Pastor Tom was born and raised in Lakeland Florida. He was the third of four boys. His father was in the outdoor advertising business. His mother was actively involved in Christian Womens Club for many years. Tom worked at Word of Life camp in New York, and attended Philadelphia College of Bible (now known as Philadelphia Biblical University). After college Tom and Karen were accepted by Village Missions, and have served with VM since 1971 in California, Oregon, Washington, Iowa and now in New Jersey.

Tom & Karen enjoy traveling and scuba diving, and Tom has even made a couple of parachute jumps. Tom & Karen have served with Word of Life on medical missions ministries in Ukraine, Romaina, Honduras and Guatemala.

As Village Missionaries, Tom and Karen see the community as their mission field, not just the local church. For that reason Tom has served as a volunteer fireman, has helped produce a weekly community TV program, ministers in the Atlantic County Jail, has a church service twice a month at a local Nursing Home, and runs a Christian Day Camp during the summer.

> Our Testimony

Karen & I both had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. When I was 8 years old I accepted Christ personally around a camp fire at a Christian camp. I began to study God's Word, and was encouraged to take notes on the pastor's message. When I was 12 years old I became a member of my church, and three years later I dedicated my live to Christ around a camp fire at Word of Life Ranch in up-state New York. My Mother thought I would be a pastor, and my Dad thought I would be a missionary when I grew up. A missionary shared a verse with our Sunday School class that became my life verse. It was Psalms 115:13 (NIV) "he will bless those who fear the LORD-- small and great alike. "

For three years while I was in high school and college I worked at Word of Life Ranch. One summer a representative from Village Missions shared with the staff at a morning prayer meeting. God touched my heart as I pondered the possibility of being a part of such an organization. That summer I was also introduced to Philadelphia College of Bible. I felt that PCB would best prepare me for a ministry with VM, so I applied and was accepted. During my four years at PCB I stayed in contact with VM, and took courses that would prepare me for a pastoral ministry. Upon graduation in 1971 Karen and I came into Village Missions.

Our first field was located in Paskenta, California. We had just returned from a trip to Israel. The sheep grazing on the rolling hills reminded us so much of Israel. The church building was a converted logging hotel. We made many new friends, and saw a number of people come to Christ in our two year stay.

From Paskenta we moved to Logan, Oregon near Portland. We also served there two years before moving to Kettle Falls, Washington. We stayed there ten years, and saw God bless in many ways. From there we moved to Gilbert, Iowa where we served for five years. After that we moved to Galloway Township, New Jersey where we have been serving since 1990.

From loggers to farmers to casino workers people have the same basic needs. They all need an income to survive, people who care, and a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. That's why we are in Village Missions - to bring the Good News of Christ to rural America.

Galloway Twp. used to be more rural, but today it is primarily a bedroom community for Atlantic City. The primary work in the area is in the casino industry, or related jobs. It has put us in contact with a whole different group of people who need the Lord. Because the work schedules in the casinos are so demanding it is very difficult for people to come to church. In spite of that, God is blessing. The Church has become very multi-cultural and multi-racial. Where there is differences, God has brought harmony. We serve together in Christ.