Terry Baxter's Christian Testimony
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Representative Terry Baxter Iowa House of Representatives Iowa House District 8 |
1. When and how did you become a Christian?
Terry Baxter: "I accepted Jesus as my Savior at age 16 way back in 1973. I prayed to accept Jesus based on 2 Corinthians 5:17. My life story was featured on a two part Unshackled story for Pacific Garden Missions if you care to listen to it."
2. How did becoming Christian change you?
Terry Baxter: "I started memorizing scripture and sharing my faith. Eventually I went to Moody Bible Institute and became a pastor and evangelist."
3. How would you describe your relationship with Jesus today?
Terry Baxter: "I am more in love with Jesus today than any time in my life."
4. In the past 12 months, how much time have you spent in prayer with Jesus daily?
Terry Baxter: "I don’t keep time of my praying, but I would guess around 30 to 40 minutes."
5. In the past 12 months, how much Bible reading have you averaged daily?
Terry Baxter: "I spend over an hour a day in Scripture and write a daily devotional post."
6. In the past 12 months, what percentage of your income have you returned to God?
Terry Baxter: "We practice 10% tithe to our local church plus additional giving as the Lord prompts us."
7. In the past 12 months, how many non-Christians have you told why Jesus died?
Terry Baxter: "Because I travel and do evangelistic ministry, I would guess several thousand."
8. In the past 12 months, how many church services have you attended?
Terry Baxter: "I am an elder in my home church, plus speak in many other churches, conferences and retreats. Average 2-3 a week."
9. Which church in which town do you attend most regularly?
Terry Baxter: "We are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church in Garner, Iowa."
10. Which gift(s) has the Holy Spirit given to you and what fruit(s) have they borne?
Terry Baxter: "I have the gift of evangelism, mercy and faith. I am ordained under the Evangelical Free Church of America and have actively pastored five churches, preached in over 350 churches, camps and conferences in the United States, ministered extensively internationally and trained pastors and Christian workers in numerous countries. I worked for 18 years under International Messengers based in Clear Lake, Iowa and seven years ago co-founded GoServ Global that works around the world. We are a sending organization for short term mission trips and have many ongoing ministries in several countries. I just love Jesus and enjoy serving Him in any and every way I can. I also enjoy one on one evangelism and discipleship and love relational ministry."
11. Do you believe Jesus always has been God?
Terry Baxter: "Yes, John 1:1-14."
12. Do you believe Jesus was born of a virgin?
Terry Baxter: "Yes."
13. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross, and if so, what did His death accomplish?
Terry Baxter: "He became my substitute payment for sin and fully paid my debt."
14. Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead, and if so, what is its significance?
Terry Baxter: "His resurrection proved His Deity (Romans 1:4) and ushered us into new life over the power of sin (Romans 6-8)."
15. Do you believe Jesus ascended to heaven?
Terry Baxter: "Yes."
16. Do you believe Jesus will return someday?
Terry Baxter: "Yes, and I am looking forward to that event."
17. By what criterion do you believe people go to heaven?
Terry Baxter: "Born again by saving faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior."
18. By what criterion do you believe people go to hell?
Terry Baxter: "Not being born again."
19. How many books does the God-inspired, error-free Bible contain?
Terry Baxter: "66."
20. The beliefs of which well-known Christian leader alive today resemble your beliefs?
Terry Baxter: "Franklin Graham, Tony Evans, Josh McDowell, John Maxwell, Erwin Lutzer, etc. I have a very long list of current evangelicals I praise God for and emulate."
21. Under what circumstances do you believe abortion should be permitted?
Terry Baxter: "I am opposed to abortion for any reason, but in Iowa I debated for and supported the Heartbeat Bill with rape, fetal anomalies, incest and life of the mother as exceptions to get the bill through the House of Representatives and to the Governor. I recognize the bill does not mandate abortion for any reason."
22. What is your position on homosexual marriage?
Terry Baxter: "I do not see homosexual marriage as being Biblical."
23. If (re-)elected, what remedies will you advocate for our healthcare system?
Terry Baxter: "Healthcare is a broken system that needs huge personal responsibility for lifestyle issues. I believe government or the church should take care of the poor and disabled, but also believe individuals need to be self responsible. I like basic care options where local providers can provide all in office medical care for a flat fee of $200 to $300 a month and then wrap a catastrophic insurance plan around it."
24. If (re-)elected, what remedies will you advocate against the opioid crisis?
Terry Baxter: "We have worked on this in Iowa and need to hold doctors responsible for the way they prescribe medications and have a data bank to track patient abuse from multiple doctors."
25. If (re-)elected, what remedies will you advocate against poverty and income inequality?
Terry Baxter: "I believe in entitlement reform and self sustenance. We also need education reform that actually prepares the work force for real jobs. I want any assistance program to be lower than what can be earned at minimum wage with a graduated incentive plan to cut back assistance as employment compensation grows."
26. If (re-)elected, what remedies will you advocate against illegal immigration?
Terry Baxter: "I believe we should simply apply the same immigration laws for immigrants as their country of origin has to aliens coming to their country. The means strong borders, background checks, legal paper work and proof of education or potential income."
27. If (re-)elected, what remedies will you advocate to protect religious liberties?
Terry Baxter: "We need a Religious Freedom of Reformation Act passed and respected by government."
28. If (re-)elected, what remedies will you advocate against the internet monopolies Facebook censoring Christian content and Google demonetizing Christian websites?
Terry Baxter: "We need a fairness act that fines and penalizes all censorship for political reasons or motives. This requires a complaint and review board."
29. What other issues are priorities for your constituents and what remedies will you advocate to address them?
Terry Baxter: "I want to protect the 2nd Amendment and the rights to hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. I would like to dismantle the department of education and turn it back to local authority and free choice in education. (It has become a breeding ground for liberalism.) I would like to see criminal justice reform and equal prosecution under the law for white collar and political agenda offenders. I want to see Roe Vs Wade overturned and the state to recognize the personhood of the unborn. I would like to see a flat tax that taxes all citizens at the same rate with no loopholes."
30. What else would you like to share?
Terry Baxter: "I am currently the only ordained pastor serving in the Iowa Legislature. I am not a political activist. I am called to be salt and light to the mission field of those in public service. I see it as a valid and often neglected mission field. My goal is to represent and defend a Biblical World View while consistently living out the fruit of the Spirit. Because Iowa is a part time legislature, I continue to work diligently on my world evangelism calling when not is session.
Terry Baxter
State Representative
Iowa House District 8
For more information about Terry Baxter, please visit legis.iowa.gov.
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