Terri Foster Ferrell – Iowa Bahá’í History

Submitted April 2026

NOTE: Terri wrote this in response to a series of interview prompts.

My name is (Teresa)Terri Ferrell but have also been known by my other aliases: Terri Foster and Terri Bennett. I grew up as a Christian in a Presbyterian church in Waterloo, Iowa. My parents were active in the church (choir, teaching Bible school in the summers and regular attendance on Sundays). My church had a big bell tower and massive, tall interior chapel that was mystical to me as a young child. As a young teenager, I remember my intense love for Jesus and often prayed to him for assistance and help during tough times, from lost pets, to dating, to family discord. I was amazed how I felt my prayer requests for help were answered.

As I entered high school, I was aware of the racial issues in my town in the 1960s and struggled a lot with the prejudice shown in my family, friends, and town. I could not agree with the division (white only church and black only church) when Jesus taught that we are all brothers and sisters. I remember engaging my parents on this issue (probably not in the most respectful way) as I was outspoken and passionate about my belief.

Then in 1970, I went to the U of Iowa and took a comparative religion course, as I started nursing school. I became aware of the great similarities in the basic teachings of all the religions. I remember thinking I could accept Mohammad’s teachings as truth. It led again to great personal confusion with the issue of prejudice and rejection of other religions. I felt I was missing something that would help me with a bigger religious picture. I continued my search for answers and clarity to address this confusion and feeling that something didn’t feel right.

Then as a young mother with a little child, I attended a “mom and tot” group. I witnessed disagreements about whose church was right and whose was wrong. These disagreements and judgements were between different denominations of Christianity (Catholic vs. Protestants, Presbyterian vs. Methodist vs. Lutheran). I remember hearing that if you didn’t speak in tongues, you were not true Christians, etc. I kept thinking all these churches come from Christ, all Christians, all fighting. I kept questioning the divisions in Christianity, fighting each other over spiritual righteousness… So what did that look like in the bigger picture of different religions like Islam, Judaism, Native American Faith, Hinduism and the like? One of my post-college friends and colleagues was Jewish. I thought to myself that she was more spiritual than any of these Christians. How would they understand “her”? Could they see her as a spiritual equal? Again, how was I to understand the big plan? Whatever that was!

Then a miracle happened. I was blessed to meet my future brother-in-law, Dr. Alfred Aflatooni, who happened to be a Persian Baháʼí! My older sister, Jennifer Foster, was also in college at Iowa working on a master’s degree. She has just purchased a Bible at the local bookstore to give to me. Next to the Bible was the book, Baháʼu’lláh and the New Era, which she purchased as well. She had been going to various churches with her friends, exploring different religions, and had heard about the Baháʼí Faith but couldn’t find “that church.” Meanwhile, Alfred and Jen had become friends. He was a medical resident at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City where Jen was a nurse. One day Jen saw Alfred with a Baháʼí pamphlet and asked if he was “one of them?” (My sister was as forthright as I was…no messing around with words.) She told him that she had been looking for “them.” She told him she had started reading her new Baháʼí book but was struggling and asked if he would help her understand it. Of course he was willing! So, Jen started studying the Faith. She was also taking a comparative religion class and chose to write her final paper on Progressive Revelation, with Alfred’s assistance! She figured she would pull together all the religions that she was studying using the Bahá’í teachings on Progressive Revelation, which answered the questions and search she was on.

Jen would often share with me what she was learning about Baháʼu’lláh and her interest in the Baháʼí Faith. I was invited to go with her to firesides in Iowa City and the surrounding area. For one standout fireside, we traveled to hear Ruth Moffett as she talked about Progressive Revelation, including the amazing chart she created. I still have my copy of her chart. What a gift! Michael Cavitt, along with Baháʼís of Iowa City, were so helpful. My questions and confusion were finally being addressed through the teachings of Baháʼu’lláh focusing on the Oneness of Humanity (we are all brothers and sisters), Oneness of Religion (we all are part of one religion of God – we fit together through Progressive Revelation) and that there is only one God with many names. And furthermore, that the divisions of Christianity were distortions created by man not God and that this misunderstanding of the true spiritual teachings would give rise to the return of Christ (stars and moon falling to the earth). I was so grateful to have my basic understanding of Jesus reinforced in Baháʼu’lláh, who fulfilled Christ’s mission. I never had to give up my love for Jesus and that I was actually doing what Jesus and the Bible directed. Seek and you will find.

