TERRY LEBLANC

Terry is of Mi’kmaq/Acadian descent hailing from Restigouche, PQ and Campbellton, NB, Canada. He and his wife, Bev are now in their 34th year of marriage, and have three adult children: twin girls age 28, and a son age 24.

Following a nine year term with World Vision Canada, Terry took up his current position as National Ministries Director with My People International – a cross-cultural leadership development ministry with Native North Americans. Terry served in directorships with Youth for Christ for 15 years during which time he and his family also operated an open custody facility for Native young offenders in their home, and shepherded a rural church plant. Terry has served in full-time ministry since 1979 and has been ordained since 1983.

Terry has been active in Native Canadian affairs for many years. In 1998 he was co-chair of the second World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People held in Rapid City, SD, USA and currently serves as a member of the movements’ International “Protectors of the Vision.” He continues to serve on the National Task Force on Aboriginal People with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and as Chair of the board of directors for Wiconi International, a U.S. based ministry to indigenous people.

Teaching focuses for terry include: the development of cultural bridges between Aboriginal people and the majority cultures; Native North American cultural expressions in Christian Faith; and, workshops on holistic, sustainable community development methodologies for indigenous people. He is actively involved in the development of biblically and theologically reliable materials that promote the clear call to personal faith while affirming the cultural identity and need for cultural renewal and multi-level reconciliation of Aboriginal Christians.

Terry has taught as a sessional lecturer at various colleges, seminaries and universities, and as guest lecturer and chapel speaker at educational institutions across Canada and the United States. He is one of the founders and current Chair of NAIITS (North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies), a new approach to biblical and theological reflection, writing and education for Native North Americans.

He is currently working on his PhD at Asbury Seminary.