This article appears in the Spring 2025 issue of the FCA Donor Publication. The FCA publication is a gift from our FCA staff to all donors giving $50 or more annually. For more information about giving, visit here.
In the spring of 1994, Terri Greener was finishing a school counseling internship and noticed an FCA banner at a workshop she was attending. After speaking with longtime FCA staff member Randy Jensen, she felt God drawing her to the ministry. She started by volunteering at an existing Huddle at Rosemount High School (Minn.) and then switched in 1997 to Eastview High School in Apple Valley, where she has led a Huddle for nearly 30 years.
Please briefly share your Christian testimony.
I came to know the love of Jesus as a high school student when I was involved with youth ministries. I think that is why I have such a passion for reaching out to students, knowing that they are hungry for the truth found in the Gospel, and once they’ve been introduced to the love of Jesus, they will be eternally impacted.
How has being involved in FCA impacted your faith?
FCA has impacted my faith on many levels. First, it has taught me the importance of allowing space for Jesus to do His work. Just by providing a faithful presence for the kids, either through a trusted conversation or a crazy night at our Huddle full of fun and games, Jesus was always at the center. It was during moments at FCA that literally hundreds of students felt the love of Jesus and gave their hearts and lives to Him.
Secondly, I have seen miracles unfold as Jesus used me in a public school setting. With all the challenges and noise in our world, kids are looking for something to put their hope in. Talking with students about hope is helpful, but being able to safely tell them who to have hope in is eternal. In a setting like FCA, students can come hungry and safely ask questions about their faith, then leave filled with the truth of who Jesus is.
Finally, like Daniel in the lion’s den, I have learned what it is to stand firm for my faith when faced with worldly opposition. At a time when FCA was under fire and scrutiny for some of its biblical principles, it became apparent to me that when you are representing Jesus, there will be times when we are called to stand firm and decide whom we serve—the world or the Lord. My faith was strengthened as I took a stand defending and representing FCA and ultimately the truth found in God’s Word.
What’s the best thing about being a volunteer with FCA?
The most rewarding part of my career has been my involvement with FCA. I believe God called me to work in the public schools, and that our schools are mission fields in need of workers. It is vital that FCA remains in our schools. I know it is getting more and more difficult for FCA to have a presence in the public schools, but we cannot let up. We cannot take our foot off the gas. FCA provides an avenue to talk about Jesus. I am not exaggerating when I say that through the ministry of FCA at the high school I work at, thousands of kids have heard about Jesus, and hundreds have come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming involved in the ministry?
When I talk with other people about volunteering with FCA, I want them to know the blessing it is to be a part of such an incredible ministry. Yes, life is busy, and fitting one more thing in might feel like it can’t be done. But I want to challenge people to believe that in God’s economy, He will make a way. Trust Him to multiply your gifts and talents and use them in His ministry.
Do you have a favorite memory that stands out in your many years of serving in the ministry
I have been leading a high school Huddle for 30 years, so I have more memories than I can count! One of my favorite memories was when I taught a lesson on “taming the tongue” from James 3. To help illustrate the message, I bought an actual cow’s tongue. If you haven’t seen a cow’s tongue before, it is about a foot long, bumpy, and looks pretty nasty. I hid the tongue in a shoebox with a small hole cut out of the side of the box. I had three volunteers reach inside the box and try to guess what they were feeling. When it was revealed that it was a cow’s tongue, I definitely had the students’ attention! From there, we had a great discussion on the idea of “taming our tongues” and the power that comes from our words and speech.
Do you have a key Scripture verse or passage that you often think about as you minister?
There are two verses that I often think of when working with the ministry of FCA. The first is 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” I think this is powerful to help remind students that although they may be young, they have the power of Jesus in them and can be an example for others to follow. The other verse I often refer to when working with youth is Galatians 5:22-23: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” In the same way that an apple is evidence that it came from an apple tree, our character is evidence that we are living lives as believers who follow Christ. The theme of this edition is “Glory Revealed” (John 1:14).
How has God revealed His glory in your life and ministry?
God doesn’t have to show us or prove anything to us. But because He is a loving God, He allows us to see and feel His agape love and His ultimate glory. Over and over, I have been amazed at God’s provision. He is always on time, always perfect and always loving. God is glory. When you open yourself up to be used by Him in ministry, you will see miracles occur and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. I have been touched by His glory through His people, His promises and His prayers.
What is God teaching you now?
God continues to teach me to trust Him and lean not on my own understanding. Recently I have been walking through a challenging time, and God has helped me to walk in faith and use His Word as “a lamp for my feet” (Psalm 119:105). Truly, this verse has become a lifeline to me as I liken it to walking in the dark with just a lamp to guide my steps. The light is bright enough to illuminate my next few steps, it does not show the entire journey. Through this analogy, I have learned to keep walking and keep trusting. Even when I don’t know the whys or what’s next, I do know God is good and He is sovereign and I can trust His Word and, thus, keep walking!
FCA Executive Vice President of Motorsports, Donita Povolny said, “Her biggest thing is, it’s fun to follow Jesus. That’s her biggest thing because she works with high schoolers and they have to be cool. She’s always pitching it as ‘It’s fun to follow Jesus.’ She brings the fun into the room.”
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