, committed, intelligent and attractive woman.

Terry Hartley was born and raised in Fremont, Nebraska and moved with her family to Kansas City when she was in the 8th grade. Terry attended Center High School, as did Mike Bickle, where they became close friends. It was the same Mike Bickle who Bob Hartley partnered with in the building of Kansas City Fellowship. Later, Bob assisted Mike who became the founder of the world renowned International House of Prayer. After graduating from high school, Terry attended and graduated from Belmont College located in Nashville, TN and later, received a Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.

Back in November of 1982, Terry who was attending a main-line church, heard a message over the Christian radio about the “first-ever” Prayer Meeting that was sponsored by a new group called the Kansas City Fellowship. “Knowing Mike Bickle from high school, I decided to go and see what it was all about.” about two feet to the left saying, ‘move over, I need more room.’ Well, I knew he was having fun, so I gave it right back, pushing him into his place. To say it mildly, I wasn’t impressed by him, that’s for sure!”

After nearly two years, this relationship that got off to a rather “rocky start” took a different twist as if it was ordained by God.

Terry recalled, “It was amazing, something we had never experienced before. The Lord spoke to both of us at separate times in 1984 that we were to be married to each other. We truly had a marriage arranged with God as the match-maker. We never dated, and after five months of engagement, Bob and I got married. We became soul-mates, help-mates and best friends for life.”

Bob’s ministry took off as a young adult and youth pastor while Terry was teaching some high school students who had behavior disorders find their way. At a local high school. “Bob and I had adjustments to make. Our personalities were radically different. Bob has always been a rather gregarious and outgoing person while I was reserved and normal. You might say we fit the description of ‘opposites being attracted to one another.’ But, the main thing is that we grew together in Christ.

In 1987, Bob and Terry had the opportunity to go overseas to Zimbabwe and serve a work that KCF was supporting. “There were thirty missionaries living on two farms and we had intentions on spending an entire year of our lives at this place. Our purpose was to help the Matabili Tribe learn farming, develop irrigation projects, raise cattle while simply helping to sustain life for the many people. This was difficult but rewarding work that fed the heart. We loved the people and we fell in love with the land of Zimbabwe.”

After only five months of service, the Hartley’s received notice from the African nation’s government that their Visas had been revoked and they were required to leave the country at once. “We were crushed. We wanted to stay, but the government gave us a mandate to leave.

Previously, our KC Fellowship Church had arranged for Bob and me to return to the States via Israel. So, we opted to go there to live on a Kibbutz to be volunteers.

We worked for out room and board as we served the Jewish community. Again, it was a time of growing closer to God and to each other. For three months, the wisdom we gained from the Jewish people who learned to build together in the middle of a desert was invaluable.”

Shortly after returning to Kansas City, our close friend Noel Alexander called and told us that “all of our friends living on the farm in Zimbabwe, our wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ, had been murdered.” Previously to this time, dissidents had made threats to the people living there who were trying to help others. However, this time we were told, on that fateful night, several came in force armed with machetes and knives. They slaughtered everyone, sixteen missionary men, women and children.” You can just imagine the pain and horror that surrounded Terry and Bob regarding this tragic act.

Terry further stated, “We were in shock and deeply saddened. It seemed as though a part of our hearts died too when our friends were martyred. It was so sobering as well to know that Bob and I would have been there that very time had our visas had not been revoked. We knew that God had other plans for us.” No doubt there were seeds planted in the heart of Terry. Later, history will show that those seeds would be watered and would grow.

Bob’s work at the church continued and Terry began to work with him in ministry. Their hearts turned to the prayer room which had been established adjacent to the church office. It was six years before the Hartley’s first child, Amyann, was born. We had one final question. “Terry, we know that Bob constantly has dreams and visions at night and often writes down on paper or uses a little tape recorder regarding what he is hearing and feeling inspired by God. How does that affect you?” Her reply, “It doesn’t bother me, I sleep right through it!” Now that is a content woman! Thank you, Terry Hartley, for being such integral and important part of The Hartley Group.

The Hartley family steadily has grown with the birth of Jedidiah, Taylor and Bethany over a span of the past several years. Terry’s role as “mom” took on great importance. She even used her educational back ground to provide home schooling for the kids and worked with a group of women who did the same. Being a housewife, caretaker for Bob and mom of four children became more than a full-time job but Terry was equal to the task.

She also led groups in prayer, Bible studies and compassion works. Never complaining, she grew in strength as the key component of the Hartley family as she enjoyed their nightly family meetings around the dinner-table. “The family time was very important to all of us. Bob, in his usual fun way – but sometimes serious – was able to draw out the best from all of us. We had good relationship building, encouragement to one another and more as we pressed in to what God was doing in our lives.”

Today, Terry’s daily routine often finds her getting up very early in the morning for personal prayer time. Then she can be found at the International House of Prayer, beginning at the early 6 a.m. hour. Terry also leads “The Nation’s Prayer Meeting” which is aired world-wide over God TV covering a span of two hours every Wednesday. “This has really been good. My heart has been able to connect with other people groups throughout the world. I know, from reading Micah 6, we need to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly. God has allowed me to help others understand that they too need to focus on others, their needs and opportunities in serving,” stated Terry.

Terry shared with others her strong conviction that there has been “a gripping of her heart throughout the years to help the people in Zimbabwe, located in the deepest part of S. Africa.” While the seeds were planted more than 20 years, it was four years ago when she and Bob met Tatenda Gungowo and his wife Lucia, leaders of the “Voice of Peace” NGO organization. Terry felt called by God through this ministry to help those who can’t really help themselves. Their non-profit ministry, “Deeper Waters, Inc.” which was founded by Bob and Terry in 1995 developed a strong partnership. Terry said, “My heart has been gripped to make a difference. I could not ignore the calling on my life.

I had to stop, look and take action to help the people of Zimbabwe which included getting food and help into their hands. There are more than 6,000 orphans existing under the ‘Voice of Peace’ care.

The book of Isaiah, Chapter 58 makes it clear to us as to what to do. The stirring in my heart, to reach out to those in such great need, brought forth projects to send or schedule container loads of clothes, foods, supplies, books and even a pre-school in a box. Others have joined us in this mission that seemed impossible and it has been truly remarkable. It has been an unbelievable journey of getting to partner with God and His heart for the poor.”

Since 1992, Terry has helped Bob and his companies with the accounting which includes bill-paying, invoicing, and record keeping. In addition to this somewhat daunting task, for years, Terry has been an intercessory prayer warrior. “We are called to influence societies, see the spiritual atmosphere changed, while raising ‘Daniels’ or righteous young men and women.” Currently, she teaches a class at The Daniel Academy, a Christian school located in S. Kansas City. Bob and Terry feel a strong commitment to serve the leadership of this school and helped to establish it.

God has knitted the hearts of Terry and Bob Hartley as well as their minds and souls. Yes, Bob is still out-going and fun-loving and Terry is often amazed as to what he does. However, she appreciates his giftedness in speaking, love for her and the family and all that they do as servants for the Kingdom. We also know Bob is very grateful for the wonderful example his wife has been to him and others who know her.

Terry Hartley may be available to speak to your group.  To check her availablity and get more information about prayer CDs featuring Terry, please use the contact form below…