I was born in Martinsburg, WV in June of 1957.  My parents were first generation Christians who taught me the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ and being consistent and faithful.  I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 6. Even though it has been 54 years, I still remember the day and what I was thinking.

I graduated high school in 1975 and started attending Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) in the pre-pharmacy program.  I was accepted into WVU’s School of Pharmacy in 1980 and graduated in 1983.

In the summer of `78, Tammy and I tried dating, but it seemed as if it wasn’t going to work for us.  Then in the fall, we both attended WVU and I got to know her through my brother and future sister-in-law.  After Tammy graduated in 1982 and I graduated a year later, we were married in 1984, after dating for 6 years.  I transferred to Virginia, since Tammy was already working here.

During the period of 1990 to 1997, the Lord blessed us with five children: Cody, Chase, Cassidy, Cole, and Cheyenne.  After living in Ruckersville for 16 years, we moved to Madison in 2000.

We attended Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville during our first years of marriage and were encouraged to become part of a small group fellowship.  This led us to become part of a startup church located in Culpeper, which began our years of making the 45 minute trip to Culpeper from Ruckersville. After a year of a startup church that failed, we started to attend Alliance Bible Church in 1993.  We saw many changes and challenges at this fellowship over the years. I served as a trustee, deacon, care group leader, Sunday school teacher, and elder over the 23 years we attended there.

After Alliance Bible Church closed, we visited different churches for several months and were really drawn to Mountain View.  During our time here, I have enjoyed becoming involved in the ministry in different ways, including being a part of the security team and the medical team.  Tammy has enjoyed playing with the worship team and helping out with the cleaning crew. Tammy and I had the opportunity to go to Texas, along with Mike and Valerie Webb, to help out with the hurricane relief and found great joy in being able to serve the people there.

Late last summer, I was approached about the possibility of eldership by the Elders.  Although it truly was a surprise and I wasn’t thinking along those lines, I respect the way Mark and the Elders asked the Lord to show them possible candidates and knew I should consider the possibility.  I am truly humbled and have sought the Lord the last 7 months or so for what He would have me to do. I believe there is great joy in serving our Lord in whatever direction He leads and look forward to serving in this capacity.

Contact Tom at elders@mountainviewcc.net