The Tablet of the True Seeker and the books, Thief in the Night, Gleanings, and the Bahá’í prayer books where key to my journey. And by the way, looking back, I realize my sister, Jennifer, was always leaving Baháʼí prayer books and Holy Writings at my house! There was always a silent spiritual power at work. What a successful teaching strategy!

My sister declared her belief in Baháʼu’lláh and she became engaged to Alfred. Well, that didn’t go well with my parents. They were very concerned about Jen joining a cult, and “wasn’t the religion of the parents good enough?” and Alfred was a Persian (seen as a different race). I share this because this situation was strangely helpful to me. My parents would ask me (they didn’t want to ask Jen) something about Baháʼí Faith, like “how do they view Jesus and Christianity?” or “why do they prohibit drinking alcohol” to name a couple. So I’d go ask Jen and Alfred, then I’d go back to my parents with what I learned. I was learning a lot and agreed with everything so it was easy to be assured while explaining the Faith to my parents. I was still outspoken as I tried to help them broaden their view of religion, regardless of their doubt, fear, prejudice and concerns. Jen and Alfred were able to obtain parental consent and they had a Baháʼí wedding in Waterloo, Iowa on August 13, 1977.

Their Baháʼí wedding included Ruth Muffett. I sat next to her during the ceremony. She quietly leaned over during the service and asked if I would read the long prayer assigned to her (she said her eyes were bad) in exchange for the short prayer I had been given. We switched prayers and ended up messing up the order of things for others! We shared a good laugh. I loved her! What a shining light.

Unfortunately, Jennifer and Alfred moved to the state of Washington shortly after getting married and I (along with a husband and 2 sons) moved to Cleveland Ohio, then Chapel Hill, N. Carolina, and then Sioux Falls, S. Dakota. My relationship with the Faith slowed but never stopped.

After returning to Iowa (West Des Moines) I once again enjoyed being immersed in a Baháʼí community. I was inspired by so many Bahá’ís, including the Findlays, Carpps, Mickunases, Abels, Caves, and Julie Pare, Bill Brown, Mildred Sullivan, Betty Madden, Becky Jensen, Marda Rodriguez, Grace and Karl Kough, and many more. It was a joy to declare my belief in Baháʼu’lláh in February of 1984, at the Bahá’í School held on Sundays at Wilkie House in Des Moines. I was excited to help teach children’s classes (with 4 sons of my own) and to host Holy Days and firesides. Serving on the Iowa Baháʼí Summer School Committee was one of the highlights as I felt so attached to so many Baháʼís across the whole state.

My next move was to Brandon, Mississippi, outside Jackson, where I had the privilege of meeting and knowing more of my Baháʼí family including the incredible Lackey family and Ms. Emmylou Patten (William Sears mentioned her in his book All Flags Flying). I learned quickly how important this Faith is in changing a world filled prejudice. The stalwart strength of the Baháʼís in Jackson will never be forgotten. Thank you for how you shaped me.

Sioux City, Iowa has been my longest-lived home and current Baháʼí community. Once again, I have been blessed with a beautiful Baháʼí community to share life’s journey. Serving on the LSA (until I moved out into the county) and as an Assistant to Auxiliary Board Member, Mr. Khosrow Rezai, was a privilege and a wonderful way to learn the amazing workings of the Administrative Order. Teaching junior youth classes and facilitating a youth workshop, as my own sons grew up, was an honor and delight. Working alongside so many amazing teachers of the Faith here in Sioux City has taught me so much. And encountering inspiring human beings, like Kevin Locke, during proclamation events has offered precious lifetime experiences. Going on Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in 1994 with my husband and four sons was the pinnacle of my life. The sight of my son, without prompting, independently stepping up to be the first of our family to approach the Holy Threshold, bowing and placing his head and prayer book on the Threshold to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, moved me to the depths of my soul.

I have always said that the Faith of Baháʼu’lláh has been the greatest gift to me in my life. The Faith has totally reframed my life and given a solid foundation for all I do, all decisions I make and how I look at my future and next life. No more confusion! I finally found the answer to my heart’s longings. It has always been my antidote for hopelessness, loneliness, and feeling lost. No matter how challenging and devastating my tests have been, or how I have stumbled, I have always found solace, direction, guidance, forgiveness, inner strength, mental relief and courage in the prayers and Writings. My Baháʼí friends, who are walking this journey with me, are a joy to me and a treasure trove of wisdom and support. I am humbled by their lives of service and dedication. Whether in my personal life, my career as a nurse, or my family life, the Faith is my touchstone and guiding light. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this gift with others and to be a part of the growth of this blessed Faith during a time in world history when so many feel scared, hopeless, lost, and alone. Thank you Baháʼu’lláh!