Meet the Terpins
Interview with our Pastoral Resident
We are thrilled to announce we have hired our first ever Pastoral Resident, Daniel Terpin. Daniel and his wife Susi have never lived in Madison, but been connected to our church in cool ways for several years. We can't wait for you to meet them and grow to love them as we have! Here's a brief interview with Daniel.
Tell us a little bit about your backgrounds.
I grew up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA, raised in a small Catholic church as the youngest of three. I headed south to Florida for undergrad, finishing at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL. It was here that encountering God’s love for me as his beloved son changed the trajectory of my life. I moved to the west suburbs of Chicago to study counseling at Wheaton College, where I met Susie, as neighbors and co-baristas, who is now the one I enjoy making coffee for every morning as my wife. Susie grew up as a pastor's kid in west Michigan and attended Wheaton for undergrad. She said that she always knew her life would be about the local church but didn't know what form that would take. While engaged, we began discerning a call to pastoral ministry. This led us to Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL, both enrolling in classes together in 2022, and now having just graduated this past month! Along the way, we welcomed our son, Levi, in the Fall of 2023, and are so grateful for all God has done here over the past four years!
How did you hear about Christ Church Madison?
Christ Church was one of the first churches we knew of that was live streaming services when covid shutdowns began. Susie had known about Christ Church since the beginning (her sister and Marissa are close friends/were college roommates!) and she invited me to watch the Easter livestream service when we were dating. It was in my final semester at Wheaton, when I began praying about a call to pastoral ministry. Worshipping with y’all through the livestream, as Scott was jamming on the banjo, I thought I could see myself doing something similar someday (even if it never involves a banjo). A vision for pastoral ministry was slowly being kindled in surprising ways. Scott has been a pastor from afar to us over the years and we have been so encouraged by how Jesus is building his church and calling others home in Madison!
What are you looking forward to moving up here?
It has been amazing to hear about (and witness when we have gotten the chance to visit) all God is doing in and through Christ Church, as we resonate with the vision of building a house of communion, formation, and mission. We look forward to learning from and serving alongside y'all. We are also excited to be back in the midwest (ask us how we feel about this come February) and to explore Madison and the surrounding areas, as we chase around our son. We are eager for a season with less homework and more time to connect with people, and the opportunity to continue establishing family rhythms and culture as we build a home together.
What are some things you love doing?
A few things Daniel enjoys are running, fly fishing, coffee, and family hikes with Susie and Levi. Susie enjoys morning sunshine, opportunities for artistic learning and expression (from arranging wildflowers to pottery), and good coffee & conversation with a friend. We both love hosting, family dance parties, reading novels, and time to linger with those we love.
I grew up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA, raised in a small Catholic church as the youngest of three. I headed south to Florida for undergrad, finishing at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL. It was here that encountering God’s love for me as his beloved son changed the trajectory of my life. I moved to the west suburbs of Chicago to study counseling at Wheaton College, where I met Susie, as neighbors and co-baristas, who is now the one I enjoy making coffee for every morning as my wife. Susie grew up as a pastor's kid in west Michigan and attended Wheaton for undergrad. She said that she always knew her life would be about the local church but didn't know what form that would take. While engaged, we began discerning a call to pastoral ministry. This led us to Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, AL, both enrolling in classes together in 2022, and now having just graduated this past month! Along the way, we welcomed our son, Levi, in the Fall of 2023, and are so grateful for all God has done here over the past four years!
How did you hear about Christ Church Madison?
Christ Church was one of the first churches we knew of that was live streaming services when covid shutdowns began. Susie had known about Christ Church since the beginning (her sister and Marissa are close friends/were college roommates!) and she invited me to watch the Easter livestream service when we were dating. It was in my final semester at Wheaton, when I began praying about a call to pastoral ministry. Worshipping with y’all through the livestream, as Scott was jamming on the banjo, I thought I could see myself doing something similar someday (even if it never involves a banjo). A vision for pastoral ministry was slowly being kindled in surprising ways. Scott has been a pastor from afar to us over the years and we have been so encouraged by how Jesus is building his church and calling others home in Madison!
What are you looking forward to moving up here?
It has been amazing to hear about (and witness when we have gotten the chance to visit) all God is doing in and through Christ Church, as we resonate with the vision of building a house of communion, formation, and mission. We look forward to learning from and serving alongside y'all. We are also excited to be back in the midwest (ask us how we feel about this come February) and to explore Madison and the surrounding areas, as we chase around our son. We are eager for a season with less homework and more time to connect with people, and the opportunity to continue establishing family rhythms and culture as we build a home together.
What are some things you love doing?
A few things Daniel enjoys are running, fly fishing, coffee, and family hikes with Susie and Levi. Susie enjoys morning sunshine, opportunities for artistic learning and expression (from arranging wildflowers to pottery), and good coffee & conversation with a friend. We both love hosting, family dance parties, reading novels, and time to linger with those we love.