About Pastor Tom

Bio:

Pastor Tom came to Christ at a very young age and pursued a relationship with God throughout his teens and felt the call to ministry at the early age of 17.  At age 19 he began to pastor a youth group as a volunteer at the Presbyterian church where he grew up.  Those were exciting years of ministry that saw a local youth group grow out of nothing to more than 25 kids.  At age 21 Pastor Tom decided to attend a Pentecostal church where God rocked his world and he was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the midst of a worship service.  From then on, Pastor Tom pursued ministry with all his heart.  After completing Bible School in the mid 90's Pastor Tom became licensed and eventually planted a church in Detroit, MI where he pastored for 21 years.

It was during this time his experience and character were honed as he was forced to learn many of ministry's lessons the hard way.  During his 21 years at the Detroit church, he overssaw many difficult staff transitions, a church split, and sudden growth, decline, and everything in between.  It was in these fires of ministry that Tom learned much about how to navigate the toughest and unexpected aspects of church ministry.  But that doesn't mean he hasn't made his share of mistakes.  In fact, he believes his failures have taught him more than his successes.  He knows he's a work in progress.  Tom has often said that church would be easier if it weren't for all the people.  But of course, that's never an option.  In ministry, we are in the people business and learning to navigate hardship in the church is something all pastors need to learn to do with love and grace.  Sadly, Bible school doesn't teach this; only practical experience can.

Eventually Tom decided to pursue credentials in The Church of God, transferred in, and now pastor's River of Life in Rutland, Ohio.   Pastor Tom currently holds the credentials of Ordained Bishop in the Church of God.  In his time at ROL, the learning process hasn't slowed down, it's kicked into overdrive.  

Tom will be the first to tell you he doesn't know it all.  But he's gone through most of what you have gone through in ministry and nade a ton of mistakes, but has managed to come out on the other side with God's grace and help.  His heart is to encourage and he wants to be a blessing to you if you could use any advice or mentoring.  Pastoring is the hardest thing you will ever do.  Don't go it alone.  

Contact Tom at touweleen@gmail.com

~Pastor Tom is married with 3 kids, loves to hunt and fish, and plays guitar, keyboard and sings.