Almost Missing Heaven

He wanted to change but did not know how

Terry Hurt grew up attending church, then walked away from it at thirteen. As a young man, military service took him far from his Ohio home. He made friends, met the woman he would marry, and faced situations that eventually made him question the way he was living.

He tried to change through determination. He searched for answers. Still, he feared that his past had placed him beyond God’s forgiveness.

Almost Missing Heaven follows that struggle through his return to Ohio, his marriage to Eunice, and the church visits that brought him into contact with a persistent, caring deacon. A later conversation in Terry’s living room became the setting for the decision he had long resisted.

On July 14, 1970, Terry placed his trust in Jesus Christ.

His account brings autobiographical storytelling together with biblical teaching. As he recalls family memories, military experiences, and the circumstances of his conversion, he also explains his beliefs about salvation, grace, and the seriousness of eternity.

Written with the conviction of someone sharing a personal testimony, Almost Missing Heaven invites readers to consider their own relationship with God and the choices they are making today.

Inside the book

Family memories and early loss. Terry recalls his Ohio upbringing, the mother he barely knew, and the family members who raised him.

Service and relationships. His Air Force years introduce new places, enduring friendships, and the beginning of his relationship with Eunice.

A struggle with guilt. Terry describes wanting to change while doubting that forgiveness could be meant for him.

A turning point at home. A conversation with a church deacon becomes the moment when he finally responds to the call he believes he has been hearing.

Scripture throughout. Biblical passages accompany Terry’s testimony and explain his understanding of salvation and eternal life.

For readers considering questions of faith

Almost Missing Heaven may interest readers who appreciate personal Christian testimonies, stories of conversion, and accounts of returning to faith after years away from church.

Its questions may also resonate with those who struggle with guilt or wonder whether they can begin again. Terry writes from his own experience and Christian convictions, inviting readers to consider the message for themselves.

Terry Hurt was born in Dayton, Ohio, and raised on a farm near Greenville. He served in the United States Air Force, where he met his future wife, Eunice. Almost Missing Heaven shares his personal testimony and the faith he embraced on July 14, 1970.

Read Terry’s testimony for yourself

Discover the experiences behind Almost Missing Heaven and the Christian faith at the center of its message.