Posted: 3/5/03

Evangelist pumps life into Whispering Pines

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Itís not everyday when the residents at Whispering Pines have a hop and a skip in their gate and a song on their lips. On most days, life is a bit calmer for this senior citizen crowd in Forest Lake.

But not on Monday nights ó not when Terry Denny shows up with his keyboard, guitar and a round of music that motivates the senior citizens to march about the activity center.

Itís been that way for several months this winter since the night Denny, a Pentecostal minister, strolled into the senior housing complex on the hunch the building had a piano.
It did and Denny sat down to play and sing.

Now itís a regular function for Denny, a Forest Lake man who has spent most of his 48 years singing and carrying the gospel to anyone who will listen.

ìItís really enjoyable to see these folks who arenít often able to get out to have a chance to do something fun,î Denny said. ìItís just great.î

Every Monday night for 60 to 90 minutes, Denny pounds out song after song delivering music that folks in their 70s and 80s want to hear.

During a recent Monday night visit, Denny delivered a spirited rendition of ìAmerica the Beautiful,î and the senior crowd proudly marched and paraded around the room.

On this night of music fellowship, Denny drew frequent rounds of applause and a few dancers even took to the floor to a cut a rug.

ìWe just have a good time,î Denny says.

2 years in FL

Denny is a relative newcomer to Forest Lake. Heís lived here the past two years and for a time lived a short distance from Whispering Pines.

He has visited senior housing complexes in other towns where he has lived and had a strong hunch Whispering Pines had a piano. It was that hunch that led to his first appearance.
Heís been a rousing fan favorite and the Whispering Pines residents look forward to his regular visits, said Yvonne Johnson, building manager.

ìI took a chance by just showing up (here),î Denny said of that first visit. ìI was very warmly accepted.î

If Denny can inject a bit of energy to seniors, he believes he is succeeding.

ìObviously it woke up the people to the extent that they wanted me to come a second night,î Denny says with a Southern accent that reflects his roots.

ìOn Monday nights, I just kick back,î he says of his foot-tapping music that pumps new life into the senior crowd.

From the large group gatherings on Monday, Denny meets with the residents each Wednesday night, too, in a more casual atmosphere where more time is devoted to prayer and fellowship.
Preaching to the people is Dennyís mission in life, he says.

Southern roots

That music would form a foundation for his ministry is not a big surprise, he said.
He was born in Missouri to parents who were ministers. He grew up in Arkansas and Texas and went to Texas Bible College in Houston. He has been immersed in evangelistic work since he was 19.

Music has long been a part of his life.

He started with the piano when he was 9 and took up the guitar when he was 13. A sister and a brother are both skilled musicians and singers and Denny has spent time in recording studios in Memphis.

ìIíve been doing it all of my life,î he says of his music.

It was his calling as a minister that carried him to Minnesota two years ago. He spent a year helping establish a new church, Shiloh of Lino Lakes which meets at the old Lino Lakes City Hall building every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Denny came to the church as a guest minister and in-house evangelist. During that year of service, Shilohís attendance grew from 27 to 230.

ìThey were so successful I just stayed,î he said of his work in Minnesota.

He is now helping with an inter-denominational church in Taylors Falls.

Mission in FL

Denny believes he was led to Forest Lake with a purpose. He met his wife-to-be, Kristie, another accomplished gospel singer, he says. They were married last fall and settled in Forest Lake.

The journey also led him to Whispering Pines.

He has built bonds with many of the residents. One family member recently confided in Denny that her mother was on the verge of giving up on life until Denny opened her eyes to the joys of living, he said.

It is such rewards and sharing of the gospel that keeps Denny coming back each week even as he battles health issues of his own.

ìI donít like to sit idle,î he says. ìThis is something that comforts my heart.î

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